Component 02 (Prose Composition or Comprehension) is an externally assessed written examination worth 17% of the A Level. It tests linguistic competence through either the translation of English into Classical Greek or a combination of comprehension, translation, and grammar questions based on an unseen passage of Classical Greek oratory.
Prose Composition into Classical Greek is a demanding but rewarding component of the OCR A-Level in Classical Greek. It tests your ability to translate a passage of idiomatic English into accurate, stylistically appropriate Ancient Greek prose. This skill requires a deep understanding of Greek grammar, syntax, and idiom, as well as the ability to make nuanced choices about vocabulary and sentence structure. Mastery of composition not only secures marks in the exam but also transforms your reading of Greek literature: you will notice how authors like Thucydides and Plato construct their arguments, and you will appreciate the subtlety of their word order and particles.
The OCR specification expects you to translate a passage of around 100–120 words of English into Greek. The passage will be narrative or descriptive, often based on a historical or mythological theme. You are expected to use vocabulary from the defined vocabulary list (DVL) and to demonstrate control of the full range of accidence and syntax, including cases, tenses, moods, participles, and subordinate clauses. The mark scheme rewards accuracy, but also rewards idiomatic Greek: using particles like μέν…δέ, γάρ, and οὖν appropriately, and varying sentence structure with participles and subordinate clauses. This topic is the culmination of your grammar learning and is essential for achieving the highest grades.
Prose composition also connects directly with the unseen translation and literature papers. The grammatical knowledge you apply in composition is exactly what you need to decode complex Greek sentences in the set texts. Moreover, the process of composing Greek forces you to think like a Greek writer, which deepens your appreciation of the literature you study. For example, when you compose a sentence using a genitive absolute, you become more alert to how Thucydides uses it to pack information efficiently. Thus, composition is not a separate skill but an integrated part of your overall Greek proficiency.
Key skills and knowledge for this topic
Key points examiners look for in your answers
Expert advice for maximising your marks
Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers
Common questions students ask about this topic
How questions on this topic are typically asked
Practice questions tailored to this topic