Key Points from the Video
The Ubiquity of the Question:
The question of answer length troubles students and teachers worldwide, despite the common observation that mark schemes focus on assessing skills and quality rather than a specific word count. Tom Bennett, writing for Cambridge Assessment, noted that "clear answers are hard to come by" regarding this question.
Balancing Quality and Quantity:
While the overriding importance of high-quality content is acknowledged, it is "reasonable for students to want some guide to how much is expected in terms of length".
Previous Research on Length and Marks:
BBC Bitesize Guide: An older BBC guide suggested a target of roughly 450 words for a 45-minute English Literature GCSE examination.
Automatic Essay Scoring (AES):
Studies by Murray and Ori within automatic essay scoring (AI-based grading) have established a relationship where "longer responses are often awarded more marks". However, this approach has been criticized; Perelman (2014) argued that automated scoring engines "grossly and consistently over privilege essay length" over quality.
Tom Benton's Study:
Benton's study of 5000 answer scripts found a significant connection between answer length and scores. Nearly all responses fewer than 200 words received a "U" grade, while A+ grades were often associated with longer answers (around 700 words). This suggests that while "very long answers are not necessary for a good mark, candidates must write enough"
Handwriting Speed Research:
Studies by Wayne (referenced by Benton) found average writing speeds for Year 10 pupils to be around 14-18 words per minute, with a typical range of 10-20 words per minute.
Research by Patos showed Year 10 students writing at an average of 16 words per minute in a free writing task, rising to 17 words per minute for Year 11 students, suggesting writing speed increases with age.
Other research by Barnett, Henderson, Schreib, and Schulz indicated that 16-year-old students could write over 20-30 words per minute when simply copying text.
Quantifying Answer Length Based on Studies and Guidelines:
The video combines Benton's findings, guidelines from the University of Kolkata, and a small sample study conducted with postgraduate students to provide concrete recommendations.
University of Kolkata Guidelines (2017-18): For a 16-mark question, a word limit of 600 words was prescribed for English Literature honors papers.
DoE-MKBU's Sample Study:
A local study with 18 PG students found that, on average, students were able to write 610 words (simplified to 600 words) and 126 lines in 30 minutes. The study noted a wide range in student writing speeds and line usage, highlighting the need for supervised conditions for more accurate data.
Deriving a Standard Metric:
Based on a traditional 100-mark, 180-minute (3-hour) exam, it was calculated that:
▪ One mark corresponds to 1 minute and 48 seconds (108 seconds).
▪ Assuming a writing speed of 20 words per minute (600 words in 30 minutes).
▪ This means one mark corresponds to 36 words (108 seconds / 3 seconds per word).
• Recommendations for Specific Question Types (based on a 90-minute exam with three 14-mark questions):
Students should aim to write 504 words. This leaves approximately 4 minutes and 48 seconds for reading the question, framing the answer, and rereading/rectifying errors. This translates to 105 to 125 lines, or 4 to 5 pages in a standard answer book with 32 lines per page.
For a 7-mark short note (15 minutes allotted):
Students should aim for 252 words. This leaves approximately 2 minutes and 24 seconds for review. This translates to 62.5 lines, or 2 to 2.5 pages.
Lines per word:
One line, on average, equals 4.5 words, though this varies greatly depending on individual writing style.
Impact of Writing Style and Layout:
The video emphasizes that the actual number of pages written can vary significantly depending on a student's writing style. Factors like bullet points, paragraph breaks, leaving empty lines, drawing infographics, or centering quotes can lead to fewer words per page and thus require more pages to meet the word count. While some students intentionally leave space to make answers appear longer, the focus should remain on the actual number of words and effectively utilized lines.
Limitations and Future Scope:
The presenter acknowledges that these findings have limitations. Further scientific investigation is needed on handwriting speed under exam duress, human capacity for lengthy descriptive answers, and the correlation between marks and time. Factors like the environment of writing, the cognitive effort required for "thinking and writing" versus copying, and the complexity of vocabulary in the text being written can also influence results. Despite these limitations, the provided figures offer students a "golden mean" or "ideal number" to strive for, which can help them achieve better marks.
Sample Question and Answer
Write critical comment on Charles Dickens as the social critic of Victorian Society. (10 Marks)
Introduction
Charles Dickens is arguably the most prominent social critic of the Victorian era, using his literary genius to expose the deep-seated inequalities and injustices of his time. Through his vivid characters and compelling narratives, he moved beyond mere storytelling to become a powerful voice for the poor and marginalized, forcing his readers to confront the harsh realities lurking beneath the veneer of Victorian prosperity and progress.
The Industrial Revolution and Urban Squalor
Dickens masterfully depicted the dark side of the Industrial Revolution. In novels like Oliver Twist and Hard Times, he paints a grim picture of the fictional Coketown, a symbol of the industrial cities where laborers, including children, were exploited in factories and lived in squalor. His descriptions of overcrowded, unsanitary urban slums highlighted the deplorable living conditions of the working class and the failure of the government to address them.
Critique of Social Institutions
No institution was safe from Dickens's critical eye. He relentlessly attacked the inadequacy and cruelty of the Poor Laws and the workhouse system in Oliver Twist. In Bleak House, he satirized the convoluted and inefficient legal system through the never-ending case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce, which destroys the lives of those it is meant to serve. Furthermore, in Nicholas Nickleby, he exposed the brutal reality of private boarding schools, advocating for educational reform.
Class Division and Materialism
A central theme in Dickens's work is the vast chasm between the rich and the poor and the dehumanizing effect of materialism. Through characters like the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol and the pretentious Veneering family in Our Mutual Friend, he criticized the moral bankruptcy of a society that valued wealth and social status above compassion and human decency.
Conclusion
Charles Dickens was more than a novelist; he was a social commentator with a profound moral purpose. His works served as a mirror to Victorian society, reflecting its flaws and advocating for social change. By blending humor, pathos, and unforgettable characters, he not only captured the spirit of his age but also ignited a dialogue on poverty, justice, and humanity that continues to resonate today.
Write critical comment on Charles Dickens as the social critic of Victorian Society. (5 Marks)
Charles Dickens is celebrated as Victorian England's most influential social critic, using his novels as a powerful medium to expose the injustices and inequalities of his time. He skillfully moved beyond simple storytelling to force his readers to confront the harsh realities faced by the poor and marginalized.
Dickens systematically dismantled the flaws of Victorian society. In works like "Hard Times," he condemned the dehumanizing effects of the Industrial Revolution. He fiercely attacked the cruelty of institutions like the workhouse system in "Oliver Twist" and the hopelessly convoluted legal system in "Bleak House." Through his unforgettable characters, he consistently highlighted the vast chasm between the rich and the poor, critiquing a society that often valued profit over people.
Ultimately, Dickens’s enduring legacy is that of a profound moral commentator whose literary works served as a powerful catalyst for social awareness and reform.
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