This document provides guidance for analyzing and summarizing a passage from Shakespeare. It outlines that the summary should: 1) Analyze the internal and external contexts of the passage and its overall significance within the play. 2) Closely read a selected passage of 25-35 lines and discuss how themes are developed through characters and plot evolution. 3) Provide a concise yet thorough understanding of the context's dramatic influence and significance through clear and precise language, using quotations and references blended into the analysis.

1. CONTEXT AND OVERALL SIGNIFICANCE
• Internal context defined in relation to the play’s evolution and created work
• The significance of the passage
• Aspects of dynamic evolution
• External context of Shakespeare’s time
• Interpretations based on present day perspectives and context
• Not describing context but analysing its dramatic influence throughout the
whole passage and its effect on audience

2. THE EXTRACT
• Passage of 25 to 35 lines
• Students choose their own pathway through the extract, selecting materials for
comments and analysis
• Close reading and clear ideas are important and, inevitably, some structuring
necessary for clarity, but no expectation of a formal essay
• Themes through characters and characters through themes: plot evolution and
stages of development of a character.
• Key feature: analysis of dramatic impact

3. QUANTITY AND QUALITY
• Students don’t need so many detailed quotations memorised, but they need to
know the play well enough to refer to it in detailed allusion
• KP 20 – The commentary is very rich and always firmly grounded in the text. There
is always a well-developed and detailed discussion of ways in which language, form
and structure in the selected passage shape meanings
• Focused and precise. Critical concepts and terminology used accurately and
effectively with quotations and references blended
• Thorough understanding and clear and concise summary of the context’s overall
significance

4. ANSWERING THE QUESTION
• The expectation is that the response should take the form of a developed answer in
prose form
• Does not require a formal introduction
• References should be used, where appropriate, in the form of short quotation OR a
clear reference to a scene/speech/action/aspect of language
• Context of the response is more important than style or expression, although clarity
of ideas is essential
• Key feature should be the recognition of the dramatic impact

5. FOLLOW UP QUESTION
• This gives the students the chance to broaden out and show their knowledge of the
play
• The follow up question should avoid repeating ideas already expressed though
there may be incidental overlap
• The question may be plot or character based but obviously linked to theme and
dramatic impacts on audience and perceived author’s intention and effects