JC

Dancing - the way Romy does - symbolises celebration, connection and communication in Literature texts.

ChArAcTeR cOnSoLiDaTiOn WiTh RoMy

JCMay 21, 2025

Here's a fun task to keep you occupied and purposeful during an independent study session! Write a letter from one character to another. Perhaps pick a charact... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudy 4

Julia Wolf pondering the same issues about love and obsession that have bothered Fitzgerald, Keats and other A-Level writers.

JuLiA WoLf: LoVe Or ObSeSSiOn?

JCMay 21, 2025

So many of our A-Level Literature texts revolve around feelings of love and obsession. But, what actually is the difference between love and obsession? In the ... Read More...

A-LevelClassesStudy 4

gOtHiC wRiTiNg WiTh ThE CuRe, HiM & MoRe

JCMay 17, 2025

Sound of Pen classes are usually aimed at those of you studying A-Level English - as well as the most passionate, interested GCSE students. But here's a project for anyone in Year 9! Get ready to listen to some music and watch some videos - all the ... Read More...

ClassesGCSEStudy 4

Lynn Gunn of Pvris writing while shrouded in the kind of moody darkness that defines so much of her music and the literature you study.

ChArAcTeR MaPPiNg WiTh PvRiS

JCMay 14, 2025

This is third class of our 2000trees series and it's FUN! Find some coloured pencils (or a computer!), put PVRIS on the stereo and consolidate your knowledge o... Read More...

A-LevelClassesMusicStudy 4

RORY performing live, backdropped by the kind of light you'll find at the heart of your A-Level texts when you start digging.

eXpLoRiNg ThE SiGniFiCaNcE oF ThE PaSt WiTh RoRy

JCMay 14, 2025

The second class in our 2000trees series revolves around one of RORY's most powerful songs - the emotional blockbuster that is 'UNCOMPLICATED'! https:/... Read More...

A-LevelClassesStudy 4

venbee looking as delighted as you'll feel when listening to Sound of Pen's favourite songs of 2025 so far - each song will help you develop your A-Level Literature skills.

BeSt 50 SoNgS oF 2025 So FaR

JCMay 6, 2025

There has been so much amazing music released already in 2025!!! Here are the songs we have had playing on repeat - from number 50 all the way up to our very favourite at number 1!!! You can listen to our playlist here. There are some related cla... Read More...

A-LevelListsMusicStudy 4

Moncrieff out in nature - that sky and flower imagery is so key to so many of the texts studied in the GCSE and A-Level English Lit classroom.

aNaLySiNg PoEtRy WiTh MoNcRiEff

JCApril 27, 2025

I've spoken a zillion times about how lucky we are to have Banquet Records in Kingston. Not that you need me to tell you. Just look at the artists they've brou... Read More...

A-LevelClassesMusicStudy 4

newshapes' artwork: as hard to untangle as the texts you're studying for your English Lit exams!

nEwShApEs @ ThE bLaCk HeArT

JCApril 26, 2025

Once upon a time, I scribed for Kerrang!, Rocksound and various other magazines. I would write about music just because I loved it. Such an uncomplicated and g... Read More...

A-LevelMusicReviewsStudy 4

ThE 2000TrEEs SeSSiOnS: hEvEnShE & LanGuAgE aNaLySiS

JCApril 25, 2025

Hi! I hope you enjoy the first in Sound of Pen's 2000trees Series. Today, we're going to listen to Hevenshe. Watch her set on the Saturday at Upcote Farm!! Let's start with 'Wish I Had A Friend', then move on to 'The Blessing', then finish with ... Read More...

A-LevelClassesStudy 4

ToPiCs & ArTiSTs

JCApril 22, 2025

Lots of the Sound of Pen classes are aimed at simply heightening your enjoyment of English - but each one does also tie neatly to a particular unit or theme. S... Read More...

Study 2

LiGhTs OuT, FoLLoW tHe NoiSe

JCApril 6, 2025

How listening to music can help us navigate the darkness - and our English Literature studies! For a long time now, I’ve been using music in the classroom. ... Read More...

A-LevelJC's WritingStudy 4

We’LL aLwAyS hAvE PaRiS: a StRuCtUrE cLaSS

JCJanuary 26, 2025

Welcome to the Sound of Pen lecture series. Today's class revolves around PVRIS. You'll think about how writers might choose to structure their work and how - even when life is crazy and tough - your life will be filled with moments of light! We'... Read More...

Classes 4

sPoKeN wOrD pRoJeCt WiTh FrEd AgAin

JCJanuary 9, 2025

You are going to work on a spoken word project that speaks for the experience of being you - and of being a teenager! Let's get started! This is what Fred..... Read More...

A-LevelClassesLecturesStudy 4

bEsT aLbUmS of 24

JCDecember 31, 2024

Here are Sound of Pen's favourite albums of 2024! Fred again.., 'ten days' Charli xcx, 'brat' Dua Lipa, 'Radical Optimism' Mk.gee, 'Two Star &... Read More...

A-LevelClassesListsMusicStudy 4

dAnCiNg & PeRsUaSiVe wRiTiNg

JCDecember 10, 2024

Writing persuasively is easier when you're passionate about your subject matter!! Pick a topic and tell us why it's so important!!! ACTIVITY 1 Read the article below and highlight all the details that make it an effective piece of writing. ... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudyWriting With Style 4

CrEaTiVe wRiTiNg & TeXt ReViSiOn WiTh DeAd PoNy

JCDecember 10, 2024

Dead Pony's music fills you with an energy that absolutely needs to be unleashed. Get ready to go crazy... ACTIVITY 1 Read the notes below then watch Dea... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudyWriting With Style 4

LaYeReD aNaLySiS WiTh dAmNaTioN, FrAiL bOdy & PeRtUrBaToR

JCDecember 10, 2024

Damnation Festival always plays host to the most thrilling metal and alternative bands on the planet. Let's listen to two of the brilliant acts - Perturbator a... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudyWriting With Style 4

sTrUcTuRe WiTh JaMiE xx

JCDecember 7, 2024

Fred again.. wasn't the only artist releasing era-defining dance records in 2024. 'In Waves' by Jamie xx is an album that will live - and be relevant - forever. There are many reasons to love 'In Waves' - you might want to take particular note o... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudyWriting With Style 4

PoEtRy WiTh DuA LiPa

JCNovember 28, 2024

Every writer makes a zillion different choices. Explore the impact of that decision-making with the kaleidoscopic Dua Lipa! ACTIVITY 1 Watch the 'Hou... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudyWriting With Style 4

wRiTiNg AbOuT sTrUcTuRe WiTh LiNkiN pArK, ChRiSSy CoStAnZa & CoLdPlAy

JCNovember 3, 2024

Why might a writer choose to order things the way they do? Let's find out. Whatever stage you're at with your English studies, it's always interesting t... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudyWriting With Style 4

ExPLoRiNg ReLiGiOn iN OtHeLLo & OtHeR A-LeVeL LiT TeXts WiTh YoNaKa, PaLe WaVes, HaLsEy & MoRe

JCNovember 2, 2024

Writing essays takes brainpower, You need ideas. Then you need to shuffle those ideas into order. Then you need to put them down on paper. Let's practise the art of threading an essay right now!! ACTIVITY 1 Listen to the 5 songs and think ... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudyWriting With Style 4

StUdYiNg eNgLiSh LiTeRaTuRe WiTh HoLdiNg AbSeNcE

JCNovember 1, 2024

Lucas Woodland talked to Sound of Pen about the themes threaded throughout his own work. Note how relevant his ideas are to the texts we’ve been studying in t... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEWormholes 2

bUTTeRfLiEs & thE wOrLD’s BeSt RoCk BaNDs

JCOctober 30, 2024

We know what butterflies are but why do so many writers fill their pages with them? Let's make sure we have something interesting to say about that butterfly i... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudyWriting With Style 4

tHe PoP sOnG & tHe SoNNeT

JCOctober 30, 2024

14 lines, written in iambic pentameter and inextricably linked to feelings of love - the short and sweet sonnet packs as much punch as your favourite three-minute pop song!! ACTIVITY 1 You might want to start by listening to this podcast. ... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudyWriting With Style 4

aNaLySiNg nOn-FiCTioN WiTh AnKoR

JCOctober 25, 2024

Ankor are the most exciting metal band on the planet right now. Let them help you prep for your English Language GCSE!! https://youtu.be/UEw-G3JlsJA?si... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudyWriting With Style 4

MoTiFs: sUmmEr

JCOctober 20, 2024

Given that winter means a world without festivals, it's hard to not be constantly looking forward to summer! Let's listen to the artists we most want to see ou... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudyWriting With Style 4

EtHeL cAiN, NoAh GuNdErSeN & TeeNaGe PoEtRy

JCOctober 14, 2024

The best poetry is BEAUTIFUL. And while it's true that songs and poems do have lots in common, there aren't many lyrics that you would mistake for poems. Here, though, are two songs that you absolutely could. Let's use them as inspiration for our ow... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudyWriting With Style 4

LoVe PoEtRy WiTh CoLdPLaY

JCOctober 4, 2024

Coldplay's music is the sound of LOVE. ACTIVITY 1 Watch the video clips below. It will become clear that Coldplay made 'Moon Music' with LOVE. How do... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudy 4

GoD & gLaSgOw: a LeSSoN iN aSSoNaNcE

JCOctober 2, 2024

Assonance is a literary technique where the same or similar vowel sound is repeated. It creates a flow between words - which sounds lovely. And if we're writin... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudy 4

cHaOs WiTh ShAkEsPeArE & tRoPhY eYeS

JCOctober 1, 2024

So many of our favourite songs are as multi-layered as any of the texts we study in school. For proof, look no further than the startling 'Life In Slow Motion' by Trophy Eyes. ACTIVITY 1 Listen to Trophy Eyes' 'Life In Slow Motion'. Joh... Read More...

A-LevelClassesLecturesStudy 2

Allusion My Chemical Ro,mance Foxes Dorian Electra

aLLuSiOn WiTh CoLdPLaY, mY cHeMiCaL rOmAnCe, FoXeS, DoRiAn eLeCtRa & MoRe

JCOctober 1, 2024

If you’re looking to develop your understanding of allusion, you’re in the right place! So, what do we mean by allusion? An allusion is a r... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudy 4

fTrE: cHaPtEr 1

JCSeptember 26, 2024

Bright Star is locked in her manager’s office, Cynthia is locked in a friend’s basement and Ayley is locked in her bedroom. Sound of Pen’s ‘fTrE’ novel explore... Read More...

ClassesJC's Writing 4

wRiTiNg AbOuT rEaL LiFe WiTh FrEd AgAiN..

JCSeptember 24, 2024

Maybe you already dance (and, yes, dancing around the bedroom with your headphones on does count!). If you don’t, you should start. Mainly, because it will make you feel lovely. But also because understanding what it really feels like to dance will ... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudyWriting With Style 4

HeLL WiTh ChRiSSy CoStAnZa & AgAiNsT tHe CuRRenT

JCSeptember 20, 2024

Like Shakespeare, Wilde, Stevenson and so many of our course authors, Chrissy Costanza frequently writes about Hell. But why? And when we come across that Hell... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudyWriting With Style 4

FoLkLoRe & ThE PoSiTiOn Of WoMen

JCSeptember 1, 2024

Taylor Swift is a feminist icon. Let's listen to 'folklore' and have a think about how the singer uses language to ensure her ideas about equality hit as hard ... Read More...

A-LevelClassesStudy 4

bRiTnEy SpEaRs & bLaNcHe dUbOiS: tHiS LoNeLiNeSS iS KiLLiNg Me

JCAugust 21, 2024

What do pop icon Britney Spears and Tennessee Williams' Blanche DuBois have in common? Uh, how about A LOT! Raised in Southern America, forced to adhere to a rulebook written by men, sucked into a class war as well as a gender one, then sectioned by... Read More...

A-LevelClassesPodcast & VideoStudyText Messages 4

CrEaTiVe wRiTiNg WiTh AnDy C

JCAugust 16, 2024

When DJing, Andy C puts his whole heart into creating the most mind-blowing mixes. You should take the same approach to your creative writing. When you pack yo... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudyWriting With Style 4

StUdYiNg eNgLiSh LiTeRaTuRe WiTh YoNakA

JCJuly 18, 2024

Use YONAKA's ideas to develop your understanding of 'A Streetcar Named Desire', light imagery and gender inequality! Listen to Theresa talk on the Sound of ... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEWormholes 2

BEsT aLbuMs oF 22 & sOpHiStiCaTed CrEaTiVe VoCaBuLaRy

JCJuly 17, 2024

We delved back into our favourite albums of 2022. Then we matched the best 20 records of that year with the best 20 words of all-time!! Listen to our playlist right here! 20. Pretty Sick: Makes Me Sick Makes Me Smile Ethereal and evocat... Read More...

A-LevelClassesListsStudyVocab 4

SzA: wRiTiNg WiTh PaSSiOn & pErSoNaLiTy

JCJune 25, 2024

Explore the significance of disappointment in SZA’s ‘Kill Bill’. ACTIVITY 1 Read the 'Kill Bill' lyrics and prep by considering the 3 questions direc... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudyWriting With Style 4

RhYmE WiTh ChArLi XcX, WiLkiNsOn, CoLdPLaY, AyRa StARR & MorE

JCMay 17, 2024

Let's listen to some brilliant songs and then write a poem with real focus on rhyming for effect! ACTIVITY 1 We can start by hearing what the experts... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudyWriting With Style 4

cOnTeXt WiTh NiRvAnA

JCMay 10, 2024

When we read a text, we have to consider the time at which it was written. We need to understand whether the author's ideas aligned with the majority - or if those ideas actually served as challenges to the 'norm', thus underlining the writer's own ... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudyWriting With Style 4

aQa eNgLiSh LaNgUaGe PaPeR 2 WiTh LoUiS dUnFoRd

JCMay 9, 2024

Let's make sure that practising the skills needed to complete AQA's Language Paper 2 is fun for us!! Today, we're going to listen to Louis Dunford's 'North Lon... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudyWriting With Style 4

cOnTeXt WiTh MaDoNNa

JCMay 3, 2024

Madonna's music a made an enormous impact. Let's think about how her songs hit even harder than they might have otherwise because of the world - Ronald Reagan'... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudyWriting With Style 4

ToP 20: AtC tRaCkS & wRiTiNg HaCkS

JCApril 25, 2024

Here's a list of our favourite Against The Current tracks! See if you agree with our choices, then have a go at using the different techniques used in each short review. 20. 'Chasing Ghosts' As romantic as a 19th Century novel, 'Chasing Gh... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEListsStudyWriting With Style 4

eVaNeScEnT, sEmPiTeRnaL & oThEr WoRds To HeLp YoU wRiTe aBoUt tHiS PoLySeMiC, pArAdOXiCaL wOrLd

JCDecember 21, 2023

Back in 2023, there were soooo many albums that made our hearts whoosh! Here's a list of our favourite releases of that year. Within the mini-reviews you'll fi... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudyWriting With Style 4

fTrE: cHaPtEr 2

JCDecember 19, 2023

Bright Star is locked in her manager’s office, Cynthia is locked in a friend’s basement and Ayley is locked in her bedroom. Sound of Pen’s ‘fTrE’ novel explore... Read More...

ClassesJC's Writing 4

fTrE: cHaPtEr 3

JCDecember 19, 2023

Bright Star is locked in her manager’s office, Cynthia is locked in a friend’s basement and Ayley is locked in her bedroom. Sound of Pen’s ‘fTrE’ novel explores what happens next. Watch the video, press pause when you reach each activity slot and ge... Read More...

ClassesJC's Writing 4

fTrE: cHaPtEr 4

JCDecember 19, 2023

Bright Star is locked in her manager’s office, Cynthia is locked in a friend’s basement and Ayley is locked in her bedroom. Sound of Pen’s ‘fTrE’ novel explore... Read More...

ClassesJC's Writing 4

fTrE: cHaPtEr 5

JCDecember 19, 2023

Bright Star is locked in her manager’s office, Cynthia is locked in a friend’s basement and Ayley is locked in her bedroom. Sound of Pen’s ‘fTrE’ novel explore... Read More...

ClassesJC's Writing 4

aQa GcSe LaNgUaGe PaPeR 1 WiTh FAiNt DeCeMbEr

JCDecember 12, 2023

Read this story inspired by Linkin Park and practise your Language Paper 1 skills. https://youtu.be/uOJRx5GEDu0 Music has the power to make us feel less alone, and hearing a song that explores emotions or perspectives that relate to our ... Read More...

ClassesJC's Writing 2

fAiNt DeCeMbEr: CrEaTIvE WrITiNg SeRieS paRt 1 – WaKe

JCDecember 12, 2023

Faint December Chapter One

ClassesJC's Writing 2

LiGhT & dArK iMaGeRy WiTh To KiLL AcHiLLeS

JCDecember 11, 2023

So many of our favourite songs are as multi-layered as any of the texts we study in school 'The Cave' is a perfect example. Let's look at how To Kill Achilles ... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSELecturesStudy 2

tHe SiGniFiCaNcE oF yUnGbLuD

JCDecember 11, 2023

When you're asked to explore the 'significance' of something, what are you being asked to think about? This is a chance to figure that out. With a little help from YUNGBLUD! When I ran this session 'live', I recorded the audio. There's a snip... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSELecturesStudy 2

AnDrEw McMaHoN & wRiTiNg PoEtRy

JCDecember 10, 2023

Listen to the brilliant Andrew McMahon and then have a think about your own brilliant life! For lots of my generation, Something Corporate and Jack's Ma... Read More...

ClassesGCSEStudy 2