How to Revise iGCSE English Literature

Revise iGCSE English Literature with practice on prose, poetry, drama, and unseen text analysis.

Revision Strategy

Revising English Literature effectively means knowing your texts thoroughly enough to write about them without the books in front of you. Start by ensuring you have a solid understanding of the plot, characters, themes, and context for each text. Then focus on learning a bank of short, versatile quotations that you can use to answer a range of possible questions.

The best revision technique for English Literature is to practise writing analytical paragraphs under timed conditions. Choose a theme or character, select a quotation, and write a paragraph that analyses language, links to context, and addresses the significance within the wider text. Doing this repeatedly builds the speed and confidence you need in the exam.

For poetry, practise comparing poems around shared themes rather than studying each poem in isolation. Examiners reward students who can draw meaningful connections and contrasts between texts. Create a grid of themes and note which poems relate to each, along with key quotations and techniques, so you are prepared for any comparison the exam might ask for.

Study Tips for iGCSE English Literature

✓ Annotate your set texts thoroughly as you study them - iGCSE exams are closed-book, so you need to memorise key quotations and understand their significance.
✓ Practice writing analytical paragraphs using the point-evidence-explanation structure. For iGCSE, examiners want to see close language analysis rather than plot summary.
✓ Study the context of each text (historical period, cultural background, the writer's intentions) as iGCSE questions often ask how context shapes meaning.
✓ Read literary criticism and different interpretations of your set texts to develop alternative readings that you can reference in essays.

Exam Tips for iGCSE English Literature

✓ Plan each essay briefly before writing. A clear argument with three or four well-developed paragraphs will score higher than a longer, unfocused response.
✓ In passage-based questions, work closely with the extract provided. Quote short, precise phrases and analyse specific word choices rather than making general observations about the passage.
✓ Leave time to check your spelling and grammar - the quality of your written English contributes to the overall mark in iGCSE English Literature.

Topics to Cover

8 topics in iGCSE English Literature

Prose

Poetry

Drama

Shakespeare

Unseen Texts

Critical Analysis

Essay Technique

Context & Themes

Available Exam Boards

iGCSE English Literature specification guides for each exam board

Cambridge International Edexcel International

Frequently Asked Questions

What texts are studied in iGCSE English Literature? +

The set texts vary by examination session and are selected by Cambridge International. They typically include a Shakespeare play, a selection of poetry from the Cambridge anthology, and a choice of prose texts from both classic and contemporary authors representing diverse literary traditions.

Is iGCSE English Literature harder than GCSE? +

The difficulty is comparable, but the approach differs. iGCSE English Literature is closed-book (you cannot take texts into the exam), while some UK GCSE boards allow clean copies of set texts. The iGCSE also draws on a wider range of international literature.

Can I study iGCSE English Literature alongside iGCSE English Language? +

Yes, and most international schools encourage students to take both. The two qualifications complement each other: English Language develops reading comprehension and writing skills, while English Literature focuses on literary analysis and critical thinking.

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