English Literature - A Level

Course summary

English Literature A Level encourages reading across a wide range of literary forms. Students learn to be critical and creative in their response and interpretation of text and will develop the skills of literary analysis. Texts studied include, Othello; A Streetcar Named Desire; Edexcel’s Shakespeare - A Critical Anthology; Mrs Dalloway; Tess of The D’Urbervilles; Victorian Poetry and a post-2000 poetry selection. In the poetry examination, students compare a poem they have studied with an ‘unseen’ poem; we practise this kind of criticism. For coursework, students agree a choice of texts and a suitable title with their teacher. Study is literature-based. You must be a student who likes reading. We select texts to ensure a balance of drama, poetry and prose. Independent study commitment: Wider reading, at least an hour each day, plus five hours per week minimum