1. English Literature GCSE
The Key to Success

2. The texts we are studying
What contextual details might we explore in any one of these texts?
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3. English literature
The English Literature GCSE is divided into two papers.
Paper One: Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel
Paper Two: Modern texts and poetry

4. You will not have a full copy of the text in the exam

5. Side by side PAPER ONE 40% of GCSE 1 hr 45 minutes 64 marks
34 marks for section A (4 for SPAG)
30 marks for section B
2 extended response questions
PAPER TWO
60% of GCSE
2 hrs 15 minutes
96 marks
34 marks for section A (4 for SPAG)
30 marks for section B
32 marks for section C
3 extended responses
1 shorter response

6. 'Closed-book exam' means that the only source of information you may rely on is your brain!
What contextual details might we explore in any one of these texts?
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7. Assessment Objectives
AO1: Read, understand and respond to texts
Students should be able to:
maintain a critical style and develop an informed personal response
use textual references, including quotations, to support and illustrate interpretations
AO2: Analyse the language, form and structure used by a writer to create meanings and effects, using relevant subject terminology where appropriate
AO3: Show understanding of the relationships between texts and the contexts in which they were written
AO4: Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation
AO4 will be assessed on Section A only. There are 4 marks for AO4 on each paper.
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8. AO3 Context…

9. Revision guides available to purchase ( Parentpay)
Full price £5.99 ( Available for our pupils for £2.75)

10. Literature Exam – paper 1 1 hour 45 minutes
On this exam you will have to answer a question on the following:
A Christmas Carol
Macbeth
This will be divided into section A and then Section B.

11. Section A
Shakespeare
You need to answer the question about Macbeth
You will have an extract to read and a question that will either be about a character or a theme.
There are 30 marks for the content of your answer and 4 marks available in this section for your SPaG.

12. Section B
The 19th Century Novel
You need to answer the question about A Christmas Carol.
You will have an extract to read and a question that will either be about a character or a theme.
There are 30 marks for the content of your answer.

13. Read through the question carefully.
Unlock the question
Read through the question carefully.
Underline the key words in the question.
Make sure you understand what the question is asking you.
1 min
Annotating the extract whilst reading.
Go through the extract in order, line by line- don’t miss out any lines or information.
With a pencil, underline the words/phrases you will need to answer the question. Write down a word/phrase next to the quotations you have lined.
Read to the end of the extract and keep underlining information you need.
You could write down what it tells us about the character/mood/atmosphere of the extract.
4 mins
45mins
Planning and Writing your answer
Using your annotations jot a few points that you are going to make – maybe the references that you will make to the text as a whole.
Then use the SQuAD structure to write your response. Aim for at least 3 detailed paragraphs.
Checking your answer
You now need to re-read your answer and make sure it makes sense.
In section A remember to check for mistakes in SPaG.
2.5 mins

14. Follow this structure for each paragraph!
Statement
Use words from the question to begin to answer it!
In the extract the writer creates tension... Qu
Quote
Select evidence from the text to support your point – a QUOTE.
ALWAYS use quotation marks.
This is clear when “_________”
This is shown “__________”
For example “____________” A
Analysis
A series of sentences which look at what the quote shows/suggests in relation to the question.
It should consider the impact of your quotation on readers and/or the narrative and/or the wider concepts in the text.
This implies...
This indicates...
This suggests... D
Development
Try to focus on a specific word/or phrase that is significant and use correct terminology to identify the technique used.
You also need to comment on the effect on the reader.
Specifically the writer’s use of the pronoun/simile/repetition/exclamation point “_________” emphasises/highlights/indicates....
Therefore the reader thinks/feels...

15. This is what the contents page will look like.
Find your text and go to the page stated.
Make sure you answer the right question for each text.
Find your text and go to the page stated.

16. Macbeth Annotate the extract in detail: A01: underline quotes.
AO2: identify methods and terminology and analyse ideas.
A03: Links to context.

17. A Christmas Carol.
Focus on the printed extract enables candidates to address AO1 and AO2 with close reference to text, before widening the scope of their response to the novel as a whole.
Focus on Dickens as writer in order to remind candidates to think about the text as a conscious construct and thereby address AO2.
This asks students to think about contextual elements (AO3): in this case societal elements.
Starting with this extract, how does Dickens present Scrooge as an outsider to society?
Write about:
how Dickens presents Scrooge in this extract
how Dickens presents Scrooge as an outsider to society in the novel as a whole.
Instruction to look at the bullets, which reiterate and remind students to focus on both the extract and the novel as a whole.

18. What you need to revise for paper 1.
Subject terminology:
Section A:
Character
Theme
Plot
Contrast
Juxtaposition
Dramatic
Pathos
Atmosphere
Presentation
Dialogue
Irony
Language
Action
Representation
Attitudes
Stage
Role
Quotes for both Macbeth and A Christmas Carol – as the exam is closed book.
Learn short snappy quotes – no more than 3 words. Ideally memorise key words which you can link to characters and themes.
Exam practice at home – time yourself!

19. Paper 2.

20. Paper 2: you will need to answer 4 questions
Paper 2: you will need to answer 4 questions! 1 from section A, 1 from section B and 2 from section C!
Find the correct page and question for your text.
Read the contents and find the text we have studied.
Inspector Calls: sets 1-3.
DNA: sets 4 -5.
We have studied Power and Conflict.
Answer both questions in section C

21. Section A: Modern Prose
This question requires ONE answer only – don’t make the mistake of responding to both! You have a CHOICE. Think carefully before deciding: which question best suits your understanding of the text? What do you know most? You are being asked to cover all of the Assessment Objectives here:
12 marks: Understand the text and use relevant details to support your ideas;
12 marks: Analyse the writer’s use of language, structure and form and their effects on a reader/audience;
6 marks: Link the events in the text to their writers’ perspectives, social, historical or literary contexts;
4 marks: Write fluently with correct spelling, punctuation and sentence structures.
Top Tips:
Always use the writer’s name.
Make your points clear and straightforward.
Aim to include all of the AOs in each paragraph: idea and short quote/ writer effects /context link
Don’t forget to explore the title of the novel or play.

22. Section A: Inspector Calls
Section A: Inspector Calls. You have a choice of TWO questions – answer only ONE of them!
You will need to memorise quotes and know the text well as there is NO extract.

23. 6 marks: Link the poems to their contexts and writers’ perspectives.
Section B: Poetry
This question will contain a poem that you have been taught. You must then choose another poem to compare how the writers have used language, structure and form to create effects on the reader. You will be assessed for the following:
12 marks: understand and compare the texts in detail, using relevant references to both poems;
12 marks: analyse the writer’s use of language, structure and form and their effects on a reader;
6 marks: Link the poems to their contexts and writers’ perspectives.
How does the writer achieve an effect on their audience/reader?
What techniques has the writer employed?
Why might the writer be trying to affect their audience/reader?
What do you know about the time period of the text?
Could you offer any alternative interpretations?
Has the writer used a character or event symbolically?

24. There will be a list of all the poems you will have studied.
A copy of the chosen poem will be provided.
You need to annotate the poem identifying and analysing methods.
You will then need to link ideas to another poem we have studied from memory.

25. Section B – what to revise!
Subject terminology:
Sections B & C:
Theme
Imagery
Metaphor
Simile
Personification
Power
Conflict
Comparison
Contrast
Juxtaposition
Structure
Onomatopoeia
Atmosphere
Irony
Language
Representation
Attitudes
Remember to revise ALL the poems!
Make notes on post – it – notes of key ideas and quotes.
Stick these on your wall in your room and revise them regularly.
Ask members of your family to test you on the poems..
Buy the revision guides from ParentPay
Comparative vocabulary:
Similarly On the other hand Equally Contrastingly Likewise Whereas In the same manner Alternatively In particular Clearly Significantly Above all Although
Despite this Moreover However Except Furthermore

26. Section C: Unseen Poetry
This part of the exam is split into two sections. You must respond to the first unseen poem, before comparing it to another unseen poem. The first question is worth much more (24 marks) and includes the following:
12 marks: understand the text and use relevant details to support ideas;
12 marks: analyse the writer’s use of language, structure and form and their effects on a reader.
The second part only assesses your ability to analyse:
8 marks: analyse both writers’ use of language, structure and form on the reader.
Make sure that you only focus on how the poems are similar and different in terms of their words/phrases/techniques/devices/structures/poetic forms
Remember: all ideas are good ideas – the beauty of literature is the ability to have many different interpretations. Do not be afraid of your own impressions.
Top Tips:
Always use the poet’s name.
Make your points clear and straightforward.
Aim to include all of the AOs in each paragraph: idea and short quote/ writer effects /context link (for Section B) and ONLY idea /quote/ effect for Section C part 1. Section C part 2 is ONLY comparing effects
Compare from the start.
Use a range of comparative vocabulary.

27. Any questions
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29. Revision Techniques

30. Be Organised Where? What? How? When? Why? Filling System Notes
Sit at a desk – somewhere designed for study
What?
Make task specific & realistic
How?
Like > Less favoured > Like
When?
Alert – times of the day...
Why?
Review
Filling System
Notes
Less is more

31. Make a timetable Know your topics and subtopics
Plan when you are going to study
Use short bursts
Timetable in Exercise

32. Know your Learner

33. If you know what type of learner you are, you can then tailor your revision to your needs...

34. Revision Activities Mind-maps Key words – post-its Flash Cards
Podcasts
Family and Friends Test
Highlight
Chant/Rap
Exam Questions and Mark Scheme
Write your own Q’s
Mnemonics

35. After a one hour memorising session:
10 minutes later revise the topic for 10 minutes
1 day later revise the topic for 5 minutes
1 week later revise the topic for 2-5 minutes
1 month later revise the topic for 2-5 minutes
Before exams revise the topic as required.
Each time knowledge is reinforced; it enters deeper into the long-term memory and becomes more stable.