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GCSE OCR Latin Set Texts Guides

Prose Literature 2020–2022

Translations and textual analysis of Prose set texts for the GCSE exams in 2020-22. Each text is broken down into manageable chunks, translated into English and accompanied by meaningful notes on style, grammar and literary effects. Additionally, for each text: a brief biography of the author, cast list showing key relationships and ideas for further study.

Written in an accessible and engaging manner

A Hollingbury, Teacher & Peer Reviewer

For each section of the text:

  • Aided translation activity – suggested word order, additional vocabulary and comprehension questions all support students in making sense of the Latin
  • Widely spaced Latin text next to clear translation – perfect balance between literal, easy-to-follow translations & an eloquent rendering of the text
  • Detailed student-friendly notes deepen their appreciation of the text

Eminently useable in classroom teaching

S Thomson, Teacher & Peer Reviewer
Plus!
  • Overview and biographical notes put the work in context
  • Key technical vocab highlighted – glossaries included
  • Practice Exam Questions with mark schemes – fully prepare your students for the exams!

The sheer volume of detail on every line in terms of grammar and analysis is comprehensive enough that the resource is a one-stop guide to scoring full marks on this paper

A Hollingbury, Teacher & Peer Reviewer



Click here for Verse Set Text Guides for exams in 2020–2022.

What do teachers say about this resource? (8881)

A comprehensive and thoughtful analysis of the texts with all the detail on style and content that is required for teaching the texts to a high level, written in an accessible and engaging manner... The sheer volume of detail on every line in terms of grammar and analysis is comprehensive enough that the resource is a one-stop guide to scoring full marks on this paper. The resource is clearly and accessibly written... The vast detail in terms of style analysis is invaluable for teaching; the guided translation pages are particularly useful for providing students to aid them in producing their own translations of the text, and the mock examination questions are ideal for practicing the required skills... Not only does this resource provide a great level of detail in terms of the material candidates are expected to learn, but the "mock" papers at the end of the resource are in exactly the exam format of the new GCSE and very clearly directed at replicating the assessment requirements of the GCSE - this is very impressive.

A Hollingbury, Teacher & Peer Reviewer

Excellent! A comprehensive and informative resource covering all the fundamental information required for the successful navigation of these texts, most of which is unavailable elsewhere... It provides students of all abilities with an accessible means of approaching a very challenging part of the GCSE course... I particularly liked the very useful and informative background and 'cast' information and explanations... it's really valuable for [students] to get a broader picture of the culture and society in which their literature is set. The resource is broken down into very manageable chunks with helpful key questions on characterisation etc. at the end of each to consolidate understanding... I thoroughly appreciate the sample questions and the quality of the information in their answers. The 'write on' pages are also a useful addition... This resource allows pupils to 'have a go' at translating Latin which is significantly harder than any they have previously encountered... providing them with the vocabulary and word order required. It then provides some quite complex grammatical explanation which will stretch and enhance the knowledge of the more able students. Finally, the sample questions and mark schemes provide an opportunity for pupils to practise their written skills and memory recall in the style that will be required in their exam, which is always invaluable... The style and context notes particularly provide the required explanation of why specific linguistic devices may have been used in certain circumstances, which is what students frequently struggle to grasp... The resource is most definitely of a high publishable standard: it is factually and grammatically accurate, presenting a comprehensive level of information required by this paper.

K Morris, Teacher & Peer Reviewer

Really helpful, clear, accurate resource.
There is a wide varity of info, Latin text numbered, good translation. Useful linguistic comments.

P Giles, Teacher & Peer Reviewer

Very thorough and useful. It provides a convenient way for students to learn their set texts inside out. It analyses the set texts in great detail. It helps practice in Latin translations.

R Sengupta, Teacher & Peer Reviewer

The notes throughout are well-designed to fulfill the expectations of examiners and give students all the help they need to excel... A comprehensive preparation for the new specification Latin prose examination; the layout is clear and easy to follow; having the vocabulary and suggested word-order together on the same page (and importantly, not on the same page as the provided translation) is useful and makes the resource eminently useable in classroom teaching (especially as it’s photocopiable – the teacher can decide how much support from the text to give and when). The inclusion of examination-style questions with mark-schemes is particularly appreciated; coming up with good text-specific, exam-directed questions remains one of the great burdens for Classics teachers... The focus on preparing students for the examination was clear from the Teacher’s Introduction, where the style and purpose of the resource was explained by reference to previous examiners’ reports from OCR... Doubling the vocabulary (i.e. appearing both beneath individual passages and collected at the end) is a good feature... Keeping the vocab at the back as a backstop, as well as having it at the fingertips under the text is excellent. The commentary is clear and incisive – pitched at just the right level for GCSE students; good stylistic insight... This could be used almost as a textbook to take students through the set text... it could also be used as a revision resource for students in the final months before the examination... The gap between the level of the literature papers and the actual linguistic ability of students is often very large at GCSE level; the text does an excellent job of bringing these together at points in the Grammar and Translation notes... I would particularly recommend it to early-career teachers as it would drastically cut down on preparation and planning time.

S Thomson, Teacher & Peer Reviewer

What do teachers say about this resource? (8884)

I like the author’s style – nicely written, with a good turn of phrase that is engaging without being imbecilic or overly formal... The numbered Latin really helps with translation at GCSE.

C Bird, Teacher & Peer Reviewer