The English Tutor

It's critical that you watch the plays you are studying. There's plenty for free on youtube.
That will really help make sense of the texts. Id also recommend audio books as a way to access the texts. It can really help to listen in a very focussed way.

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Good luck today all students sitting their English Literature paper 1 today....including my son!

Top Exam Technique Tips – English Lit Paper 1
⏰ 1. Timing is Everything
Paper is 1 hour 45 minutes.

Split 50/50:

45 mins for Section A (Shakespeare)

45 mins for Section B (19th-century novel)

5 mins buffer at the end to check both.

Spend 5–8 mins planning each essay — it saves time in the long run.

📌 2. Read the Question Carefully
Underline the focus of the question (e.g. "How is power presented…").

Don’t just write everything you know — stay focused on answering the question.

🔎 3. Use the Extract – Then Zoom Out
Start with 1–2 paragraphs analysing the extract.

Then bring in linked moments or quotes from elsewhere in the play/novel.

🔁 You’re marked for how well you link the extract to the whole text.

🧠 4. Plan Your Argument Before You Write
Write down a quick bullet plan:

Intro: answer the question in 1 sentence

3 main ideas or points

Key quotes

Context links

✍️ 5. Write Focused, Structured Paragraphs
Use the P*E or P*EZL structure:

Point

Evidence

Explanation

(Zoom-in on a word or device)

Link back to question/theme

🧰 6. Analyse Language & Structure (AO2)
Don’t just say what happens — say how and why.

Pick out:

Language choices (adjectives, verbs, figurative language)

Structural features (contrasts, turning points, repetition)

Literary devices (metaphor, irony, etc.)

📚 7. Integrate Context Smartly (AO3)
Mention context when it helps your argument — not randomly.

Link it to:

Author’s intentions

Audience at the time

Social or historical background

Example: “Victorian audiences feared the dangers of unchecked science, which Stevenson explores through Jekyll’s experiments.”

🧾 8. Memorise Flexible Quotes
Learn short quotes you can use in multiple questions.

E.g., “Stars hide your fires” works for ambition, fate, secrecy, guilt…

✅ 9. Have a Strong Introduction and Conclusion
Intro: One sentence clearly answering the question.

Conclusion: Sum up your overall argument — what is the author showing us?

🧠 10. Stay Calm and Think Like a Writer
Think about why the author chose that word or moment.

Show the examiner you understand that the text is crafted with purpose.

If you're revising Romeo and Juliet.....

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Book GCSE English Literature and English Language revision sessions over Easter.
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Here's a really good audio player of Romeo and Juliet.
Get your text out and read along with these brilliant actors who will bring the play to life for you!

Romeo and Juliet - William Shakespeare - Kenneth Branagh - HD Remastered Edition Romeo and JulietFirst broadcast was on BBC Radio 3 on April 25, 1993.Directed by Kenneth Branagh and Glyn DearmanPlease consider subscribing to our channel f...

There's no substitute for knowing the texts.
Make life easier by using audio book versions. There's lots on YouTube that are free.
There's even full radio plays there that can really help bring a play to life.

Extra English GCSE revision lessons available over the Easter break.
Past papers, techniques, mark schemes and proven methods.
Language and Literature.
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Message to book a place list there's spaces left.
07359 652109

If you're trying to revise and not sure what's the best use of your time, here's a simple technique.
For each character in a text, allocate 1 x a4 page.
Create two columns.
On the left column, list every possible and plausible way to describe them.
On the right column add a corresponding quote for each description.