English Language and Literature AS/A Level

General information

AS English Language and Literature Unit 1 - Exploring voices in speech and writing - (summer exam 2hrs 15mins) The unit requires students to study literary and linguistic approaches to the analysis of spoken and written voices. Students will study one prose text selected by staff from the Edexcel list (currently ‘Address Unknown’ by Kressman Taylor). They will write an essay style question on the text which will focus on how ‘voice’ is created and used to bring written work to life. Alongside this, students will be given a range of unseen pieces of texts/ transcripts to examine and will have to write short responses to a range of questions on these.

AS English Language and Literature Unit 2 - Creating texts - (coursework 2 pieces of creative writing 1 x 750-1,000 words and commentary for a listening audience, the other 1 x 1,500 words and commentary for a reading audience) This exciting unit gives students the opportunity to submit a coursework folder of their own writing supported by commentaries explaining their decisions and choices. There is a maximum word count of 2500 and their writing will be informed by the study of one fictional prose text (usually a novel - currently ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ by Margaret Atwood) and one other text of either poetry or drama (currently ‘Far Away’ by Caryl Churchill). Other writing explored might include diaries, newspaper/ magazine articles, reviews or even scripts of contemporary films/television programmes.

The A2 course is similarly divided covering all three genres again, but allowing greater student choice in texts. The entire A level syllabus can be viewed at the EdExcel website.

Entry requirements

7 GCSEs grade C or above including English Language and at least 1 B grade.

Dates and times

This course begins in September.