GCSE English Language and Literature Help
Looking for help and tips for GCSE English Language and Literature to achieve good grade
Answers
Hi Amam,I'd be very happy to help you, and have a variety of tips to help you improve your grade! Here are some simple ones below to get you started:1. Always answer the question! It's so easy to revise really hard in one area and then try and force the exam to suit something you feel particularly confident in, but this never works - much better to answer the question in front of you, rather than the one in your head!2. Memorise key quotes. Find quotes in your texts that you can use for a variety of questions, and memorise them. Having these in your head will give you confidence and help you answer a variety of questions.3. Say what you actually think, and justify it. If you don't think something works, or don't like a text - you can say that! As long as you justify it with evidence afterwards. If you're making an argument that you actually believe in, it'll always tend to be better.4. A balance of context and closer analysis. It's helpful to know the bigger picture behind a story, but make sure you also talk about the actual language used. All those buzz words like metaphors, alliteration, structure will earn you points and let the examiner know you are reading something properly!5. Read the mark scheme. It might be boring, but it's always helpful to know exactly how you're being marked, so you can make sure you tick all those boxes that will boost your grade. You can find the mark scheme online on the exam board website, if it's not been given to you at school.6. Don't panic. Take your time. Read back your answers. Don't make things up if you can't remember something. Examiners will see through it!
07 March 2018
What area do you struggle most with? Reading the novels, understanding them, etc.
17 March 2018
Hi there! One of my best tips would be to make sure that you are zooming in on certain linguistic techniques and devices, and on certain words too. For example, in the play An Inspector Calls, make sure that you look at the stage directions associated with a character, as that can tell you a lot about their emotional state at that point in the play. Also, make sure that you're including contextual information in your answers; this will show that you can situate the text in a certain period and know the implications of the characters' actions! I hope this helps - and do let me know if you'd like me to give you further help! Best wishes, Kate
20 March 2018
Making sure you understand the question is key. After that in the exam make sure you write everything that's on the bullet point for example- words and phrases language features etc... explaining the effects on the reader is important aswell because it shows the examiner you understood the question well. In English lit you have to look at the deeper meaning in the poem for example in poetry what's the reason behind the poems poppies? It's shows the after effects of war but also shoe the consequences on what happens to the family, and how war can destroy alot of things world, lives etc....
08 April 2018
There's general tips that you need to follow to meet base standards but if you really want to set yourself ahead (and guarantee that A*) you need to show your examiner you have a superior perspective. Some ways you could do this:1. Memorize quotes and put them in context. 2. Reference the author and his/her life + writing career; what styles does he/she frequently use, what cultures + experiences shape this piece3. Place it in cultural and historical context: when was the piece written, what cultural aspects shape the writing? 4. Reference technical linguistic or literary techniques. These can be easily googled for every novel and memorized.
25 April 2018
Hi Amam, A few tips I used both throughout highschool and university are: 1. Always read the question! Highlight or underline any key words. Refer back to the question as much as possible- don't go off writing aload of waffle! 2. Back up your views and opinions with quotes and context from your studied texts, this shows you really understand what the question is asking you rather than the examiner thinking you're throwing in random quotes for the extra marks! If possible try to use a quote or some evidence from a text in every paragraph. 3. Stick to a structure as it will make your writing flow much better. If needed draw a quick plan of what you want to talk about in what paragraph and jot down the main points you want to make- that way you'll be able to see yourself if you've put everything you want to in your answers and it will let you make links quicker and easier. 4. Lastly, breathe and don't panic! It's easy to feel overwhelmed by it all but take your time, think about what you want to say and just try your hardest. I'm sure you will do great.. Good Luck!
28 April 2018
English literature is usually in two phases. First, understanding the basics and second, understanding the recommended texts. The first phase is very important because your understanding of basic literary terms, figures of speech and general literary appreciation determines how much respect you command when making literary analysis. After a recommended text has been read, you use your general literary knowledge to to beautify your analysis and earn good grades. Analysis made in good English with illustrations, examples and quotes from the recommended text usually earn better grades than those written shoddily. Remember, you use the simple present tense when making literary analysis!
03 May 2018
Hi Amam! Thanks very much for your message, and I'm sorry not to have seen it earlier. Would you like to have a chat about it sometime later today or tomorrow evening? I would be able to fit you in for a tutoring session sometime then, if that might help, and I have been preparing students for their GCSE exams very recently. Do let me know! All the best, Kate
19 May 2018
Hi Amam! I have only recently joined Tutorhub but I would love to help. Which exam board are you doing? It is AQA I know you have an exam on Friday and I am here to help!My top tip would be to make sure that you read the question correctly. Ensure you underline any key words or phrases so you do not misread the question. Secondly, ensure you plan. We can discuss this in further detail if you would like? Specially at the questions that may come up on Friday?Thanks, Danielle
24 May 2018
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