Turning point

A decisive moment that changes the direction of a story or a character’s understanding.

A moment that changes the direction of the action or a character’s situation.

The central turning point occurs on Monday in Act 3 Scene 1, shortly after the marriage. Tybalt challenges Romeo, who refuses to fight because Tybalt is now his relative through Juliet. Mercutio does not know about the marriage and interprets Romeo’s refusal as dishonourable submission.

A decisive change in the direction of a plot. Mercutio's death leads to Romeo's revenge, banishment and separation from Juliet.

Use plot knowledge to explain Shakespeare’s structure, rather than simply retelling events. Explain why a turning point, delay or contrast matters.

Use the plot to support an argument: explain why a turning point matters rather than simply retelling what happens.

In the essay, select turning points across the play and explain how they develop your argument rather than retelling events.

An event that significantly changes the direction of a plot.

A decisive moment that changes the direction of a story or a character’s actions.

A decisive moment that changes the direction of a story or drama.

A point at which a narrative changes direction significantly. Snowball’s expulsion changes Animal Farm from a society with public debate into one governed by Napoleon’s orders.

A moment that changes the direction of a plot. Mercutio’s death leads to Romeo’s revenge, banishment and separation from Juliet.

The decisive turning point comes in Act 3 Scene 1, shortly after the marriage. Tybalt challenges Romeo, who refuses to fight because Tybalt is now his relative through Juliet. Mercutio does not know about the wedding and interprets Romeo’s refusal as dishonourable submission.

A decisive moment that changes the direction of a plot. Mercutio’s death turns the lovers’ situation towards separation and catastrophe.

A moment that changes the direction of a story or a character’s life.

An event or discovery that changes the direction of a story or a character’s understanding.

A moment that significantly changes the direction of a narrative or a character’s understanding.

An event that significantly changes the direction of a story or a character’s understanding.

At Sherrie’s farm, Meena overhears Anita boasting about her involvement with Sam in the racist attack. This is a major turning point: the friend she has tried so hard to please is implicated in violence against someone from her own community. In distress, Meena attempts to ride a horse, falls and breaks her leg.

A moment that significantly changes the direction of events or a character’s understanding.

A significant event that changes the direction of a story or a character’s development.

A significant event that changes the direction of a story.

A significant change in the direction of events or in a character’s understanding.

A change in events that redirects the action or changes a character's understanding of their situation.

A moment that changes the direction of a story. Mercutio’s death turns Romeo and Juliet’s developing romance towards separation and catastrophe.

Mercutio’s death is the central turning point. The possibility of overcoming obstacles through marriage gives way to irreversible loss. Even Mercutio’s comic language becomes disturbing: his prose joke about becoming a “grave man” in Act 3 Scene 1 means both a serious man and a man in a grave.

A decisive change in a plot that redirects the action and its likely outcome.

A moment that significantly changes the direction of a narrative or play.

A dramatic moment that changes the direction of the action. Othello's commitment to revenge in Act 3 Scene 3 is a major turning point.

A moment that significantly changes the direction of events, a relationship or a character’s development.

A decisive moment which changes the direction of events or a character's behaviour.

A moment that changes the direction of the action and the possibilities available to the characters.

A decisive moment that changes the direction of a plot. In Romeo and Juliet, Mercutio's death triggers Romeo's revenge and banishment.

A moment that changes the direction of a plot.

A decisive moment that changes the direction of the action.

A decisive moment when the direction of a story or a character’s development changes.

A decisive moment which changes the direction of a plot or a character’s development.

Definition

How each exam board covers it

AQA GCSE English Literature · 8702

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Edexcel GCSE English Literature · 1ET0

OCR GCSE English Literature · J352

Eduqas GCSE English Literature · C720