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 multiple date options available, therefore we advise that only 1 date per topic is booked as content will be repeated.
A Christmas Carol (Max)
Understanding Dickens's most famous novella: revision of plot, key passages and quotes; understanding major characters and the most important minor ones; key themes like greed, charity and the family; revision of context and essay planning for whole-text and passage-based questions.
An Inspector Calls (Robbie)
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.
Love and Relationship (Jonny)
Forms of love, representing relationship; approaching poetry comparison; essay structure for poetry comparison; analysing language; analysing structure; analysing form; anthology poems in context.
Macbeth (Michael)
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.
Power and Conflict (Jonny)
Forms of power, forms of conflict; approaching poetry comparison; essay structure for poetry comparison; analysing language; analysing structure; analysing form; anthology poems in context.
Romeo and Juliet (Michael)
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.
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (Michael)
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.
Unseen Poetry (Michael)
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
Detailed feedback: An end of course report is sent on completion detailing the student’s achievements and areas for further work.
Max is an Oxford educated English graduate who has also completed an MPhil in American Literature at Cambridge. Max has tutored since 2012 and works with students of all levels and with diverse educational needs. He has taught over 1,300 hours and helped 50 families through Keystone.
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 130 families since then and taught over 4,000 hours of lessons.
Robbie is a Professional English Tutor with a love for writing and for the theatre. He teaches from the Primary Level up to A Level. Robbie joined Keystone in 2018 and has since helped over 100 families.
Jonny is an Oxford graduate and is currently studying for a PhD in Italian Studies at Cambridge. He teaches languages as well as English and Maths. Jonny has supported 60 Keystone students and delivered 1,600 hours worth of lessons. He is a passionate actor and writer who loves to work on theatrical projects outside of tutoring.
Joseph is a Durham graduate and a highly personable tutor who has taught 1,200 hours through Keystone. He helps with a wide range of subjects from English to Science. Joseph has a structured but adaptive approach to lessons, which aims to build up students’ confidence in their subject area and develop their independent learning skills.
- 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 multiple date options available, therefore we advise that only 1 date per topic is booked as content will be repeated.
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