English Literature

Why study English Literature?

A lot of the people we love do not exist. Some aren’t even people. Some are impossible. We’ve even been known to form some serious attachments to unusual objects. But there they are, on the page, realised inside our heads - or on stage, in film - and sometimes they become so important that they form a part of us, stay with us, familiar, reliable, like an old friend that we can turn to again and again. Even if they’re a monster.

And it’s why we study English Literature: to explore the magical ways in which the simple act of stringing word after word can create entire countries out of thin air.

Studying English Literature will involve thinking. Thinking about thinking, thinking about everything in the world and out of this world (for there are no limits to what literature might be about). Studying literature will involve analysing and interpreting and discussing and debating. Your essays will be informed and coherent but above all opinionated. Studying literature will be rigorous, exacting, disciplined, difficult - and fun.

As a highly respected A Level, English Literature can be instrumental in helping students gain university places in a variety of subjects, even if you chose not to study the subject further.

And remember, as someone much wiser than us once said, just because it’s happening inside your head, it doesn’t mean it’s not real.

Entry Requirements

You will need an average grade 6 or higher in GCSE English Language and English Literature to take this course.

Special features of the course

• Opportunity to explore a text of your own choice

• Theatre trips

• Breadth of texts studied

Costs

You will be required to purchase any texts which you wish to annotate (Approx. £45 in total)

Theatre trips (Approx. £30 per year)

Where can I find out more?

Speak to Mr Elgin or Dr Falls (email melgin@ahs.bucks.sch.uk or dfalls@ahs.bucks.sch.uk)

If you are looking to read and investigate further, here is a brief suggestion of texts you could explore.

How is the course organised?

Component 1: Drama

Students study one Shakespeare play and one other drama text from either tragedy or comedy.

Component 2: Prose

A study of two prose texts from a chosen theme. At least one of the texts must be pre-1900.

Component 3: Poetry and unseen

Students prepare for a question on an unseen text and study a range of poetry from a literary period.

Coursework

Students write one extended comparative essay exploring two texts. This is a great opportunity to study a text of your own choosing.

Assessment

Paper 1 2 ¼ hours 30%

Paper 2 1 ¼ hours 20%

Paper 3 2 ¼ hours 30%

Coursework 20%