Tips for getting an A* in the English Language GCSE ExamStarting the paper (10 minutes) Skim through questions Read through articles

1) Question 1 (8 marks, 12 minutes) Brief introduction (In the opening of the article, we learn.) Group your points Look for subtleties and inconsistencies (looks for sentences which dont make sense or includes a contradiction) Use several quotes Short conclusion (optional) However, further into the article, we learnThe writer suggestsTherefore

2) Question 2 (8 marks, 12 minutes)Explain how the headline and picture are effective and how it linked to the text. Brief introduction Group your points (the headline, picture) Look for perceptive points aka. avoiding the obvious. Focus on tiny details Link your points to the article with quotes and use alternative interpretations Short conclusion (optional)The headline is effective because..The headline links to the rest of the text.The article is effective for a number of reasonsSecondly.

3) Question 3 (8 marks, 12 minutes)Explain the writers thoughts and feelings Brief introduction (list various feelings) Paragraph on each feeling (explain and quote) Look into deep thoughts, not the obvious Comment on sentence length (when writers feel overwhelmed, the usually use long sentences which makes the reader exhausted with the lack of commas or full stops; short sentences are usually blunt) Short conclusion (optional)

4) Question 4 (16 marks, 24 minutes)COMPARE the way language is used for effect. Brief introduction Move past the obvious (look for humour, irony, satire, structure of techniques) Write in paragraph pairs using sophisticated vocabulary. (Use quotes) Conclusion

Things to compare:Grammatical choicesSentence length/typeParagraph lengthStyle in general

5) Question 5 (16 marks, 25 minutes)Writing in style. Make sure you are familiar with various styles Match your style to the purpose Vary sentence length and type Maximise your vocabulary variety Try to be original (look beyond the question)

6) Question 6 (24 marks, 35 minutes) Rhetorical questions Statistics Emotive language Alliteration Hyperbole Repetition Anecdotes Direct address(Vocabulary, spelling, punctuation)

How to achieve an A* in GCSE English Literature, Unit 1

40 minutes each on Section A and Section B 10 minutes (spare)

Insightful exploratory response to task/text:Analyse the text looking into the inner character or underlying truth; look for deeper meanings; symbolic meanings.Look for a range of possible answers

Close analysis of detail to support interpretation:Picking one word and analyse it in detail and its effect on the reader and why it is chosen.

Evaluation of the writers uses of language and/or structure and/or form and/or form and effects on readers/audience:Effects on the reader, obviously written so the writer has an interaction with the reader.This s way of suggesting..The effect on the reader is that they understand

Convincing/imaginative interpretation of ideas/themes:With [insert poem here], the themes are

Writing is fluent and focused Information presented clearly and accurately Spelling used with a high degree of accuracy

The author uses language to symbolise.Throughout the poemWe read thatThe whole story is aboutand the dialogue placement reflects this asSimilarlyAn alternative interpretationseems to be suggesting

Use quotes!

How to achieve an A* in GCSE English Literature, Unit 2

40 minutes on Section A, 25 minutes on Section B 10 minutes (spare)

Insightful exploratory response to text:Analyse and look for the deeper and hidden meanings,Suggesting several answers; alternative interpretationsExploring the possible answers...

Close analysis of detail to support interpretation:Use one word from the text and analysing it in detail, the effect it has on the reader and why it was chosen.

Evaluation of writers uses of language and/or structure and/or form and effects on reader:Making a judgement on how effective the writers language is and how it effects the reader.

Convincing/imaginative interpretation of ideas/themes.

Evaluation comparison of ideas and/or meanings and/or techniques:Compare the two poems, what do they do which is similar and what is different.Evaluate selection of a range of telling detail integrated into comparison:Give several interpretations in detail whilst comparing.

Information is presented clearly and accurately Writing is fluent and focused Spelling used with a high degree of accuracy

In this answer, I shall compareTo begin withBoth have a lot to say.which can be found throughout the poem.Today, this referenceThis is a stark contrast.HoweverOne of the key phrases he/she chooses...The connotation is thatOne of the similarities in the poemHowever, there are also some interesting differencesIt is interesting to think about why the poet did this, and what it tells us aboutIt seems clear that.In conclusion

How to approach the Unseen Poem GCSE English Literature, Unit 2

Step one: Think about the poetGender, date poem was written historical period

Step two: First, reading for literal meaningBasic meaning, brief explanation

Step three: Think about the message/theme and deeper meaning.

Step four: Analyse the language Alliteration Assonance repetition of vowel sounds Consonance repetition of consonant sounds Metaphor Onomatopoeia Personification Repetition Rhyme Simile Stanza

Explain why it is used.

Step five: StructureHow is the poem organised? When do stanzas change? Why?Form the pattern of organisation that a poet chooses

How does the poet feel?Why do they feel that way?How do you know?