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Book a free call or explore my resources 👉 https://linktr.ee/upstart.english
#Shakespeare #poetry #dystopia #gothic #victorianlit
Book a free call or explore my resources 👉 https://linktr.ee/upstart.english
#Shakespeare #poetry #dystopia #gothic #victorianlit
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The 'Deep Dive' range is expanding ...
Past papers tell you what has already happened, not what might happen next year. And under-pressure teachers are going to mark your mocks as quickly as they can, but how useful will their feedback be in explaining HOW to improve? It absolutely isn't their
Past papers tell you what has already happened, not what might happen next year. And under-pressure teachers are going to mark your mocks as quickly as they can, but how useful will their feedback be in explaining HOW to improve? It absolutely isn't their
Samuel Butler was originally destined for the church.
But you can't really preach the word to your parishioners if you disagree with most of what the Bible is saying. Butler swapped one flock for another, and made his money sheep-farming in New Zealand.
Try 'Erehwon' (harder to type than it
But you can't really preach the word to your parishioners if you disagree with most of what the Bible is saying. Butler swapped one flock for another, and made his money sheep-farming in New Zealand.
Try 'Erehwon' (harder to type than it
December 4, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Samuel Butler was originally destined for the church.
But you can't really preach the word to your parishioners if you disagree with most of what the Bible is saying. Butler swapped one flock for another, and made his money sheep-farming in New Zealand.
Try 'Erehwon' (harder to type than it
But you can't really preach the word to your parishioners if you disagree with most of what the Bible is saying. Butler swapped one flock for another, and made his money sheep-farming in New Zealand.
Try 'Erehwon' (harder to type than it
RL Stevenson - a bit like me - was known to travel with a huge amount of books ... 📚
My Dearest Partner of Greatness has told me that for our next trip there's space for a single physical book, and the rest will have to be on my iPad. Perhaps Stevenson's ghost can visit her in a dream and
My Dearest Partner of Greatness has told me that for our next trip there's space for a single physical book, and the rest will have to be on my iPad. Perhaps Stevenson's ghost can visit her in a dream and
December 3, 2025 at 4:41 PM
RL Stevenson - a bit like me - was known to travel with a huge amount of books ... 📚
My Dearest Partner of Greatness has told me that for our next trip there's space for a single physical book, and the rest will have to be on my iPad. Perhaps Stevenson's ghost can visit her in a dream and
My Dearest Partner of Greatness has told me that for our next trip there's space for a single physical book, and the rest will have to be on my iPad. Perhaps Stevenson's ghost can visit her in a dream and
What's the whackiest or most fun work-related thing you've done so far this week?
When I rolled out of bed on Monday, little did I think I'd be writing a short note to 'Mr Robbie Williams', telling him (in about 150 words) how
When I rolled out of bed on Monday, little did I think I'd be writing a short note to 'Mr Robbie Williams', telling him (in about 150 words) how
December 3, 2025 at 3:27 PM
What's the whackiest or most fun work-related thing you've done so far this week?
When I rolled out of bed on Monday, little did I think I'd be writing a short note to 'Mr Robbie Williams', telling him (in about 150 words) how
When I rolled out of bed on Monday, little did I think I'd be writing a short note to 'Mr Robbie Williams', telling him (in about 150 words) how
Amongst many other interesting events in Joseph Conrad's life, he managed to survive a self-inflicted bullet wound to the chest in 1878. It's hard not to think of that as a turning point in his life - perhaps without that experience he wouldn't even have become a writer ...
If you've already read
If you've already read
December 3, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Amongst many other interesting events in Joseph Conrad's life, he managed to survive a self-inflicted bullet wound to the chest in 1878. It's hard not to think of that as a turning point in his life - perhaps without that experience he wouldn't even have become a writer ...
If you've already read
If you've already read
It's forty years today that we lost the inimitable poet, Philip Larkin.
His poetry so often appears to be detached, aloof, written by a mere observer of life, but then he can devastate your emotions with a sucker punch. Like others (Imtiaz Darker and Benjamin Zephaniah included) he didn't want
His poetry so often appears to be detached, aloof, written by a mere observer of life, but then he can devastate your emotions with a sucker punch. Like others (Imtiaz Darker and Benjamin Zephaniah included) he didn't want
December 2, 2025 at 9:13 AM
It's forty years today that we lost the inimitable poet, Philip Larkin.
His poetry so often appears to be detached, aloof, written by a mere observer of life, but then he can devastate your emotions with a sucker punch. Like others (Imtiaz Darker and Benjamin Zephaniah included) he didn't want
His poetry so often appears to be detached, aloof, written by a mere observer of life, but then he can devastate your emotions with a sucker punch. Like others (Imtiaz Darker and Benjamin Zephaniah included) he didn't want
Some authors change their names to get published, or try another genre.
Candace Bushnell didn't want her parents knowing what she was getting up to ...
Happy birthday to the smart and sassy writer of the 'Sex and the City' books.
#Reading #Literature #Books #Fiction #EnglishTutor #EnglishTuition
Candace Bushnell didn't want her parents knowing what she was getting up to ...
Happy birthday to the smart and sassy writer of the 'Sex and the City' books.
#Reading #Literature #Books #Fiction #EnglishTutor #EnglishTuition
December 1, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Some authors change their names to get published, or try another genre.
Candace Bushnell didn't want her parents knowing what she was getting up to ...
Happy birthday to the smart and sassy writer of the 'Sex and the City' books.
#Reading #Literature #Books #Fiction #EnglishTutor #EnglishTuition
Candace Bushnell didn't want her parents knowing what she was getting up to ...
Happy birthday to the smart and sassy writer of the 'Sex and the City' books.
#Reading #Literature #Books #Fiction #EnglishTutor #EnglishTuition
Want the bad news or the good news first?
Bad news? The 'Richard III' Deep Dive Mock pack (#OCR #ALevelEnglishLiterature) is about to dismount from its 'on sale' horse and join the other #Shakespeare plays at full price.
Good news? You can still have an entire mock paper professionally
Bad news? The 'Richard III' Deep Dive Mock pack (#OCR #ALevelEnglishLiterature) is about to dismount from its 'on sale' horse and join the other #Shakespeare plays at full price.
Good news? You can still have an entire mock paper professionally
November 30, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Want the bad news or the good news first?
Bad news? The 'Richard III' Deep Dive Mock pack (#OCR #ALevelEnglishLiterature) is about to dismount from its 'on sale' horse and join the other #Shakespeare plays at full price.
Good news? You can still have an entire mock paper professionally
Bad news? The 'Richard III' Deep Dive Mock pack (#OCR #ALevelEnglishLiterature) is about to dismount from its 'on sale' horse and join the other #Shakespeare plays at full price.
Good news? You can still have an entire mock paper professionally
If it feels like I'm obsessed with this subject lately, it's just coincidence that keep throwing up these tech/AI-related quotations, honestly.
That said, I do feel an article coming on what I am using AI for, what I will NEVER use if for, and why I am using it less and less (already). That plus
That said, I do feel an article coming on what I am using AI for, what I will NEVER use if for, and why I am using it less and less (already). That plus
November 30, 2025 at 12:09 PM
If it feels like I'm obsessed with this subject lately, it's just coincidence that keep throwing up these tech/AI-related quotations, honestly.
That said, I do feel an article coming on what I am using AI for, what I will NEVER use if for, and why I am using it less and less (already). That plus
That said, I do feel an article coming on what I am using AI for, what I will NEVER use if for, and why I am using it less and less (already). That plus
Happy #ShakespeareSunday, everyone.
I'm sure you know the rules by now. All you have to do is find and post a #Shakespeare quotation based on this week's theme (WINTER). It really is as simple as that!
#EarlyModern #Drama #Theatre #Literature #EnglishLit #EnglishTutor #EnglishTuition
I'm sure you know the rules by now. All you have to do is find and post a #Shakespeare quotation based on this week's theme (WINTER). It really is as simple as that!
#EarlyModern #Drama #Theatre #Literature #EnglishLit #EnglishTutor #EnglishTuition
November 30, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Happy #ShakespeareSunday, everyone.
I'm sure you know the rules by now. All you have to do is find and post a #Shakespeare quotation based on this week's theme (WINTER). It really is as simple as that!
#EarlyModern #Drama #Theatre #Literature #EnglishLit #EnglishTutor #EnglishTuition
I'm sure you know the rules by now. All you have to do is find and post a #Shakespeare quotation based on this week's theme (WINTER). It really is as simple as that!
#EarlyModern #Drama #Theatre #Literature #EnglishLit #EnglishTutor #EnglishTuition
Louisa May Alcott was just as sparky and independent as her beloved character, Jo March.
I love this quotation: it would go perfectly on the side of a mug, wouldn't it?
#ClassicFiction #Books #Literature #Reading #ReadingForPleasure #EnglishTutor #EnglishTuition
I love this quotation: it would go perfectly on the side of a mug, wouldn't it?
#ClassicFiction #Books #Literature #Reading #ReadingForPleasure #EnglishTutor #EnglishTuition
November 29, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Louisa May Alcott was just as sparky and independent as her beloved character, Jo March.
I love this quotation: it would go perfectly on the side of a mug, wouldn't it?
#ClassicFiction #Books #Literature #Reading #ReadingForPleasure #EnglishTutor #EnglishTuition
I love this quotation: it would go perfectly on the side of a mug, wouldn't it?
#ClassicFiction #Books #Literature #Reading #ReadingForPleasure #EnglishTutor #EnglishTuition
If it's your birthday today, you share it with the author, Sarah Perry. Nicely done!
The Essex Serpent (2016) is a great read. It asks us to think about faith and belief (are they the same thing?), about facts, and about truth (again, not necessarily synonyms).
So off you go and read it then
The Essex Serpent (2016) is a great read. It asks us to think about faith and belief (are they the same thing?), about facts, and about truth (again, not necessarily synonyms).
So off you go and read it then
November 28, 2025 at 12:41 PM
If it's your birthday today, you share it with the author, Sarah Perry. Nicely done!
The Essex Serpent (2016) is a great read. It asks us to think about faith and belief (are they the same thing?), about facts, and about truth (again, not necessarily synonyms).
So off you go and read it then
The Essex Serpent (2016) is a great read. It asks us to think about faith and belief (are they the same thing?), about facts, and about truth (again, not necessarily synonyms).
So off you go and read it then
As mock-season approaches, a decade’s experience in the classroom suggests that students end up in one of several tribes - but which?
A light-hearted overview, with some serious messages.
buff.ly/kpDR2up
♻️ don’t be shy: share!
#EnglishLit #ALevelEnglishLit #GCSEEnglishLanguage #GCSEEnglishLit
A light-hearted overview, with some serious messages.
buff.ly/kpDR2up
♻️ don’t be shy: share!
#EnglishLit #ALevelEnglishLit #GCSEEnglishLanguage #GCSEEnglishLit
November 27, 2025 at 8:59 PM
As mock-season approaches, a decade’s experience in the classroom suggests that students end up in one of several tribes - but which?
A light-hearted overview, with some serious messages.
buff.ly/kpDR2up
♻️ don’t be shy: share!
#EnglishLit #ALevelEnglishLit #GCSEEnglishLanguage #GCSEEnglishLit
A light-hearted overview, with some serious messages.
buff.ly/kpDR2up
♻️ don’t be shy: share!
#EnglishLit #ALevelEnglishLit #GCSEEnglishLanguage #GCSEEnglishLit
Most people will know PD James from her crime novels featuring detective Adam Dalgliesh.
I'm going to recommend three in which he doesn't appear:
- Innocent Blood (1980)
- The Children of Men (1992), and
- Death Comes to Pemberley (2011)
Anyone read this little trio ?
#Books #Reading
I'm going to recommend three in which he doesn't appear:
- Innocent Blood (1980)
- The Children of Men (1992), and
- Death Comes to Pemberley (2011)
Anyone read this little trio ?
#Books #Reading
November 27, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Is George Michael wearing the ultimate ‘Hamlet’ t-shirt?
Is Dante’s ‘Inferno’ the sexiest-titled poem no-one’s actually read? Apart from the REAL nerds - you know, the ones you wouldn’t invite to parties? Yes, that’s me.
What am I doing with my life? What’s the point? What’s left? And, most
Is Dante’s ‘Inferno’ the sexiest-titled poem no-one’s actually read? Apart from the REAL nerds - you know, the ones you wouldn’t invite to parties? Yes, that’s me.
What am I doing with my life? What’s the point? What’s left? And, most
November 26, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Is George Michael wearing the ultimate ‘Hamlet’ t-shirt?
Is Dante’s ‘Inferno’ the sexiest-titled poem no-one’s actually read? Apart from the REAL nerds - you know, the ones you wouldn’t invite to parties? Yes, that’s me.
What am I doing with my life? What’s the point? What’s left? And, most
Is Dante’s ‘Inferno’ the sexiest-titled poem no-one’s actually read? Apart from the REAL nerds - you know, the ones you wouldn’t invite to parties? Yes, that’s me.
What am I doing with my life? What’s the point? What’s left? And, most
A while ago I wondered whether all testimonials are worth the same. Objectively, yes. But some just hit differently.
When a fellow teacher - actually, an ex-collegue - trusts you with their child’s studies, it feels a little more special. They know the stakes and what it takes.
Erika’s daughter
When a fellow teacher - actually, an ex-collegue - trusts you with their child’s studies, it feels a little more special. They know the stakes and what it takes.
Erika’s daughter
November 26, 2025 at 12:49 PM
A while ago I wondered whether all testimonials are worth the same. Objectively, yes. But some just hit differently.
When a fellow teacher - actually, an ex-collegue - trusts you with their child’s studies, it feels a little more special. They know the stakes and what it takes.
Erika’s daughter
When a fellow teacher - actually, an ex-collegue - trusts you with their child’s studies, it feels a little more special. They know the stakes and what it takes.
Erika’s daughter
Because I'm always putting it about that I'm 'the Shakespeare guy you need' (lol), you might not have picked up on how much I love #ScienceFiction and #Dystopia ...
In fact, my dissertation at uni was an exploration on how robots and AI are presented in fiction. You can possibly imagine just
In fact, my dissertation at uni was an exploration on how robots and AI are presented in fiction. You can possibly imagine just
November 26, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Because I'm always putting it about that I'm 'the Shakespeare guy you need' (lol), you might not have picked up on how much I love #ScienceFiction and #Dystopia ...
In fact, my dissertation at uni was an exploration on how robots and AI are presented in fiction. You can possibly imagine just
In fact, my dissertation at uni was an exploration on how robots and AI are presented in fiction. You can possibly imagine just
The 'Deep Dive' range is expanding ...
Past papers tell you what has already happened, not what might happen next year. And under-pressure teachers are going to mark your mocks as quickly as they can, but how useful will their feedback be in explaining HOW to improve? It absolutely isn't their
Past papers tell you what has already happened, not what might happen next year. And under-pressure teachers are going to mark your mocks as quickly as they can, but how useful will their feedback be in explaining HOW to improve? It absolutely isn't their
November 25, 2025 at 6:16 PM
The 'Deep Dive' range is expanding ...
Past papers tell you what has already happened, not what might happen next year. And under-pressure teachers are going to mark your mocks as quickly as they can, but how useful will their feedback be in explaining HOW to improve? It absolutely isn't their
Past papers tell you what has already happened, not what might happen next year. And under-pressure teachers are going to mark your mocks as quickly as they can, but how useful will their feedback be in explaining HOW to improve? It absolutely isn't their
You might have read some of Poul Anderson's work without knowing it! He's known for having several pseudonyms: Michael Karageorge? Winston P Sanders? AA Craig?
In his long, multi -award-winning career he managed to create huge, bleak fantasy vistas (eg The Broken Sword), but he's also famous for
In his long, multi -award-winning career he managed to create huge, bleak fantasy vistas (eg The Broken Sword), but he's also famous for
November 25, 2025 at 12:32 PM
You might have read some of Poul Anderson's work without knowing it! He's known for having several pseudonyms: Michael Karageorge? Winston P Sanders? AA Craig?
In his long, multi -award-winning career he managed to create huge, bleak fantasy vistas (eg The Broken Sword), but he's also famous for
In his long, multi -award-winning career he managed to create huge, bleak fantasy vistas (eg The Broken Sword), but he's also famous for
What's everyone up to today?
Here's a sneak peek at my next project! Highly excited to be battling the green-eyed monster this afternoon. 🤪
#EnglishTutor #EnglishTuition #Shakespeare #ALevelEnglishLiterature #HomeschoolingUK #RevisionHelp #Othello
Here's a sneak peek at my next project! Highly excited to be battling the green-eyed monster this afternoon. 🤪
#EnglishTutor #EnglishTuition #Shakespeare #ALevelEnglishLiterature #HomeschoolingUK #RevisionHelp #Othello
November 24, 2025 at 11:50 AM
What's everyone up to today?
Here's a sneak peek at my next project! Highly excited to be battling the green-eyed monster this afternoon. 🤪
#EnglishTutor #EnglishTuition #Shakespeare #ALevelEnglishLiterature #HomeschoolingUK #RevisionHelp #Othello
Here's a sneak peek at my next project! Highly excited to be battling the green-eyed monster this afternoon. 🤪
#EnglishTutor #EnglishTuition #Shakespeare #ALevelEnglishLiterature #HomeschoolingUK #RevisionHelp #Othello
It was ... very good.
I don't much enjoy struggling for words, but a massive shoutout to Matthew Rhys for his single-hander as Richard Burton this afternoon.
His post-performance Q&A was really interesting. Amongst other things he talked about the delicate judgement call he has to make (as he
I don't much enjoy struggling for words, but a massive shoutout to Matthew Rhys for his single-hander as Richard Burton this afternoon.
His post-performance Q&A was really interesting. Amongst other things he talked about the delicate judgement call he has to make (as he
November 23, 2025 at 7:41 PM
It was ... very good.
I don't much enjoy struggling for words, but a massive shoutout to Matthew Rhys for his single-hander as Richard Burton this afternoon.
His post-performance Q&A was really interesting. Amongst other things he talked about the delicate judgement call he has to make (as he
I don't much enjoy struggling for words, but a massive shoutout to Matthew Rhys for his single-hander as Richard Burton this afternoon.
His post-performance Q&A was really interesting. Amongst other things he talked about the delicate judgement call he has to make (as he
Some of the rooms in my house are so cold that if I were the superstitious type, I would wonder if they're haunted.
Which made this week's choices of quotation for #ShakespeareSunday on the theme, HOT & COLD, pretty easy. I've been repeating it to myself every time I go into my office for
Which made this week's choices of quotation for #ShakespeareSunday on the theme, HOT & COLD, pretty easy. I've been repeating it to myself every time I go into my office for
November 23, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Some of the rooms in my house are so cold that if I were the superstitious type, I would wonder if they're haunted.
Which made this week's choices of quotation for #ShakespeareSunday on the theme, HOT & COLD, pretty easy. I've been repeating it to myself every time I go into my office for
Which made this week's choices of quotation for #ShakespeareSunday on the theme, HOT & COLD, pretty easy. I've been repeating it to myself every time I go into my office for
When I was younger I used to wonder whether it was Orwell or Huxley (or neither) who had got it right ...
Now I think it's both.
A little while ago, I was in a restaurant and did a little snooping on the next table, where a family were sitting. The table was pretty lively, with almost everyone
Now I think it's both.
A little while ago, I was in a restaurant and did a little snooping on the next table, where a family were sitting. The table was pretty lively, with almost everyone
November 22, 2025 at 1:31 PM
When I was younger I used to wonder whether it was Orwell or Huxley (or neither) who had got it right ...
Now I think it's both.
A little while ago, I was in a restaurant and did a little snooping on the next table, where a family were sitting. The table was pretty lively, with almost everyone
Now I think it's both.
A little while ago, I was in a restaurant and did a little snooping on the next table, where a family were sitting. The table was pretty lively, with almost everyone
Every now and again we need a reality check on just ‘how far we’ve come’ and how civilised we are compared to the bad old days.
Ask people about George Eliot, and probably the number one thing they’ll answer with is ‘She was a bloke!’. Perhaps fewer also know that to begin with the Brontë sisters
Ask people about George Eliot, and probably the number one thing they’ll answer with is ‘She was a bloke!’. Perhaps fewer also know that to begin with the Brontë sisters
November 22, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Every now and again we need a reality check on just ‘how far we’ve come’ and how civilised we are compared to the bad old days.
Ask people about George Eliot, and probably the number one thing they’ll answer with is ‘She was a bloke!’. Perhaps fewer also know that to begin with the Brontë sisters
Ask people about George Eliot, and probably the number one thing they’ll answer with is ‘She was a bloke!’. Perhaps fewer also know that to begin with the Brontë sisters
Is this the ultimate 'near-death ' experience?
Today's literary birthday boy, Dostoyevsky, was once condemned to death and actually standing in front of the firing squad before an 11th hour message arrived commuting his sentence to imprisonment instead ...
This sort of cruel stunt wasn't
Today's literary birthday boy, Dostoyevsky, was once condemned to death and actually standing in front of the firing squad before an 11th hour message arrived commuting his sentence to imprisonment instead ...
This sort of cruel stunt wasn't
November 21, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Is this the ultimate 'near-death ' experience?
Today's literary birthday boy, Dostoyevsky, was once condemned to death and actually standing in front of the firing squad before an 11th hour message arrived commuting his sentence to imprisonment instead ...
This sort of cruel stunt wasn't
Today's literary birthday boy, Dostoyevsky, was once condemned to death and actually standing in front of the firing squad before an 11th hour message arrived commuting his sentence to imprisonment instead ...
This sort of cruel stunt wasn't
They asked. I answered.
After releasing the WJEC A-Level English Lit Coursemap into the wild a couple of days ago, someone got in touch along the lines of:
‘Oi! The specification for WJEC A-Level LANG / LIT is even longer than the Lit one. Thirty-one pages! What about making that one a bit easier
After releasing the WJEC A-Level English Lit Coursemap into the wild a couple of days ago, someone got in touch along the lines of:
‘Oi! The specification for WJEC A-Level LANG / LIT is even longer than the Lit one. Thirty-one pages! What about making that one a bit easier
November 20, 2025 at 5:04 PM
They asked. I answered.
After releasing the WJEC A-Level English Lit Coursemap into the wild a couple of days ago, someone got in touch along the lines of:
‘Oi! The specification for WJEC A-Level LANG / LIT is even longer than the Lit one. Thirty-one pages! What about making that one a bit easier
After releasing the WJEC A-Level English Lit Coursemap into the wild a couple of days ago, someone got in touch along the lines of:
‘Oi! The specification for WJEC A-Level LANG / LIT is even longer than the Lit one. Thirty-one pages! What about making that one a bit easier