Teaching and Learning resources
Introductions: Paper 2
Clarity, concision and a sense of direction... Introductions to Paper 2 essays often fall short for various reasons. Sometimes they are too long and identify nitty gritty that really should be kept back...
Teaching and Learning resources
Conclusions: Paper 2
There are various ways in which you can conclude your Paper 2 essay. Making sure that you avoid the pitfalls mentioned in the title page for this section (e.g. not just repeating things you have already...
Blog
The Language Criterion Free
Interpreting the descriptors for the Language criterion A question recently posted on this website asked for some guidance on the distinction between the level 4 and 5 descriptors for Language, picking...
Teaching and Learning resources
Collage, criticism, creativity...
The first few lessons: being creative It's a self-evident thing that our course focuses attention on the notion of what it means to be creative, to express ideas imaginatively, throughout its various...
DP essentials
Sample EE 1 (2018 - ): Waiting for Godot and Rhinoceros
The Paradox of Language to Convey Meaninglessness in the Theatre of the Absurd This sample essay is the first exemplar of the 'new' EE (2018 onwards) we have posted. The previous samples will remain...
Teaching and Learning resources
What is literature?
Many students (perhaps sadly) will arrive at the course with a number of preconceptions about the qualities of 'literary' works which, perhaps more often than not, derive more from previous teachers,...
Blog
The Results are in... Free
Results, data and what to do with it all. I was talking recently to a Head of English who was scratching his head having received a huge spreadsheet of data on this year’s IB results from his school,...
Teaching and Learning resources
A brief history of English Literature
The first few lessons: A brief history of English LiteratureThese lessons are designed to highlight some elements that define particular periods of (largely British) literary history and as a result...
Blog
'Taking Ownership...' Free
The vital importance of being confident 'Taking Ownership' is a phrase that I find myself using a lot in lessons and it relates to a central idea that can be applied in various ways through the course’s...
Blog
Luddites, Laputans and Literature teachers Free
Digital Technology in the Literature Classroom Five recommendations, after a preamble about technology, teachers and Literature... If there is a stereotype of a Literature teacher (and I am sure there...