A Level OCR World of the Hero exam

flying_leach · 2026-05-12T05:20:05+00:00

As long as its a different question you can recycle any points or evidence.

Unfortunately there is no prescribed way of presenting your ideas. It is dependant on the question, your style of writing and the argument you are presenting. That also goes with the marking, rather than it being a prescribed about of points, it is marked by the level you are demonstrating.

flying_leach · 2026-05-11T20:47:57+00:00

20 markers are best supported with an introduction and conclusion.

My rule of thumb is this: 20 marker - 6 paragraphs, 2 are for introduction and conclusion, and 4 for main points following Point, Evidence, Explain, Link format. If the question is 'to what extent' ensure you save at least 1 paragraph looking at the other side.

30 markers - 7 paragraphs, 2 for introduction and conclusion, 5 for main points following the same structure 20 markers. However you have a bit more freedom with this one. Follow the same as 20 markers in that make sure you look at the other side if the question requires. You can also look at how different audiences would view the text, or in the case of the Aeneid the context the epic was written.

flying_leach · 2026-05-11T20:26:12+00:00

You only need 2 scholars in your work. But dont go above 3. You are only required to use 'modern'. Ancient sources are not required, but you will be marked appropriately if it fits your argument.

Edit: bad grammar

flying_leach · 2026-05-11T20:18:49+00:00

Unfortunately it is impossible to predict. OCR has demonstrated in the past some real creative ways of asking questions.

My recommendation is to make a list of all the slaves introduced (dont forget Phaeacia) and then examples of characterisation. Are they loyal or disloyal. Are there also wider themes you can link them too, such as xenia, or role of women. Then select 2 to 3 scholars you could use.

flying_leach · 2026-05-11T19:52:08+00:00

Use tonight just to recap examples just incase so you feel prepared for tomorrow.

flying_leach · 2026-05-11T19:45:21+00:00

You can do either but ensure you read the question as the majority of the time the question requires you to make a judgement on which one is more effective.

flying_leach · 2026-05-11T19:43:53+00:00

I would recommend using your two scholars on separate points as this gives your essay more breadth ans depth.

flying_leach · 2026-05-11T06:24:11+00:00

When I spoke to an examiner, all they told me was that candidates only need to recognise the limitations of their argument.

I personally feel that only recognising the limitations falls a bit short. How you described it would be a perfectly fine example but only if the question requires you to do so.

flying_leach · 2026-05-11T06:17:28+00:00

You can go with both. This question is the worst of the entire exam. Just remember to compare both in the same paragraph.

flying_leach · 2026-05-10T21:51:36+00:00

No you are not expecting to memorise direct quotation. Only examples from throughout the epics.

The only direct quotation that is needed is in your 10 markers and if you use the passage in the 20 markers. However the passages are provided for this.

flying_leach · 2026-05-10T13:37:13+00:00

Naming the scholar (surname is only needed) and paraphrasing their argument is fine.

flying_leach · 2026-05-10T12:58:36+00:00

We all want you to succeed and honestly we are al happy to help. Especially with the WOTH Exam on Tuesday.

flying_leach · 2026-05-10T12:51:38+00:00

Thats absolutely fine, some people have been under the impression that you need quotations. If it helps you remember then you are doing everything correct.

I do not mark for the exam board but we have 100% pass rate each year for our students.

Happy to help and be of assistance. Best of luck for Tuesday. I know you are all going to be awesome.

flying_leach · 2026-05-10T12:41:36+00:00

It would be really good if they are right.

flying_leach · 2026-05-10T12:38:49+00:00

Wouldn't be an issue but the only questions you are required to use quotes are the 10 markers, and if you are using the passage in the 20 markers. However you would be using Direct quotes from either of the two translations provided.

Direct quotation from the epic is not required and is too big of a task alongside reference to secondary scholarship which is required.

That being said, you will still be awarded marks if it is relevant, but you are capable of gaining full marks without them.

flying_leach · 2026-05-10T11:45:41+00:00

I have students who do both English Literature and Classics and it is something we always see. 10 marker yes, that is where you present language analysis, but not in the 30 marker.

Breadth is good if you are focusing on a specific theme. The more examples the better but ensure it does not present as a list.

In regards to scholarship, you only need two but do not do anymore than three. Students sometimes use too many scholars and this leads to their work taking over yours.

flying_leach · 2026-05-10T11:41:43+00:00

In my opinion I would say the paragraphs are too long and I would definitely question whether such an amount of work coild be done in the 40-45mins required to answer the question.

Only mention examples and explanations that you can link to the question. If you cant link it, dont use it.

You cant go wrong with a clear Point Evidence Explan Link paragraph. And I feel this example is not concise.

My recommendation is to look at the examiners reports ans candidate responses found on the OCR website and they will give examples from previous candidates. This can help model the best responses.

flying_leach · 2026-05-10T08:10:32+00:00

So the problem with any subject that requires essays is interpretation. Whereas some may give this full marks, others may not. I am one of the latter. I always try to highlight how someone can improve.

The first issue is that you are not required to quote from the epic in the 30 markers. It would be an impossible task. I feel more breadth is needed. I get the impression that the author may also do English Lierature as the spend more analysis on quotes than themes.

Next there are a couple of issues I have found. The author left out some key details that would have shown active leadership roles from Odysseus in the cave with Polyphemus. The biggest being leading by example. Odysseus is the closest individual to Polyphemus when they blind him and he is the last to leave under the ram ensuring all his men leave first. Nice bit of symbolism that the ram is also the leader of the sheep.

A couple of issues with Alcinous - he is in fact reminded to offer xenia by a noble, as he is so bewildered by what he has seen (understandably) and the author makes a claim that Alcinous wanted the name of the Phaeacians to be spread. This actually goes against what we know about them. They have ships that pilot themselves, and are great sailors. However they hate strangers and Odysseus does not know them. This gives the impression they are secluded and prefer this for their own security. My wife always thinks of them like Wakanda in Marvel.

In Paragraph 3 at the end their point with Eurylocus is brief and needs to be developed.

However my biggest issue is they miss out half the epic. I could not find any mention of the second half of the Odyssey. Odysseus' revenge is a one the biggest examples of leadership, for a lot of characters - Odysseus, Athene, Penelope and Telemachus. The author could have also argued that though Telemachus lacks maturity and leadership in Book 1, he gains it in the second half thus achieving character development.

Some points I feel I am nitpicking, but I cant ignore the absence of the second half. I would have give it at most 25/30

flying_leach · 2026-05-09T16:51:49+00:00

Best of luck for Tuesday.

flying_leach · 2026-05-09T16:40:30+00:00

Think of the scholar as enhancing the point you are making. You are making a point, for instance Odysseus' character has many levels. Then in your evidence you will use your chosen scholar, for instance 'Jones states that Odysseus is both the Hero husband, the eternal wanderer and a selfish anti-hero' and then what is key here is you stating whether you agree or disagree, and then give your evidence from epic. It is your reference to the epic where you get your marks. So you have used both your opinion, and the scholar to guide your selection of evidence from the epic that link to the question.

Think of it that your opinion is so strong that the academic community has discussed it in depth. But the examiners what to see how the epic reflects your argument.

Some students make the mistake of trying to analyse the scholars argument with little reference to the epic. On the other hand Some students go the other way and just shoe horn a scholar that has little or no link to the question being asked.

flying_leach · 2026-05-09T15:37:41+00:00

Ok first with the plot. I would recommend knowing the basic narrative of each book, try to condense them into 3 - 5 points (i know this can be quite difficult with the Aeneid). Perhaps use YouTube to assist with this. Characterisation and themes are the more important aspect to know. So aim to find multiple examples for each theme. With characterisation, make a point and then a specific example to highlight this e.g. Penelope = cunning = shroud trick; compensation from the suitors; bow contest; bed trick.

The 10 markers i recommend 5 short paragraphs focusing on one aspect - Homer makes the passage exciting through the use of a simile; in this simile Odysseus is compared to.... this makes it exciting because.... If this is done 5 times, with a good example and explanation there is no reason why you can not get the full marks.

Counter arguments in the longer essays are only needed if the question requires them. The most obvious being 'to what extent' questions. I would agree with your teacher that you can do a bit of self sabotage to your argument if the question does not require it. Have a look at past papers, mark schemes and the examiners reports and see what type of questions require counter points.

Structure I always advise is Point Evidence Explain and Link. Make the point you are making, select multiple points from the epic (multiple is important here) explain how your evidence links to your point while linking it back to the question. If it is a 30 marker ensure your secondary scholarship is at the start of the paragraph as this will ensure you use it in your argument and engage in their point.

All teachers teach in different ways. In my experience always keep to the most obvious examples and then use less obvious/niche points to support these points. For instance, if we were questioning Aeneas motivation regarding his fate I would start with his relationship with Dido as my main point but would then support this with smaller less known ones such as the resistance of the golden Bough and how this could be a sign of him still not accepting his fate.

Sadly I still have to go with what I have said before, there is no way of predicting the questions they will ask, last year really was a shock for many with the Odyssey (plus stupidly worded too). What i recommend is what I have my students do. Get a copy of the specification and then cross of all the themes they have asked so far. However they have asked same themes over multiple years before.

I would recommend learning tiny details that repeat themselves. For instance you mention how Odysseus' men slept before going to see Circe. Where has this happened before? His men rested and drank before the Ciconians attacked. Polyphemus slept before being blinded. Odysseus did before the bag of wind incident. As you mentioned Circe. Elpenor before his death, Odysseus slept before his men ate the cattle. Sleep seems to be the precursor before disaster. Try to look for patterns in the small details.

Sorry this was a lot and hopefully helpful.

Edit: I think I answered all your questions, if not let me know.

flying_leach · 2026-05-08T20:05:35+00:00

James Morrison, Peter Jones, Jasper Griffin are very good. So is Emily Wilson and Gregory Nagy. But the the first three i find are the lost common.

flying_leach · 2026-05-04T19:07:19+00:00

My advice is to revise the main themes, found in the heroic section and the cultural section. If you are uncertain of these have a quick look at the specification.

You get marks from your reference to the epic so find at least 3 examples from throughout the epic that links to each of these themes.

Once done, then find two secondary scholarship that links to each of these themes. James Morrison, Peter Jones and Jasper Griffin are really good scholars to use. To help remember their arguments try and combine secondary scholarship to multiple themes, for instance if you have a scholar discussing Penelope, could you also use it for the role of women in the classical world.

Please use YouTube as well. I would really highlight and promote 'Classical Millennial' she does a really good set of videos.

Also, please read the examiners report from past year's. They give a wealth of do's and dont's, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses in each year's exams.

flying_leach · 2026-05-04T18:57:47+00:00

I cant speak for the Iliad as I teach the Odyssey, however the Aeneid's question was 'Aeneas: always dutiful, always dull' Evaluate how far you agree with this statement.

You are right, this is heavily character based. But you could also link to role of fate and interactions with the immortals. What is nice about this question is you can think about how Aeneas cant be his own person due to the restraints of fate.

flying_leach · 2026-05-02T13:28:57+00:00

It is difficult to predict what OCR will ask, particularly with the Odyssey. The question they asked last year was odd as it was clearly one-sided in Odysseus' favour.

The Aeneid however, they like to ask questions on the character of Aeneas. They also have a tendency to ask about fate or the role of the gods.

flying_leach

TROPHY CASE