Starting AS English Lit

Start reading the great gatsby get ahead

If you know what book you'll be studying then read that. Otherwise, maybe read some classics? 1984, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Jane Eyre, Lord of the Flies etc. Become aquainted with the different literary movements and the different literary approaches - that will be of more use to you I think.

I didn't read anything during my summer break from GCSE to AS Level but managed just fine when it came to it I've found it's hard to prepare for English Lit, and reading a ton of different books wouldn't have helped me personally... I think simply enjoying the break without studying/reading anything related to school was more beneficial to me.

Read your exam/ coursework texts (if you know them). If not, just read anything you can get your hands on (novels, poetry, plays etc.).

Some good texts are: Heart of Darkness, Much Ado About Nothing (if you are going to be studying Shakespearean comedy), Pride and Prejudice, Lord of The Flies, Atonement, The Crucible, 1984, and really anything that can be considered 'classic' or 'modern classic'. There are also a lot of book lists if you type into google what texts are good for a level

However, as well as just reading, you should start thinking about analysing the stuff you read. When you finish a chapter, stop and think about stuff like how the audience at the time of writing would have responded, why the writer included certain details, is there any important symbolism. Maybe get into the habit of writing little notes on post its and sticking them in whenever something catches your eye, even if it is something as simple and an interesting word choice.

A level lit - in my experience of the AS - is less about WHAT you are reading, but HOW you are interpreting it, and using the information the writer has given you. Always be thinking in your head 'why is this here' with any text you read

(Sorry for the long, rambling reply :P)


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