O Level Literature Study Tips
Let’s be honest, Literature is a fun subject on the surface — you get to discuss stories and delve into various perspectives. However, studying literature is a whole other ball game. It can be confusing to understand how to revise the subject and ensure you are exam-ready.
Here are a few tips to help you navigate how to study literature effectively! The article will begin with general tips followed by tips separated specific to the set text and unseen components.
General Tips for Literature
1. Make notes during the lesson or have a second copy of a book to annotate
Unlike most subjects where there are textbooks for you to refer to for content, Literature does not have a set of fixed notes you can rely on. Oftentimes, you would need to make your own notes for Literature, based on what is taught to you during lessons. Usually, teachers will run chapter or theme analysis in class when covering content.
Hence, it’s crucial for you to pay attention and jot down important points your teacher is sharing (eg: key quotes which convey a certain theme or a character analysis based on a quote). If taking notes during the lesson itself is too time-consuming, then consider purchasing another text copy for you to annotate on and highlight key quotes. After lessons, it would be ideal for you to go back to what was taught and reorganise your notes, sorting them into specific themes or characters.
2. Familiarise yourself with literary techniques
A key part of doing well in literature includes being familiar with literary techniques and the way they add value in the context of the text or poem. Some common techniques you should be familiar with include :
For Poetry
- Similes
- Metaphors
- Alliteration
- Diction
- Imagery
- Rhythm, Rhyme and Repetition
For Set Text
- Symbols and Motifs
- Setting
- Diction
- Imagery
Always keep an eye out for these techniques and practise to identify and explain their application in any given context.
3. Go for regular consults and take the time to run ideas with your peers or teachers
Regardless of set text or unseen, it is crucial to come up with essay plans if you want to apply what you have learnt and seen an improvement in your essays. After you are more confident with your content for set text, find a question bank and craft out essay plans. You need not write a full essay, just the main points with relevant quotes and explanations will do.
Similarly for unseen, craft essay plans with your main topic sentences and analysis. After doing so, go for consults to discuss your plans with your teachers. Such consults will help you gain a better idea of how you can improve your analysis or just help you check if your train of thought is coherent. For literature, it is also great to have some friends with whom you can shoot ideas and craft points for essays together.
Tips for Set Text
1. Study by theme, not chapters
A rookie mistake many students often make at the start is making notes by chapter. While it certainly is important to be aware of the plot of the novel and know what occurs in each chapter, do not waste too much time breaking down each chapter — that should be something your teachers would already have gone through with you in lessons. Instead, start making notes by the main themes tested. Sieve out key quotes and analysis for each theme and look to memorising those for the exam. Also, take notes of why the author aims to present each theme i.e what is the significance of a specific theme in the novel and how to do the characters/quotes presented link back to it.
2. Create a mindmap for each character
Other than themes, another way to navigate the text is by delving deeper into the characters. Given that questions based on one or a few characters can come out in the exam, it would be wise to make notes specific to the main characters in the text. For each character, make a mindmap that charts how each character links to the various themes in the novel and sieve out key quotes which show the character’s link to the themes. You can also make note of the key turning points for the characters and how their dynamic develops with the other characters in the text.
3. Practice Essay Plans
Once you’re more or less clear with the content and have made notes for the various themes and characters, apply your knowledge by churning out essay plans. A huge part of doing well for Literature lies in being able to answer questions succinctly and coherently which only comes with practise. If possible, try timing your essays or at least try timing your 5 minutes of planning. Pick out a question and practise making a brief essay plan with your main points within 5 minutes just as you are expected to do in an exam setting. Practising under pressure enables you to get used to thinking fast and completing your essays within the given time.
Tips for Unseen
1. Take note of the key literary devices and practise how to identify and explain them
Unseen essentially is a component designed to test your skills in literary analysis. Hence, regardless of the poem or prose presented to you, what examiners are looking for is your ability to dissect the given text and present your own analysis and opinion ! Hence, knowing your literary techniques (eg:Metaphors, Similes etc.) is crucial as they are the bedrock to your analysis. Always look at how the given technique adds value to the text — eg: The use of rhyme in the poem amplifies the jolly tone of the poem and portrays how youth is a joyful and carefree time. While you are analysing and practising, this table could be useful in detailing how to make the link between technique and the final intended meaning.
2. A general guide on how to approach unseen passages/poems
Here are a list of questions you can ask yourself when approaching unseen :
- What is the poem/prose about ?
- Where is the poem/prose set ?
- Which of your 5 senses are evoked ? What feelings does it evoke ?
- What are the speaker’s feelings in the poem/passage ? How does it contribute to the mood ?
- How does the mood develop throughout the poem/passage ?
Overall, Literature can be a fun and easy to score subject as long as you use the frameworks provided and keep practising ! Wishing you all the best :-)
