Q&A for How to Study English Literature

Taking good notes is the same with all subjects. Understand the passage, and write down important information, like the relationship between characters, key events and themes.

Break the question up into the object and the verb acting on the object. Then, use text from the book to support your claim.

You can be an English teacher or professor, or you can be a writer (of books, of reviews, of critical theory, etc.).

Do you have time to talk? Get into conversations with adults.

Read widely.

Metaphysical means beyond the physical or spiritual. So in metaphysical poetry, some of the imagery and metaphors used are not scientific or concrete.

See Analyze Poetry .

Read the novel many times. This will help you remember better the plot and characters. If you don't have a lot of time, read in your spare time.

First of all, you'll need to understand the question and the answer to that question. You will not have to "memorize the answer." As long as you understand the question and understand the answer, you'll be able to answer it.

Ask others or check a dictionary. You may also be able to figure it out from the context.

You can create flashcards to do so. Flashcards are easy to remember than memorising texts as a whole. Research more about the authors in a way to get acquainted with novels and poetry .

Literary terms are words useful for describing and analyzing literature. Any word that is used to describe or represent a component or trope of a narrative counts as a literary term.

Organize your thoughts ahead of time. Producing an outline of the essay before you start writing would be very helpful, too. Don't forget to proofread your final draft.

Literature is the umbrella term for all written works, while history refers to the study of past events.

Literary techniques are incorporated into literature for many reasons. Common examples are to create meaning, add a point of relatability for the audience to connect with, emphasise or cement an idea, and allow the reader to consider their own personal circumstances in terms of the text. It really depends on the context, and the type of technique, for example, a rhetorical question is likely used to allow the reader to consider their own circumstances in terms of a text, whilst a metaphor is likely used to enhance the readers' understanding of a text.

Don't cram everything in at once! Take a few moments for each work, and think about how they make you feel. If you can, mentally connect them to memories or personal experiences that the works remind you of. These strategies may help you remember each work by connecting them to things you already know and establishing an emotional profile for each.

Consider what topic would be ideal for your project. Can it be casual, or does it have to be serious? Does it have to be based on something historical or can it be more modern? Once you have settled on your basics, think of topics you are interested in that also fit those criteria. Something that is interesting to you will be much easier to write about than something that bores you!

Pick a designated study time every day or every other day, and use your favorite study method, whether it be flash cards, reviewing notes, etc. Even if you feel that you have something 100% memorized, go over it again so you won't forget it. Take a break every 30 to 45 minutes: non-stop cramming will only make you exhausted!

It may be more effective studying the other way around: study key concepts first, then research and read literature that illustrates those concepts. The number of works you read is up to you, but you should probably read at least three for each concept.