Exam Board: AQA
Levels available: AS (1 Year) and A2 (additional 2nd Year)
What do I need to know or be able to do before choosing this subject?
If you have enjoyed GCSE English Language and English Literature and if you love reading, A-level English Literature will interest you. You will need to gain a grade C or above in GCS English Language to start the course. Although it is recommended that you also have a grade C or above in GCSE English Literature, you do not necessarily need to have gained this qualification.
What do the courses consist of and how will I be assessed?
The AS (Advanced Subsidiary Specification)
This is the first half of the full A-level course. If you and your teacher agree that it’s best for you, you can take the AS level on its own during or at the end of Y12. The final grade will count towards entry to Further/Higher Education.
The AS Level is made up of three units:
- The modern novel (30% AS or 15% A Level)
You will study one modern novel written in the second half of the twentieth century.
Assessment: one 1 hour paper;you must answer on question on the text you have studied. - Texts in context (40% AS or 20% A Level)
you will study one poetry and one drama text in detail. One of these texts must have been written before 1900.
Assessment: you must answer 2 questions during the 2 hour exam.- 1 on each text. - Shakespeare (30% AS or 15% A Level)
you will study one Shakespeare text.
Assessment: The production of a 1,500 word coursework folder.
The Advanced Level (As + A2) Specification
The full A-level qualification is made up of the 3 AS Units plus 3 more Units studied at A2 level. If you decide to continue with the second half of the course in Y13, you will study the following additional units:
- Texts in time (15%)
You will study two texts in detail. You will focus upon the different interpretations of different readers when studying the pre-twentieth century text; you will focus upon the historical, social and cultural context of the Romantic Poetry text.
Assessment: 1 question on each text during a 2 hour exam. - Reading for meaning (20%)
You will study the theme of 'War in Literature’ with specific emphasis on literature written about and during the First World War.
Assessment: a 3 hour exam.during which time you will answer 1 compulsory question, based upon a collection of unprepared 'War in Literature’ material. - Literary connection (15%)
You will focus upon the ways in which texts relate to each other.
Assessment: the production of a coursework folder of 2500 words. You will be required to compare two texts, one of which must be prose.
How could I develop key skills by doing this course?
As well as covering the study of English Literature , the AS/A2 courses will enable you to develop key skills. Your teacher will let you know when a particular piece of work also accounts for Key Skills assessment as well as for English Literature assessment. You will need to keep evidence of this work in a Portfolio for assessment later if you wish to gain a Key Skills qualification. During this course examples of Key Skills could include:
- Communication e.g. contributing to discussions.
- Information & Communication Technology e.g. using different sources.
- Improving own learning & performance e.g. agreeing and planning targets.
- Working with others e.g. planning activities; working towards agreed objectives.
English Literature A-level opens the door to many careers. It indicates to prospective employers that you are well read and that you are able to communicate effectively in both discussion and written work. Higher education institutions generally offer a wide range of English degrees. In addition, English is offered with many other subjects leading to a Combined Honours Degre