English Literature A Level

WHAT DO I NEED TO STUDY THIS COURSE?

To study English Literature at A Level you will need to have achieved GCSE English Language at grade 5 or better, and GCSE Mathematics at grade 5 or better, plus at least three additional GCSEs at grades 4 or better.

IS THIS COURSE FOR ME?

If you have enjoyed exploring novels, poems and plays at school and enjoy reading, analysing and evaluating texts then you will be well suited to English Literature at A Level.
This course requires students to read widely and independently, and to consider the interpretations of others and the times in which texts were written. Lots of time is spent in discussion of the texts so you should be willing to develop and share your own opinions.

WHERE WILL THIS COURSE TAKE ME?

A Level Literature is an academic subject held in high esteem by universities and employers because of the emphasis on analysis, essay writing and good communication skills. It can prepare you for English-based degrees and careers such as journalism, teaching and publishing, but also for a wider range of degrees and careers such as law, marketing, civil service and in the media.

WHAT WILL I LEARN

You will read plays, poems and novels from a range of different time periods. You will learn about the genre of Tragedy and examine how aspects of tragedy are presented in the set texts we study. You will learn also about the genre of Political and Social Protest writing, the features of this genre and how they are developed in the works we read. You will also learn about different schools of Literary criticism and how we can look at texts in different ways.

YEAR 1

Aspects of Tragedy:
• Othello
• Tess of the D’Urbervilles
• Death of A Salesman
NEA (Coursework)

YEAR 2

Elements of Political and Social Protest:
• The Handmaid’s Tale
• The Kite Runner
• Poetry of William Blake
• Unseen extracts
NEA (Coursework)

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?

We follow the AQA Lit B specification

• 80% External Exam (2 exam papers)
• 20% Coursework (2 essays of 1250-1500 words each)

FURTHER INFORMATION:
See Mrs Collins / Mr Lowe