How do I best use my knowledge for a question when the question doesn't seem relevant?

When you get into the exam, you will always have more than one option to choose from. Always take 5 minutes to read the questions carefully, select one and write a quick plan. There's no need to panic, as 5 minutes is always longer than you think. Decide which question stands out to you and commit to it. At this point you can start underlining and defining terms in the question. Even if the question seems irrelevant, defining the terms will focus you in on what the critic or the examiner is trying to suggest. It may also be useful to decide why the question doesn't seem relevant . While you don't want to do an essay on a completely different subject that you think is important, this process may make you realise that you actually just disagree with the question! This is not a problem and can actually form the most convincing arguments. Often examiners pick a controversial critical stance, which can seem more intimidating than a 'discuss the theme of x' question. Remember that your opinion is what they want to hear. If you disagree with a term or a word used by the critic, or you think they are being too strong, then this is an easy way to structure your argument! Examiners like to see you engaging with the question they have set so if you define terms at the start the way you want to, then continue using them throughout the essay, they will know that you have not shoe-horned in a pre-made essay! Let's take an example: in 2017, AQA asked this question for A Streetcar Named Desire: ‘At its heart, this play is a hymn of praise to the American Dream.’ Examine this view of A Streetcar Named Desire. The good news is that you can approach this question from a number of angles! At the start, define the terms. What does the 'heart' of a play mean? Does this mean that the critic thinks there is one central message to be communicated? Do you agree with this? Why have they used the religious phrasing 'hymn of praise'? Is there an irony in this phrasing? How could you consider the religious aspects of the play, or the lack of religion? Why has the critic used this language if religion plays a small role? Doing language analysis on the question is a good way to focus in on the terms and show that you can think critically throughout your essay! The American Dream is a big theme of the play, which you are probably more familiar with. At this point, start jotting down the main things you remember and see how they agree or disagree with the question. Try and summarise your argument in a single sentence in your head or on paper, and make a note of your three main points. You are unlikely to have time for much more.