English Literature
- LEVEL
- ASSESSOR
- ASSESSMENT
- ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- AT LEAST 5 GCSES GRADED 4-9 INCLUDING
What is English Literature?
English Literature is the study of plays, poetry and prose. You will have the opportunity to read – and learn more about the contexts of – a wide range of texts during this course under the umbrella themes of ‘World War One and its Aftermath’ and ‘Love through the Ages’.
Classes include seminar-style discussions, student presentations, and close annotation of reading material.
A really exciting part of the course – which helps you to develop your creativity, independence, and study skills – is the NEA (coursework) element in which you write a 2,500-word essay on two texts of your choice in response to a task which you have written. You will be supervised by one of your teachers, who will have particular expertise in and passion for your chosen texts, and this component is fantastic preparation for higher education.
Why study English Literature?
English Literature is a wonderful course to support your development both as a rounded young person and as a creative, independent, and thoughtful student. You will develop your skills in analysis, critical thinking, creativity and reading.
English Literature works effectively in combination with a wide range of other subjects so it suits those students who know that they want to pursue a particular path in the Arts but also those students who might still be considering their future pathway. In the past our students have studied English Literature alongside subjects like History and Philosophy and Ethics but also others like Biology, Government and Politics and Sociology.
If you enjoyed English Literature at GCSE and feel passionate about texts and ideas, English Literature could be the perfect course for you.
HEAR FROM OUR STUDENTS
English LiteratureCourse Content
This course offers students the opportunity to study literature through the lens of historicism and actively promotes independent study of a broad range of texts and wider reading, thus extending students’ experience and appreciation of literature.
| PAPER 1Love Through The Ages | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
WEIGHT |
40% (75 Marks) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
LENGTH |
3 Hours |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
FORMAT |
Open Book for Section C |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Paper 1 is divided into three sections:
- Section A is the study of Shakespeare’s Othello.
- Section B is a comparative task of unseen poetry across time.
- Section C is the study of ‘Jane Eyre’ by Charlotte Bronte and AQA’s Poetry Anthology, a collection of poems from across time linked by the theme ‘Love and Relationships’.
| PAPER 2World War 1 & Its Aftermath | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
WEIGHT |
40% (75 Marks) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
LENGTH |
2 Hours 30 Minutes |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
FORMAT |
Open Book |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Paper 2 is divided into three sections:
- Section A is the study of an anthology of war poetry, ‘Scars Upon My Heart’, written by women.
- Section B is the analysis of unseen prose.
- Section C is the study of ‘A Long, Long Way’ – a 2005 novel by the Irish writer Sebastian Barry – and David Haig’s 1997 play ‘My Boy Jack’.
| OTHERNon-Exam Assessment | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
WEIGHT |
20% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
LENGTH |
2500 Words |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The non-exam assessment (NEA) is an independent critical study of texts across time, and consists of one extended essay and a bibliography.
Mrs E Staffiere
SUBJECT LEADER FOR ENGLISH
We are so delighted that you are considering English Literature as one of your A-levels. My team and I are passionate about the study of English Literature and are keen to share our love for, and knowledge of, the subject with you as well.
I would be really happy to answer any questions that you may have about English Literature; please do not hesitate to contact me.
Start Your English Literature Journey
