Literature in English covers a myriad of skills ranging from communication, literacy to critical thinking. Through the interpretation of different texts, students learn that there are various ways to interpret a set text. As such, students are geared to find their own voice by staying true to their beliefs and seeing the world from their perspectives.

It may appear challenging to score well in exams but the key factor is to have a greater understanding of your set texts before engaging in more readings and research to hone your skills.

1. Read extensively

Needless to say, Literature students have to read an extensive range beyond the given set texts to enrich their learning. Through the reading of different periods and themes, students will get a better sense of the main ideas across different periods and eras. Reading different genres and works exposes us to different perspectives and viewpoints. Through this, you also develop your own personal voice. However, critical reading and thorough analysis of the given set texts are also required because that is ultimately the primary level of foundation.

2. Create personalized notes

Everyone takes notes differently and thus, it is important to find out how you learn best. For most students, the classification of broad ideas such as themes, characterization, period, and context is helpful in the consolidation of Literature notes. You can take the time to highlight important notes and map out key moments in the novel or the drama that will guide you in making cohesive arguments in the examination. This will benefit in the long run as you can cross-reference to it when you face difficulties during revision.

3. Form a study group

Having a study group allows for greater depth and exposure to different ideas. When analyzing a particular character or moment in the text, you may not necessarily have the same sentiments as your peers. Especially when it comes to the unseen poetry portion, there are various ways to interpret a given extract. Similarly, the thoughts and feelings generated differ across individuals. As such, having a study group ensures a well-rounded understanding.

4. Watch the movie or play

Various schools will focus on different set texts. The more common ones will be William Shakespeares plays. Undeniably, the language used in the Renaissance period might be difficult to analyse as compared to Modern times. Hence, for some students, watching the play might give them a better understanding of the structural sequences and nature of different moments and characters.

5. Seek external help if required

Through Literature tuition, tutors help students overcome the fear of Unseen poems. One of the major fear amongst students is not knowing how to prepare for the Unseen portion which covers a portion of the exam. Students will have a better understanding of how to approach unseen poems through ample practice greater exposure to various question types and writing styles. In addition, tutors will enhance students’ understanding of the different set texts through closer text analysis.

Closing thoughts

Elite Tutor offers a diverse range of Literature tutors that can facilitate your learning. Ranging from student tutors, graduate tutors to MOE tutors, you are able to choose one that best suits your learning, in which we feel is of utmost importance.