Helping your kids master English - study guides, essay tips & analysis made easy 🔥

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The Parents’ Guide to Reading (For Reluctant Readers)

36 pages digital PDF download 

This guide helps parents understand why reading matters, how to spot if your child is struggling, and what actually helps—without pressure or overwhelm. 

Learn the three essential reading skills (decoding, fluency, and comprehension) and simple ways to support them at home. 

You’ll also find strategies to build reading habits and motivation, plus comprehensive lists of recommended texts matched to your child’s interests. 

Suitable for parents of children and teens, this guide focuses on progress, confidence, and making reading feel achievable again.

The Parents’ Guide to Reading 

The Parents’ Guide to Reading (For Reluctant Readers)

4-page digital PDF download

Help your child analyse films and visual texts with confidence using the Quick Guide to Studied Visual Text, designed for New Zealand high school English students.

This 4-page PDF explains what to expect at NCEA Levels 1, 2, and 3, provides clear steps to approach the film, and includes two notes pages so students can record observations and organise their analysis effectively.

Ideal for parents supporting English learning at home, and also a useful resource for teachers. Instant download, concise, and perfect for quick revision or exam preparation.

Studied Visual Text Quick Guide

3-page digital PDF download

Support your child’s NCEA English preparation with the Quick Guide to Studied Written Text, designed for New Zealand high school students.

This 3-page PDF explains what to expect at NCEA Levels 1, 2, and 3, provides clear steps to approach the text, and offers basic ideas for common themes. It also includes a notes page so students can record key points and organise their thoughts effectively.

Ideal for parents supporting English learning at home, and a handy resource for teachers. Instant download, concise, and perfect for quick revision or exam preparation.

Studied Written Text Quick Guide

2-page digital PDF download

Help your child tackle unfamiliar texts with confidence using the Quick Guide to Unfamiliar Text, designed for New Zealand high school English students.

This 2-page PDF clearly explains what to expect at NCEA Levels 1, 2, and 3 and provides simple step-by-step guidance on approaching exam questions and texts, helping students plan and structure their responses effectively.

Ideal for parents supporting English learning at home, and also a useful reference for teachers. Instant download, concise, and perfect for quick revision or last-minute exam preparation.

Unfamiliar Text Quick Guide

5-page digital PDF download

Support your child’s film analysis skills with the Quick Guide to Film Techniques, designed for New Zealand high school English students.

This 5-page PDF includes terms and definitions for 20 of the most important film techniques, helping students recognise and analyse key elements in films with confidence. It also features a practice task so students can apply what they’ve learned and strengthen their understanding.

Ideal for parents supporting English learning at home, and also a handy reference for teachers. Instant download, clear, concise, and perfect for quick revision or exam preparation.

Film Techniques Quick Guide

4-page digital PDF download

Help your child stay calm, focused, and prepared with the English Exam Survival Guide, designed for New Zealand high school English students.

This 4-page PDF provides practical exam, study, and time management tips for both before and during exams, helping students organise their revision, manage stress, and tackle questions confidently.

Perfect for parents supporting English learning at home, and also a useful tool for teachers. Instant download, concise, easy to follow, and ideal for boosting confidence and exam performance.

English Exam Survival Guide

2-page digital PDF download

Help your child write with confidence and precision using this Quick Guide to Formal Language Vocab Swaps, designed for New Zealand high school English students.

This 2-page PDF explains the difference between formal and informal language, why formal language is important in academic writing, and provides practical swaps for commonly used informal words and phrases. It also includes a practice task to help students apply what they’ve learned and improve their writing instantly.

Ideal for parents supporting English learning at home, and a handy reference for teachers. Instant download, clear, concise, and perfect for quick revision or exam preparation.

Formal Language Vocab Swaps Quick Guide

2-page digital PDF download

Support your child’s writing with this Quick Guide to TEEL Paragraphs, a simple and effective resource designed for New Zealand high school English students.

This 2-page digital PDF clearly explains the TEEL paragraph structure step by step, helping students write focused paragraphs. It includes practical writing tips and a clear worked example, making it easy for students to understand what is required.

The TEEL structure is ideal for students aiming for Achieved and for those at the lower levels of high school, providing a strong foundation for clear, organised writing.

Perfect for parents supporting English learning at home, and also a helpful reference or teaching tool for teachers. Instant download, clear, concise, and ideal for quick revision or exam preparation.

TEEL Paragraphs Quick Guide

2-page digital PDF download

Help your child write clear, high-quality analytical paragraphs with this Quick Guide to TEXAS Paragraphs, a focused resource designed for New Zealand high school English students.

This 2-page digital PDF explains the TEXAS paragraph structure step by step. It includes practical tips for writing strong, detailed paragraphs and a clear example, making expectations easy to understand.

The TEXAS structure is ideal for students aiming for Excellence and for those working at the higher levels of high school, where depth of analysis and clarity are essential.

Perfect for parents supporting English learning at home, and also a useful reference or teaching tool for teachers. Instant download, clear, concise, and ideal for quick revision or exam preparation.

TEXAS Paragraphs Quick Guide

3-page digital PDF download

Help your child write clear, confident essays with this Quick Guide to Essay Writing, a concise and practical resource designed for New Zealand high school English students.

This 3-page digital PDF breaks essay writing down into simple, manageable steps. It shows students how to structure an essay, includes key rules for good writing, and provides helpful timing tips for writing essays in exams, so students can plan and write effectively under pressure.

The guide also offers detailed, easy-to-follow guidance for writing strong introductions and conclusions, helping students clearly answer the question and leave a lasting impression.

Ideal for parents supporting high school English learning at home, and also a handy reference or teaching tool for teachers. Instant download, clear explanations, and perfect for quick revision or last-minute exam preparation.

Quick Guide to Essay Writing

Essay Writing Quick Guide

21-page digital PDF + FREE 4-page Quick Guide

Help your child feel confident analysing films and visual texts with The Ultimate Guide to Studied Visual Text, a practical resource designed for New Zealand high school English students.

This 21-page digital PDF supports preparation for studied visual text assessments at NCEA Levels 1, 2, and 3. It includes guided notes pages to help students closely analyse visual texts, a comprehensive list of common themes, and a bank of practice questions for each NCEA level so students know exactly what to expect in exams and assessments.

The guide also features exemplar answers at Achieved, Merit, and Excellence for each level, clearly showing what successful responses look like and how to improve grades.

Bonus: a FREE 4-page Quick Guide, perfect for quick revision before tests or exams.

Ideal for parents supporting New Zealand high school English students, and also a valuable teaching and revision resource for teachers. 

The Ultimate Guide to Studied Visual Text

19-page digital PDF + FREE 3-page Quick Guide

Support your child’s success in NCEA English with The Ultimate Guide to Studied Written Text, a clear and practical resource designed for New Zealand high school students.

This 19-page digital PDF helps students confidently prepare for studied written text assessments at NCEA Levels 1, 2, and 3. It includes guided notes pages to support close reading, a comprehensive list of common themes, and a bank of practice questions for each NCEA level, helping students understand exactly what they may be asked in assessments and exams.

To show what quality responses look like, the guide also includes exemplar answers at Achieved, Merit, and Excellence for each level, making expectations clear and achievable.

Bonus: a FREE 3-page Quick Guide, perfect for fast revision before tests or exams.

Ideal for parents supporting New Zealand high school English students, and also a useful teaching and revision resource for teachers. 

The Ultimate Guide to Studied Written Text

23-page digital PDF + FREE 2-page Quick Guide

Help your child feel confident with unfamiliar text in NCEA English using The Ultimate Guide to Unfamiliar Text, a practical, student-friendly resource for NCEA Levels 1, 2, and 3.

This 23-page digital PDF clearly explains what is required at each NCEA level, showing students how expectations increase from Level 1 through to Level 3. It provides step-by-step guidance on how to approach unfamiliar texts and exam questions, helping students know exactly what to do under exam conditions.

The guide includes 9 practice unfamiliar texts, with questions for each NCEA level, plus exemplar answers at Achieved, Merit, and Excellence for every level so students can see what high-quality responses look like.

Bonus: a FREE 2-page Quick Guide, perfect for quick revision before tests or exams.

Ideal for parents supporting New Zealand high school English students, and also a valuable teaching and revision resource for teachers. 

The Ultimate Guide to Unfamiliar Text

22-page digital PDF + FREE 5-page Quick Guide

Help your child succeed in high school English with The Ultimate Guide to Film Techniques, a clear and easy-to-use resource designed for New Zealand students.

This 22-page digital PDF includes a helpful glossary and covers 20 of the most important film techniques students are expected to recognise and analyse in assessments and exams. It’s ideal for studying films, preparing for tests, and building strong analytical writing skills.

Each film technique includes:
A clear, student-friendly definition
An explanation of why directors use it
Two examples
Space for students to find and record their own examples, encouraging active learning

Bonus: a FREE 5-page Quick Guide, perfect for fast revision before exams or in-class assessments.

Ideal for parents supporting New Zealand high school English students, and also a practical  resource for teachers. Instant download, easy to use, and designed to build confidence in film analysis.

The Ultimate Guide to Film Techniques

18-page instant PDF download + FREE 3-page Quick Guide

Support your child’s success in high school English with The Ultimate Guide to Language Features, a clear and practical resource designed for New Zealand students.

This 18-page PDF covers 17 of the most important language features students need to recognise and analyse in assessments and exams. Features are drawn from figurative language, structural features, and sound devices, making it ideal for revision, homework help, and exam preparation.

Each language feature includes:
A clear, student-friendly definition
An explanation of why writers use it
Two examples
Space for students to find and record their own examples, encouraging active learning

Bonus: a FREE 3-page Quick Guide, perfect for quick revision before tests or exams.

Ideal for parents supporting New Zealand high school students, and also a useful reference or revision tool for teachers. Instant download, easy to use, and designed to build confidence in text analysis.

The Ultimate Guide to Language Features 

This free quick guide gives you a reference list of language features that you will find in written texts 

FREE Language Features Quick Guide

This is the complete guide to help any student  through Levels 1, 2 & 3 of NCEA English exams. Valued at $158 if you purchased all of the guides separately!

PDF digital download of 130+ pages including:
- Quick & Ultimate Guides to language features, film techniques, unfamiliar text, studied written text and studied visual text
- Guides to TEEL & TEXAS paragraphs, essay writing and formal language vocab swaps
- English exam survival guide
- Templates, practice questions, exemplars and tips 
- Learn what is required for Achieved, Merit and Excellence at each level 



Lit Notes NZ

Helping your kids master English - study guides, essay tips & analysis made easy 🔥

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