Nature of the Subject

Students will study a range of texts in the three main forms: prose, poetry and drama. Set texts are offered from a wide range of different periods and cultures.

Students  will develop skills of reading and analysis of texts, and will be encouraged to undertake wider reading to aid understanding of the texts studied. 

They will learn skills of effective and appropriate communication including the ability to discuss the critical context of texts.

Syllabus & Content

In Year 12 students will cover three main texts: one prose study, a series of poems, usually, from an anthology and a drama text, which will all be assessed in the final two, 2 hour examinations at the end of the one year as AS course. Additionally, the students will develop skills to confront an unseen text in the final exam. This year, the students will do the following:

Mark Twain The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Various poets A selection of 30 poems from Songs of Ourselves

John Webster Tennessee Williams Cat on a Hot Tin Roof 

In Year 13, students will study 4 texts ranging from poetry, prose, drama, including Shakespeare. The titles of the text are determined by the set texts chosen by Cambridge and teacher choice. This year, students will be studying the following:

Sujata Bhatt A Selection of 30 Poems from Point No Point

William Shakespeare Hamlet

Bram Stoker Dracula

Athol Fugard The Train Driver and Other Plays

Assessment

In Year 12, students will sit two examinations: Paper 1: Drama and Poetry and Paper 2: Prose and Unseen. Both of these exams are two hour exams and students will be required to write two essays in response to the texts during this 2 hour examination. Each paper equates to 50% of the total mark of the course. 

In Year 13, students will sit 2 examinations. Paper 3: Shakespeare and Drama and Paper 4: Pre and Post 1900 Poetry and Prose. Both exams are also 2 hours each. These two papers determine 50% of the final grade awarded at the end of the two year course. 

Teacher Introduction

The Literature in English 9695 courses, AS and A2, primarily aim to develop a student's love and enjoyment of reading. Equally the courses serve to develop an appreciation of an informed personal response to a wide range of literature texts, in different forms: poetry, prose, drama, and from a wide range of historical periods. 

The course assists in a student's ability to communicate more effectively, accurately and appropriately, whilst also helping to further their independent skills of reading and analysis. 

The AS and A2 courses encourage the skill of inquiry, wider reading and ultimately build a firm foundation for further study of literature.