English Literature A Level

What is English Literature?

English Literature explores some of the greatest works of fiction, drama, and poetry. It develops your ability to analyse texts critically and write compelling essays.

Why Study English Literature?

This subject broadens your appreciation for storytelling and literature, enhances your essay-writing skills, and equips you with a critical approach to any text. It’s also an engaging and enjoyable course.

AQA English Literature A focuses on the theme of Love through the Ages, and will give you the opportunity to experience some of the very wide variety of literature written on this interesting theme. The theme of 'love' is taken in its broadest sense, and we will study texts that deal with romantic love, obsessive love, dangerous love, and unrequited love. As well as Othello by William Shakespeare we will read The Awakening by Kate Chopin, and Feminine Gospels by Carol Ann Duffy.

We also examine some of the most interesting examples of poetry and stunning contemporary writing.

Paper 1: Shakespeare, Unseen Poetry and Comparative Texts – The Awakening by Kate Chopin and Love Poetry Post 1900 Anthology

Paper 2: Feminine Gospels by Carol Ann Duffy, Unseen Prose and Comparative Texts – Translations by Brian Friel and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey

In your final year you also complete an extended essay (NEA) where you choose a theme and two texts for analysis – recent successful topics have included elements of myth and fairy tale, representations of madness, Victorian crime, alienation, dystopian worlds, and representations of masculine/feminine identity.

If you love reading and writing, and have an appreciation of literature, then English Literature is the perfect course. It is interesting, relevant and allows you to develop substantial skills in forensic analysis and critical thinking as well as a strong writing style. Additional opportunities include a Creative Writing Club and a Debating Society. This year we enjoyed theatre trips to see Othello and Witness for the Prosecution.

Please click on the following link for this information.

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/as-and-a-level/english-literature-a-7711-7712/specification-at-a-glance

The Academy’s general entry criteria of a minimum of five 4s at GCSE apply. A minimum of 5 in English Language and 4 in English Literature are needed to study English Literature at A Level.

Universities and colleges in the UK are offering courses in the following subject areas:

English

English literature

English and creative writing

Comparative literary studies

Linguistics

English graduates are employed in a wide range of sectors, and are well placed to gain highly sought after jobs requiring excellent communication skills, writing, or undertaking research. Key areas of employment include:

teaching

journalism and publishing

marketing communications

public relations

advertising

digital media

arts administration

business management

film and television​

Related careers

Examples of related careers include the following jobs :

Magazine journalist

Editorial assistant

Academic librarian

Proofreader

Creative marketing assistant

Administrative assistant

Writer

Web content manager

Public relations officer

Publishing assistant

Editor​