How to get a H1 in Leaving Cert English!

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Summary

Greta Thornton shares her top tips for achieving a H1 in Leaving Cert English, drawing from her own experience and success in the subject. This guide covers consistency, essay planning, quote learning, effective use of resources, and organizational strategies for optimal results.

Highlights

Introduction and Importance of Consistency
00:00:00

Greta introduces herself and the topic: how to achieve a H1 in Leaving Cert English. She emphasizes the paramount importance of consistency in studying English, which involves regularly writing essays, re-reading texts (novels, films, poetry), and selecting poets one can confidently write about.

The Power of Planning Essays
00:01:33

A crucial tip is to always plan your essays. Greta suggests brainstorming all potential points, quotes, and scenes relevant to the question, ticking them off as you write to ensure nothing is forgotten. A strong introduction outlining the text and question is also vital for a good start.

Meeting Deadlines and Learning Quotes
00:02:44

Handing in assignments on time is essential to avoid work piling up. Additionally, Greta advises proactive quote learning. Memorize quotes as soon as they are taught in class, picking those that resonate with different themes to effectively reference the text in essays, especially for poetry where the poem is not provided in the exam.

Understanding Rather Than Memorizing Everything
00:03:55

It's impossible to memorize everything in English; focus on having a solid grasp of all topics. This approach allows you to draw references from the text for both Question A and Question B, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the material. Familiarize yourself with overarching themes as you read the story.

Utilizing Exam Revision Resources
00:04:45

Greta highly recommends Exam Revision, a grinds website offering H1 notes, videos, PowerPoints, presentations, and quizzes. These resources are accessible 24/7 and provide bite-sized chunks of information, covering Paper 1, Paper 2, and comparative studies. She offers a discount code, GRETA20, for 20% off standard and premium plans, and mentions intensive February revision courses.

Practicing with Exam Papers and External Work
00:06:36

Working through past exam papers is critical, especially for English. This helps students understand question terminology, identify 'buzzwords' in questions (like 'despair' or 'loneliness'), and familiarize themselves with the marking scheme. She also suggests doing extra work outside of class, such as reading past essays on websites like StudyClix or 65points.com, and listening to English podcasts.

Organization of Notes
00:07:57

The final tip is to keep all English notes organized. Greta advises separating notes for comparative and Paper 2 topics from those for personal essays, speeches, persuasive essays, and Question A/B. Maintaining an organized system prevents loss of important materials, especially as exams approach, and contributes significantly to success.

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