Effective Strategies for English Literature Revision

HOW TO REVISE ENGLISH LITERATURE USE TEAMS AND ASK YOUR TEACHER FOR RESOURCES The best way to revise is to sit past papers!

COMPONENT 1 TWO HOURS Section A Shakespeare 20 mins extract response, 40 mins essay question on theme or character or relationship For the extract Know the timeline of events to perfection. Mind maps, flow charts and storyboards will help here. Learn key quotations for characters and themes. Flashcards will help with this. Be able to put a quotation into context and know why it marks a pivotal point in the play. Know the structure of an extract response standard opening, how many quotations to use, how many PEAZE to make. For the essay As above but learn a standard introduction. Complete as many past papers as you can. Time yourself to improve speed and accuracy. Know a number of connectives to compare, contrast and link ideas. Your teacher will give you a revision pack but you will also find them on your class Teams area. SPaG is marked in this response so don t forget to proofread your work.

SECTION B POETRY ANTHOLOGY 20 mins single poem response, 40 mins comparison poem essay Single Poem Response Learn about a minimum of 8 poems really thoroughly. Cover title, poet, meaning, language, structure for each. Have a range so that they cover a number of themes love, relationships, grief, nature, power, place, people, change, etc. Practise writing TPMLSE responses to different poems in 20 minutes. Use the ones you are less confident with. Comparison Poem Essay As above but know which poems link well and practise writing comparison essays based on the above themes. Know a number of connectives to compare, contrast and link ideas. Use Teams to read examples and walk throughs on how to do this. SPaG is marked in this response so don t forget to proofread your work.

COMPONENT 2 SECTION A AND B BLOOD BROTHERS AND A CHRISTMAS CAROL SPaG is worth 5 marks on Blood Brothers so don t forget to proofread your work. Learn key quotations for themes, characters and relationships. Be able to analyse what those quotations mean and the techniques used. Know the structure of the extract into essay response and the timings. Learn some standard introductions and be able to write them in under 2 minutes if possible. Know a number of connectives to compare, contrast and link ideas. Practise past questions in the allocated time this is the best revision ever. Remember that you have to show knowledge of social/historical context for A Christmas Carol so learn a number of key points to include. Know the timeline of events so that when you discuss the wider play, you can track the text and pick out the key events that answer the question.

COMPONENT 2 SECTION C UNSEEN POETRY 20 mins single poem response, 40 mins comparison poem essay Just like the poetry anthology, you will be expected to respond to poetry. You will be given two poems and will always be asked to write about the effect they have on you and how the poet creates that effect. You will also be asked to compare the two poems that reflect a similar theme. The same skills apply as with the poetry anthology and you can use the TPMLSE structure but miss out the P for poet section. You should remember your connectives to compare and contrast. Know the terminology used to identify poetic techniques but more importantly, be able to explain what effect these techniques create, e.g. it s no good saying the poet uses personification if you can t explain why and what the effect is. Think of themes that may appear growing up, change, relationships, nature, passing of time, etc. There are example questions on your class Teams area. Complete as many past papers as you can. Time yourself to improve speed and accuracy. SPaG counts on the comparison response.