English Literature

Course summary

A level of English Literature is for students who enjoy reading and discussing novels, poetry, and plays. You will study texts from across a wide period and in many different genres, from Chaucer to the modern day. In Component 1 you’ll study Chaucer’s The Merchant’s Tale and the poetry of Philip Larkin and Carol Ann Duffy. In Component 2 you’ll study either King Lear or The Tempest and A Streetcar Named Desire and The Duchess of Malfi. In Component 3 you’ll be assessed on unseen prose and poetry. Component 4 is coursework on pre and post-2000 novels. You will develop your analytical skills via class discussions, presentations, and essay writing. You will develop a close eye for selecting detailed evidence and producing a well-informed argument. An A level in a highly regarded subject like English Literature opens many doors to a range of careers where the ability to express yourself articulately in speech and writing is essential. You will develop a very good cultural and literary understanding of the world around you.