Revising for English

Exam Dates

• 15th May PM – English Literature Paper 1

• 23rd May AM – English Literature Paper 2

• 4th June AM – English Language Paper 1

• 7th June AM – English Language Paper 2

Speed Writing Challenges: 5 minutes

Topic: Conflict in Romeo and JulietChallenge: Write as much as you can about this topic in 5 minutes. You do not need to paragraph and there does not need to be a clear structure or

order to your thoughts. Write in sentences and get it all down!When the bar below has filled across the screen, the 5 minutes is up.

Memorise key information using

‘text maps’

Spend 15 minutes one day, turning a key passage of information (such as this contextual information) or

some key quotations from a literature text, into a ‘text map’.

The next day, spend 5 minutes trying to recall and write out the information or quotations, from your

text map.

Repeat a couple of days later. Repeat again…

Using cue-cards to help you memorise key quotationsThe most effective way is to turn the piece of information you need to memorise into a

different format. (The process of doing this helps to move it from our short term to our long term memory).

“No-one can conceive the variety of feelings that bore me onwards like a hurricane…”

Turn this into a cue card. • Side 1: quotation, highlighted words you would analyse, link to the point you

make with it. • Side 2: a clue which will help you to recall it (a text-map of the quotation or a

symbol or image).

• Then test yourself or get someone to test you. • Start by looking at the clue, recall the quotation – and challenge yourself by

trying to explain something about it to the other person (what does it show, what methods are used, what effects do they have, why has the writer included this? etc.,)

AMBITION point 1M

“No-one can conceive the variety of feelings

that bore me onwards like a hurricane…”

(All consuming – a force Victor cannot

control)

Round the Clock Revision A ‘recall’ hour focusing on one text

1. Choose which text you will revise2. Set your timer for 5 minutes3. Choose a topic to focus on

4. Write what you think are the most important points and pieces of evidence for that topic in the 5 minutes – without looking at your notes or the text

5. Reset your timer, choose another topic and go again

Revising for English Language

Practise, practise, practise…

• Use the language revision packs

• Ask your teachers for example papers to complete under timed conditions and hand them in for feedback.

• You can also find them in the folder called GCSE EXAM PRACTICE on the student P drive in school, under FACULTY -> ENGLISH

• Buy an English language revision guide – there are practice questions in them, as well as examples of great answers.

Paper 1 section B – writing practice

Search online for interesting images. Remind yourself of the FAMOUS CAP descriptive writing features.Choose 3 aspects of the image to focus your description / narrative on.Box up a ‘plan’ of what you will include when writing about each of the 3 things.Write it under timed conditions.Check you have included the FAMOUS CAP features.

Five sensesAdjectives and adverbsMetaphorsOnomatopoeiaUnusual verbsSimiles

Contrasts and coloursAlliterationPersonification

Read a couple of newspaper articles each week

-> Discuss them with a member of your family or a friend.

-> Get them to ask you questions about what you have read to check you have understood.

-> Practise ‘speed reading’ and selecting 4 facts from one paragraph.

-> Identify words you are unfamiliar with and look them up – learn them.

-> Choose a paragraph and identify any language features used and for each one try to write a sentence about its effects on you as a reader: what did it make you think, feel, understand, imagine, want to do?

Three revision activities for you to try

1. Revision Jenga – test your knowledge of key terms2. Would I Lie to You? – adult/child competition

focused on close reading and understanding3. Quote Quizzing – recall of the literature texts

Terminology Jenga! On each Jenga block write a key term. When a block is pulled, the player needs to define the term as a way of revising it.

Term Definition Example

Adjective Describing word Beautiful, ugly, blue, soft

Noun Name of people,

places and things

Table, chair,

London, Charlie

Verb Action word Running, singing,

swimming

Adverb Describes the verb Hungrily, quickly, happily,

slowly

Simile Comparison using

like or as

As slow as a snail

Roared like a lion

Metaphor Comparison saying

something is

something else

The sea was a monster

growling and raging

against the cliffs

Personificatio

n

Giving an object

human features

The trees were dancing in

the breeze

Onomatopoei

a

Words which make

the sound they

describe

Bang, crash, splash, boom,

pop

Alliteration Multiple words starting with the same

letter

E.g: Fabulous, fantastic Friday!

Personal

Pronouns

Pronouns used to show number,

gender etc.

E.g: you, I, our, us

Exaggeration Being over the top for effect. E.g: this is the BEST meal I’ve ever

eaten.

Adjectives Words used to describe a noun. E.g: amazing, wonderful, beautiful

Repetition When a word or phrase is repeated for

effect.

E.g: The best price, the best quality,

the best you can get.

Facts Something which is proven to be true. E.g It is proven that reading supports

your ability in English.

Opinions A belief from an expert or someone

who’s tried it.

E.g: An expert said “this is the best

thing you can do”.

Imperatives Verbs which give a command. E.g: Stop, Sit.

Rhetorical

question

A question which encourages the

listener to think.

E.g: Do you need a holiday?

Emotive language Writing which appeals to the

emotions.

E.g: The tragic plight of these innocent

animals will bring a tear to your eye.

Statistics Using a statistic to support a point. E.g: 99% of people agree.