3 things to know about learning quotations for GCSE English

Without the stress.

The pressure to learn quotations is what causes the most stress for students when preparing for their GCSE English Literature exam. However, we don't need to be able to recite Lady Macbeth's full soliloquy, or to be able to put on a one person play of 'An Inspector Calls'!

1. Don't try to learn too many quotations!

The mark schemes say 'references' this means that a combination of quotations, paraphrasing and details of plot and character are all fine when exploring a writer's ideas or clarifying your point! Remember, you will have an extract to aid your analysis for Shakespeare and 19th Century fiction. You can for example analyse the idea that Mr Birling makes long speeches with lots of dramatic irony, without the need for lots of quotations!

2. Choose short quotations

These can be used for multiple ideas, characters or themes. Aim for a maximum of 12 for each of the longer texts.

3. Make some flash cards

• Write your quotation on one side and underline or highlight the key word

• On the opposite side write the key word from your quotation

• Test yourself (or ask a friend or parent to test you) by looking at the key word and trying to remember the quotation which matches with it.

• Put any that you know on one pile, and any that you don't know in a second pile.

• When looking at your 'don't know' pile - don't try to learn them all at once! Look at one or two each evening.

• If in the exam you can't remember your quotation, you can still paraphrase and analyse the key word!

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