JC, Author at Sound of Pen | More Than Perfect

LoNdOn WiTh LoUiS dUnFoRd & WiLLiAm bLaKe

JCAugust 19, 2023

Both Louis Dunford and William Blake write about London in a way that makes us feel so strongly about the city. Let's compare 'The Angel (North London Forever)... Read More...

Essay WritingGCSELanguage AnalysisStudy 2

LiGhT & dArK iMaGeRy WiTh To KiLL AcHiLLeS

JCAugust 18, 2023

So many of our favourite songs are as multi-layered as any of the texts we study in school; with the new term dawning, we listed the best tracks of the year so... Read More...

A-LevelEssay WritingGCSELanguage AnalysisStudy 2

BeSt SoNgS oF 2023 So FaR

JCAugust 17, 2023

So many of our favourite songs are as multi-layered as any of the textss we study in school. With the new term dawning, here are the tracks that have already knocked us off our feet in 2023. MUSIC FOCUS: The best rock tracks of 2023.ACTIVITY FOCU... Read More...

A-LevelEssay WritingGCSELanguage AnalysisStudy 2

cHaOs WiTh ShAkEsPeArE & tRoPhY eYeS

JCAugust 17, 2023

So many of our favourite songs are as multi-layered as any of the texts we study in school. With the new term dawning, we listed the best tracks of the year so... Read More...

A-LevelEssay WritingLanguage AnalysisStudy 2

LoCaTiOn, LoCaTiOn, LoCaTiOn PaRt 3: WiTh tAyLoR sWiFt, mAcHiNe GuN KeLLy, WiLLoW, RiNa SaWaYaMa, DaShBoArD cOnFeSSiOnAL & PaLe WaVeS

JCAugust 13, 2023

Lots of our favourite songs feature scarves, photos, makeup and all sorts of other 'props'. But, why are they there?! What is their purpose?! Let's find out, s... Read More...

A-LevelGCSELanguage AnalysisMaking PointsStudy 4

fAiNt DeCeMbEr: CrEaTIvE WrITiNg SeRieS paRt 1

JCAugust 11, 2023

Faint December Chapter One

Faint December 2

PeRsUaSiVe wRiTiNg WiTh dAiSy JoNes & mAnEsKiN

JCAugust 8, 2023

In recent years, rock music may have been buried out of sight. Thankfully, it's likely to return to the frontline at just about the same time as you perfect yo... Read More...

Essay WritingGCSELanguage AnalysisStudy 2

AnDrEw McMaHoN & wRiTiNg PoEtRy

JCAugust 7, 2023

Listen to the brilliant Andrew McMahon and then have a think about your own brilliant life! MUSIC FOCUS: Something Corporate, Jack's Mannequin, Andrew McMah... Read More...

GCSEStudy 2

OrSoN: rEcOrD sHoPs FoReVeR

JCJune 23, 2023

As part of his preparation for this year's GCSE English Language exams, Orson wrote about an issue close to his heart. If you don't already care about record shops, well, that's all about to change... Record Shops Forever A dark, unlit world. ... Read More...

A-LevelGCSEStudyVocabWriting With Style 2

cOmPaRiNg aTTiTudEs WiTh TrOpHy eYeS

JCJune 22, 2023

Of course, both our reviews of 'Suicide and Sunshine' focus on the fact that it's an utterly brilliant album! But let's look more closely at how Daisy and JC c... Read More...

GCSEStudy 2

tRoPhY eYeS, sUiCiDe & SuNsHiNe: A pErFeCt aLbUm FrOm ThE bEsT bAnD iN thE wOrLd

JCJune 21, 2023

Trophy Eyes, ‘Suicide and Sunshine’ (Hopeless Records) Think about the truly important albums: Nirvana’s raw yet resplendent ‘Nevermind’; Biffy Clyro’s hear... Read More...

A-LevelGCSEStudyVocabWriting With Style 2

sLaM dUnK 2023

JCJune 1, 2023

We went to Slam Dunk and it was the PERFECT day. Read our review, then write about your own perfect experience. MUSIC FOCUS: Enter Shikari; Malevolence; PVRIS; Boston Manor; Charlotte Sands; Trophy Eyes; Holding Absence; Trash Boat; VUKOVI; Since... Read More...

A-LevelEssay WritingGCSEStudyVocabWriting With Style 2

PoWeR & CoNfLiCt PoEtRy WiTh TrOpHy EyEs

JCMay 26, 2023

Today, the best Australian band of modern times are going to help you with your 'Power & Conflict' poetry. How lovely of them. MUSIC FOCUS: Trophy Eyes.... Read More...

Essay WritingGCSELanguage AnalysisStudy 2

BeAuTy ScHooL dRoPoUt @ iSliNgToN AcAdEmY

JCMay 24, 2023

Our New Favourite Band Injects Us With (Greased) Lightning! MUSIC FOCUS: Beauty School Dropout.ACTIVITY FOCUS: Practise the skills needed to answer question... Read More...

Essay WritingGCSELanguage AnalysisStudy 2

aNaLySiNg StRuCtuRe: ToP 10 sLAm DuNk SoNgS 23

JCMay 15, 2023

Let's think about how the final moments of Slam Dunk will hit harder because of the songs you've enjoyed during the earlier parts of the day! MUSIC FOCUS: Maggie Lindemann, Spanish Love Songs, Boston Manor, Trash Boat, VUKOVI, Holding Absence, Ch... Read More...

Essay WritingGCSELanguage AnalysisStudy 2

pOeTrY & tHe FeMaLe PoSiTiOn WiTh eLLiE GoULdiNg

JCMay 2, 2023

Accelerate your ability to analyse poetry - and deepen your appreciation of the female position - with a quick study of 'Better Man'. MUSIC FOCUS: Ellie Go... Read More...

A-LevelEssay WritingGCSELanguage AnalysisStudy 2

iNtRoDuCinG SoUnD oF pEn: FoR sTuDeNtS & TeAcHeRs oF gCsE & a-LeVeL eNgLiSh

JCApril 28, 2023

Sound of Pen classes use music as a doorway to a deeper understanding of GCSE & A-Level English texts. Sound of Pen is home to original, unique free les... Read More...

A-LevelGCSEStudy 2

aNaLySiNg StRuCtUrE WiTh PvRiS & SiNcErE EnGiNeeR

JCApril 28, 2023

Why do things happen in the order they do? Who can say? YOU can. Or, at least, you will be able to once you've completed this class! MUSIC FOCUS: PVRIS, Sincere Engineer.ACTIVITY FOCUS: Analyse the structure of two brilliant songs. Quest... Read More...

Essay WritingGCSELanguage AnalysisStudy 2

gLaStOnBuRy fEsTiVaL & PeRsUaSiVe wRiTiNg

JCApril 23, 2023

Glastonbury! Exactly the kind of important event we should write about when asked to write about something important! MUSIC FOCUS: Glastonbury Festival.ACTI... Read More...

A-LevelEssay WritingGCSELanguage AnalysisStudy 4

tHe pOwEr Of AvA mAx

JCApril 20, 2023

Ava Max sings songs that dissect the concept of power whilst making you feel like you can take on the world. Perfectly meta. MUSIC FOCUS: Ava Max.ACTIVITY F... Read More...

A-LevelEssay WritingGCSELanguage AnalysisStudy 2

wRiTiNg A LeAfLeT WiTh iNsOmNiUm

JCApril 8, 2023

Question 5 AQA's Language Paper 2 will require you to write a letter, speech, essay, article or leaflet text. Let's practise the leaflet writing. MUSIC FOCUS: Insomnium.ACTIVITY FOCUS: Create your own leaflet. As a minimum, the text for a ... Read More...

GCSEStudyWriting With Style 2

nF & dUaLiTy

JCApril 8, 2023

It's been a while since Robert Louis Stevenson and Oscar Wilde wrote their novels about humanity's duality. But the conversation is NOT over... MUSIC FOCUS:... Read More...

A-LevelEssay WritingGCSELanguage AnalysisStudy 2

aQa GcSe LaNgUaGe PaPeR 1 WiTh FAiNt DeCeMbEr

JCApril 7, 2023

The first time Linkin Park came to England, I got to hang out with them for a couple of days. This is a story inspired by my love for the band. MUSIC FOCUS:... Read More...

A-LevelEssay WritingGCSELanguage AnalysisStudyWriting With Style 2

mEtApHoRs WiTh MaSSiVe AttAcK

JCApril 7, 2023

"Music ignites all areas of child development... particularly in the areas of language acquisition and reading skills." (UNICEF) MUSIC FOCUS: MASSIVE ATTACK.ACTIVITY FOCUS: WRITE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A BABY OR ANIMAL. ACTIVITY 1 Watch ... Read More...

A-LevelGCSEStudyWriting With Style 2

PoWeRfuL, PaSSiONaTe & PoSiTiVE: PeRsUaSiVe wRiTiNg WiTh CaLViN HaRRiS, ToVe Lo & ZuRiCh OpEnAiR fEsTiVaL

JCApril 1, 2023

Sometimes the world can feel slightly too angry. Let's use today's persuasive activity as an opportunity to channel our positive energy! MUSIC FOCUS: Zurich... Read More...

A-LevelEssay WritingGCSELanguage AnalysisStudy 2

eXpLoRiNg ThE pAiN oF LoVe iN a-LeVeL LiTeRaTuRe WiTh ToVe Lo, HoLDiNg AbSeNce, tAyLoR sWiFt, bMtH & MoRe

JCMarch 26, 2023

Sometimes, when studying English Literature, it can feel like the experience of love will be utterly joyless. Soooo much pain! MUSIC FOCUS: Prospa, Taylor S... Read More...

A-LevelLanguage AnalysisStudyText Specific 4

iNvEsTiGaTiNg ThE rAiN MoTiF WiTh PaLe WaVeS, SiGriD, PaRaMoRe & MoRe

JCMarch 21, 2023

Our top ten songs about rain are all GORGEOUS. But what do they mean? What does the rain symbolise? MUSIC FOCUS: Taylor Swift, Pale Waves, Paramore, Tove Lo, Kids In Glass Houses, Zoe Wees, Sigrid, Bring Me The Horizon, chloe moriondo.ACTIVITY FO... Read More...

A-LevelLanguage AnalysisStudyText Specific 4

‘WhErE i BeLoNg’ bY cHiArA

JCMarch 21, 2023

Following our work on the 'Location, Location, Location' series, the amazing Chiara wrote a truly beautiful song. She thought carefully about the setting and h... Read More...

GCSELanguage AnalysisStudy 4

aViCii: GcSe UnSeeN pOeTrY

JCMarch 17, 2023

When Avicii died in 2018, we lost an artist capable of brightening the darkest day. We're so grateful for the music he left behind. Uplifting and poignant, Avi... Read More...

Essay WritingGCSEMaking PointsUnseen Poetry KS4 2

ThE NaTuRe oF dReAmS iN a-LeVeL LiTeRaTuRe WiTh YeArS & YeArS, AtC & MoRe

JCMarch 16, 2023

The texts we study are so full of dreams. Which sounds lovely. But - like love - dreams are complicated, unwieldy things. Here are the ten songs you should listen to if you want to really understand their multi-dimensional nature. MUSIC FOCUS: Pa... Read More...

A-LevelLanguage AnalysisStudyText Specific 4

ThE sYmBoLiC VaLuE oF WaLLs iN a-LeVeL LiTeRaTuRe WiTh LiNKiN PaRk, ThE pReTTy ReCkLeSS, hAyLeY KiYoKo & wE aRe ThE iN cRoWd

JCMarch 7, 2023

Walls aren't simply walls. They're symbols of power, traps within which we confine ourselves - and that's not all. Our favourite artists are here to help us in... Read More...

A-LevelEssay WritingGCSELanguage AnalysisStudy 2

yUnGbLud @ WeMbLeY aReNa

JCFebruary 28, 2023

When YUNGBLUD hit Wembley, he showed everyone exactly how to put on an arena show! Stadiums next, surely?! MUSIC FOCUS: YUNGBLUD.ACTIVITY FOCUS: Explore the... Read More...

A-LevelEssay WritingGCSELanguage AnalysisStudy 2

gLaStOnBuRy & GiLeAd

JCFebruary 16, 2023

Let's spend today's session thinking about exactly why we would love to live at Glastonbury Festival FOREVER AND EVER - and why we would rather never go to Gilead AT ALL, thank you very much! MUSIC FOCUS: Glastonbury Festival.ACTIVITY FOCUS: Expl... Read More...

A-LevelEssay WritingGCSELanguage AnalysisStudy 4

wRiTiNg cOmPeLLiNg EssAyS WiTh LiNkiN pArK, vEnBee & CuRReNtS

JCFebruary 12, 2023

The first in a series of sessions looking at the range of skills we're aiming to show off in our final pieces of writing. Before starting any essay, the first ... Read More...

A-LevelEssay WritingGCSELanguage AnalysisStudy 4

eLLiE gOuLdiNg @ KoKo

JCFebruary 10, 2023

Ellie Goulding lights up February with a kaleidoscopic show at Camden's KOKO. We cannot wait for the new album! MUSIC FOCUS: Ellie Goulding.ACTIVITY FOCUS: ... Read More...

A-LevelEssay WritingGCSELanguage AnalysisStudy 4

eLLiE gOuLdiNg & iNvEsTinG yOuR wRiTiNg WiTh A sEnSe Of DeBaTe

JCFebruary 7, 2023

Ellie Goulding is BACK! And, like so many of our course writers, she is OBSESSED with love. Which makes her the perfect person to lead a study of our favourite, conundrum-filled emotion! MUSIC FOCUS: Ellie Goulding.ACTIVITY FOCUS: Analysing Ellie... Read More...

A-LevelEssay WritingGCSELanguage AnalysisStudy 4

sLaM dUnK 2023 & wRiTiNg WeLL-StRuCtUrEd aNaLyTiCaL EssAyS

JCFebruary 1, 2023

MUSIC FOCUS: Yellowcard; Kids In Glass Houses; Underoath; Charlotte Sands; Creeper; Boston Manor; Trash Boat; The Menzingers; Maggie Lindemann; Enter Shikari; ... Read More...

A-LevelEssay WritingGCSELanguage AnalysisStudy 4

PvRiS @ HaMMeRsMiTh aPoLLo

JCFebruary 1, 2023

MUSIC FOCUS: PVRIS.ACTIVITY FOCUS: Review an album or live show and practise writing about structure! PVRIS, Hammersmith Apollo PVRIS have never bee... Read More...

A-LevelEssay WritingGCSELanguage AnalysisStudy 4

We’LL aLwAyS hAvE PvRiS: tHe EnDuRiNg iNfLuEnCe oF wHiTe NoiSe

JCJanuary 17, 2023

PVRIS are back in England (well, almost!!) - and they're bringing the ludicrously brilliant Maggie Lindemann and Charlotte Sands with them!! Life hasn't been this exciting since 'White Noise' hit the airwaves nearly a decade ago. Here's why PVRIS an... Read More...

A-LevelEssay WritingGCSELanguage AnalysisStudy 4

MaGGiE LiNdEmAnn: tHe MarLa SiNgEr oF aLt-PoP

JCJanuary 6, 2023

Read Sound of Pen's essay about Maggie Lindemann's 'SUCKERPUNCH' and fuel your own investigations into the literature of love. MUSIC FOCUS: Maggie Lindemann... Read More...

A-LevelEssay WritingGCSELanguage AnalysisStudy 4

LoCaTiOn, LoCaTiOn, LoCaTiOn PaRt 2: WiTh CaLviN HaRRis, eLLie gOuLDiNg, MaGGiE LiNdEmANN, yUnGbLuD & mAcHiNe GuN KeLLy

JCJanuary 5, 2023

Think about where your favourite songs are 'located' and develop your understanding of setting within your GCSE and A-Level texts. MUSIC FOCUS: Calvin Harri... Read More...

A-LevelGCSELanguage AnalysisMaking PointsStudy 4

fTrE: cHaPtEr 1

JCJanuary 4, 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. MUSIC FOCUS: Taylor Swift/Kim Petras-inspired pop music.ACTIVITY F... Read More...

A-LevelGCSELanguage AnalysisPen GenStudy 4

yUnGbLud: 21sT cEnTuRy ShAkEsPeAre

JCJanuary 1, 2023

Read Sound of Pen's essay about YUNGBLUD - and prepare to get very excited about the links between 'weird!' and Shakespeare's 'Sonnet 116'! MUSIC FOCUS: YUN... Read More...

A-LevelEssay WritingGCSELanguage AnalysisStudy 4

AgAiNsT tHe CuRReNt’S FiGhT fOr ReDeMpTiOn

JCJanuary 1, 2023

Read Sound of Pen's essay about Against The Current's 'That Won't Save Us'. The song underlines ideas that will feel so relevant to your A-Level Lit study. ... Read More...

A-LevelEssay WritingGCSELanguage AnalysisStudy 4

BrAiNsToRm WiTh ArM’s LeNgTh, ChAt PiLe, cArLy CoSgRoVe & BaRtEEs StRaNgE

JCDecember 31, 2022

Our brainstorm activities don't so much focus on one idea as collate a whole stack of thoughts - all of which will feel absolutely relevant to one or other of your course texts. MUSIC FOCUS: The best new alternative music from Arm's Length, Carly... Read More...

A-LevelGCSELanguage AnalysisStudy 4

HoW tAyLoR sWiFt HeLpEd Us SmAsH oUr eNgLiSh LiT eXaMs

JCDecember 30, 2022

Read Sound of Pen's essay about Taylor Swift and develop your ability to make interesting points + to address context/typicality + to incorporate critical quot... Read More...

A-LevelEssay WritingGCSELanguage AnalysisStudy 4

bRiTnEy SpEaRs & bLaNcHe dUbOiS: tHiS LoNeLiNeSS iS KiLLiNg Me

JCDecember 29, 2022

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 r... Read More...

A-LevelStudyText MessagesText Specific 4

GaViN RoSSdALe & OtHeLLo: DoN’t LeT tHe DaYs Go bY

JCDecember 27, 2022

Lots of our texts examine the importance of self-belief. Let's listen to the music of Bush and work out what we'd say if asked to explore that very theme. MUSIC FOCUS: Bush.ACTIVITY FOCUS: To look at how the music of Bush presents ideas about sel... Read More...

A-LevelLanguage AnalysisStudyText MessagesText Specific 4

fTrE: cHaPtEr 5

JCDecember 23, 2022

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...

Language AnalysisPen Gen 4

tHiS iS wHaT tHe SoUnD oF pEn cLAss 2022 hAd To SaY!

JCDecember 20, 2022

While you may well be working on a Sound of Pen activity at home, I do run classes in school. We are thinking about how to make these live sessions more widely... Read More...

A-LevelGCSEStudy 4

LoCaTiOn, LoCaTiOn, LoCaTiOn PaRt 1: WiTh tRoPhY eYeS, yUnGbLuD. sOmEtHiNg CoRpOrAtE & FeVer 333

JCDecember 19, 2022

Think about where your favourite songs are 'located' and develop your understanding of setting within your GCSE and A-Level texts. MUSIC FOCUS: Trophy Eyes; YUNGBLUD; Something Corporate; FEVER 333.ACTIVITY FOCUS: You will explore the settings at... Read More...

A-LevelGCSELanguage AnalysisMaking PointsStudy 4

tOp tWeNtY aLbUmS oF 2022 & sOpHiStiCaTed CrEaTiVe VoCaBuLaRy

JCDecember 17, 2022

Underneath our number 1 pick, you'll find some vocab activities - read them through and then have a go at sprinkling magic dust on your creative writing! MU... Read More...

A-LevelLanguage AnalysisStudyVocab 4

NNNNNineteen Chapter 29 Ayley Taylor Swift pt 1

tAyLoR sWiFt & PeRsUaSiVe wRiTiNg

JCDecember 16, 2022

Our review of Taylor Swift's 'Lover' will serve as the launchpad for your own successful piece of persuasive writing. ... Read More...

Language AnalysisStudy 2

‘WhErE i BeLoNg’ bY cHiArA

JCDecember 15, 2022

Following our work on the 'Location, Location, Location' series, the amazing Chiara wrote a truly beautiful song. She thought carefully about the setting and how it absolutely informed the voices and feelings at the heart of her work. Listen belo... Read More...

GCSELanguage AnalysisStudy 4

ThE bEsT 75 sOnGs Of 2022 & wRiTiNg ExCiTiNg iNtRoDuCtiOnS

JCDecember 15, 2022

How do the best songs of 2022 help us make sense of the texts we're studying at school? Look at the list of our top 75 tracks of the year - then have a go at t... Read More...

A-LevelEssay WritingLanguage AnalysisMaking PointsStudy 4