English Literature

A Level English Literature

About A Level English Literature

Entry requirements: A minimum Grade 6 in GCSE English Language or Literature.

You should also enjoy the cut and thrust of debate; the perplexities posed by the intriguing ‘big’ questions. Indeed, by studying Literature you study Philosophy, History, Art, Theology, Psychology…so many branches of learning. You will travel through time and through worlds, hearing the finest voices along the way and you will come to understand that your own voice must also be heard.

Course Content:

In Year 12: Modern times: literature from 1945 to present day. You will study three texts including one post-2000 prose text, one single authored collection of poetry and a modern drama text as well as preparing for the unseen prose section of the examination.

In Year 13: Love through the ages. You will study one Shakespeare play, a poetry anthology and one prose text as well as preparing for the unseen poetry section of the examination.

There is further a non-examination element. You will produce a piece of coursework of approximately 2500 words in which you will compare two texts one of which is chosen independently.

Assessment:

• In Year 13 there are two examinations: Paper 1: Love through the ages: 3 hours. You will answer three questions, one extract-based question and two essay questions and Paper 2: Modern times: literature from 1945 to present day: 2 hours 30 minutes. You will answer three essay questions.
•  The non-exam assessment is worth 20% of the overall A Level marks.

Higher Education and Careers: 

The study of English Literature at university can lead to careers in the media, publishing, teaching, management and the business world. In studying English Literature A Level, you will become a good communicator; you will write well, presenting your ideas lucidly; you will confidently participate in discussion, considering and challenging a range of possible interpretations. Acquiring these skills would be beneficial for a range of career opportunities. It is a highly esteemed, traditional subject that complements many other subjects you may wish to study at A Level.

What Students Say About Our Subject:

• “English Literature has improved my essay writing which is great for other subjects.”
• “English Literature has given me the critical and analytical skills that no other subject has.”
• “English Literature is fantastic: you get to read lots of really interesting and varied texts, finding out lots about the context in which texts were written.”

'She ate and drank the precious words,

Her spirit grew robust,

She knew no more that she was poor,

Nor that her frame was dust,

She danced along the dingy days,

And this bequest of wings,

Was but a book, what liberty,

A loosened spirit brings!’

Emily Dickinson