What is the best way to approach studying a novel?
With any novel I would firstly advise that you have an extensive knowledge of the plot. For each chapter, as you read it, it may help to write yourself a short summary of what happened, which characters are introduced and the key themes presented. It may also be helpful to write out all of the characters in order of appearance, their defining features and how they are connected to the other characters. As you read the text, ensure that you are highlighting things that create the storyline (such as setting) and key quotes that may be useful in any exam. Additionally, I would advise looking through past paper questions so that you are aware of common themes the examiners use in questions. This will help your note taking as you read the novel because you will already be aware of what may be asked in an exam question.
3857 Views
See similar English Literature GCSE tutorsRelated English Literature GCSE answers
All answers ▸How would you begin to answer the question "Compare the ways poets present ideas about death in ‘Charge of the Light Brigade’ and in one other poem from ‘Power and Conflict’."
What is a good way to annotate a poem?
What are some important theatrical conventions that you could use in your analysis of a play?
How far does Priestley present Mrs Birling as an unlikeable character? In what she says and does in the play, and how Priestly presents her through his writing.