English Literature Revision and Advice (Years 9 to 13)

Exam Boards & Papers

English Literature is a standard exam at GCSE level, taken with English Language, resulting in a double award for both English exams. It is fully examined with two papers (except I-GCSE or WJEC as these also include NEA Non-Examined Assessments).

Most boards use an essay style question paper for both papers based on texts taught in class. They are graded using the numerical 1 to 9 grading system where a 9 is the equivalent of a top A* and a grade 4 is a pass (equivalent to a C grade). Sixth form colleges will generally require a Grade 6 for students to study Literature at A Level.

The best way to prepare

The best way to prepare for this exam is to know the set texts well.

In Britain the exams are closed text, meaning the text or notes cannot be taken into the exam with you. While you will be expected to know and use some quotes in the exam, short one- or two-word quotes or paraphrasing or reference to method will trump revising long quotations. You must also revise context, theory, purpose and author methods.

Firstly, you will need to be able to produce a reading of each text analytically and use both structural and language analysis. However, each question is worded to elicit an essay response of two or more pages- they are mostly theme or character based.

For example, “How is violence presented in Macbeth” is answered using the examples and perpetrators of violence in the play to comment on analytically with quotes, references, context and methods to underpin the essay points you make. The author’s perspective should also be considered- whether it is critical or condoning.

Secondly, you will need to be able to write clearly, using accurate punctuation, grammar and spelling. In addition, you must answer the question clearly and thoroughly to be successful.

You will need to build a coherent argument, such as the idea that violence in Macbeth is presented to excess. Evidence to support might be that the motif of blood is prominent throughout and the noun ‘blood’ appears 300 times. An essay framework and paragraph acronym might help you such as PEACI- point, evidence, analysis, context, intention of the writer.

Extended Questions

On each paper there will be extended questions, rather than short questions. They will be on a Shakespeare, 19^th Century text, 20th Century text, a set of poems and unseen poetry (where you analyse a poem not seen before to show your understanding). The order of these varies for each exam board, but one paper will be longer than the other to include the unseen poetry.

Looking on to A Level Literature

Both papers feed into A Level Literature which requires an advanced understanding of texts, building upon the base knowledge of language, form and structure at GCSE.

In addition, the reading skills used to analyse language and structure, to compare and evaluate also form part of the questions on the A Level Literature exam. This is also comprised of two exams, but also includes NEA, where students must undergo their own reading and research into literature. Most NEAs for most boards are 20% of the overall mark based on a comparison of three selected texts. Again, the texts on this course will include Shakespeare, 19^th century and 20^th century texts.

What to do if you feel you are struggling with subject/ keeping up

If help is sought from a teacher or a tutor it is best to firstly identify what you are finding difficult, such as not knowing how to approach a particular question or any other clear reason for being unable to keep up.

There are measures that can be taken to address many of the issues students experience, such as support for essay construction (a common problem) or individual questions, such as learning methods of approach which suit your style of learning.

Frequently, in first mocks, students complete the longer exam (over 2 hours) there are issues with timings so do practise the essays in a timed way at home when using exam questions.

It is important to seek help as soon as it is needed as early intervention is the most effective. If you leave it until weeks before the exam, it might be too late. Ideally, the November mocks in Year 11 should mirror true progress and show if you are having difficulty in either exam.

Useful information to study in each of the different years

Years 9-13:

Students in these years benefit from reading of any kind, fiction or non-fiction. However, to do well in Literature it is important to have read a broad range of texts. In conjunction with this, the texts need to be reading age appropriate.

GCSE students will not benefit from reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid, but anything 15+ is beneficial, regardless of the genre. This range will enable students to get to grips with reading conventions, typical structures and a range of methods.

Years 10 to 11:

Students might also benefit from reading texts from earlier periods to support their knowledge of literary conventions and context. Contextual knowledge of literature is currency in the GCSE exams.

Years 12-13:

Need to develop better subject knowledge, it is useful to be widely read, including the classics from 1600 onwards.

Subject specific

You will need to know a variety of author methods, textual references and context for every question on the exam. However, key methods will include irony, metaphor, symbolism, allusion, extended metaphor, juxtaposition, paradox and motif as these methods appear the most consistently and can be used effectively (and used in the English exam reading questions).

Tips & techniques for exams / study

Youtube, TikTok and so on feature many reputable teachers or organisations addressing specific texts and skills to help study, such as schooling online. Most of these are free, but there are additional subscription packages offered as an option too, such as for Mr Bruff. These resources support plot, methods and context.

In addition, free sites such as Seneca offer free quizzes to support knowledge. You can also buy study guides – ensure these are for the exam board used for your school as many of the same texts are covered by different exam boards. However, practising the questions and getting feedback will support improvement the most.

EPQs– You can expand your NEA to a literary or author investigation to develop it into an EPQ. This may enhance or reinforce your subject knowledge and benefit you in the A Level Exam.

UCAS applications- although students are no longer required to produce a personal statement, they are required to answer structured questions for information.

Universities will look at your GCSE and A level grades for English. A Grade 6 is needed in English Language GCSE, regardless of the course applied for, however a high grade in Literature may mitigate this for some universities. Certainly for A Level, the expectation for English Literature is usually a Grade 6 in order to study at this level.

We wish you all the best with your studies.