English Literature

If you are passionate about books, then you’re a certain type of person. For you, writing is important: stimulating or frustrating, transporting or infuriating – but always vital and energising. Poetry, plays, novels, biography – they all speak to you directly: and most importantly, you have something fresh and relevant to say about them! This course will accommodate your views, many of your preferences and all of your critical energies.

The areas of study will require the development of the student’s knowledge and understanding of:

• The ways in which writers shape meanings in texts.
• How individual texts can be interpreted by different readers.
• The ways in which texts relate to each other and how they are affected by the contexts in which they are written and read.

COMPONENT 1- This involves the study of tragedy in the following areas:

• A Shakespeare play
• A modern play
• A pre-1900 novel

COMPONENT 2 -The area of study here centres on texts from within social and political protest writing:

• A collection of poetry
• Study of unseen extracts
• Two modern novels

COMPONENT 1: To be assessed by a 150 min written exam: 40% of A level

COMPONENT 2: To be assessed by a 180 min written exam: 40% of A level

COMPONENT 3: To be assessed in-centre 20% of A level

The ‘coursework’ element comprises two close readings or re-creative writing pieces with student commentary.

A variety of routes. English Literature is prized by all FE establishments. Will fit students in particular for: academic study; advertising; creative arts degrees; arts-based study; librarianship; sociology; specific areas of media (some journalism/radio/TV); teaching (all levels); advertising. In fact, all careers in which creativity and communication skills are useful.