how do I improve in GCSE english literature?

hey i’m in y11 and doing my GCSEs this year, i do AQA english lit and i got predicted an 8 at the end of y10.. just had my y11 mocks and got a 6 🫠🫠 not even close to a 7 lol but at least i got a 9 in lang

i don’t know how to improve as my teachers didn’t give me solid feedback — all they said was “don’t be brief” but i already wrote a solid 3-4 pages for each essay, if anyone has any tips on english literature they are much appreciated!

Reply 1

wrinkled-sorbet

Original post by heartsnkisses

hey i’m in y11 and doing my GCSEs this year, i do AQA english lit and i got predicted an 8 at the end of y10.. just had my y11 mocks and got a 6 🫠🫠 not even close to a 7 lol but at least i got a 9 in lang
i don’t know how to improve as my teachers didn’t give me solid feedback — all they said was “don’t be brief” but i already wrote a solid 3-4 pages for each essay, if anyone has any tips on english literature they are much appreciated!

just watch the goat mr salles

Reply 2

Kingston Eve

Official Rep

Original post by heartsnkisses

hey i’m in y11 and doing my GCSEs this year, i do AQA english lit and i got predicted an 8 at the end of y10.. just had my y11 mocks and got a 6 🫠🫠 not even close to a 7 lol but at least i got a 9 in lang
i don’t know how to improve as my teachers didn’t give me solid feedback — all they said was “don’t be brief” but i already wrote a solid 3-4 pages for each essay, if anyone has any tips on english literature they are much appreciated!

Hey @heartsnkisses,

Have you tried using the PEEL (point, evidence, explanation, link) technique yet? Using this technique to write 5-7 paragraphs in a GCSE English Lit essay usually covers most of the necessary content, and helps avoid the issue of being too brief with your arguments.

From my experience, it's less about how much you write and more about how developed each of your points are - do your paragraphs contain a quotation from the text, do you explain the significance of the quote and link it back to the initial question, etc.

Hope this was helpful,
Eve (Kingston Rep).

Reply 3

heartsnkisses

Original post by wrinkled-sorbet

just watch the goat mr salles

ahh I actually did watch his videos for lang, will check the lit ones, thanks! although I think he doesn’t cover one of my texts (shakespeare) unfortunately

Reply 4

heartsnkisses

Original post by Kingston Eve

Hey @heartsnkisses,
Have you tried using the PEEL (point, evidence, explanation, link) technique yet? Using this technique to write 5-7 paragraphs in a GCSE English Lit essay usually covers most of the necessary content, and helps avoid the issue of being too brief with your arguments.
From my experience, it's less about how much you write and more about how developed each of your points are - do your paragraphs contain a quotation from the text, do you explain the significance of the quote and link it back to the initial question, etc.
Hope this was helpful,
Eve (Kingston Rep).

thanks for the reply!! I think one of my issues is not being able to link my point/paragraph back to the question and I sometimes go off-topic. will try PEEL though, ty 🫶🏼

Reply 5

daxax50

Original post by heartsnkisses

hey i’m in y11 and doing my GCSEs this year, i do AQA english lit and i got predicted an 8 at the end of y10.. just had my y11 mocks and got a 6 🫠🫠 not even close to a 7 lol but at least i got a 9 in lang
i don’t know how to improve as my teachers didn’t give me solid feedback — all they said was “don’t be brief” but i already wrote a solid 3-4 pages for each essay, if anyone has any tips on english literature they are much appreciated!

Check top mark essays: https://tilf.io/evaluations/679a7726fdef96e40f32aae4 then go and write one yourself looking at the feedback - you have free evaluations on Tilf

Reply 6

user7362728%

Original post by heartsnkisses

hey i’m in y11 and doing my GCSEs this year, i do AQA english lit and i got predicted an 8 at the end of y10.. just had my y11 mocks and got a 6 🫠🫠 not even close to a 7 lol but at least i got a 9 in lang
i don’t know how to improve as my teachers didn’t give me solid feedback — all they said was “don’t be brief” but i already wrote a solid 3-4 pages for each essay, if anyone has any tips on english literature they are much appreciated!

what paper did you get for your language paper 1

Reply 7

__Soph__

Original post by heartsnkisses

hey i’m in y11 and doing my GCSEs this year, i do AQA english lit and i got predicted an 8 at the end of y10.. just had my y11 mocks and got a 6 🫠🫠 not even close to a 7 lol but at least i got a 9 in lang
i don’t know how to improve as my teachers didn’t give me solid feedback — all they said was “don’t be brief” but i already wrote a solid 3-4 pages for each essay, if anyone has any tips on english literature they are much appreciated!

Hey so from what I've been told by my teachers, it's essentially really important to dive into multiple 'layers' in your response. Essentially what I mean is consider numerous points you could make about your quote (e.g in Macbeth, one of the plays I'm studying, when we are first introduced to him he mirrors the language used by the witches, and if I had the relevant question I could choose this quote of him using their language and evaluate how it could be linked to the theme of the supernatural and the influence the witches have, but I could also argue from another perspective how it shows a new layer to Macbeth's character as untrustworthy and genuinely evil but on his own accord -making sure to link it back to the question without going off of topic, of course!-). Sorry it is a very lengthy example, but overall it is important to dive into multiple layers and intentions of the language used, so before you go into the exam make sure you have a handful of quotes where you can easily do this. If you do that, it shows the examiner your understanding of the text and the ability to understand and discuss the themes of the text, ensuring you top grades (7/8/9). Hope this helps!

Quick Reply

Latest

Trending

Articles for you

Artificial intelligence and robotics degree personal statement example (1a) with review and advice

GCSE results day 2025: when it is and how to be prepared

Try out the app

Continue on web

how do I improve in GCSE english literature?

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Articles for you