JC, Author at Sound of Pen | More Than Perfect

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, Sin... Read More...

ClassesGCSELecturesStudy 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-LevelClassesGCSELecturesStudy 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 FOCUS: Write an essay exploring the significance of power in one of the texts you're s... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSELecturesStudy 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 FO... Read More...

ClassesGCSEStudyWriting 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-LevelClassesGCSELecturesStudy 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-LevelClassesGCSEStudyWriting 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-LevelClassesGCSELecturesStudy 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! ACTIVITY 1 Read each l... Read More...

A-LevelClassesPodcast & VideoStudy 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? Typically, rain is used to signify sadness. Perhaps the raindrops symbolise tears as they do in our number 10 song... 10. Taylor Swift, 'Fo... Read More...

A-LevelClassesPodcast & VideoStudy 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...

ClassesGCSELecturesMaking PointsUnseen Poetry KS4 2

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

JCMarch 16, 2023

The texts we study are so full of dreams. Which sounds lovely. But - like love - dreams are complicated, unwieldy things. Listen to the songs below if you want... Read More...

A-LevelClassesPodcast & VideoStudy 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 investigate further. MUSIC FOCUS: Linkin Park, The Pretty Reckless, Hayley Kiyoko & W... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSELecturesStudy 2

wRiTiNg cOmPeLLiNg EssAyS WiTh LiNkiN pArK, vEnBee & CuRReNtS

JCFebruary 12, 2023

Before starting any essay, the first thing we need is a good idea! ACTIVITY 1 Many of our A-Level questions are structured something like this: 'Expl... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSELecturesStudy 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-LevelClassesGCSELecturesStudy 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 been a band to pretend that the darkness doesn’t exist. Against the backdrop of a striking U... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSELecturesReviewsStudy 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 t... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSELecturesStudy 4

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

JCJanuary 6, 2023

Think about where your favourite songs are 'located' and develop your understanding of setting within your GCSE/A-Level texts - and your own writing! It's e... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEMaking PointsStudy 4

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

JCJanuary 6, 2023

Think about where your favourite songs are 'located' and develop your understanding of setting within your GCSE/A-Level texts - and your own writing! It's easy to listen to the songs you're listening to without really thinking too hard abou... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEMaking PointsStudy 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-LevelClassesGCSELecturesStudy 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-LevelClassesGCSELecturesStudy 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. MUSIC FOCUS: Against The Current.ACTIVITY FOCUS: Read our essay and then think about how y... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSELecturesStudy 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 ... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudy 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-LevelClassesGCSELecturesStudy 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-LevelClassesPodcast & VideoStudyText Messages 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-LevelClassesGCSEStudy 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...

ClassesStudy 2

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 the activities at bottom of this page! MUSIC FOCUS: Years & Years; LOLO; Maggie Lind... Read More...

A-LevelClassesLecturesListsMaking PointsStudy 4

ToP TeN sOnGs: jAy gATsBy

JCOctober 17, 2022

Jay Gatsby (aka James Gatz). Dignified? Desperate? Deluded? Here are the songs to help you make sense of Fitzgerald's most famous character. Okay, so they migh... Read More...

A-LevelClassesListsPodcast & VideoStudy 4

tAyLoR sWiFt & CrEaTiVe wRiTiNg

JCOctober 14, 2022

It's impossible to read 'Where The Crawdads Sing' or listen to Taylor Swift's 'Carolina' and not feel inspired! Our aim today is to write a description that so... Read More...

ClassesGCSEStudyVocabWriting With Style 4

bLaCk WiTh LoLo, MaGGiE LiNdEmAnn, dAvE, cArLiE hAnSoN & GiRLfRiEnDs

JCSeptember 15, 2022

Looking at writers' use of colour is a worthwhile exercise - how many pieces of writing don't refer to a colour of one sort of another at some point?! Today, we're going to explore the colour, black. MUSIC FOCUS: Maggie Lindemann, LOLO, Dave, Car... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudyText MessagesVocab 4

ToP TeN sOnGs: cOMMuNiCaTiOn & TeChNoLoGy

JCSeptember 14, 2022

In most stories, there's a letter being posted... or a phone ringing... or an email being sent. Characters are communicating and - whatever the era - they're u... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEListsStudyText Messages 4

ToP TeN sOnGs: CoLoUr

JCAugust 31, 2022

A lot of songwriters make use of colour in their lyrics - and some of those artists employ blacks, whites, greens, pinks etc. as potently as actual painters. H... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEListsStudyText Messages 4

A Level Taylor Swift and Unseen Poetry Part 1

tAyLoR sWiFt & LoVe PoEtRy PaRt 5

JCAugust 29, 2022

This is the final part in a series we created so that you can indulge your love for the inimitable Taylor Swift AND develop your confidence with unseen poetry tasks. Before working through these activities, you'll probably want to look at: part 1, p... Read More...

A-LevelClassesContextLove 3

tAyLoR sWiFt & LoVe PoEtRy PaRt 4

JCAugust 29, 2022

This is the fourth part in a series we created so that you can indulge your love for the inimitable Taylor Swift AND develop your confidence with unseen poetry... Read More...

A-LevelClassesComparing TextsLove 2

tAyLoR sWiFt & LoVe PoEtRy PaRt 3

JCAugust 29, 2022

This is the third part in a series we created so that you can indulge your love for the inimitable Taylor Swift AND develop your confidence with unseen poetry ... Read More...

A-LevelClassesEssays KS5LecturesLovePoetry Analysis 2

tAyLoR sWiFt & LoVe PoEtRy PaRt 2

JCAugust 29, 2022

This is the second part in a series we created so that you can indulge your love for the inimitable Taylor Swift AND develop your confidence with unseen poetry tasks. Before working through these activities, you'll probably want to look at part 1 x ... Read More...

A-LevelClassesContextLove 2

tAyLoR sWiFt & LoVe PoEtRy PaRt 1

JCAugust 29, 2022

This is the first of a five-part series which will allow you to indulge your love for the inimitable Taylor Swift AND develop your confidence with unseen poetr... Read More...

A-LevelClassesContextLove 2

DoWnLoAd fEsTiVaL & PeRsUaSiVe wRiTiNg

JCJuly 20, 2022

Is there anything more fun that writing about the things you REALLY love? And is there anything any of us love more than going to a festival?! MUSIC FOCUS:... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudyWriting With Style 4

aNaLySiNg WoRd ReLaTiOnShiPs WiTh YeArS & YeArS

JCJuly 19, 2022

Get ready for the best hour of your day. A class soundtracked by the beautiful Years & Years. What more could you ask for? MUSIC FOCUS: Years & Years.ACTIVITY FOCUS: Today, we're going to explore Olly Alexander's lyrics in a way that will... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudy 4

pOp-pUnK & tHe LiTeRaTuRe oF LoVe

JCJuly 15, 2022

Listen to lots of artists inc. Olivia Rodrigo, Maggie Lindemann, MGK, Holding Absence - and secure your ability to analyse any text (seen or unseen) about love... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSELove 4

Symbolism Charli XCX Ethel Cain Dashboard Confessional

sYmBoLiSm WiTh ChArLi XcX, DaShBoArD cOnFeSSiOnaL, EtHeL cAiN & MoRe

JCJuly 14, 2022

If you’re looking to finetune your use of symbols, you’re in the right place. This class works brilliantly all on its own, but you might also want to think of ... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudy 4

sTrUcTuRe WiTh ThRiCe, AgAiNsT ThE CuRReNt & MoRe

JCJuly 11, 2022

Special thanks to my Year 8 class for providing the musical inspiration for this class! Check out their favourite songs here. You may wish to download the activity 1 sheet. STRUCTURE ACTIVITY 1 Read the 'poem' below. Look at the circu... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudy 4

ReViEw wRiTiNg WiTh oLiViA rOdRiGo

JCJuly 11, 2022

Review writing can be tricky. You might love a record or a film or a book soooooo much - but how do you possibly pack all the positive energy you're feeling in... Read More...

ClassesGCSEReviews & Life LessonsStudy 2

NNNNNinteen Chapter 30 Bright Star Taylor Swift pt 2

ReViEw wRiTiNg WiTh tAyLoR sWiFt

JCJuly 6, 2022

NOTE: THERE IS ONE MOMENT OF SWEARING DURING THE TRAILER. Review writing can be tricky. You might love a record or a film or a book soooooo much - but how d... Read More...

ClassesGCSEReviews & Life LessonsStudy 2

sOpHiStiCaTEd VoCaBuLaRy WiTh nOvA tWiNs, BMTH, MgK, WiLLoW & mOrE

JCJune 16, 2022

If you’re looking to develop your vocabulary, you’re in the right place. This class works brilliantly all on its own, but you might also want to think of it as the seventh part in our poetry writing series. If so, you should have a look at part... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudy 4

Allusion My Chemical Ro,mance Foxes Dorian Electra

aLLuSiOn WiTh mY cHeMiCaL rOmAnCe, FoXeS, DoRiAn eLeCtRa & MoRe WITH POETRY LESSON LINK

JCJune 15, 2022

If you’re looking to develop your understanding of allusion, you’re in the right place! This class works brilliantly all on its own, but you might also ... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudy 4

SiMiLeS & mEtApHoRs WiTh bMtH, SiGriD, TaTe McRaE & mOrE

JCJune 10, 2022

Here's a selection, not just of our favourite songs of the year, but of our favourite similes and metaphors EVER! If you're looking to finetune your creativ... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudy 4

wRiTiNg PoEtRy WiTh aViCii

JCMay 27, 2022

Start today's poetry writing class by watching this tribute to the superstar DJ/humble songwriter... https://youtu.be/FhWDZExRacE TASK 1 Watch the 'Hey Brother' video and read the lyrics. https://youtu.be/6Cp6mKbRTQY 'Hey Brother'... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudyWriting With Style 2

LiNKiN pArK, bMtH, eNtEr sHiKaRi & mOrE: aNaLySiNg dArKnEss

JCMay 17, 2022

Yes, we do know it's the school holidays, but as far as fun activities go, it's hard to think of anything more enjoyable than listening to Creeper, Against The... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEPen Gen 2

AgAiNsT ThE cUrrEnT, aLLiTeRaTiOn & DiGGinG DeeP

JCApril 12, 2022

We love Against The Current because they’re fighting the same problems that we're battling with too. In order to ensure we understand this, the band make such ... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudy 4

AgAiNsT ThE cUrrEnT & ThE MoNsTeR MoTiF

JCApril 11, 2022

Imagine you're living in the 12th Century, chatting to your friends in Latin and someone uses the word 'monstrum'. You know immediately that they're taking about a divine omen (probably one indicating misfortune) - an object of dread, a bad sign, th... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudy 4

making your teenagers read with against the current

AgAiNsT ThE cUrrEnT & TyPiCaLiTy

JCApril 10, 2022

The more you read, the easier your life as an English student gets. And yet sometimes the thought of actually picking up a book which is not on the A-Level ... Read More...

A-LevelClassesStudy 4

gLaStOnBuRy & wRiTiNg WiTh aTTiTuDe

JCMarch 21, 2022

Examiners love students who write with personality and passion. Read the question (in orange) and response (in green) below, then have a go at writing about yo... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudy 4

BiLLiE EiLiSh & MeTaPhOrS

JCMarch 15, 2022

Unbelievably, Billie Eilish's 'Ocean Eyes' song is now more than half a decade old! But it remains as fresh-sounding and relevant as ever... TASK 1 Read the lyrics to 'Ocean Eyes'. Or download a copy which you can then edit. You could watch th... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudy 4

sWiFtOgEddOn & aNaLySiS oF UnSeeN TeXtS

JCFebruary 20, 2022

Swiftogeddon Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen, Leeds 18th February 2022 Outside Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen, the queue stretches up the hill. T... Read More...

A-LevelClassesGCSEStudy 4