Course Description
In this course, we will be focusing on exam technique tips for GCSE English Literature. Knowing your set texts is one thing – hitting those all important Assessment Objectives is quite another, and requires a strong exam strategy. Each section of this course will develop:
- close reading skills for set texts and unseen poems
- uses of context that are tied specifically to essay argument
- selecting key quotes and scenes for Shakespeare
- planning in timed conditions, and structuring exam answers
All lessons will identify the key Assessment Objectives for your exam board. You can purchase each day as a standalone option, ensuring you only join the days that are relevant for your exam board and set texts.
Each session has 2 date options available, therefore we advise that only 1 date per topic is booked as content will be repeated.
Macbeth
Writing on the ‘Scottish play’: key scenes for key characters; themes of ambition, the supernatural, nobility, darkness and death; iambic pentameter, and why the Porter matters; essay structures for passage-based and whole-text questions.
Romeo and Juliet
Writing on the ‘star-cross’d lovers’: themes of civil war and uncivil blood, tragedy vs comedy, and romantic love; Juliet and Romeo’s death scenes; iambic pentameter, and why the Prologue foreshadows all; essay structures for passage-based and whole-text questions.
Unseen Poetry
On poems we’ve never seen: “The Unseen could be anything!” – common poetry styles in unseen poems for AQA and CIE; “There’s nothing to write about!” – foolproof language techniques for any poem; essay structures for responding to unseen poems.
An Inspector Calls
Writing on J.B Priestley’s three act drama: an analysis of the dialogue, structure, plot, and characters; the political and historical context of the play; essay structures and styles to meet the assessment objectives.
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Writing on this classic tale of the Alter-Ego: the narrative voice and Mr Utterson’s role; “my insensate readiness to evil” – Hyde as Darwinian or Satanic character; themes of human nature, reputation and the perilous modern city; “starting with the extract” – how to balance the exam passage with the novel as a whole.
Of Mice and Men
Getting Steinbeck’s ‘Vision of America’ sorted: 'A guy needs somebody – to be near him' – the importance of friendship; key contexts including The Great Depression and migrant work; 'starting with the extract' – how to balance the exam passage with the novel as a whole.
Detailed feedback: An end of course report is sent on completion detailing the student’s achievements and areas for further work.
Michael is a graduate of King's College, London and also has a PhD in English. He joined Keystone in 2017 as a full-time tutor and he has helped over 80 families since then and taught over 2,500 hours of lessons.
Robbie is a Professional English Tutor with a love for writing and for the theatre. He has two theatre degrees and five years of experience working in the industry. He teaches from the Primary Level up to A Level. Robbie joined Keystone in 2018 and has since helped over 90 families.
- Maximum Class Size: We teach in groups of no more than 10 with the average number in our classes being 5
- Platform: Lessons will take place on Zoom. Our team will be on hand to help you get setup before your first session. Take a look at this video to see our online teaching in action.
- Age group: Year 11
Each session has 2 date options available, therefore we advise that only 1 date per topic is booked as content will be repeated.
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