Tips on how to navigate Year 12 English!
The step up from GCSE to A-Level study is a tricky one, and something that's under-estimated by students and their parents alike. You’ll take all those years of learning how to analyse texts and write essays and put them all the to the test. The content of year 12 English is not necessarily any harder than the content in year 11 English, but it is a step-up in terms of importance, and the pressure of being in year 12 can make it all the more challenging.
But just in case you need some motivation, here are some tips and tricks for making sure you get through year 12 English:
Read widely and deeply: The more you read, the better you will become at analysing literature. Read a variety of texts from different time periods and genres to broaden your understanding.
Understand the exam requirements: Make sure you understand the format of the exam and the specific requirements for each section. Practice past papers to get a sense of the types of questions you may encounter.
Know your texts inside and out: Read your texts multiple times and take notes on important themes, characters, and symbols. Be able to provide specific examples from the texts to support your arguments.
Analyse the language: Pay attention to the language choices the author makes and the effects they have on the reader. Consider the use of literary techniques such as symbolism, metaphor, and imagery.
Plan and structure your essays: Before you start writing, create a detailed essay plan that includes a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Make sure your arguments are well-supported and that you have a clear thesis statement.
Use quotations effectively: Incorporate quotations into your essays to support your arguments, but make sure you analyse and explain them in detail.
Edit and proofread: Take the time to edit and proofread your essays carefully to ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and free of errors.
Reading a wide range of texts is essential for developing your critical thinking skills and enhancing your vocabulary. Explore different genres, authors, and writing styles to broaden your understanding of English literature. Here are some books that we can recommend for your reading:
The Secret History – Donna Tartt
‘What we did was terrible, but still I don’t think any of us were bad, exactly; chalk it up to weakness on my part, hubris on Henry’s, too much Greek prose composition – whatever you like.’
Under the influence of their charismatic classics professor, a group of clever, eccentric misfits at an elite New England college discover a way of thinking and living that is a world away from the humdrum existence of their contemporaries. But when they go beyond the boundaries of morality, their lives are changed profoundly and for ever.
We Need To Talk About Kevin – Lionel Shriver
Eva never really wanted to be a mother; certainly not the mother of a boy named Kevin who murdered seven of his fellow high school students, a cafeteria worker and a teacher who had tried to befriend him. Now, two years after her son’s horrific rampage, Eva comes to terms with her role as Kevin’s mother in a series of startlingly direct correspondences with her absent husband Franklyn about their son’s upbringing.
Jane Eyre – Charlotte Bronte
One of the greatest gothic love stories of all time, JANE EYRE tells of a lowly, plain governess who falls in love with the dashing Mr Rochester – who hides a terrible secret. An epic romance set on the Yorkshire moors, and a book that young girls will return to again and again.
The Moonstone – Wilkie Collins
The Moonstone, a yellow diamond looted from an Indian temple and believed to bring bad luck to its owner, is bequeathed to Rachel Verinder on her eighteenth birthday. That very night the priceless stone is stolen again and when Sergeant Cuff is brought in to investigate the crime, he soon realizes that no one in Rachel’s household is above suspicion. Hailed by T. S. Eliot as ‘the first, the longest, and the best of modern English detective novels
The Bell Jar – Sylvia Plath
“I was supposed to be having the time of my life.”
When Esther Greenwood wins an internship on a New York fashion magazine in 1953, she is elated, believing she will finally realise her dream to become a writer. But in between the cocktail parties and piles of manuscripts, Esther’s life begins to slide out of control. She finds herself spiralling into serious depression as she grapples with difficult relationships and a society which refuses to take her aspirations seriously
Normal People – Sally Rooney
Connell and Marianne grow up in the same small town in the west of Ireland, but the similarities end there. In school, Connell is popular and well-liked, while Marianne is a loner. But when the two strike up a conversation – awkward but electrifying – something life-changing begins.
Normal People is a story of mutual fascination, friendship and love. It takes us from that first conversation to the years beyond, in the company of two people who try to stay apart but find they can’t.
Fingersmith – Sarah Walters
Susan was brought up like Oliver Twist in a house of thieves – the fingersmiths. She was cared for and loved. She gets involved in an elaborate plan to defraud an heiress of her inheritance but becomes more attached to the victim than she expected. Great twists that I didn’t see coming. An interesting setting and well thought out plot. Really enjoyable literary page-turner that also has some dark moments.
Trainspotting – Irvine Welsh
Abhorrently dark and raw to the core, Trainspotting is an insight into one of life’s many ugly personalities ― addiction and the accompanying domino effect of grim inevitabilities… Irvine Welsh’s novel will always be a cult classic.
Very varied mix here – do some googling before choosing to see what grabs you but do venture outside your comfort zone too!
No matter what your current English abilities are, if you put the above tips into practice you’re giving yourself an excellent chance of improving and getting top marks. So what are you waiting for? Get reading!
Also, if you’re struggling on having a will to study - here are some ways to overcome Procrastination!
