A Level English Literature

Introduction – why choose this subject?

A Level English Literature has an excellent reputation as an academic and challenging subject. An A Level in English Literature proves that you have good analytical and interpretive skills. It tells employers and universities that you have the skills to present a written argument. Students who do well in this subject can progress to careers in media, publishing, law, education and the performing arts.

How is the course examined?

80% of this course is exam based and 20% is coursework.

Paper 1: Aspects of Tragedy (Exam)

Close analysis of the tragic genre in two drama texts from different eras.

Section A: Shakespeare’s Othello (extract)

Section B: Shakespeare’s Othello (essay)

Section C: Miller’s Death of a Salesman and Keats

75 marks, 40% of A Level

Paper 2: Texts and Genres: Elements of Political and Social Protest Writing

Three sections:

• Section A – Analysis of an unseen passage within the Political/social protest writing genre.
• Section B – Essay question on single study text (William Blake, Margaret Atwood or Khaled Hosseini)
• Section C:- Essay on two of the Social/Political protest texts.

75 marks, 40% of A Level

Non-exam component: Further and Independent Reading

Two pieces of independently researched and devised coursework:

• A response to a work of poetry of the student’s own choice but linked to a literary theory presented in the AQA Critical Anthology.
• A response to a work of prose of the student’s own choice but linked to a different theory presented in the AQA Critical Anthology

Equipment:

Folder and dividers

flashcards

Pens and highlighters

A copy of:

• Othello
• Death of a Salesman
• The Kite Runner
• The Handmaid’s Tale
• Critical Anthology (provided by school)
• Keats Anthology (provided by school)
• Blake Anthology (provided by school)

Homework

Students will be set two pieces of homework per week, which could be anything from pre-reading tasks to essay preparation and completion. Students will also be expected to read widely around the texts as directed by staff.

Tasks and lesson materials are uploaded to Google Classroom at regular intervals so that any students who miss lessons can complete the learning independently. Staff are contactable by email for specific queries.

Learning outside of the classroom

• Bar Mock Trial
• Drop in (one compulsory and one voluntary dependent on students’ progress)
• Theatre trips and visits