English Literature

Course summary

In the study of English Literature at A-level students explore a range of texts, both traditional and contemporary. There are three components to study over two years. Students will study a Shakespeare play, a prose text and a play (all written pre-1900) for Component One of their A Level. Component Two comprises of a study of two whole texts where students are able to select their preferred genre from a list and read around the themes of each text, where students will be demonstrating their ability to compare and contrast texts. Component Three is the coursework element and requires students to read independently, looking at critical literature to support their research on the chosen texts. This course encourages students to conduct further independent research and engage with and evaluate critical commentaries. These skills prepare students for study at a higher level but can be transferred into the workplace. Examples of the Study Texts: • William Shakespeare – The Tempest • Christina Rossetti – A selection of poetry • Angela Carter – The Bloody Chamber • Iain Banks – The Wasp Factory • Henrik Ibsen – A Doll’s House • Edith Wharton – The Age of Innocence • Mary Shelley – Frankenstein • Cormac McCarthy – The Road • Sylvia Plath – The Bell Jar • Jhumpa Lahiri – The Namesake