You should consider this course if you have enjoyed GCSE English and would like to continue studying a wide range of texts while also developing your own writing. This combined course is based on using stylistic and linguistic methods, as well as literary ideas, as a tool for analysis and for creative writing. The A Level is divided into a range of topics which allow for a detailed study of a range of writing to challenge and inspire students. In preparation for Paper 1 of the A Level examination, ‘Telling Stories’, students are introduced to the concept of why and how stories are told, and why they are valuable within societies. The three units for this three hour examination are: ‘Remembered Places’ - a study of an anthology of non-fiction writing, computer mediated communication and spoken language transcripts about representations of the city of Paris; Imagined Worlds’ - a study of ‘Frankenstein’ by Mary Shelley; ‘Poetic Voices’ - a selection of poetry by Seamus Heaney. This is an open book examination and is worth 40% of the overall grade. In preparation for Paper 2 of the A Level examination, ‘Exploring Conflict’, students will study two texts in readiness for a 2 hour and 30 minute examination. For Section A, students will study ‘The Great Gatsby’ by F. Scott Fitzgerald – and create a piece of personal writing based on an extract from the novel. They will then write a commentary explaining the stylistic choices they have made in their response. For Section B, students will study ‘All My Sons’ by Arthur Miller and will analyse a given extract from the play, exploring how Miller uses language to shape meaning and themes. This is an open book examination and is worth 40% of the overall grade. The final 20% of the overall grade is a personal investigation exploring and comparing specific techniques or themes in a literary and a non-literary discourse. This takes the form of a 2500- 3000 word essay and is internally assessed.