How am I supposed to remember quotations for unseen texts?

Trying to remember quotations for the exam can be one of the trickiest aspects to English Literature at A-level. For my studies, I displayed bunting around my room with key quotations from all of the texts alongside contextual/critical quotations that would also be benficial for the exam. Despite this, it is really important to not feel as though you must insert any of the quotations in the answer, just because you remember them; when answering the question, only select relevant quotations - and keep them approximately three words long. From here, you can analyse the specific words, rather than remembering long quotations to then only pick up upon a verb.

Also, it is crucial to re-read the texts as many times as you can before the exam. This ensures that the themes, characters and quotations are fresh in your mind, so that when you read a question ideas will start popping into your head immediately.

EW
Answered by Eleanor W. English Literature tutor

3971 Views

See similar English Literature A Level tutors

Related English Literature A Level answers

All answers ▸

Discuss how kingship is represented in Macbeth


How do I stucture an essay?


How can I revise for my English Literature exam?


Explore the way in which the poets Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes depict the theme of death in their work.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning