English Lit revision: Guides that might help

With English Lit exams creeping up, set texts probably feel more like your enemy than friends. But, don't worry, these guides will help you form friendships with fiction that might even last past exam day.

We can't guarantee these topics will come up, of course, but we chose a few we thought might be useful to get you started. Click on the images below for the relevant revision guides, and we’ve added some extra articles just next to them, too.

All our English Literature guides are exam board specific so click here to find your GCSE exam board.

Shakespeare

This guide on Macbeth covers all the twists and turns of Macbeth's bloody reign.

We've also got guides on Much Ado About Nothing and Romeo and Juliet.

19th Century Novel

Exams are round the corner, and revision is underway. You can run but you can't Hyde…

We've also got guides on Frankenstein, Great Expectations and plenty more 19th century prose.

Modern Text Drama

Arthur, Sybil, Eric, Sheila, Gerald, Inspector Goole, Edna, Eva Smith… Daisy Renton? It's enough to make your head spin.

This guide will help you get to grips with all the characters in An Inspector Calls. We've got guides on the plot and themes as well.

Modern Text Prose

During exam season things can get pretty tough. It's important to remember that as long as life doesn't resemble Lord of the Flies, then you're doing okay.

We've also got guides on Of Mice and Men, To Kill a Mockingbird, History Boys and About a Boy.

Poetry

TOP TIP: When analysing a poem, try to identify more than just what techniques are being used by the poet.

Look at ways in which the use of form, structure and language link to the meaning and effect of the poem.