Cambridge IGCSE English Literature (0475) is designed for students aged 14–16. It develops students’ ability to read literary texts critically and express informed opinions in writing. Students study poetry, prose, and drama.
Students study three genres:
Poetry
Prose
Drama
Texts are selected from the Cambridge set text list.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Marks: 50
Students answer two questions:
One poetry question
One prose question
Passage-based question
Essay question
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Marks: 50
Students answer two questions on drama texts.
Some schools choose coursework instead of Paper 1 or 2.
Knowledge of text and characters
Language, imagery, structure
Informed opinion with textual support
Romeo and Juliet
A Raisin in the Sun
The Crucible
Things Fall Apart
Stories of Ourselves
To Kill a Mockingbird
Songs of Ourselves anthology
Teach PEEL paragraph structure
Memorise key quotations
Practice passage-based analysis
Avoid retelling the story
Practice timed essays weekly
Cambridge O Level English Literature (2010) is similar to IGCSE but traditionally taken by South Asian schools. It focuses on poetry, prose, and drama with essay-based exams.
Students study:
Drama
Prose
Poetry
Texts are selected from Cambridge set lists.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Marks: 50
Students answer two questions:
One poetry question
One prose question
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Marks: 50
Students answer two drama questions.
Macbeth
Julius Caesar
The Tempest
Pride and Prejudice
Animal Farm
Songs of Ourselves anthology
Focus on literary devices
Memorise quotations
Practice essay planning
Develop critical opinions
Write analytical paragraphs
Storytelling instead of analysis
Weak vocabulary
Poor essay structure
Time management problems
Direct answer to the question
Use PEEL:
Point
Evidence
Explanation
Link
Summarise the argument and the final insight
Top students:
Analyse language and structure
Use precise quotations
Show personal interpretation
Connect themes and characters
Write clearly and accurately
Introduce drama and poetry
Teach literary devices
Teach prose texts
Practice unseen passages
Revision and mock exams
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Cambridge Examiner Reports
Past papers from the GCE Guide
Songs of Ourselves anthology
York Notes and Cambridge guides