If it feels like 1984 has been on the HSC syllabus since, well, 1984, chances are you'll be having trouble finding new ways to teach it or write about it.

Come to the Secret Life of Books tune-up clinic to breathe new life into Orwell's dystopian classic and write sharper essays about language and unexpected ideas lurking in the text. To quote the Ministry of Love, aka the NSW Board of Education, you'll turbo charge your understanding "of the ways that texts contribute to their awareness of the diversity of ideas, attitudes and perspectives evident in texts." Cassette tape recording of "Footloose" not included.

Sophie Gee and Jonty Claypole are co-hosts of the much-loved classic books podcast The Secret Life of Books. In rigorous, funny, easy-to-understand ways they show how to turn description into analysis for better essays.

Ticket includes a written worksheet to help you prepare essays and exam answers.