How to write a Discursive Linguistics Paragraph

Part 2 – Cautious Paragraphs If you’ve made it through the previous lesson’s activities, then well done! You have introduced your argument and set yourself up to discuss the main linguistic issues raised by your source material. Thanks for reading! If you find this useful, take a look at our other English Language and Literature […]

How to write a Discursive Introduction

The Background of Discursive Essays Up until 2021, it was actually possible to get through the entire Cambridge International A-Level English Language (9093) without having to write a discursive essay. Up until 2021, Paper 3 was a comparative analysis of two texts per question. Up until 2021 Paper 4 allowed a choice of Child Language […]

How to Generate a Discussion (A-Level Literature)

Introduction: How to generate a discussion? What is a discursive essay? When facing the prose section of Paper 2 (9695/02) you will have a choice of two questions to choose from. Here is an example below of what they look like: *The writer of this exam has done something I absolutely hate. For those of […]

A Lot About a Little #2: Handmaid’s Tale Extract

A close reading of a sentence from Chapter 10 of The Handmaid’s Tale (extract), with reference to CAIE A-Level English Literature 9695 marking criteria. Thanks for reading! If you find this useful, take a look at our other English Literature and Language courses. In my last post, I discussed the importance of being able to […]

A Lot About a Little #1: Small Island Extract

A Lot About A Little Small Island Extract

A close reading of a sentence from Chapter 17 of Small Island, with reference to CAIE A-Level English Literature 9695 marking criteria. Thanks for reading! If you find this useful, you can take a look at our full English Language and Literature courses. There is a phrase which English teachers used to say to students […]

Descriptive Writing Task: How To Describe an Object

In this mini-lesson, I’ll go through the basics of how to describe an object in detail – and not just in a boring way! Many of the creative writing and descriptive writing questions in exams require you to focus on an object, person, place or thing. Thanks for reading! If you find this useful, take […]

How to Understand and Analyse a Poem

This is a process I developed myself when I was at university studying poems; I couldn’t understand nor analyse a poem, and it confused the heck out of me. I used to look at poems and feel completely lost like I didn’t even know where to start. So, I developed this system as a way […]

How to Understand the Basics of Poetry

This page takes you through everything you need to know when starting out with understanding the basics of poetry. It’s great for complete beginners, or experienced writers wanting to refresh their knowledge. It’s equally useful for literature students, such as those taking GCSEs, IGCSEs, and A-Levels. If you’re totally stuck on poetry and how to […]

Checking Out Me History: Summary and Analysis

‘Checking Out Me History’ is an incredible poem. While I was writing it, it led me to think about my own personal history and cultural influences, and I encourage you to do the same! It’s like going down a historical rabbit hole, as you learn more about the history of your ancestors you also discover […]

Charge of the Light Brigade: Poem + Analysis

‘Charge of the Light Brigade’ is such a perfect, powerful poem – it’s full of strength and momentum, that captures the movement of horses as they charge forwards into battle. The atmosphere is honourable, brave, and admirable. Yet, the context was that these soldiers were charging into a battle they had no hope of winning, […]