General introduction You are currently studying, or preparing to study, for Advanced Subsidiary (AS) English. This book is designed to help you to do that and to achieve your potential in the examination. There are three syllabuses in which AS English can be gained and this book will be a useful guide, whichever course you decide to follow. The three syllabuses in Advanced Subsidiary are:
• • •
English Language Literature in English Language and Literature in English
These syllabuses are all designed to allow you to progress from GCE O level, IGCSE or GCSE syllabuses in English Language and English Literature. English Language and Language and Literature in English can be gained at Advanced Subsidiary level only. Literature in English can also be gained at Advanced Subsidiary, but can then be used as a progression to Advanced level in the same examination session or at a later date. If you choose to study for Language and Literature in English, then you won’t study for either of the other two syllabuses.
AS English Language There are two papers in this syllabus, Paper 1 and Paper 2. Paper 1 is Passages for Comment. Paper 2 is Composition. Each paper carries the same number of marks. A detailed explanation of what these papers entail follows in the first part of this book.
AS Literature in English There are two papers in this syllabus, Paper 3 and Paper 4. Paper 3 is Poetry and Prose. Paper 4 is Drama. Each paper carries the same number of marks. A detailed explanation of what these papers entail follows in the second part of this book.
Progression to Advanced level If you are studying for AS Literature in English and you wish to progress to Advanced level Literature in English, you will be required to sit a further two papers in addition to the two required for AS level. These two papers are Paper 5, and a choice of Paper 6, Paper 7 or Paper 8. Paper 5 is Shakespeare and Other Pre-20th Century Texts. Paper 6 is 20th Century Texts. Paper 7 is Comment and Appreciation. Paper 8 is Coursework. As already outlined, students may gain Advanced level English in the same examination session or over two examination sessions. Although this book confines itself to Papers 3 and 4, it is useful for Advanced level students, as well as AS students, as Papers 3 and 4 are compulsory for both AS English and Advanced level English.
General introduction
v