A collection of extracts from Canonical 19th Century fiction texts. Could be used as a basis for GCSE reading/writing practice questions.

This Paper 2 exam practice is based on two texts on the theme of women in the workplace. There are all five questions in the style of AQA 8700/2. The sample answers to the reading questions are on an Active Inspire flipchart. You should ensure that you have access to this software before downloading.

This lesson is based on the regular Guardian feature ‘A Letter to…’. I have found that it generates some very emotive and well-written pieces, even from the slightly more disengaged. Students read an example, highlighting the areas of strength, before composing a list of their own success criteria. The writing task is to produce their own ‘letter they always wanted to write’ with an opportunity for peer assessment later. The peer assessment is based broadly on the mark scheme for AQA 8700/2 Question 5, but can be adapted for different boards. This file was last saved in Office 2016.

A short unit of work that helps to prepare learners for AQA GCSE English Language Paper 2 (8700/2). Source A is an extract from ‘White Slavery in London’, published in 1888. Source B is an article published in 2013 about working conditions in an Amazon warehouse. A link to this is text is provided. The powerpoint contains questions 1-4, each with its own sample answer. If you can obtain a copy of the Paper 1 mark scheme, you may wish to ask learners to mark the sample answers provided. These files were last saved in Office 2016.

An introduction into Victorian morality. Useful in the pre-reading of Jekyll and Hyde and other 19th Century novels.

Learners should cut up and match the descriptive techniques to the correct examples, focusing in on the emboldened words and phrases.

This is an extended response to the question, 'How does Priestley present the theme of Capitalism Versus Socialism in An Inspector Calls?'

This is Birling's early capitalist speech, annotated in Active Inspire. There are two slides. Please ensure you have access to Active Inspire software before you download.

This is an annotated copy of Chapter Ten of ‘Jekyll and Hyde’. The annotations cover some of the more complex terms and historical and biblical references. In order to view the annotations, you will need to ensure that your version of Adobe Acrobat Reader is fully up-to-date. Hover your mouse over the ‘speech bubbles’ to display the annotations. Additionally, ensure that you display the files from Adobe Reader or similar and not your browser.

A quick match-up activity that encourages learners to work with subject terminology relating to poetry and other texts. The full list of terms is here: Allegory Allusion Ambiguity/Ambiguous Analogy Cliché Connotation/Connote Contrast Denotation/Denote Euphemism Hyperbole Irony Metaphor Oxymoron Personification Pun Paradox Simile

A quick match-up activity that encourages learners to work with terms such as quatrain, cinquain, sestet etc.

A quick match-up activity that encourages learners to work with the following terms: Alliteration Assonance Consonance Onomatopoeia Repetition Rhyme

An Active Inspire mind map that explores the presentation of women in ‘Jekyll and Hyde’. UPDATE: this Active Inspire file and the other Jekyll and Hyde mind maps are available as screenshots on PowerPoint and as PDFs. If this is a more convenient software choice for you, please download/purchase this resource/bundle and then email me using the address on my store front. Just click on ‘More about this author’.

A sample essay in response to the following question: Read the following passage from Chronicles 16:9. How does it relate to 'Jekyll and Hyde'? 'For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.' The response is available on an Active Inspire flipchart and as a Word document. Aimed at higher-attaining Year 11s.

A useful learning mat that provides a guide to writing detailed paragraphs in English Literature. Works as a display or a teaching tool for learners who struggle to write in depth.

A set of quotations pertaining to Utterson, Lanyon and Hyde. Useful for revision.

A series of powerpoints to teach Steinbeck's 'Of Mice and Men'. Suitable for KS3 and KS4.

A powerpoint covering a range of SPaG topics with appropriate activities for practice. Suitable for KS2-KS3, although I've also used them with lower ability GCSE re-sit groups as starters.

A short activity that asks students to trace the meaning of the linguistic device.