At some point in time, most students will take at least one class in English.The English language is divided into two main categories: language and composition.This division is reflected in the AP English exams.English can be a difficult topic that frightens students off, whether it's a literature class or Freshman Composition 101.You can tame the English class with a little work.
Step 1: Take notes.
It's important to take good notes in English classes that have exams that test your knowledge.Every class meeting has a dedicated notebook for your English class.Resist the urge to take notes on your laptop.Writing things out by hand is more stimulating to the brain than working on your computer.The best way to take notes is with a pen and paper.Don't copy what your teacher says.Write down the most important things, such as definitions, vocabulary words, key terms, themes, and so on.Your teacher may put on slides or write on the board.
Step 2: You should bring your books with you.
If you've been assigned a book for your class, bring it with you to class meetings.Specific passages or parts that are important will often be pointed out by teachers.To mark these, use a pencil or a highlighter.Make sure you get the edition of the book your teacher requested.Having the right edition of a book can be the difference between doing well and not.It is easier to follow along in class if your page numbers are the same as everyone else's, and sometimes certain editions of books have helpful extra materials.To make sure you get the right edition, check the ISBN.
Step 3: Attend all the classes.
If your freshman comp class is at 8 AM, it can be tempting to skip class.English classes rely a lot on discussion.If you cut class, you will miss out on important information.You should attend every class meeting.You will be thanked for your grades.If you can't make class, ask a friend or fellow student to take notes for you.Ask your teacher for a breakdown of what they covered in class if you have to miss it.It is important to say this respectfully.That class usually isn't important if you just send an email asking "Did I miss anything important?"Write an email to your teacher asking if you could share what you learned in class on Monday.I have a broken ankle and would love to know what I missed.
Step 4: All you have to do is read.
It's important to do the reading assigned if you're going to spend your weekend plowing through King Lear.If you haven't read the text, you will not be able to analyze a passage or write an essay about important themes in an English class.If you've already read a text and don't know what's going on, summaries like Shmoop and Cliff Notes can be helpful.They should not be your only source of information about a text.If you only crib from summaries, you may miss out on the things your teacher wants to emphasize.It is possible to re-read texts to help.Don't just stop there if there's a poem or passage that you've never read before.Re-read it slowly.Look up words you don't know.Check to see if there are any study aids online.The review will pay off.
Step 5: All assignments completed.
Most English teachers don't assign homework to torment you.You can prepare for exams and large essays with the help of these assignments.You will be able to stay on top of everything you're learning if you complete them.These little assignments can be the difference between a good and a bad grade.If your teacher gives you a lot of weight in the syllabus, missing one homework assignment may not seem like a big deal.
Step 6: Improve your vocabulary.
The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal are great places to get a boost in vocabulary.If you can't understand a word, look it up.You can use your phone to access dictionaries.You don't know what to look up later if you copy down words.When you have time, read good books.Many mobile apps will test your vocabulary.Learning into a game can help you retain knowledge.Many crossword puzzles use unusual words and synonyms for common words to expand your vocabulary.It is possible to create mnemonic aids.If you can't get a definition to stick, make it into a mnemonic.If your teacher gives you a vocabulary list, make sure you study it, because you might not remember that Greg Arious is a party animal.
Step 7: You should review your notes frequently.
You shouldn't wait until the night before the exam to look at your notes.You can review key ideas by taking a few minutes a week to flip through your notes.You will remember a lot more of it if youchunk it in small amounts over a longer period of time.It is more likely that you will commit it to your long-term memory if you review it more often.If you practice with your notes a few times a week, you will be able to connect earlier and new material.These connections will serve you well on exams.
Step 8: Don't plagiarize.
Any work that you did not personally do is plagiarizing.This can include passing off someone else's ideas as your own, copying an essay from a webpage, or turning in work that you didn't complete yourself.Failing to accurately cite sources can be included.It's a bad idea to copy a few paragraphs from a website because of a number of reasons.If you plagiarize, you won't be learning anything.If you are caught plagiarizing, it can have dire consequences, including failing the class, or even being expelled.Bring your essay to your teacher ahead of time if you're worried about using sources and other writers' ideas.If you see them ahead of time, teachers will be happy to help you make sure you cite all your sources correctly.All bets are off once you turn your work in.If you can find it online, your teacher can too.If your writing suddenly changes, most teachers will be able to pick it up.Many teachers use plagiarism detection software, and they know the most commonly plagiarized sources.Nike said just don't do it.
Step 9: Extra credit opportunities can be found if you check.
English is not your best subject, and your grade isn't what you wanted it to be.Many English teachers understand that English scares a lot of students, and they offer extra credit in class if you complete related tasks, such as seeing a play or watching a movie and writing a short response.Extra credit is not a given.You don't have to be upset if your teacher does not give you extra credit.You should consider yourself lucky if they do.Don't wait until the end of the semester.Get started early on the extra credit tasks.By the end of the semester, you may not have time to do them.
Step 10: Ask questions.
Some students don't ask a single question in class.Don't be one of them!Speak up if you don't understand something or feel it could be clearer.If you're confused, your classmates will be glad you asked the question.If you have more detailed or involved questions, you can ask your teacher if they can meet with you one-on-one.During free periods or office hours, many teachers are happy to meet with you.
Step 11: You can visit a writing center.
A tutor can help.You don't need a formal tutor; you could ask a friend to help you study or review important concepts.It can be hard to ask for help, but it will make a difference to your grades.Many universities and high schools have writing centers.English essays are one of the types of writing that you can find help with at these centers.If you have it, use it because they're a great resource.
Step 12: It's a good idea to start early.
You don't know when something will get in the way of studying.Prepare for your exam for at least a week.This will allow you to spread out your studying over several days, which is much more effective than trying to cram it all in on the night before.You may be more likely to take study time seriously if you make an appointment with yourself.For a week, set aside at least one hour per evening to study.
Step 13: You should know the exam format.
Double-checking the exam format is a good idea.Your syllabus will tell you what types of tests and exams you can expect.Ask your teacher if you aren't clear.Knowing the format of the exam will help you study.If it's an essay exam, memorize definitions won't help.You will probably want to learn more about themes and significant concepts.You'll know that you're looking at factual information if it's a multiple choice exam.You can get a very helpful guide if you need to study for the English Literature exam.You can check out this guide if you're studying for a more content-based exam.
Step 14: Take a moment to review your study guide.
A study guide that outlines the important concepts, definitions, and other information will be provided by many teachers.If you've been given one, make sure you review it and learn everything you can about it.You can make your own if you don't have a study guide.Themes, concepts, and definitions are things to look for as you review your notes.All of these things should be written down on a separate sheet of paper.You have a study guide.
Step 15: You can make flashcards.
flashcards are an excellent way to memorize.Write the term on one side and the definition on the other side.You can team up with a friend to quiz each other.You can use mobile apps to make flashcards on your phone.You can use this to flip through your flashcards when you're in line, riding the bus or hanging out.
Step 16: You shouldn't break out the highlighters.
You might think highlighting is the best way to study, but it's not.Most students don't use these techniques in a way that leads to information retention.You don't know why you highlighted something.Try to write a few words in the margin of your reading to get your attention.If your teacher emphasizes a passage in class, highlight it.You need to note why it's important.
Step 17: Reread carefully.
Re-reading your texts and notes is not going to help you much.Try to keep your notes to the most important material.Take the bits and put them on a new sheet of paper.As you go, ask yourself questions.Asking yourself questions like "What's the significance of this?" or "How does this fit with what I already know?" is a great way to figure out what is important in your notes and what isn't.If you can't connect it to the other material, it's probably not important.
Step 18: Try different study techniques.
It is possible to transform your notes into different things.It may help you remember the information better if you look at it in new ways.Also consider making diagrams or flow-charts.If you want to understand the impact of Hamlet's actions, you could make a flow-chart of every person who is affected by his actions.On test day, you'll be able to more easily visualize this information.
Step 19: The answer to the essay question.
If your exam is an essay exam, you should give a few responses to the big picture ideas.Chances are good that you will have a better idea of how to proceed with your answer if you've outlined it first.
Step 20: A study group should be formed.
There are other people in your class who are worried about your English exam.Ask your classmates if they want to study with you.You can compare and quiz each other.Almost nobody will be able to form an impromptu study group the night before a test.Start in a couple of weeks.
Step 21: Start early.
You can't write a good paper if you wait until the night before.You have to give yourself time to revise and write a draft.If you wait until a day or two before the essay is due, you can get a bad grade.In stages, work on your essay.Write a first draft after doing your research and prep work.Before you look at the draft to revise it, give yourself a day or two off.
Step 22: Good thesis statements should be written.
The road map for your paper is your thesis statement.Your teacher will know what your essay will discuss.Your essay will feel shallow if you don't have a clear thesis statement.
Step 23: You have to organize your essay.
There is a logical organization in good essays.A clear thesis is the first step in organization.You can come up with an outline.It's relatively easy to fill in your ideas after you've outlined your essay.
Step 24: Transitions and topic sentences make it easy to read.
Transitions and topic sentences act as signposts for your readers, saying "this is where the paper is going next."The direction for your paragraph will be set by a topic sentence.The paragraph's main idea should be given to the reader.The Writing Center at the University of Wisconsin - Madison has a list of common transitional words and phrases.
Step 25: Reconsider, revise, and revise again.
Handing in the first draft of an essay isn't likely to get you the grade you want.Revision is more than that.Major things like structure, organization, and even content are being reconsidered.It's important to present a polished final product worthy of that coveted A.Look for places where you repeat yourself, that don't seem clear, or where ideas jump around.You may need to change things.Check that your argument relates to your thesis.Your argument will evolve as you write the essay.You need to make sure that what you're arguing is in line with what your thesis says.The thesis should be aligned with what you actually wrote.
Step 26: Carefully read the proofread.
Few things make an English teacher twitch.It's not a big deal to you, but to your teacher, it suggests that you didn't value the class and the material enough to take your time doing a good job.Before you turn it in, proofread your work carefully.It is a good idea to read your work aloud.You'll have read the essay many times by the time you're done with it.As you find errors, mark and fix them.You can use a text-to-speech application to read the text aloud.Double-check titles of literary works and character and author names.