How can I revise for my GCSE English literature exam?
LikeRevising for your GCSE English exams can be daunting, especially if you don't feel confident in your writing skills and feel you lack knowledge in the texts you study. Unlike other science based subjects such as Maths and Science where a good grade can be achieved by practising exam questions and leaning the technique of problem-solving, English on the other hand can be a little harder to revise for such strong comprehension, analysis and writing skills are required. However, in this blog, I will lay out a plan you can implement next time you sit down to revise English.
When it comes to revising English literature, here are a few things you can do to boost your grades:
- First, ensure you understand the actual content of the texts you've studied. Do some research on the plot; you can start off by looking at the genre of the text. Is it a romantic play? Or is it a tragedy? If so, start thinking about how the writer executes the plot - do they use the settings to showcase the plot and genre, or is the plot unravelled through a character's journey? For example, in Macbeth, we learn that the play is an outward tragedy because of Macbeth's downfall as a King. Once you get the hang of what the text is about, brainstorm these ideas onto a piece of paper to help you recall them as you go along.
- Take notes on the key themes, characters and plot points. It is always a good idea to identify common themes or literary techniques. Paying attention to these elements can help you understand the deeper meanings in a text
- If the text is largely character based, pick up at least 3–4 quotes for each character. And ensure they link to a variety of different themes so you are confident no matter what question you are asked in the exam.
- Analyse the writer's writing style and language choices by looking at some of their other works. This will help give you insight into their intentions and the overall tone of their work
- Find a clear exam structure that works for you. Find something that will stick in your head, and use this structure to plan essays! Revision has to include exam practice, so ensure you are applying your knowledge to essay questions and planning them regularly.
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If you underage all the above tips for English specifically, but feel thy you somehow still cannot get yourself to sir own and revise (you keep procrastinating), here are some further tips that may help:
- Create a productive study schedule. Set around dedicated time each day to focus on your literature revision. Breaking it all down into smaller, manageable sessions can help you stay organised and make progress. You are unlikely to revise efficiently without a proper plan - you can't walk into an exam without having prepared for it, right? Similarly, starting revision without any prior planning will reduce your chances of covering everything you need to, on time.
That's all from me! I hope this helped, happy revising!