English Literature

Hi, just wondering what sort of stuff I should put on my PS if I want to study lit (either on it's own or with creative writing or film). Obviously reading, writing and stuff- but won't I sound like a prick if i go into particular genres of film and stuff (esp since only one of the courses include film) ?!?!?!?

Reply 1

Cellardore

u could just be general
like u like reading and films and thats about it really...i think...dont quote me on that..lol

Reply 2

kcpoopoo

Cellardore

u could just be general
like u like reading and films and thats about it really...i think...dont quote me on that..lol

haha that would be a short one.
annoying thing is- EVERYONE reads and watches films and stuff, how do you make yourself stand out?
and all the books i read are in the form of erotica :wink:

, literary none the less, would it be advisable to say i like erotica?

Reply 3

stressedstudent

kcpoopoo

I also applied for Lit.
For me personally - I talked about a v wide range of books/eras/genres that I'd read and enjoyed. I'd focus on that if I were you, and then mention creative writing and film and any particular interests/genres in this area as part of a bit about personal interests.
Go all out on talking about your love of literature b/c they value candidates with passion v highly.
Good luck

Reply 4

Cellardore

i think they would remember u!
maybe if u put some unusual films down, like donni darko maybe, have u seen that film?
killbill's a great film too

Reply 5

kcpoopoo

Yeah, i've seen donnie darko- pretty good, although perhaps i'd come across as a bit teen-angsty if i put that as an example!
My favourite films are lolita (both versions), mulholland drive and betty blue- all pretty dark and very erotic! :wink:

they might like it, but they might just think- oh another one who thinks she's 'dark' and stuff. Not good.

Reply 6

Cellardore

muholland drive was a gd film actually, very strange narrative structure tho

Reply 7

kcpoopoo

yeah, like it lots and lots. you think it'd go down well or not?

Reply 8

Cellardore

yeah it would, as i cant imagine alot of ppl understanding the film!
it might impress them that u understood it maybe

Reply 9

kcpoopoo

Ha ha, it would impress me too! It's one of those films that has about a thousand possibilities and threads as to what is at the heart of the matter. I think the answer is- Betty was abused by her grandparents and the secrets of this are kept in pandoras box- so once Rita opens it (she has the key because Betty is in love with her and is masochistic towards her) the truth is outed, Betty wakes up from her blissful ignorance and becomes her miserable self again.
Ha ha, bet that was of no interest whatsoever- just had to type it out for myself to understand really!!!

Reply 10

Cellardore

lol! yep
i think that for the most part it was a dream

Reply 11

blissy

Be specific about books you have read and enjoyed - talk about their themes, what it was that particularly attracted you to them. If you have certain trends in your reading talk about it because it shows the ability to have a sustained interest in a particular genre.

Talk about going to the theatre because drama is a big part of most Eng Lit courses.

Talk about your other A level choice and how they relate to your studies. I did French so I spoke about how I enjoyed French literature and how learning another language made me think before I wrote/spoke. I did art and said that I had taken my English studies into that subject - I did a piece on the Canterbury Tales. I did Media Studies and was editor of the school paper so that helped me understand the more technical side of English and helped my development of close-reading of texts.

Try and expres how much you like both close reading (looking at individual words/clauses etc) and more general topic-reading.