A Level English Literature

: A Level English Literature

Exam Board: Edexcel

Further information available from: Mrs Cowley, Mrs Penzer-Adams

Course requirements: GCSE Grade 4 or higher in English Language and GCSE English Literature Grade 5

Literature is particularly powerful written language. Literature can change our view of the world and of ourselves within the world. You will learn how writers and readers together make meaning out of twenty-six letters and punctuation marks. For many of us teachers, our relationship with A Level texts was the catalyst for our choice of university course and subsequent career. Each examined component on the Edexcel course focuses on the main genres: poetry, prose and drama. This gives the candidates time and space to develop their knowledge and confidence through breadth and depth of study. The English Department encourages further reading and organises theatre visits, library trips and attendance at university style lectures.

The course is comprised of four discrete components:

COMPONENT 1: DRAMA – 30% weighting. One exam = 60 marks. Time: 2 hrs 15 mins. Section A: Tragedy: “King Lear”. There will be two questions and the candidate will choose one on their chosen text worth 35 marks. One Drama text: “A Streetcar Named Desire”. The candidate will answer one question worth 25 marks.

COMPONENT 2: PROSE– 20% weighting. One exam = 40 marks. Time: 1 hr 15 mins. Thematic

study of a prose comparative question on the theme of the supernatural: Pre 1900: “The
Picture of Dorian Gray”. Post 1900: “Beloved”. Candidates have to answer one
examination question from a choice of two questions: this will be comparative.

COMPONENT 3: POETRY– 30% weighting. One exam = 60 marks. Time: 2 hrs 15 mins.

Compulsory study of a collection of Modern Poetry set by Edexcel entitled: “Poems of the
Decade: An Anthology of the Forward Books of Poetry 2002-2011.” Chosen named poet:
“The Wife of Bath’s Prologue and Tale” by Geoffrey Chaucer.

COMPONENT 4: COURSEWORK – 20% weighting. One extended comparative essay referringto two texts = 3000 words. Free choice of texts and candidates can choose which two texts to study and analyse to pursue their own interests. The texts must be linked by theme, movement, author or period and may be poetry, prose or drama.

Why study English Literature?

English literature is a subject well respected by potential employers owing to the numerous transferable skills. These skills will also serve you well in advertising and marketing, teaching is another option. The analytical skills associated with this subject also apply well to things such as Law. Here are other examples: Digital copywriter, Editorial assistant, Lexicographer, Magazine or Newspaper journalist, Publishing copy-editor/proof-reader, Advertising copywriter, Arts administrator, Marketing executive and Social media manager.

Wider transferable work skills- Communication skills, problem solving, presentation skills,articulating knowledge and understanding of texts, concepts and theories, leading and participating in discussions, critical reasoning and analysis.