English Literature A-level

This course is designed to continue your GCSE English Literature studies. It provides you with an introduction to the discipline of advanced literary studies, and presents opportunities for reading widely and for making creative and informed responses to each of the major literary genres of poetry, prose and drama. You further develop your analytical skills through study, evaluation and comparison of literary texts. The course places a premium on reading to encourage enjoyment of literary studies and on extended writing to present an informed personal response.

AS Units: Unit 1 - Poetry and Drama: You will study one poetry text in depth with a ‘partner’, poetry text for wider reading from the post-1900 period and a play from the post-1990 period; Unit 2 - Prose Study and Creative Reading: You will submit a folder of three pieces of work, all of which require a response to wider reading of prose. The prose study of approx. 1500 words focuses on two novels. The Creative Reading consists of two pieces of work of approx. 750 words each, a personal creative writing response to a prose text and a commentary on that response.

You will learn through classroom based lessons and coursework workshops. There will be regular visits to the theatre. Unit 1 is assessed through a written exam (which is an open text) whilst unit 2 is assessed through coursework.

At the end of the year you will achieve an AS Level qualification in English Literature.

Six GCSEs grade A* to C including a B grade in English Language.

A minimum of a D grade at AS allows you to progress on to your second year of study.