How do I use different interpretations in my essays (AO5)?

OCR A Level English Literature is marked according to five assessment objectives. The last of these is AO5 which requires you to explore your texts by using different interpretations. This is required for most but not all of your essays and so my first tip is to check the online specification so that you know where you need to use interpretations. So what are different interpretations? In essence, they are the various ways that a text has been viewed or adapted by critics, audiences and directors over the years. The most common form of AO5 is critical quotation. Famous works such as Shakespearean plays have been the subject of academic comment for centuries and using quotations and arguments from well known critical scholars will really impress. These can be found online or in essay collections/books. Do not just throw one in however, you need to use it as a way of continuing your analysis of a text. Think: do you agree with the quotation and if so, why? Talking about this shows high level of text knowledge and AO5. Equally, for drama texts you can look at different productions to see how directors have adapted the plays. The RSC website is a useful source for this. Finally, you could adopt a certain reading of a text. For example, could you adopt feminist or Marxist criticisms of a text into your essay. Whatever you choose, make it relevant to the question and use it to further your own analysis.