English

English Language: Exam Board AQA

Expectations each week:

·         Read fluently, and with good understanding, a wide range of texts from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, including literature and literary non-fiction as well as other writing such as reviews and journalism;

·         Read and evaluate texts critically and make comparisons between texts;

·         Summarise and synthesise information or ideas from texts;

·         Use knowledge gained from wide reading to inform and improve their own writing;

·         Write effectively and coherently using Standard English appropriately;

·         Use grammar correctly and punctuate and spell accurately;

·         Acquire and apply a wide vocabulary, alongside a knowledge and understanding of grammatical terminology, and linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language;

·         Listen to and understand spoken language and use spoken Standard English effectively.

Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing

·         Assessment:

Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes

80 marks

50% of GCSE

·         Section A: Reading

 One literature fiction text (40 marks) (25%)

 Questions:

Ø  1 short form question (1 x 4 marks)

Ø  2 longer form questions (2 x 8 marks)

Ø  1 extended question (1 x 20 marks)

·         Section B: Writing

Descriptive or narrative writing (40 marks) (25%)

Ø  1 extended writing question (24 marks for content, 16 marks for technical accuracy)

Paper 2: Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives

·          Assessment:

Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes

80 marks

50% of GCSE

·         Section A: Reading

One non-fiction text and one literary non-fiction text, these are linked texts. (40 marks) (25%)

 Questions:

Ø  1 short form question (1 x 4 marks)

Ø  2 longer form questions (1 x 8, 1 x 12 marks)

Ø  1 extended question (1 x 16 marks)

·         Section B: Writing

Writing to present a viewpoint

Descriptive or narrative writing (40 marks) (25%)

Ø  1 extended writing question (24 marks for content, 16 marks for technical accuracy)

Recommended Reading

·         As much ‘literary’ non-fiction as possible!

·         ‘Broadsheet’ newspapers;

·          Autobiographies;

·         Reviews;

·          Travel writing;

·          Opinion editorials;

·         News websites;

·         BBC Bitesize;

·         Pearson, Cambridge, CGP, OUP, York Notes study guides;

·         ‘Mr Bruff’s’ YouTube channel.

Contact Details:

Team Leader: Mrs S Connolly (sconnolly@thequestacademy.org.uk)

English Literature: Exam Board AQA

Course content

·         A Shakespeare play

·          A 19th Century novel

·         A modern drama

·         A collection of 15 poems from the AQA anthology

·         Developing skills for studying ‘unseen’ poetry

Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel

·         Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet

·          The 19th century novel: The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

·          Written exam: 1 hour and 45 minutes

·          64 marks

·         40% of GCSE

Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry

·          Modern text: An Inspector Calls

·          Poetry: from the ‘Power and Conflict’ cluster of the AQA anthology

·          ‘Unseen’ poetry

·          Written exam: 2 hours and 15 minutes

·         96 marks

·         60% of GCSE

NB: Both examinations are closed book (pupils are not allowed copies of the texts in the examination)

Recommended Reading

·         No Fear Shakespeare (https://www.sparknotes.com/nofear/shakespeare/romeojuliet)

·         Mr Bruff Literature Videos on Youtube

·         CGP Revision books (available on Parent Pay)

·         EnglishBiz website (http://www.englishbiz.co.uk/

·         Gojimo app on Smartphones and iPads.