How to get an A* in my English Literature A-Level exam?
There’s no doubt, English Literature A Level can be challenging. It’s also an extremely rewarding and eye-opening subject though, that encourages new ways of looking at yourself and the world around you!
Because GCSE English Literature and Language are compulsory subjects, most people are familiar with roughly what English involves. But A Level study will test you in ways you’re not used to. It requires students to think deeply, explore original ideas and discuss their genuine responses to novels, plays and poems.
So, if you’re considering taking English Literature as one of your A Level subjects, here’s everything you need to know. We’ve answered the most commonly asked questions about the subject – so you can make your A Level choices with confidence.
If you’re hoping to be in the top 20% of students achieving an A* in their English Literature A Level – what’s the best way to go about it?
Here’s our five top tips for acing those exams…
Get familiar with your assessment objectives: these will be different for each exam board, but they show you how examiners will judge your essays. This usually includes some mixture of subject terminology, personal analysis and understanding, historical context, spelling and grammar.
Go into detail: Yep, it’s all about depth and detail in English Literature. While reading your chosen novels, poems and plays is great – you need to go deeper. What do other critics think of your texts? Are there any conflicting interpretations or reviews?
Be original: Don’t let this scare you. If you’re focusing on your own responses to how language, characters and texts impact you – you’ll be well on your way to expressing original and authentic ideas. As long as you can back-up your points with quotes and scholarly interpretations, go for it!
Make your argument clear: English Literature is all about your personal response to texts. So don’t be scared to make a clear and bold argument in your essays. This should always be obvious from the introduction, and feed through your entire essay.
Prepare early: Just like any other subject, it always pays to start your revision prep early. For an A* at English Literature A Level, you’ll need to know your texts inside out. Last minute cramming isn’t really going to cut it. So start organising your revision on themes and quotes as early as possible. By the time it comes to exams, you’ll be feeling cool, calm and confident.
What Methods Work Best To Get An A or A* In A level English Literature?
Do as many past papers as you can!
Complete as many past papers as you can! Past papers are invaluable for familiarising yourself with the format, style, and types of questions that may appear in the exam.
To use past papers effectively:
Allocate time to complete past papers under exam conditions to simulate the real exam experience.
Analyse your performance and identify areas of strengths and weaknesses.
Review the mark schemes to understand examiners’ expectations and learn how to structure your answers effectively.
Pay attention to recurring themes or topics that frequently appear in past papers and ensure a thorough understanding of those areas.
Mind maps
Mind maps prove to be highly effective for visualising and linking concepts and themes you’ve absorbed. By linking characters, symbols, and events, you can create meaningful associations among the elements of a text. Try the steps below.
Text overview:
In the central circle, write the title of the literary text you are studying.
Branch out with key elements, such as plot summary (major events and key plot points), setting (time period, location, significance), main characters (names, descriptions, roles) and themes (central ideas explored in the text).
Connect these elements to show how they relate to each other within the text.
Literary analysis:
Create another branch for deeper analysis, such as symbolism (important symbols and their meanings), character relationships (connections between characters), key quotations (notable quotes and their significance) and narrative techniques (point of view, structure, language).
Use lines to illustrate relationships between these elements and how they contribute to the overall interpretation of the text.
Perfect practice essays
To excel in A Level English Literature, writing high-level, ‘perfect’ exemplar essays is key to getting used to high-level responses. You can use this as a benchmark as to what your essays should look like in the exams.
Essay writing process
Understanding the essay question: Analyse the essay prompt to identify key themes and requirements.
Planning your response: Outline main arguments and structure before starting your essay.
Supporting arguments with evidence: Use textual examples and literary analysis to strengthen your points.
Crafting a compelling introduction and conclusion: Engage the reader from the start and summarise your main points effectively.
Utilising feedback
Hand in to teachers: Give your essays to your teachers to receive constructive feedback.
Implementing Feedback: Act on suggestions to improve clarity, depth, and sophistication.
Studying Exemplar Essays: Analyse high-level essays to learn effective writing techniques and standards. You can always find some in the examiners’ commentaries for each year!
Getting an A or A* grade in A level English Literature may be important depending on which universities you are applying to. If you are aspiring to attend prestigious Russell Group universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, University College London (UCL), or Kings they often set high-grade requirements. These universities are renowned globally for their academic excellence, rigorous programmes, and competitive admissions processes. Typically, Oxbridge and Russell Group universities will require As and A*s. Therefore it is important to think about university during the early stages of your A levels to ensure that your grades do not hold you back!
Check out our blog post about Ways To Help Your Children Through The Exam Period!
