This article focuses on 10 last minute revision tips to help you with your GCSE English and GCSE English Literature exam revision.

1. Don’t do it all at once. We only retain a certain amount of what we learn in a single sitting. You are far better off spreading your revision over a week than cramming the night before (if you have no choice, see here. Even fifteen minute slots before you go to bed each night, or on the journey to school can make all the difference.

2. Walk the dog (or tortoise, or small sibling, or whatever). Go for short walks whenever you can. The change of scenery will stimulate your imagination and your learning capabilities. Take a sheet of paper with a few quotes to learn for an essay, or some formula, or a vocabulary list, and you’ll be surprised at how much more you take in just being outside.

3. Cram it all in – onto one sheet of paper, that is. Try to summarise a module or a topic on a single sheet of paper that you can stick to your wall. Not only will you be reminded of your notes whenever you walk past them, but fitting the material into a set space forces you to mentally organise the information, a massive step towards learning it. Making your notes is 50% of your revision

4. Get personal. Relate your notes to your bedroom, to your favorite colours, your favorite foods. Make up stories involving the information you have to learn. Once for an exam, I had to remember the stages of a phonological change called ‘Grimm’s Law’. It was indeed grim (just like that pun).

5. Get out the colouring pens! Making all of your revision notes in black ballpoint is fatal – buy some cheap felt tips and write different words in different colours. Pictures tell a thousand words, remember, especially if they’re in colour.

6. Shout it for the world to hear. You might feel an idiot at first, but it is definitely worth reading your revision notes aloud. Even better, get a friend to quiz you on the intricacies of electromagnets, or insist on explaining the plot of Hamlet to your mum. Speaking practice is essential for the revision of foreign languages. Even saying basic words like “yes” and “no” and “please pass the ketchup” in the language you are learning are steps towards fluency.

7. Learn it inside out and backwards. If you are learning a list of chemicals, then try saying the list backwards (without looking at your notes!). Spell words back to front to make sure you really know what they look like – just remember to get them the right way around in the exam.

8. Have a good gossip. Discuss your revision topics with a friend in the same class, especially if you will have to write essays in the exam. See what ideas you can glean from each other – it is surprising how differently two people can approach the same questions.

9. Test yourself both ways. Don’t just learn how to recognise French words: practice translating the English into French. Learn how to work out each segment of a formula triangle.

10. Practice, practice, practice. Find some past exam papers and have a go at the questions. There’s nothing like writing an essay on Shakespeare for really getting to know what you don’t yet know …

Read more at Suite101: Ten Top Exam Revision Tips: How to Revise for Exams in School, College and University.

This article focuses on GCSE English Literature and specifically on helping you write GCSE English Coursework for Blood Brothers by Willy Russell

The Original article sourced from the super teacher resource website yourdissertation.com, where a great selection of free GCSE English and GCSE English Literature notes to help you revise and learn are on offer.

There are 4 main tips:

• Your awareness of what the play is about;
• An interesting idea;
• The basic requirements for GCSE courseworks;
• Personal efforts.

What is the play about?

“Blood Brothers” is a story about twin brothers (Mickey and Eddie) who grew up apart. They belonged to different social circles – one of them was rich and the other was poor. If you want to include some specific details into your GCSE English coursework on “Blood Brothers”, read it or find its screen version on the Web.

An interesting idea…

Remember, an idea should be interesting to you. If it is, work on your paper will be involving and interesting as well.

You can choose one of the ideas presented below and cover it in the GCSE English coursework on “Blood Brothers”:

• The Function of Knives, Flowers, Water, and Blood as Symbols in the Play;
• Social Worlds and Class Differences in “Blood Brothers”;
• Deaths of Mickey and Edward in “Blood Brothers”;
• The Success of “Blood Brothers” on Stage;
• The Role of Mrs. Lyons in “Blood Brothers”.

Basic requirements for your GCSE coursework on “Blood Brothers”

1. Deep analysis of the play and the author’s message;
2. Perfect structuring;
3. Proper format (usually, MLA format is required for GCSE English courseworks);
4. Full answer to the research question of your GCSE English coursework on “Blood Brothers”.

Personal efforts…

Writing an English coursework on “Blood Brothers” is difficult, still, it should not be a reason to give up or panic. Believe in yourself, and do not put off writing if you want your “Blood Brothers” coursework to be excellent. Good luck

We hope this article helps with your GCSE English Literature revision and coursework.

Be sure to check out the LearnThruMusic Blood Brothers learning song

To this end we have created a super selection of learning songs that are proven to make it easier for you to learn and revise the key aspects of the GCSE English and GCSE English Literature syllabus. Visit our shop section to listen to demos.

We also believe in providing you with free GCSE English and GCSE English Literature revision notes and exam help.

Please check our wide range or articles within the community section of www.learnthrumusic.co.uk for full details.

GCSE English and GCSE English Literature Shakespeare songs:

• The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare
  

•  Othello by William Shakespeare
  

•   Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
  

•   Macbeth by William Shakespeare
  

Our Shakespeare songs have been developed to help GCSE students but they can also be used to engage younger pupils in Shakespeare and to provide adults with an overview of Shakespeare’s finest work.

Please visit the shop section of this site to listen to demos of all our Shakespeare songs. 

We help GCSE English students learn and revise key exam and coursework topics through modern music.

We Love GCSE English and GCSE English Literature and want everyone else to love it as well. We believe that using music to help you learn and revise will help you remember key GCSE texts, GCSE persuasive writing techniques and the format of GCSE English and GCSE English Literature examination papers.

You can listen to demos of all our GCSE English and GCSE English literature songs within the shop section of this site. For free revision tips check out our LearnThruMusic community section, where free GCSE tips, revision techniques and notes are available on subjects such as:

• Lord Of The Flies

• Blood Brothers

• Pride And Prejudice

• To Kill A Mocking Bird

• Persuasive Device And Techniques

• Romeo And Juliet

• Of Mice And Men

• Macbeth

• A View From The Bridge

• Othello

• Stone Cold

• An Inspector Calls

• The Merchant Of Venice

• Persuasive Writing

• GCSE English exam paper 1

• GCSE English exam paper 2

• GCSE English and GCSE English Literature exam exam dates

Please get in touch with us here at LearnThruMusic and let us know what you think of our GCSE English and GCSE English Literature learning songs.

We have listed below The author’s technique in of Mice and Men By John Steinbeck. We hope the information provided helps you with your GCSE English Literature.

The author’s technique in of Mice and Men By John Steinbeck, article written by Andrew Moore

Structure

Steinbeck’s narrative method is unremarkable but effective in a simple way; for this reason it is not an obvious subject for study. The structure of the novella is clear and quite simple: each chapter is an extended episode, in the same place. Some things happen while others, which have happened, are re-told (George tells Slim about Weed; Whit tells the hands about Bill Tenner’s letter; Curley’s wife tells Lennie about her past).

Time and place

Steinbeck controls time and place very skilfully. Though he recalls events from earlier, what he narrates directly takes place over a single weekend. The narrative is framed by the opening and closing chapters, which are set in a beautiful clearing by a stream, close to the ranch. All the other chapters are set on the ranch, inside: in the bunkhouse, in Crooks’s room or in the barn. The text is very short, and yet a great proportion is taken up with dialogue, in the form of direct speech. It is clear from all of this (a series of “scenes”; no single viewpoint, nor access to thought; unity of time and place; past events recalled in conversation; indoor locations, and heavy reliance on dialogue) that the novella has been written with an eye to dramatization. It is not surprising to discover that Steinbeck himself did write a dramatization for the stage, and that this has subsequently been made into (two) very successful feature films.

Viewpoint

The novella is written in the third person, but there is no single viewpoint. We read of scenes in which George or Lennie or both are present, but we may briefly follow other characters (Candy or Crooks, say). We are never told what anyone is thinking, but must work this out from what people say, with one curious exception. In the final chapter, Steinbeck describes the imaginary talking rabbit (as one would expect from Lennie, it does not see anything odd in telling him he is not fit “to lick the boots of no rabbit”!) and the remembered Aunt Clara, who appear to Lennie, their voices supplied by his talking aloud.

Language and symbolism

The language of the narrative is fairly simple; most vocabulary is of an everyday kind, except for names of items of farm equipment to which Steinbeck refers. In the dialogue, Steinbeck uses slang and non-standard terms (“would of”, “brang” and so on) to convey an authentic sense of the speaking voice.

Apart from the symbolism in the title, we should note the symbolic function of the killing of Candy’s old dog. At various points in the novel shooting is mentioned as a way out of trouble (as when George says he would shoot himself if he were related to Lennie). The killing of the dog parallels the shooting of Lennie: both are depicted as merciful, in both cases the shot is in the same place (base of the skull) and Slim approves both killings.

Be sure to check out our of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, GCSE English Literature learning song

As part of our FREE character profiles for 12 key GCSE texts. We want to help you revise and learn GCSE English and GCSE English Literature to your full potential.

We have listed profiles of the key characters from Macbeth by William Shakespeare below. We hope the information provided helps you with your GCSE English and your GCSE English Literature.

Macbeth – Initially Macbeth is a general and nobleman. Macbeth is courageous and powerful but not virtuous. Macbeth commits murder in order to become king. After this crime he goes on to commit more but is racked with feelings of guilt which eventually lead to his decline.

Lady Macbeth – Lady Macbeth is Macbeth’s wife. She is a power hungry and ambitious woman and encourages her husband to commit murder in order to become king. She uses her sexuality to control her husband’s actions. In the play the couple’s involvement in crimes bring them closer together. Lady Macbeth’s guilty conscience causes her to go mad and commit suicide.

The Three Witches – The Three Witches use their prophecies and spells to manipulate Macbeth into committing murder. When the Three Witches prediction that Macbeth will become king comes true, it causes him to believe them when they say that he is immortal. The Three Witches are Hecate’s servants who use their knowledge to interfere with the human characters fate and to destroy Macbeth.

Banquo –Banquo is a virtuous nobleman and general. The Three Witches predict that Banquo’s children are heirs to the throne. However, unlike Macbeth, Banquo does not act on their premonitions. When Macbeth kills Banquo his ghost continues to haunt him. This haunting serves to contrast the violent character of Macbeth with Banquo’s and highlights the path Macbeth should have taken instead.

King Duncan – King Duncan is the well respected King of Scotland whom Macbeth, murders in order to seize the crown. His death and Macbeth’s claim to the throne represents the decline of order and the rise of a tyrant. This is resolved when his son Malcolm becomes King of Scotland at the end of the play.

Macduff – Macduff is the nobleman who leads a crusade to usurp Macbeth’s position as king. Macbeth murders Macduff’s son and wife so Macduff gets his revenge by killing Macbeth at the end of the play.

Malcolm –Malcolm is Duncan’s son. He flees Scotland when Macbeth murders his father. Order is returned to Scotland when he becomes king.

Hecate – Hecate is the goddess of witchcraft. She helps the three witches to mislead Macbeth.

Fleance – Fleance is Banquo’s son. He survives when Macbeth tries to murder him. He disappears at the end of the play. He may one day reappear as king, thus fulfilling the witches’ prophecy.

Lennox – Lennox is a nobleman.

Ross – Ross is a nobleman.

The Murderers – The murderers are a group who are hired by Macbeth to murder Banquo, Fleance (unsuccessfully), and Macduff’s wife and children.

Porter – Porter is a drunken doorman working at Macbeth’s castle.

Lady Macduff –Lady Macduff is Macduff’s wife. The scene of her in her home is a stark contrast of Lady Macbeth’s castle.

Donalbain – Donalbain is Duncan’s son and younger brother to Malcolm’s.

Be sure check out our GCSE Shakespeare learning songs

There are hundreds of free GCSE resources available online. Over the run up to this years GCSE exams we will be asking you to review your favorite free GCSE revision resource.

At LearnThruMusic we are dedicated to helping you excel at GCSE English and GCSE English literature, therfore we would like you to review free GCSE English and GCSE English learning resources. Starting with GCSE Bitesize

The BBC’s popular Bitesize revision guides have proved to be a valuable revision resource for students preparing to sit their GCSE’s.

GCSE Bitesize English Literature covers the following topics:

Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Frankenstein
Great Expectations
Jane Eyre
Lord of the Flies
Of Mice and Men
Pride and Prejudice
To Kill a Mockingbird
Flight
Superman and Paula Brown’s New Snowsuit
The End of Something
Your Shoes
A View from the Bridge
An Inspector Calls
Hamlet
Macbeth
Much Ado About Nothing
Othello
Romeo and Juliet
The Merchant of Venice
William Blake: The Little Boy Lost / The Little Boy Found
William Blake: London
John Clare: Sonnet
Gerard Manley Hopkins: Inversnaid
Alfred, Lord Tennyson: The Charge of the Light Brigade
Walt Whitman: Patrolling Barnegat
William Wordsworth: Upon Westminster Bridge
W B Yeats: Song of the Old Mother
Simon Armitage
Gillian Clarke
Carol Ann Duffy
Seamus Heaney
Wilfred Owen: Dulce Et Decorum Est

If you have used the BBC GCSE Bitesize English or English Literature resource then please send us a review to help other students who may be approaching their GCSE exams.

As part of our FREE character profiles for 12 key GCSE texts. We want to help you revise and learn GCSE English and GCSE English Literature to your full potential.

Mrs. Johnstone: The very poor mother of 7 kids. Mrs. Johnstone was left by the fathers of the kids
Mickey: One of the twins central to the Blood Brothers story, Mickey lives with his mother. Micky falls in love with Linda.
Eddie: One of the twins central to the Blood Brothers story, Eddie lives with a rich foster mother.
Narrator: The narrator of the Blood Brothers Story.
Mrs. Lyons: Eddie’s foster mother. Mrs. Lyons is desperate for Eddie not to meet Mickey.
Linda: Linda falls in Love with Micky
Sammy: Son of Mrs Johnstone, Sammy is a nasty man.

Be sure check out our GCSE English Literature learning song, Blood Brothers by Willy Russell “Careful Mrs. Johnstone”

As part of our FREE character profiles for 12 key GCSE texts. We want to help you revise and learn GCSE English and GCSE English Literature to your full potential.

Link/Dave: Main character in Stone Cold by Robert Swindells.  Link  got his name from the “Thames-link” railway sign. One of his first sites on arriving in London from Bradford or “up north”, as Link refers to it. Link becomes friends with Ginger, but does not 100% trust him.

Shelter: A former sergeant-major who has made it his sick mission to kill all of London’s homeless people. Shelter despises homeless people and thinks  they ‘make the place look untidy.’ Shelter wishes he was still in the army and uses military precision to lure homeless people into his house. He then kills them and hides their body under the floor boards calling them ‘the Camden Horizontals’.

Ginger: More streetwise than Link, a seasoned homless person who befreinds Link in a doorway.

Gail: Journalist reporter who goes undercover to expose the truth behind homelessness.  Gail first meets with Link just after Ginger goes missing. Link is suspicious of Gail’s phone calls home and probing questions.It is only after Shelters arrest that Link finds out Gail’s true identity. Link is very disheartened on finding out and feels used.

Be sure check out our GCSE English Literature learning song, Stone Cold “What would you do”