A Level English Literature

A LEVEL ENGLISH LITERATURE

Course Outline

A Level English Literature (exam board: Eduqas) is a linear qualification, and, as well as completing a lengthy coursework essay (20%), pupils will take three terminal examinations (worth 80%) in Year 13.

During Year 12, pupils will be taught the Poetry unit. One teacher will lead the class through the work of a poet writing before 1900, such as John Donne, John Milton, or Geoffrey Chaucer. With the other teacher, the class will study two modern poets. Authors include T. S. Eliot, Thomas Hardy, Owen Sheers, Seamus Heaney, Gillian Clarke, Carol Ann Duffy, and Philip Larkin.

Throughout the course, pupils will work towards the Unseen paper, exploring a range of poems and prose extracts, as well as literary and critical theory. Pupils are encouraged to read widely so that they are equipped to tackle texts they have not studied from a range of historical periods.

In Year 13, we will deliver the Drama unit. One teacher will focus on a Shakespeare play, such as Hamlet or King Lear. The other teacher will focus on a pair of plays, one written before 1900, and one after. One example of such a pairing would be to compare A Streetcar Named Desire with The Duchess of Malfi.

The coursework essay demands a comparison of two prose texts. Pupils are encouraged to select their own titles, which must be prose but not necessarily fiction – for example, letters, memoirs, and travel writing would be admissible. One of the texts should have been published after 2000. Again, pupils will be encouraged to read widely throughout the course to help them formulate ideas on text pairings and titles.

Entry Requirements

The equivalent of a Grade 7 or higher in English at GCSE.

A Level Assessment

A Level English Literature enables you to explore a wide range and variety of books, experience all three major genres: poetry, prose and drama, and to investigate historical, biographical and cultural contexts. You will immerse yourself in history, philosophy, politics, music, drama and art, as well as literature. You will develop your creative and critical writing. The teaching style of A Level is very different from I/ GCSE. Classes are smaller (averaging 10 pupils), are taught for six periods per week and shared between two teachers. There will be many opportunities to express your views in class and to explore your own interests during independent study; the best students take advantage of these opportunities.

University Courses and Professions that require the Subject

Many of our pupils go on to read English at university, either as a single honours subject or in combination with another subject such as Modern Languages, Communication and Media, History or Classical Studies. The subject opens up a wide array of possible careers: television, law, radio, theatre, journalism, creative arts, teaching, marketing, public relations and any form of business career to name but a few. The English Department equips pupils for success in their university applications, helping to develop confident, articulate, intellectually independent and interesting individuals.

Student Profile

Isaac Mead

Subjects Studied at Sixth Form: English, Art and Geography

Destination:

University of Oxford to read English Language and Literature