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Prompt 01

Essay task

GCSE English LiteratureAQAEdexcel

In DNA by Dennis Kelly, the group's choice to hide their role in Adam's apparent death highlights the fragile and often corrupt nature of social hierarchies. Argue that Kelly illustrates how the urge to belong and protect oneself outweighs individual moral conscience.

In your essay, you should:

  • Analyze how Kelly depicts the group dynamic and the changing power structure (e.g., Phil, Leah, and the broader gang).
  • Examine how different characters react to moral dilemmas and what these reactions reveal about human behavior.
  • Look at how dramatic techniques — including silence, staging, and dialogue — are employed to support your argument.
  • Back up your points with close references to the text, citing key scenes and quotations.

Assessment focus

Develop a coherent argument with a clear line of reasoning, backed by textual evidence and analytical insights.

Prompt 02

Essay task

GCSE English LiteratureAQAEdexcel

In Dennis Kelly's play DNA, the group's choice to conceal Adam's accidental death illustrates the complexities of collective guilt and moral cowardice, overshadowing the idea of individual evil. In a well-structured essay, discuss how Kelly portrays group dynamics, important character relationships, and dramatic tension to convey that the urge to fit in and evade repercussions can distort a person's moral compass. Back up your argument with detailed references to the text.

Prompt 03

Essay task

GCSE English LiteratureAQAEdexcel

In DNA by Dennis Kelly, the group's choice to conceal Adam's accidental death highlights deeper issues of power, conformity, and moral responsibility. Write a structured essay arguing how Kelly critiques the tendency of individuals to relinquish their moral agency due to social pressure. Use specific examples from the play, such as character actions, dialogue, and the dramatic structure, to support your argument.

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