English Literature
Key Information
Upon entering Year 10, pupils follow the English Language and English Literature GCSE route through Years 10 and 11. This leads to two separate qualifications at GCSE level. English Language and English Literature are subjects named in the English Baccalaureate.
Assessment
AQA Exam Board
100% exam at the end of Year 11
Subject information
In Year 10, pupils begin by studying their modern novel or drama, building the foundations of analysis they will require as the course progresses. Whilst the course is ‘signposted’ by their set literature texts, they use these as a springboard to apply the key skills required for English Language: responding to the writing of others, comparison, detailed language analysis, creative writing and technical accuracy. Later in the course, they also study 15 poems from an anthology, a selection of unseen poetry and a 19th century novel. Through this exposure to different types of texts and different ways of thinking, they begin to develop their skills for the final examinations.
In Year 11, pupils complete the Literature course by studying a play by William Shakespeare. They also undergo regular mock examinations in all exam papers. Throughout this crucial final year, and in Year 10 too, we constantly make links to the texts they have previously studied through cyclical revision. This allows our pupils to become confident in all aspects of these new content-heavy GCSE courses.
From 2015, the English Literature course has consisted entirely of two separate exams.
Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th Century Novel - 1 hour 45 minutes (64 marks)
Section A: Shakespeare
Pupils will answer one question on their play of choice. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the play and then write about the play as a whole.
Section B: The 19th Century novel
Pupils will answer one question on their novel of choice. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the novel and then write about the novel as a whole.
Paper 2: Modern texts and Poetry - 2 hours 15 minutes (96 marks)
Section A: Modern texts
Pupils will answer one essay question from a choice of two on their studied modern prose or drama text.
Section B: Poetry
Pupils will answer one comparative question on one named poem printed on the paper and one other poem from their chosen anthology cluster.
Section C: Unseen poetry
Pupils will answer one question on one unseen poem and one question comparing this poem with a second unseen poem.
The assessment weighting for English Literature will be:
• Paper 1 (Shakespeare and the 19th Century Novel) 40%
• Paper 2 (Modern Texts and Poetry) 60%
Is this course right for me?
English Literature is part of the core curriculum. A strong foundation in reading, writing, speaking and listening is essential in preparing ourselves for our future.
What can this lead to?
Some careers that can lead from studying English include advertising and marketing, writing and journalism, law, consultancy, business, teaching, performing arts, academia, government, linguistics, foreign languages, media and design and freelance writing.