5 smart ways to kickstart

your English GCSEs

MIND YOUR POETRY
Listening to poetry or speaking it aloud will help prepare
you for the poetry element of your Literature GCSE. Plus,
it can have a hypnotic, rhythmic, mindful quality and will
help you learn to enjoy the sound and ‘taste’ of the words.
Try: www.poetryfoundation.org or www.poetrysociety.org

DISCOVER DESCRIPTION
Practise your descriptive writing skills by watching nature
or people from your window and describing what you
see in detail. Or take a look at art gallery websites, find a
painting you like and use your own words to describe it.
Try: www.tate.org.uk or www.vam.ac.uk

TRACK AN AUTHOR
Lots of authors have websites or blogs with sneak previews
of new works or articles explaining how they write. You
can also find out lots about classic authors of your set texts
through fan clubs or on sites such as the British Library.
Try: www.bl.uk/learning or www.jbpriestleysociety.com

PROFESSIONALISE YOUR WRITING

Seeing your writing displayed as a publisher might want
to see it can boost your confidence in your work. There
are many apps that can help you set out scripts, edit your
language or check the clarity of your writing.
Try: www.hemingwayapp.com or www.plot-generator.org.uk

KICKSTART YOUR GCSE

Want to make sure you’re not falling behind? To help
with your studies visit the website of your exam board to
find copies of your course specifications and guidance for
students. You can also go to expert revision websites for
additional support.
Try: qualifications.pearson.com or www.yorknotes.com
*York Notes is not responsible for the content of third-party websites

The experts in English