English Literature

Course summary

Paper 1: Love through the Ages You will study a range of texts from across time which will allow you to see how texts and styles have changed through the ages. You will look at a Shakespeare play, a collection of poetry, and a prose text. You will also learn how to respond to unseen poetry. Paper 2: Texts in Shared Contexts You will explore a specific period in detail, looking at how contextual features have informed and inspired texts of different types. You will study poetry, prose, and drama texts, one of which will have been written post-2000. Options for study include World War I and its aftermath or Modern Times: Literature from 1945 to the present day. This year, students have studied ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ by Tennessee Williams, ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ by Margaret Atwood and ‘Feminine Gospels’ by Carol Ann Duffy. Non-examined component: Independent critical study: Texts across time – A level only. Coursework will allow you to explore texts independently and you are encouraged to choose topics and texts that you find interesting. You will write a comparative essay evaluating the two texts you have studied. This year, students have studied ‘The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde and have selected their own second text, ‘Dracula’ and ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ being firm favorites (please note a modern novel can also be selected). There is ample opportunity to develop your powers of interpretation, analysis, and empathic understanding through contribution to discussions in lessons, alongside the writing of essays and other written tasks, which provide opportunities to learn reasoning skills, to expand vocabulary, and develop knowledge of literary techniques and terminology. The course will encourage you to take responsibility for your own learning and to be an independent and enthusiastic student. The rigorous, historicist approach will give you a thorough grounding in the academic principles that underpin the study of literature. You should therefore bring to the course a love of reading and a readiness to read widely around the set texts. To be successful, you will need to be well-organized, well-motivated, and consult regularly with your teachers, keeping to deadlines for written work.