English literature exam achieving a/a*
English language and literature discussion, revision, exam and homework help.
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Re: English literature exam achieving a/a*Is this for GCSE? Or?(Original post by gideongaspard)
In my practice papers I keep scrapping A's or getting just below an A. I want a comfortable A or A* Can you help me on revision techniques and structuring Essays?
These are the books I'm studying:
Of Mice and Men and DNA (Dennis Kelly)- How do I achieve an A/A* i.e. set my self apart from a mediocre B grade answer, you're experiences would be great, What did you do to get A's and A*s?. What should I do to get bands 5 and 6 21-30/30.
Secondly the poem section I think is my weakest I need to boost this one up badly,
How can I achieve A/A* when comparing poems and explaining them in a 'insightful' and analytical manor? Structuring would be helpful.
Thank you
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Re: English literature exam achieving a/a*Well, my advice would be...
For the Of Mice and Men, I also studied this at GCSE - is to make sure that your answer is cohesive in structure, by that I mean you want to link your paragraphs as much as possible. E.g. your talking about the theme of loneliness say, you need to talk about various aspects of the play where this is prevalent but attempt to link them. Setting echos loneliness blah blah, but it can also be seen here... blah blah, then link - Candy is lonely, seeks out friendship and embarks upon the dream with Lennie and George, in comparison Curley's wife also seeks out friendship blah blah... you catch my drift? :L A well thought through, cohesive answer will get you the top marks. I'm pretty sure they don't want you to trail through the novels stating where loneliness is present etc.. Do you compare your books in your essays? It is often beneficial to talk about the comparisons within the same paragraph. Make sure you focus on the question at hand and don't go off on a tangent! Something I have done myself!
Also in terms of poetry, learn literary terms, this will help you describe the poems in detail, you achieve marks for terminology correctly used. You must mention structure, language and form to get top marks. Why are certain verbs and adjectives used? What is the tone of the poem? What is YOUR opinion too?
You will do brilliantly I'm sure! Hopefully this has been somewhat helpful Good luck!
Last edited by BethanyJane; 20-05-2012 at 18:48. -
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Re: English literature exam achieving a/a*As I remember, the novels structure in "Of Mice and Men" sees the use of a circular devise by Steinbeck- the woods scene. This scene allows Lennie and George to reflect upon their dream both at the beginning of the novel, full of hope and also at the end of the novel, for Lennie's benefit with the realisation that the dream can never come true. Also, as I recall, Steinbeck will typically use pathetic fallacy and lighting to introduce the scene at the beginning of chapters and mimic the tone of the atmosphere, another good thing to mention about form and literary techniques!(Original post by gideongaspard)
Thank you soo much this is what I needed! One question: How do i talk about form in of mice and men?
Good discourse markers would be "In comparison, on the other hand, whereas, (don't forget in contrast too ) subsequently.. etc"
When's your exam? I'm doing my AS levels at the moment!
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Re: English literature exam achieving a/a*I studied both of these at GCSE too!(Original post by Ketchup!)
OP, I wish I knew the answer to your question!
I was just wondering if anyone would be willing to mark an essay I have done on An Inspector Calls, or any on Of Mice and Men? BethanyJane?
I don't really know what I could give back in return apart from rep:L
Although I find English difficult I'm really interested in it and would like to continue with English at University. I really need an A*, so I need all the help I can get as at the moment I am predicted a (low) A.
Any help at all would be very much appreciated! I will be extremely grateful.
Thank you so much for reading this. Whaay! I'm not sure if I will have time to mark properly for you tonight as I'm off to revise for a history exam for tomorrow! It's my last exam! When is your English? I'll be free tomorrow?
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Re: English literature exam achieving a/a*My exam is tomorrow. The novels paper I'm doing AQA syllabus Thanks for your help(Original post by BethanyJane)
As I remember, the novels structure in "Of Mice and Men" sees the use of a circular devise by Steinbeck- the woods scene. This scene allows Lennie and George to reflect upon their dream both at the beginning of the novel, full of hope and also at the end of the novel, for Lennie's benefit with the realisation that the dream can never come true. Also, as I recall, Steinbeck will typically use pathetic fallacy and lighting to introduce the scene at the beginning of chapters and mimic the tone of the atmosphere, another good thing to mention about form and literary techniques!
Good discourse markers would be "In comparison, on the other hand, whereas, (don't forget in contrast too ) subsequently.. etc"
When's your exam? I'm doing my AS levels at the moment!
good luck with your a levels!
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Re: English literature exam achieving a/a*No problem! Thank you(Original post by gideongaspard)
My exam is tomorrow. The novels paper I'm doing AQA syllabus Thanks for your help good luck with your a levels!
Good luck!
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Re: English literature exam achieving a/a*Oh! Sorry!(Original post by Ketchup!)
Thank you for wanting to help!
My exam is tomorrow though
Have you done lord of the flies/carol ann duffy poems?-I have that exam on thursday.
Good luck with your history exam tomorrow
No I haven't sorry, the poetry section in mine was completely random! I've been meaning to read Lord of the Flies though! :L
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Re: English literature exam achieving a/a*I have my English Literature exam tomorrow morning ahhh! DNA and Of Mice and Men. SO incredibly nervous. But, I thought I'd try to keep everyone optimistic- we all know as much as we could possibly know, as long as you have worked hard, you can be proud of yourself for whatever grade you end up with, and your family will be proud too. Whatever happens, we'll all be dead one day anyway!
GOOD LUCK EVERYONEEEEEEEEE xxxx -
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Re: English literature exam achieving a/a*Woohoo! Well done!(Original post by gideongaspard)
The exam was great I did what you said Bethany about cohesive writing and making a brief plan before I started writing helped because everything flowed as I wrote it so thank you!
You'll of done brilliantly I'm sure!
Have you done lord of the flies/carol ann duffy poems?-I have that exam on thursday.
No I haven't sorry, the poetry section in mine was completely random! I've been meaning to read Lord of the Flies though! :L
You'll of done brilliantly I'm sure!
