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The History Boys Study Guide

Comprehensive, intelligent, well researched and particularly good for Higher candidates studying the play. L Mellor, English Teacher & Independent Reviewer

Detailed and accessible notes, tracking themes and characterisation throughout the play to aid comprehension. Includes original character and scene illustrations.

  • Relevant and engaging discussion points for each section to support learning and effective revision; also ideal for plenaries or short writing tasks
  • Summary exercises for both Acts with mini model answers
  • Useful comprehensive breakdown of the cultural and literary references mentioned in the play

Covers Everything
  • plot overview
  • character summaries and analyses
  • scene summaries with analysis
  • historical and social contexts
  • themes
  • language
  • strucutre
And More!
  • exam and essay guidance
  • OCR and WJEC Foundation and Higher sample exam questions
  • sample exam answers with analysis
  • creative writing exercises

This guide adheres to the requirements of the new specifications for GCSE Literature. The summary grid below indicates which units allow for the study of this text and the methods of assessment.

  English Literature English Language
AQA   Unit 3a: Understanding spoken & written texts and writing creatively Part A (extended reading)
Optional text for controlled assessment.
OCR Unit 2: Modern Drama Unit 1: Extended Literary Text and Imaginative Writing — Section A: extended literary text
One of six texts prescribed for an exam. Optional text for controlled assessment.
WJEC Unit 2: Section B — Contemporary Drama and Literary Heritage Prose Unit 3: Literary reading & creative writing — studying written language (extended literary text)
One of five texts prescribed for an exam. Optional text for controlled assessment.