QUESTION INTERPRETATION IN LITERATURE:

INTRODUCTION

Question interpretation is the process of carefully examining a Literature essay question in order to understand exactly what the examiner expects the candidate to discuss. In Advanced Level Literature examinations, knowing the text is not enough. A candidate may know the plot, characters and themes very well but still lose marks if the question is misunderstood.

Example: “Discuss Walter’s character in A Raisin in the Sun.”

In such a question, the candidate must discuss Walters’s character and not simply retell the whole story.

Similarly, candidates may be asked, “How does Hansberry handle the theme of racism in A Raisin in the Sun?”

This question is not simply asking “What is racism?”. The candidate here must explain how Hansberry handles racism in the play, using characters, incidents, dialogue, conflict and other dramatic techniques. A good Literature essay begins with a correct understanding of the question.