Teacher and student guide to Bennett’s “The History Boys”. Notes on Bennett; Oxbridge lessons; themes of the value of education, sexuality; characters of Irwin, Hector; ten student activities. As used successfully in the classroom and formerly published on OCR’s website, now deleted. Can be delivered as lessons/given straight to students/used for AO5, other interpretations. 6700 words, 15 pages. Excellent value.

Line by line analysis of Want and Ignorance passage in “A Christmas Carol” for GCSE Eng Lit. Explains difficult vocab; Romantic/Gothic; Victorian context. Refers to Dickens’ view of children as close to God, contrasting the children Want and Ignorance with Tiny Tim; Victorian context of Christianity, poverty, why Ignorance is such an evil for Dickens. Also looks at Gothic imagery of the passage and of the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, with his Grim Reaper imagery. Notes on change of tone from joyous to horror.

Essential notes for students: can be used for independent study or as a lesson. Themes include: New York society; gossip; sexuality; marriage; duty/passion; old vs new money; adultery. These notes also cover the major characters; influences on Wharton, e.g. Austen and Henry James; the novel’s place in American Literature; the ironic, multiple meanings of the title. Students can cite these ideas for AO5, other interpretations. Over 3000 words of essential critical study on this novel. Frank Danes, the author, is an experienced A level examiner, former Head of English and published author of many guides to A level texts.

An easy-to-remember guide to LITERARY TERMS for GCSE and A level. Features a 3 word mnemonic which allows students to remember the terms and use them properly. Successfully used by my students for over twenty years for A level and GCSE English Literature and GCSE English Language. Helps students gain marks for the correct use of technical terms.

Comma splicing - using a comma instead of a full stop - drives GCSE English examiners crazy. This resource explains how to avoid comma splicing, as well as the correct use of commas and full stops. It contains simple exercises for students. Successfully used in classrooms!

For beginner/intermediate ESOL learners: real life situation. Funny and lively lesson with dialogue and vocab learning. Used very successfully in class.

1500 words of A level notes on Heller’s great novel, by a senior A level examiner and a former Head of English. Themes, viewpoint, dramatic irony, unreliable narrator, reader’s experience, characterisation all covered. This resource can be given straight to students or used to teach from.

The lovers’ first meeting is packed with difficult Christian concepts and witty language. R&J’s lines are carefully broken down for students and explained. There is also a bonus exercise in the style of the WJEC context question. A very helpful resource for students who struggle with Shakespeare’s language and the Christian context of the play. Different ways of playing the scene are also explained.

This resource answers students’ question, “Why does Shakespeare write in poetry? It’s not realistic.” It enables students to understand verse, prose, iambic pentameter, rhyming couplets within and at the ends of scenes. Excellent material for “How does Shakespeare write?”, context questions and historical context.

Explains the main differences between British and American spelling and vocabulary. Useful for English Language A level, AS level, GCSE and TEFL students, especially those confused by the differences between American and British English! Successfully used with EAL Chinese students in Cambridge, who said they found it very useful, interesting and helpful.

A line by line analysis of TO HIS COY MISTRESS, with questions and notes on historical background. For candidates of all ability at A level and GCSE English Literature. Used successfully with students, who said it was very helpful and useful!

Line by line explanation/close analysis of THE FLEA by John Donne. For lower to high grade A level candidates. Includes questions and historical background. Successfully used with students, who found it very useful.

A history of the English language for EAL learners, which attempts to explain irregular spellings, history of the English speaking peoples. With questions and a comprehension.

The whole text of Dr J&H, translated into clear, modern English for GCSE English Literature. Acclaimed by NATE review and applauded by students. Keeps all the excitement of Stevenson’s original. With detailed notes on context and theme and language for GCSE English Literature. By Frank Danes, published author of Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press and GCSE English Literature examiner.

Media/film/ English: DOCTOR WHO - adaptable SOW for different ages. Compare two episodes from 1963 and 2005; history of show and British tv; why is DOCTOR WHO important as a media phenomenon? History of British television and how the programme slots into it (BBC 100 this year); case study 1 - “Rose”, episode one of revised show 2005 compare with original episode 1 from 1963, “An Unearthly Child”. Students analyse each episode and prepare and give presentations on each episode AND a comparison between them. 17 pages / 5000 words of material for your students. VERY ADAPTABLE for KS3 and TEFL students. Successfully used with TEFL and year seven students!

For AQA GCSE English Literature: 4 AQA-style questions on THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, the trial scene. Four extracts from the scene plus questions. As used with 30+ GCSE candidates.