york notes or cgp

Basically,I've just finished my lit cw acheiving A* and now I want to get A/A* in the exam,but I haven't payed much attention in class (messed about) so I don't know enough on inspector calls or off mice and men for lit,so I was wondering for AQA english lit which revision books would u recommend for an A/A* York notes or cgp.

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Reply 1

Anurag100

Both..
However, a very traditional book called "brodie's notes" are immensely more imaginative and original than any of these..

Why you ask..well they are designed for "O levels"...and can be used for A level nowdays..so for A*..i would recommend you search for these..and get hold of them..

Reply 2

*River

Spark Notes or York Notes.

Reply 3

Excalibur

Spark notes are good, if a little too complicated for a simpleton like me :p:

I would definitely go for York notes. If not, Letts notes are also good. I really don't like CGP.

Reply 4

lil groovy dude

what are spark notes or york notes? :redface:

Reply 5

Excalibur

Spark notes: http://www.sparknotes.com This is an internet site, and I think it's primiarly aimed for US AP/SATs students. It's quite difficult and uses a lot of posh words ( :p:

) but is incredibly useful.

York notes are little books, specific to each text, like this one here

They both have notes on themes, characters, events, past q's, quote analysis etc and are very helpful.

Reply 6

Ms Kooky

Spark Notes are great.

I'm also a big fan of Pink Monkey (http://www.pinkmonkey.com/index2.asp) which is basically along the same lines as Spark Notes, although I think it does better chapter-by-chapter summaries. After you've read the summary for each chapter on Pink Monkey just click "Next Page" to view notes on the symbolism of that chapter, etc. Sadly it doesn't have notes on An Inspector Calls, but it does have a brilliant section on OMAM (http://pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/monkeynotes/pmOfMiceMen02.asp). I usually use a combination of Spark Notes and Pink Monkey when I need to do fast revision.

CGP is really only good for maths and sciences - for humanities and essay-based subjects it just doesn't have the detail needed.

Reply 7

realicetic

Ms Kooky

CGP is really only good for maths and sciences - for humanities and essay-based subjects it just doesn't have the detail needed.

i agree.

Reply 8

Thaiprawns

York notes.

Reply 9

Happy1

im another spark notes fan :smile:

To be honest i dont think these notes help a great deal for exams - its very difficult to remember anything when you actually get in there.

Reply 10

Jerby

I got one of the top 5 results in the country for GCSE english lit, and I would say this was definitely due in part to my use of York Notes. Particularly for the AQA poetry anthology, they provide excellent background material on the poets' inspiration etc and then proceed to analyse each peice in detail. Additionally, for the set texts they are very informative - I studied 'I'm King of the Castle' by Susan Hill and YN helped me a lot there as well. I didn't look at CGP to be honest, but YN are excellent quality and did me fine. :smile:

Reply 11

kellywood_5

Definitely York Notes all the way :smile:

CGP books aren't that good for English. Spark Notes are quite useful too.

Reply 12

mikeski

if your doing AQA Modular Maths Higher STAY AWAY FROM CGP!!! they are crap for it!! i have it and i was so dissappointed!! they are excellent for aqa double science, and ok music. have the macbeth one for my english, its ok - just ok.

Reply 13

simeon125

I got an A in A-level English. Brodies Notes and Max Notes helped alot. CGP are a waste of time and money.

Reply 14

no1mohsin

Just ordered Brodie Notes on To Kill a Mockingbird on the basis of recommendation from people here; the feeling i'm getting is that it's for the students aiming for A* in Eng Lit which I defintiely am. Hopefully i can do it :biggrin:

Reply 15

Chillio_chopsticks

i think cgp books are hilarious and so random lol. however i think they are probably best for maths and sciences. i think the diagrams in the science books are especially good. i used a gcse york notes for my year 9 english sats and i found it really useful.

Reply 16

Metrobeans

CGP is great for science, there's a drawing in The Workbook for Modules 7-12, showing the effects on sterioids on a man. It amused quite a few in my class!

Reply 17

Jason_K

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Reply 18

Laura_Boo

hey,

Go for york notes! I hate CGP - all the cr*ppy weird jokes used to get on my nerves. They seem a little babyish to me, and sometimes basic. Also whats the deal with the page of questions at the end of each topic, then there arent even any answers so u can check if ur right - theyre rubbish