English Literature

Assessment

Assessments in the A-Level are all through external examination taken at the end of the course and involve Shakespeare studies, work with an AQA anthology of poetry and two prose texts. Comparison of texts is required and allows students to compare, contrast and evaluate different texts through time and their different presentation of ideas. An unseen component is also part of the exam, and students will be well-prepared for this – and indeed for all of the papers through rigorous exam essay practice. In the second year students build on this strong skills-based foundation and focus their reading on more modern texts. Assessment will include a paper requiring students to answer on modern prose, poetry and drama texts and to tackle an unseen extract. There is also a coursework element to the A-Level which requires students to write an extended, academic essay comparing two texts. This accounts for 20% of the final A-Level mark. There is always scope in coursework for students to pursue their particular literary interests and we offer detailed guidance on wider reading at Matthew Arnold.