English Literature

Course summary

For A Level English Literature we offer clear continuity from GCSE English Literature in such areas as the comparative study of texts, Shakespeare, and exploration of unseen texts. This is a rigorous, stimulating, and challenging course that allows freedom of textual selection and includes elements of independent study. The freedom within the non-examined assessment component allows you to pursue more detailed work in a field of particular personal interest, offering excellent preparation for study at the undergraduate level. This specification builds on what you know already from GCSE, to teach the skills every literature student needs to explore and understand a wide range of texts, and to help develop the valuable transferable skills of sustained research and composition. Throughout the course, you are encouraged to develop critical awareness and understanding of individual works of literature, of relationships between texts, and of the significance of cultural and contextual influences on readers and writers. The A Level in English Literature is a two-year linear course with final examinations and coursework completed at the end of the second year. The two exams are equally weighted and offer opportunities for you to provide extended exploratory responses. The non-exam assessment component requires you to study three texts from across the genres of poetry, drama and prose. Task one offers a choice between a critical piece or a re-creative piece with a commentary and task two is a ‘linked texts’ essay focusing on connections between two texts.