A LEVEL ENGLISH LITERATURE
ENGLISH LITERATURE A-LEVEL
Exam Board: AQA English Literature (Specification B)
What are the benefits of the course?
Studying English Literature at A-Level is a highly academic choice. Students who decide to study English Literature at A-Level will develop an interest in, and enjoyment of reading and discussing literary texts. They will develop the knowledge and understanding of a wide range of literary texts and the skills of literary analysis.
Study of texts within the chosen literary and cultural genres in the examined topic areas is enhanced by the study of critical theory in the non-exam assessment. In this way, students can gain a solid understanding of how texts can be connected and how they can be interpreted in multiple ways so that students can arrive at their own interpretations and become confident autonomous readers. Students are then not only equipped with the knowledge and skills needed for both exams and non-exam assessment, but also experience a rich, challenging and coherent approach to English literature that provides an excellent basis for studying the subject at university.
Additionally, the skills that are developed such as the ability to read critically, analyse, evaluate and undertake independent research are valuable for both further study and future employment of any subjects and industries.
What will I study?
Genre study is at the heart of English Literature B and, of the four broad genres available for study, we focus on Aspects of Tragedy and Elements of Political and Social Protest writing. Just as meanings of texts are not fixed, neither are definitions of genre, which frequently change and become blurred. The texts offered, therefore, are not necessarily classic examples of established genres and this is reflected in the modifying words 'aspects of' and 'elements of'.
Working with genre involves looking at ways in which authors shape meanings within their texts. It also involves thinking about a wide range of relevant contexts, some of them to do with the production of the text at the time of its writing, some (where possible) to do with how the text has been received over time and, most of all in this specification, contexts to do with how the text can be interpreted by readers now. Looking at texts as generic works involves connecting individual texts with others, as the whole idea of genre is a connective one. And finally, because genres and their qualities are not fixed, this means that interpretation is not fixed, and that multiple interpretations are possible.
The texts we study include: King Lear by Shakespeare; Tess of the D’Urbervilles by Hardy; Death of a Salesman by Miller, Kite Runner by Khalid Hosseini and The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Attwood thus covering a breadth of ages, genres and writing styles. In addition, students will study an anthology of poetry in order to fulfil the criteria of the non - exam assessment (NEA), using a critical approach of their own choice to evaluate two different literary texts, one prose and one poetry text.
How will I be assessed?
A-Level is assessed by two examined components AND one coursework component.
Paper 1 Aspects of Tragedy - 40%
Two questions based on King Lear; one question pertaining to literary genres and referencing Tess and Death of a Salesman.
Paper 2 Elements of Political and Social Protest – 40%
One unseen extract; one question based on The Handmaid’s Tale and one based on Kite Runner
NEA - 20%
Students apply one of the following theories to a study of two texts -narrative, feminist, Marxist, eco-critical theory, post-colonial theory, literary value and the canon.
What does it lead to?
English Literature open doors to a range of career opportunities, including, teaching, publishing, editing, journalism and the media. However, they are commonly used as a means of entry into Higher Education, to study English, either as a single subject or in combination with other subjects. English might be combined with, for example, courses such as Media Studies, Law, Politics, Philosophy or modern languages.
Entry Requirements:
Students should have achieved a minimum grade 6 in GCSE English Literature, although grade 7 or higher is desirable.
Staff Contact:
Ms A Manlay, English [Assistant Headteacher]