GCSE English Literature Tutoring

GCSE ENGLISH LITERATURE AQA

GCSE- Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19^th century novel:

Section A: Shakespeare

Macbeth

This 12 week course consists of weekly hour long sessions:

During these sessions, we will be exploring the key themes and ideas raised within the text, with references and examples from the text. We will be discussing characterisation, with particular focus on characters that recur in examination questions. We will look at dramatic and literary techniques commonly used by Shakespeare in the play. As we start to review our learning on the text, we will explore past paper exam questions. In these sessions, we will discuss and work out possible ways of responding to the questions, with close reference to extracts chosen in past papers. In preparation for the final session, students will write a past paper essay response of their own choosing. The final session will be a chance for the students to share their essay, receiving live, insightful and immediate constructive feedback-a proven way to impact positively and immediately on attainment.

Section A: Shakespeare

Merchant of Venice

This 12 week course consists of weekly hour long sessions:

During these sessions, we will be exploring the key themes and ideas raised within the text, with references and examples from the text. We will be discussing characterisation, with particular focus on characters that recur in examination questions. We will look at dramatic and literary techniques commonly used by Shakespeare in the play. As we start to review our learning on the text, we will explore past paper exam questions. In these sessions, we will discuss and work out possible ways of responding to the questions, with close reference to extracts chosen in past papers. In preparation for the final session, students will write a past paper essay response of their own choosing. The final session will be a chance for the students to share their essay, receiving live, insightful and immediate constructive feedback-a proven way to impact positively and immediately on attainment.

Section B: The 19^th Century Novel

Robert Louis Stevenson: The strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

This 12 week course consists of weekly hour long sessions:

During these sessions, we will initially explore the themes and ideas raised within the text, with some analysis and close references to the text. We will be exploring the characterisation in the novel, with particular focus on the ‘split’ personality of the lead character. We will look at literary techniques used by Stevenson. As we start to review our learning, we will do some close study of the extracts used in the past exam papers. We will explore some of the thematic past paper questions, working out possible responses. In preparation for the final session, students will choose a 30 mark essay question from past papers and write their own essay. The final session will be a chance for the students to share their essay, receiving live, insightful and immediate constructive feedback- a proven way to impact positively and immediately on attainment.

Section B: The 19^th Century Novel

Mary Shelley: Frankenstein

This 12 week course consists of weekly hour long sessions:

During these sessions, we will initially explore the themes and ideas raised within the text, with some analysis and close references to the text. We will be exploring the characterisation in the novel, with particular focus on the differences between Frankenstein and his creation, exploring the nature vs nurture debate. We will look at literary techniques used by Shelley. As we start to review our learning, we will do some close study of the extracts used in the past exam papers. We will explore some of the thematic past paper questions, working out possible responses. In preparation for the final session, students will choose a 30 mark essay question from past papers and write their own essay. The final session will be a chance for the students to share their essay, receiving live, insightful and immediate constructive feedback- a proven way to impact positively and immediately on attainment.

GCSE English Literature AQA Paper 2- Modern Texts and Poetry

Section A: Modern prose or Drama

Drama: Willy Russell: Blood Brothers

This 12 week course consists of weekly hour long sessions:

During these sessions, we will initially explore background and setting to contextualise the themes of the play. We will then be exploring some of the key themes raised in the text. We will look at literary and dramatic techniques. We will of course explore characterisation within the play and how they relate to some of the themes. In reviewing our learning, we will explore a few of the past paper questions on the play, breaking down ways in which to answer the questions. In preparation for the final session, students will write a response of their own choosing from one of the past papers. The final session will be a chance for the students to share their essay, receiving live, insightful and immediate constructive feedback- a proven way to impact positively and immediately on attainment.

Section A: Modern prose or Drama

Prose: William Golding: Lord of the Flies

This 12 week course consists of weekly hour long sessions:

During these sessions, we will explore the key themes, concepts and ideas explored in the novel. In so doing, we will take a closer look at some of the pivotal chapters and extracts within the text. We will be exploring characterisation, as this plays a key role in the formation of the themes, with close attention to the 3 main characters. We will look at some of the key literary techniques Golding uses, including his frequent use of symbolism. In reviewing our learning, we will explore a few of the past paper questions, preparing possible responses together by linking our ideas with textual analysis. In preparation for the final session, students will write a response of their own choosing from one of the past papers. The final session will be a chance for the students to share their essay, receiving live, insightful and immediate constructive feedback – a proven way to impact positively and immediately on attainment.

Section A: Modern prose or Drama

Prose: George Orwell: Animal Farm

This 12 week course consists of weekly hour long sessions:

As principally a ‘book of ideas’, we will first contextualise the political and social background from which the book arose. We will explore some of the key themes, concepts and ideas presented in the novel. Characterisation is a vital tool through which Orwell explores these ideas, so we will offer in depth analysis of some of the key characters. We will examine some of the literary techniques he uses, like narrative style and the use of satire. In reviewing our learning, we will explore a few of the past paper questions, preparing some responses together. In preparation for the final session, students will write a response to one of the past exam paper questions of their own choosing. The final session will be a chance for the students to share their essay, receiving live, insightful and immediate constructive feedback- a proven way to impact positively and immediately on attainment.

GCSE Study Skills sessions

This 6 week course will consist of weekly hour long sessions

In these sessions, we will explore how best to approach essay questions at GCSE level. This will be a broad ‘study skills’ course, looking at:

• Ways in which to structure extended and essay-based responses, in order to display clear understanding of the question.
• How to develop a clear and cogent line of argument.
• How best to use textual references, embedding them within the flow of essay responses.
• How to use relevant critical engagement with the text that relates specifically to the essay question.
• Look at examples of high level responses, exploring how they demonstrate good practise.