How to Revise English Literature (Tips, Techniques + Essay Writing) – How I Got an A* | Jack Edwards

How I got an A* in my English Literature A Level (and GCSE)... my most requested video EVER! I am an English Lit student at Durham University, so thought I'd share some of my top tips on revision, writing essays, and preparing for the unseen extracts in the exam, after I took the new, linear A Level exams last year. I hope these tips and tricks help you out, but I'll answer any other questions you have about English / Durham / English AT Durham in the comments down below :)

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[lottiedenny]

“Its about to get lit....English lit” - quote of the year.

[rimpisarmah]

1. One week one text.
2 .read the text 5 times
3. Just say your ideas in class discussions ..don't be shy.
4.try to expand your vocabulary.
6. Write down your ideas, quote lines in your notebook.
7.plane your essays, memorize some phrase for the introduction.

[jayden]

*Timestamps*

General Tips: 0:55
Revision: 6:20
Essay Writing: 11:09
Unseen Extracts: 15:26

[UnJadedJade]

Such a useful video! 🙌 I'm watching this reminiscing (and missing!) my English Lit AS!
ohhh and also, loquacious may well be my new favourite word! x

[laurenhennessey]

English revision feels so impossible so thank you for this.

[worldofwoodrow]

me yelling "it's english lit" is the only reason i go to school

[lunorm]

you actual legend!!! i was just stressing about eng lit omg

[MT-zrtg]

I'm an overseas viewer but I'd like to add to these fantastic tips (hope you don't mind terribly).
1) Don't stress yourself excessively over examinations of any kind. You can take exams again or make them up, but making yourself ill from stress can take you months or years to recover from afterwards.
2) I'd like to repeat Jack's tip about cementing vocabulary firmly in your mind before using it on an exam, ESPECIALLY if it a scientific word or for a very specialized field. As a sciences major I cringed whenever I saw my schoolmates using the word "meiosis" when they meant mitosis. When in doubt, substitute a simpler word and move onto the next reading or section. Sounding less sophisticated is better than confusing the reader or making an error that could cause you to be docked points.
Excellent video, Jack. Ever considered becoming a college lecturer?

[evebennettx]

Omg we revise exactly the same way - great minds think alike haha!

[harrys]

I’ve never understood all the hate that comes towards English. It is LITerally the best subject by far!!

[samira]

Can you do a how to get an A* in A level history pls??💕

[gemmaharvey]

Could you do a full video on essays? Including layout, imbedding quotations and knowing context? I’m doing GCSEs this year so really need some advice x

[Karolina-ewzl]

I have been waiting for this, currently struggling a tad with English lit alevel at year 13 😩😩

[scholar]

Correct order

14:27 - be an expert on tragedy and protest conventions
10:09 - themes and motifs
6:35 - quotebank
8:19 - memorisation of key quotes
16:46 - use literary terms
11:59 - make tailor-made first sentences for each author > then focus on question
13:06 - signpost question when writing essay
13:12 - analysis of the quote

[chinyerenwahiri]

Thank you so much. I took literature for the first time in my life in Cambridge A levels and I excelled. Your tips and advise were extremely helpful, from the bottom of the heart I say a big thank you.

[leahwalker]

Past papers are so good! I’m currently in year 11 and this time last year I was working at a grade 4 in lit, I handed in so many past papers I boosted my grade to an 8. They’re so helpful for preparation and improving your work. Do them!!

[serinat]

omg you're actually hilarious 😂
Your intro was fabulous

[agnieszkarekawek]

I love English because every single word has a particular situation in which you can use it to really hit the jackpot, that’s just amazing!

[gemmacuello]

you'd be such an amazing Literature teacher. your advice based on experience is really deep and helpful. i'm sure your students would love your teaching-advising style.

[anjamenjic]

I am not Britis and I don’t have English literature as a subject in school, but I still found this video very helpful for Serbian literature. You have some great tips ahah
Btw love your personality and I think you are very funny. Congrats on 20k. Love❤️❤️