A Level English Literature

This course covers all three literary genres - drama, poetry and prose.

You will study a wide range of texts from different literary periods, exploring how writers shape meaning and how they influenced by social, historical, cultural and political contexts. The texts currently studied on this course are:

Themes covered using different literary genres and periods are:

• Tragic Drama : Othello - William Shakespeare, A Streetcar Named Desire - Tennessee Williams
• Prose : Theme : Science and Society - Frankenstein - Mary Shelley, The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
• Poetry : The Romantic Poets, Contemporary Poetry
• Coursework Essay : A thematic comparison of two texts of your own choice

A number of specifications will be changing and prospectus entries are based on information we have to date. This means that course content may be subject to change.

There are three exam units which are assessed at the end of the second year. You will also produce a coursework essay which is worth 20% of the qualification.

Paper 1

Drama - 2 hours 15 minutes (60 marks 30%)

Paper 2

Prose - 1 hour 15 minutes (40 marks - 20%)

Paper 3

Poetry - 2 hours 15 minutes (60 marks 30%)

Coursework

3000 word independent essay (60 marks - 20%)

5 GCSEs (including English and Maths) at grade 4 or above.

An A Level qualification in English literature can lead to a wide range of opportunities. You may choose to progress onto a degree course, such as English Literature, English studies, Creative writing, Journalism, Law and many other disciplines.

Studying English Literature can also help you pursue a career in a wide range of industries including marketing, advertising, commercial media, entertainment, research, education, social work and many more.