Revision can feel overwhelming, but there are tools that can help your child organise information and make it more memorable. Everyone is different, and some idea will work better than others. Here are a couple you can suggest. These will help with learning terminology for English Language and Literature and the themes, characters and topics in Literature texts.
A Mind Map
Here’s how
For this, you need a large sheet of paper – A4 size or above – and a marker or pen.
Begin with your central idea, for example a character or a theme. Write this in the middle of the page making it bold so it stands out.
Create branches radiating from the central idea like spokes of a wheel. Each branch should represent a subtopic related to your central idea. You could use different colours to help key words stand out.
Add further branches with key words to capture the main points of the subtopic. Keep these brief but meaningful so you can recall them easily.
Make connections to show how branches are interrelated. This will help if you are looking for points of comparison.
Now use it to revise
- Use it to recall information
- Quiz yourself
- Teach the content to someone else using your Mind Map as a guide
- Write up the content of the Mind Map into a paragraph
Flashcards
Here’s how
First decide what you want to use them for: terminology and definitions? grammar rules? questions and answers? Make different sets to do different things.
For these you need some index or file cards and a pen.
On one side of the card write your term e.g. ‘hyperbole’ or a question e.g. ‘What is anaphora?’ Write the corresponding definition or answer on the other side of the card.
Use colours or highlight key information to give visual cues.
Keep them concise and focused. No long sentences!
Start with a small set and gradually add more as you become familiar with the content.
Now use them to revise
- Review regularly to reinforce your memory and understanding.
- Quiz yourself by looking at the term or question and recalling the definition or answer. Check your accuracy and review any cards your struggled with. Try the other way round: find the term from the definition.
- Use them anywhere, in spare moments at any time.
- Be active. Say the answers aloud, discuss them with a study partner, test one another.
- Track your progress by marking the cards you have learned and reviewing those that need more practice.
- Find a written text and look for examples of the language techniques and devices you have been revising.
Whatever method used, encourage your child to try out some practice exam questions, so they are not simply memorising facts and terminology but have really learnt them, understood them and can apply them. Good luck!