53 replies to this topic

[weelaura]

Well...I did The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks. It was quite a gripping but also disturbing read. There is sooo much 2 write about it many themes and there are loads of things 2 analyse in it. I found it really easy 2 write, talk and answer questions on. Whatever u choose try not 2 be lost for words! Nothing to worry about really.

[verticalforce]

People should stop worrying about PS. Heck, it's the least that they should be worried about. You will be given time to redraft it 10 million times. (wise word from a guy who started reading his book a month before the deadline )

[BroxiShona]

I did "My Sister's Keeper" by Jodi Picoult for my personal study. Its about a young girl whose sister has leukaemia. The girl sues her parents for the rights to her own body after deciding she doesnt want to give her sister her kidney. Quite controversal topic, MAJOR twist at the end! Had me in tears!!

Me too! It's a great book for a personal study because of it's topic and the resulting themes. Also the portrayal of the story, each chapter being told by a different characters allows their own viewpoints and emotions to be known, and as a result gives a good line of thought for a personal study on this book.

[CelticTwilight]

You might like to try The Fire-Eaters by David Almond. Although this is a "young person's" book it has considerable emotional depth. You could, perhaps, follow a line of thought about the different levels on which the book works and how far these are accessible to the target audience. Another good text is The Life of Pi.

Good luck.

[CFarrell]

I did mine on The Fixer by Bernard Malamud. T'was an interesting read, and gave plenty of options for questions. I ended up doing what I thought was an exceedingly easy question, something about "Show how the character was physically and mentally abused during his stay in prison." Which amounted to quoting something like a total of 8 times in the whole essay, and I passed no probs.

[Red!]

Ok, so that after having a hairy fit over choosing my Personal Study this year I've decided to suggest to everyone sitting their Higher English this year to study poetry instead of a novel.
Why you might ask; because it is really easy to get lost in the midst of a novel and babble on about nothing in particular. Not only that, but I know that a lot of people in my class just couldn't be bothered reading the novel they chose and so were flapping around like headless chickens on the day we had to write our personal study. I personally found that writing my personal study on a poem was the best decision I made all year, there was no fuss, no reading through countless chapters trying to find something decent to write about and because of this I was able to sit down on the day of the personal study with my poem in hand, 2 sides of a4 notes and write my essay in a calm and content fashion. Saying that, the personal study is generally 'easy' to pass, but I know from my experience that I was very glad to save myself the time and hassle....which I then proceeded to spend over chemistry instead .
Btw, the poem I studied was 'Anthem for Doomed Youth' by Wilfred Owen. I'd recommend it!

[Yaz]

I agree with Red. You will probably find it easier doing a poem for your Personal Study as it is much easier to analyse than a novel (at least it was for me). I was actually struggling with Higher English but found that doing poems for my PS allowed me to pass easily on my first try and focus on the final exam instead.

I compared two poems by Wilfred Owen for my PS called "Apologia Pro Poemate Meo" and "Spring Offensive" for my PS and I would agree with Red that Wilfred Owen should be a safe bet. Good luck!

[bmkf]

I did The Catcher In The Rye - I wrote about the symbolism within the novel. Really easy to do as there are loads of resources out there to help

[chloebw]

Oh my god! Animal Farm by George Orwell. Really good read plus it is only like 98 pages long or somthing. Loads of information to help you online as well!

[Amie.. x]

''The Lovely Bones"

Its a brilliant book to read and isnt boring like the rest of them ie Trainspotting etc.

Its modern and there is loads to write about.

Good luck!!!

xxx

[Punk Rock Dude]

I chose "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes
Passed it
It was actually pretty enjoyable to write about.

[baby-stewie]

''The Lovely Bones"

Its a brilliant book to read and isnt boring like the rest of them ie Trainspotting etc.

Its modern and there is loads to write about.

Good luck!!!

xxx

What advice can you give for doing a PS on The Lovely Bones? I'm kinda struggling. My question is "An examination of the innocence of childhood against the reality of adulthood". Am struggling to find quotes that have techniques that I can analyse, i have a quote from page 8 at the beginning of the book & another from page 50 but other than that nothing.

Any advice would be gratefully received!!


Michelle x

[spoony2oo8]

I Did "Jude The Obscure" By Thomas Hardy

Would Advise Against It

The Plot Was Much Like A Trashy Soap Like Crossroads Or Something. Completelt Bizarre. And Its Very Long

Still Passed It Though:lol:

[purple_Fizz]

I think it depends on your own interests. I'm doing a poem for mine "The Horses" by Edwin Muir. It is quite an easy poem to write about as there are usually good questions in the exam relating to it in some way. I also find a poem easier because there are less quotes to remember. If your teacher doesn't want you to do a poem, why not try To Kill a Mocking Bird or A Clockwork Orange? Both are great stories and cover many important issues in life today.

Good Luck!