Leaving Cert English can be one of those subjects that send students into a cold sweat. It’s one of the three mandatory subjects, so even if it’s not on your list of favourite subjects, you still have to do it. It's not all bad news, however, as there are lots of resources available to you to help you!
Having made it out to the other end of what may seem at times like an endless tunnel, I can tell you that the leaving cert is going to be one of the most stressful periods in your academic journey.
With the sheer volume of writing that is required at the leaving cert level, coupled with the amount of material that you will need to revise in order to be able to answer the featured questions in enough detail, preparing for the English exam may feel overwhelming.
To ease your nerves, I have created this guide to provide you with tips to help you navigate the complexities of the Leaving Cert English curriculum.
I will examine all the things that will help you triumph once the big day rolls around, analysing aspects such as information, argumentation, persuasion, storytelling, and aesthetics.
By grasping the nuances of how the subject is constructed and developing effective study techniques, you'll be well prepared to demonstrate your expertise in the subject and achieve results in the 2024 Leaving Cert English exam.
I will provide a summary of what you can expect to appear on Paper 1 (Composition and Comprehension) and Paper 2 (Single Novel Study) so that you are all set to reach your full potential in the upcoming exam.
We have a series of informative articles about English on our website! Want to get the edge when you are studying or are you just looking for some tips? Check out the Superprof guide to studying English!
What Should I Expect from the Leaving Cert English Exam?
The Leaving Certificate is a two-year programme, and while it may seem like a massive undertaking, it can essentially be divided into two main parts: comprehending and composing.
The Leaving Cert English exam is one of the most demanding components of Irish secondary education. Students are required to tackle a wide array of topics, from analysing "King Lear" and "Macbeth" to interpreting Irish history and contemporary issues.
It's syllabus also classifies language into five general headings, which can be examined and assessed under the two main parts mentioned above. So, let's take a look at these five headings!
First, we have the language of information, which is essentially any piece that relays information. This is known as informative writing. It would include things like reports, records, memos, and documentaries.
The language of argument is any piece that presents an argument. These texts should show reasoning, either deductive or inductive. They are typically found in journalism, philosophy, legal writing, and scientific essays.
This classification of the language of persuasion is texts that persuade you to take a particular action or change your point of view. These texts include things like political speeches, some forms of journalism like op-eds, and advertising.
The language of narration classifies texts with a narrative purpose. This includes novels, short stories, dramas, films, travel books, biographies, and autobiographies—basically, any piece that tells a story.
Lastly, The aesthetic use of language includes texts that are for aesthetic pleasure and includes texts like fiction, drama, and poetry. Need an extensive breakdown of both English papers? Why not read our guide to the topics covered in the English leaving cert!
How is the Subject Broken Down for the Leaving Cert?
The Leaving Cert English exam is a written exam split into two papers. Paper 1 is a test of your comprehension and composing abilities. The paper will include three texts, all centred on a particular theme.
You should be able to identify the purpose of the piece - information, argument, persuasion, or narrative. After each, there is two questions, you’ll need to answer Question A and Question B. You can’t answer both questions on the same piece.
The next part of Paper 1 is composition. You’ll be given a choice of formats. Higher Level Leaving Cert English students have a choice of three formats, while Ordinary level students have a choice of two.
You have 2 hours and 50 minutes to complete this paper. Paper 1 is worth 200 marks - 50 marks for Question A, 50 marks for Question B, and 100 marks for the composition.
Paper 2 focuses on the single texts, the three comparative study texts, and the poets or poems prescribed for your leaving cert English course. Higher-level students will also have a previously unseen poem. Ordinary-level students will have studied the unseen poem during the two-year course.
You have 3 hours and 20 minutes to complete this paper. Paper 2 is worth 200 marks - 60 marks for the single text, 70 marks for the comparative study, 20 marks for unseen poetry, and 50 marks for prescribed poetry.
The volume of work expected is immense, with students needing to provide well-written essays, comprehensive notes, and thorough sample answers.
Unlike other exams, the English exam stretches your time to the limit, demanding extensive reading and critical analysis. The price of not being prepared is high, as every section, from comprehension to composition, requires in-depth understanding.
Textbooks, often with specific ISBNs, and resources from school, home, and online, like RTE archives, add to the preparation load. Balancing this with other subjects like maths and additional coursework can leave students feeling overwhelmed, making effective time management and comprehensive preparation essential.
How Should I Study For The Leaving Cert English Exam?
Many students think that it’s only possible to prepare for paper 2, but this isn’t strictly true. It’s also possible to learn how to revise for leaving cert English paper 1 as well.
I can’t provide a ‘one size fits all’ approach because I want to leave you with a blueprint for success in the Leaving Cert English exam that you can implement in your revision plan for the subject.
As you can see from the previous section, the content examined in the two leaving cert papers at both higher and ordinary levels is entirely different.
The exam strategies that you implement in order to achieve a high grade will subsequently look substantially different as a result.
I will dissect the two papers and leave you with a sense of what you need to prepare before sitting down on each one.
When you’re thinking about how to revise for leaving cert English paper 2, don’t just think about what topics you would like to come up with on the exam. Prepare quotes for all of the themes for your leaving cert year. There are other tips that can help you prepare for the examinations.
It is important to try out a number of revision techniques to see what works for you! Why not have a look at the Superprof list of study tips that suit all kinds of learners!
Understand Paper 1: Composition and Comprehension
If you’re really setting your sights on a high grade and perhaps even plan on walking out of the exam hall with that H1, it's essential to become well-acquainted with the topics that commonly feature in the assessment.
Essay Formats to Master
In order to stand out from other students in your year and across the country, doing well in the essay section is a must. You’ll need to devote plenty of time to practising your essay writing and practice your pace of story telling.
You don’t want your revision to come to an abrupt end because you didn't have enough time left over in the exam hall!
The formats can range from stories and descriptive essays to narratives, articles and speeches.
Given the diversity of the creative writing segment of the paper, being proficient in all formats is going to be the only way you can comfortably navigate the variety of questions that might come your way.
Reading Comprehension Preparation
This is for many Leaving Cert students across the country, the most daunting section. You can definitely understand why when you consider having to concentrate on an unseen extract and answer questions on it while battling your nerves.
Practising other comprehensions across past leaving cert english papers is going to be the best way to combat this and intill a sense of confidence in you.
Remember, you’ll need to show that you understand the extract thoroughly. It's not just about understanding what's written but about giving a thoughtful analysis of how the piece is written, how well it works, and what its overall influence is!
Adaptability is Key
It's important that you are ready for a variety of topics and essay structures. A great way to do this is to learn how the questions are framed across your past exam papers and surface any trends in how or what is asked in the respective forms of writing.
Since Paper 1 can be rather unpredictable, try not to focus on guessing the theme but rather on honing writing skills that will help you with whatever style of question you get on the day.
Preparing yourself for Paper 2: Studied Material
After achieving a strong result in Paper 1, You will be halfway to getting rewarded with the grade that you worked so hard for. I will now explain how you can prepare for the Studied material so you can stay ahead.
Preparing for the Single Text Section
In the Single Text component of your Leaving Cert English Paper 2, you will explore a play. While there is some choice in the extract that you opt to explore as part of the course, almost every secondary school across the country is teaching Hamlet.
This makes it a safe bet when you consider how this will, of course, be considered when the assessment is being constructed.
Questions may center around how women are depicted in the play focusing on characters like Gertrude and Ophelia. You can also bank on a question inquiring about Hamlet's characters and an analysis of techniques used, including Hamlet's madness and the integration of supernatural elements.
Comparative section
In the Comparative Study part you'll be tasked with comparing three texts. You should focus on getting ready, for questions related to context literary genres techniques employed in each extract type and how themes or issues are portrayed across mediums.
Discuss how the character's experiences are linked to their responses, delving into how themes and issues influence their journeys and how the cultural backdrop and literary methods enhance the significance and effect of the texts.
Poetry
If you want to have confidence that you are fully prepared for whatever may lie ahead of you in the Peoert section of the leaving cert English assessment, then you will want to train your eye for detail and make sure that you have a deep understanding of techniques.
Succeeding in this segment depends on your ability to recognize and interpret the devices employed by the poet and how they contribute to the poem's overall meaning and emotional impact.
Prepare for the Leaving cert English Paper with Superprof
Being prepared is key to doing well in Leaving Cert English, but sometimes, there can be things outside of your control. It can be difficult to be prepared if there’s a disconnect between you and your teacher. You may learn differently from the teacher.
Having your own English tutor could offer priceless help. Our Superprof database has a number of experienced and affordable tutors near you, with some charging as low as 10 euro per hour!
Leaving Cert students can greatly improve their preparation by teaming up with a tutor from Superprof, who brings experience and knowledge of best practice test strategies.
These tutors can assist students in creating a revision schedule focusing on areas that require enhancement like essay writing, comprehension abilities and critical analysis.
A Superprof tutor can help you to prepare by offering feedback on practice essays advising students on how to structure their responses for marks. They can significantly amplify your preparation process, offering personalised guidance and a structured approach to tackling the vast syllabus.
They also provide invaluable resources, including sample answers, notes, and textbooks, covering everything from Shakespeare's "King Lear" and "Macbeth" to Irish history and the intricacies of answering exam questions effectively.
With an English tutor by your side, you'll have access to a wealth of knowledge, including tips on how to analyse poems, craft compelling essays, and solve complex maths problems that sometimes appear in the comprehension section.
They'll help you add critical insights into your answers, ensuring you stand out. Moreover, their expertise in the curriculum, down to the last ISBN and price of essential textbooks, ensures you're studying the most relevant and up-to-date material.
Beyond academic support, a Superprof tutor adds a layer of accountability, ensuring you stay on track with your revision plan and are well-prepared as exams approach.
Through your private tutoring sessions, you'll acquire skills to manage your time effectively during the exam, ensuring that you can tackle all sections confidently. This individualised assistance from a Superprof tutor can be pivotal in attaining the Leaving Cert grades that you worked so hard for throughout your years of schooling.
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