Pass Notes Fail Students; EDUCATION NOTEBOOK

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Byline: SUSAN ELKIN

THE PURPOSE of studying English Literature is to learn about life, language and style.

It's also to explore the writings of men and women who have helped to shape our culture. It's about reading and, above all, about thinking.

Or is it? Does passing English Literature just mean that you have been exposed to some sketchy notes about your 'set texts', watched a film, learned a few responses and phrases by heart and drawn some jolly 'spidergram'?

Earlier this year I was commissioned by a publisher to write an English Literature study guide for GCSE students. Having agreed to do the job, the first thing I did was to have a good look at what was on the market. I was …