English GCSE Revision3rd April 2014

English & English Literature GCSE Exams- Key Dates• 20th May- English Literature Exam 1• 22nd May- English Literature Exam 2

• 3rd June- WJEC Unit 1 and Unit 2 Exam• 3rd June- Paper 1 IGCSE• 5th June- Paper 2 IGCSE

Know which paper you are entered for:• You will be either sitting the:

• Higher WJEC Unit 1 and Unit 2 - 3rd June Or the

• Foundation WJEC Unit 1 and Unit 2- 3rd June

Or the

• IGCSE ( No tier of entry)- 3rd June and the 5th June

How much revision should I be doing? • You should be spending 3 hours on revision or homework per

week in English• At least 1 hour on a past paper for English• At least an hour on key English exam skills ( punctuation,

sentence structure, drafting, speed writing, expanding vocabulary or reading the revision guide)

• At least 1 hour on your Literature revision ( play, prose text, poetry)

How can I revise for English?• Practice past papers- all available on website- hard copies available

in WS02. • Actively read through the revision guide and practice the exercises

and possible questions- available online and in WS02• Develop your vocabulary- spend some time creating a synonym

bank of words that you often use. • Practice literacy exercises- pack available on the website or in WS02• Re read your literature texts- create mind maps on key characters

and themes- top 10 quotes• Read all the revision guides on the website for the play, prose text

and poetry guide for your Literature Exam• Use BBC Bitesize and other recommended revision sites and

revision guides to help prepare for the Literature exam.• Practice writing under timed conditions- speed writing exercises.

Creating a revision plan- 3 hours per weekWeek commencing:

Practice Paper for English

Practice English skills

Literature Revision

7th April

14th April

21st April

28th April

5th May

12th May

19th May

26th May

2nd June

Week commencing Foundation WJEC Higher WJEC IGCSE 7th April WJEC Paper 2

Summer 2011- Antarctic Adventure Punctuation Practice Mind map main characters in Literature novel

November 2012- Unit 1- Fair trade Unit 2- Leisure Centre Punctuation Practice Mind map main characters in Literature novel

IGCSE Paper 1 November 2012- Winter in Madrid Punctuation Practice Mind map main characters in Literature novel

14th April WJEC Paper 2 June 2010- Children Need Risk to survive Research 10 new words and create 10 sentences using them. Mind Map main themes in Literature novel Revise poetic terms- poetry guide on website

June 2011 Unit 1- Manchester Unit 2- New supermarket proposal Research 10 new words and create 10 sentences using them. Mind Map main themes in Literature novel Revise poetic terms- poetry guide on website

IGCSE Paper 2 November 2012- Console kids Research 10 new words and create 10 sentences using them. Mind Map main themes in Literature novel Revise poetic terms- poetry guide on website

Key Skills for Unit 1- Reading or Paper 2 IGCSE• Check your timings for each question• Underline key points in relation to the question as you are

reading• Always question- what is the Purpose, Audience and Format

and how do you know? What features of the language or presentation tell you this?

• How are facts and opinions used to convey an argument?• How is the extract structured to build an argument?• How are presentational devices used and to what effect?• The more points you make, the more marks you get. Check

that you have made enough points for each question.

• Constantly think about the effect on the audience.

How to get a C / B on the Writing paper• 5 types of punctuation other than a full stop and comma• You must use paragraphs correctly• Vary sentences, use complex and compound sentences• Control your use of tenses ( don’t swap between past and

present)• Aim for 2 sides of A4 per question• Show a clear understanding of purpose, audience and format. • Show a clear awareness of the reader• Use at least 4 stylistic techniques. • Use a range of vocabulary to convey precise meaning.

To achieve an A/ A* on writing:• Sophisticated understanding of purpose, audience and format –

adapting language and structure to suit.• Ideas are effectively prioritised to construct a sophisticated

argument.• Paragraphs are varied in length and structure to control

progression.• Confident and sophisticated use of a range of stylistic devices.• Ambitious vocabulary is used to convey precise meaning.• Variety of punctuation used for effect to vary pace, clarify

meaning and create deliberate effects. • Sophisticated use of simple, compound and complex sentences to

achieve effects• A wide vocabulary used for effect ( crafted)• FLAIR and creativity.

Useful websites• http://www.sprowstonhigh.org/cms/year-1011-revision-zone/english • http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english• http://www.wjec.co.uk- lots of past papers ( either Unit 1 or 2 or old English

paper 2)• http://www.englishbiz.co.uk This site is helpful for revising grammar and the

writing tasks. • http://www.gcse.com/english/ A useful site for general English skills• http://www.s-cool.co.uk/gcse/english A helpful site in terms of writing styles• http://www.educationquizzes.com/gcse/english/ Lots of quizzes to help with

punctuation and writing styles• www.universalteacher.org.uk• Another good resource for revising Literature texts especially. Also some advice

for comprehension skills• https://www.gradesaver.com/- Detailed guides on all Literature texts• http://www.sparknotes.com- For help with all your literature texts• www.guardian.co.uk-Probably best newspaper resource online. Excellent

preparation for Unit 1 with its media bias.