English Literature GCSE English Language GCSE English Literature GCSE An overview of the exams, their requirements, and how to support students in revision

Your child is studying for two separate qualifications They will receive one qualification and grade for Language, and one qualification and grade for Literature. Their performance in one has zero direct impact on the other. In total, to cover both Language and Literature, your child will sit four exams: two for Language, two for Literature.

The requirements of the English GCSE exams Exactly what skills do the exams require students to use?

Reading comprehension:. reading texts and showing clear Reading comprehension: reading texts and showing clear understanding in writing P.E.E. (Point, Evidence, Explain): using quotations to support interpretations and arguments Comparison: discussing and analysing texts in relation to one another Subject and textual knowledge: knowing plots, poems, characters, contexts, and terminology Creative and accurate writing: produce formal, engaging, and technically accurate fiction and non-fiction writing

English Language = two exams Paper One – fiction (1hr 45mins) (five questions, 80 marks available) Q1 – information retrieval (4 marks available Q2 – P.E.E. response to language (8 marks available) Q3 – P.E.E. response to structure (8 marks available) Q4 – agree or disagree ‘critical’ question (20 marks available) Q5 – fiction creative writing (40 marks available)

English Language = two exams Paper Two (non-fiction) – 1hr 45mins (five questions, 80 marks available) Q1 – information retrieval (tick box) (4 marks available) Q2 – comparative summary (8 marks available) Q3 – P.E.E. response to language (12 marks available) Q4 – comparative P.E.E. response (16 marks available) Q5 – non-fiction creative writing (40 marks available)

English Literature = two exams Paper One – 1hr 45mins (two questions, 64 marks available) Q1 – Macbeth question (34 marks available) Q2 – A Christmas Carol question (30 marks available)

English Literature = two exams Paper Two – 2hrs 15mins (four questions, 96 marks available) Q1 – An Inspector Calls question (34 marks available) Q2 – Poetry – Power and Conflict AQA anthology (30 marks available) Q3 – Poetry – unseen single (24 marks available) Q4 – Poetry – unseen comparative (8 marks available)

Revision approaches that students can use for English What can my child do to give them the best chance of success?

Reading comprehension: P.E.E. (Point, Evidence, Explain): Subject and textual knowledge: Comparison: Creative writing: Read as much as possible, summarising what has been read, giving opinions on it, and thinking about the use of language in the text. Practise writing P.E.E. paragraphs in response to course texts and new texts. Consider the effects of key words and how they impact the reader. Re-read the course texts. Re-read the poems. Use online study guides (SparkNotes, Shmoop, BBC Bitesize etc). Learn to identify and use word classes (noun, verb, adjective, adverb etc) and language devices (simile, metaphor, oxymoron etc). Link this with P.E.E. practice to compare two texts. Compare based on ideas, the use of language and language devices, or the writers’ perspectives. Or simply summarise the similarities and differences between two texts. Practise the use of use connectives such as ‘however,’ similarly’, ‘on the other hand’, likewise etc to link ideas. Practise writing in various forms and for various purposes: articles, letters, speeches, stories, descriptions based on pictures. Persuade, argue, inform, entertain etc. Spelling and punctuation are important.

The role of parents/carers in the revision process What can I do directly to give my child the best chance of success?

Your house as a revision tool: Ask questions: Your house as a revision tool: Critical/argumentative thinking and talking: Technology: Companionship: Scheduling: Quiz your child about something they’ve read and about the course texts. Characters? Plot? Context? Their opinions on what the writers are trying to show the reader? Post-It notes with key information on them dotted around the house: on the fridge, on the TV, and most certainly on and around the Xbox. Get them talking! Start with conversations around the dinner table… The internet is full of useful material. There are also numerous revision apps for smartphones and tablets, including quizzes. A quick Google search will reveal a wealth of material. Y11 students at this school are all studying the same English texts and sitting the same English exams. Encouraging your child to revise with a well-chosen partner can make revision more productive and enjoyable. Many students will benefit from a simple but structured revision plan. ‘Monday = 45mins of poetry’, Tuesday = ’60mins creative writing’ etc.

Questions Is there anything you’d like to ask? If so, please feel free!