English Department

English at Key Stage 5

Exam Board: AQA Syllabus A

Why study English Literature?

The obvious answer is because you are a person who loves to read! You will also find discussion stimulating and rewarding and enjoy talking andwriting about your response to what you have read.

The specification aims to encourage an enjoyment and appreciation of English Literature based on informed personal response. You will be required to demonstrate an ability to respond with understanding to prose, drama and poetry texts written by men and women from Chaucer to the present. The course is designed to help you to develop an appreciation and an understanding of theways in which writers’choices of form, structure and language express meanings.

What will you study?

The AS course consists of two units under the heading ‘The Struggle for Identity in Modern Literature’

Unit 1: Texts in Context
This unit assesses the poetry set text plus candidates' wider reading in all genres. Candidates answer two questions: one on the poetry text, the other linking the wider reading to the focus of a given extract.

Unit 2: Creative Study
This is a coursework unit, which consists of two tasks: one on the chosen prose text and onewhich contrasts a studied dramatext to the prose text. The prose study allows students the option of a traditional analytical essay or a transformational response which is ideal for those students who enjoy creative writing. Coursework should be 2000-2500 words in total.

The A2 course has a further two units:

Unit 3: Reading for Meaning
This unit has the theme of “Love Through the Ages” and is assessed through two questions involving unprepared extracts and wider reading.

Unit 4: Extended Essay and Shakespeare Study
Students prepare a 3000 word extended essay covering three texts which are linked thematically. One of the texts will be a Shakespeare play.

Future Prospects
Those students who wish to take a degree in English are advised to opt for English Literature. The study of Literature is compatiblewithmany other subjects including history, drama, philosophy, psychology and sociology.
Students of English Literature often progress into careers which include: media, teaching, local and central government, journalism, publishing, psychology and creative writing.