Mr. Everything English Lecture Notes

Overview

• Focus on English Literature, specifically poetry section in exams.
• Common failures occur in poetry rather than plays or prose.
• Emphasis on understanding the poetry section: seen poetry and unseen poetry.

Exam Structure

• Duration: 2 hours and 15 minutes total.
• Inspector Calls: 45 minutes.
• Seen Poetry: 45 minutes (Power and Conflict, Love and Relationships, World and Lives).
  • Spend 5 minutes planning.
  • Write 3 comparative paragraphs.

Key Points to Remember

• Students often skip or fail the poetry sections due to lack of understanding or inadequate teaching.
• New focus on comparison in exams: compare two texts in the same paragraph.
• Mark scheme remains largely the same with addition of comparison requirement.
  • AO1: 12 marks, AO2: 12 marks, AO3: 6 marks.

Techniques and Terms

• Language: Similes, metaphors, verbs, adjectives.
• Form: Recognize forms such as epic, narrative, free verse, sonnet, dramatic monologue.
  • Epic: Poem about significant events.
  • Narrative: Story-telling poem.
  • Free verse: No rules.
  • Sonnet: 14-line love poem.
  • Dramatic Monologue: First-person biased poem.
• Structure: Foreshadowing, flashback, enjambment, caesura, anaphora, volta.
  • Enjambment: Ongoing lines without stopping.
  • Caesura: Pauses within lines.
  • Anaphora: Repetition.
  • Volta: Shift or turning point.

Practical Steps for Comparative Poetry Analysis

• Divide page for two poems (e.g., Ozymandias and London).
• Analyze the provided poem first.
• Plan three paragraphs for comparison.
  • Points: Power is evil, power makes one arrogant, power is short-lived.
  • Use techniques like symbolism, sonnet form, hyperboles.
• Ensure comparisons within the same paragraph.

Writing Structure

• Use "Ping Pong" structure: Bounce back and forth between two texts.
• Structure: Pretzel (P, R, T, E, Z, E, L).
  • Plan points, references, techniques, and zooming in.
  • Example: Compare how poets present power in Ozymandias and London.

Exam Preparation Tips

• Practice dividing and planning with past papers.
• Ensure your structure allows for comparison.
• Aim for clarity in comparative analysis.

Additional Resources

• Download the "Everything Education" app for practice questions.
• Visit everything.co.uk for tuition and past papers.
• Classes available in English, maths, and science.
• Utilize their student portal for homework, feedback, and assistance.

Conclusion

• Don't ignore poetry; it’s crucial for exams.
• Use structured approaches and practice regularly.
• Keep updated with apps and resources provided by Mr. Everything English.