English Literature builds upon the skills developed at GCSE. Students will learn to critically explore and analyse a range of texts using theoretical approaches and will learn to consider the impact of contextual factors on potential meanings in each text. A Level English Literature is a popular subject and is best suited to students who are avid readers of novels, poetry and plays. Those students who enjoy reading extensively at home should achieve well in this subject, as will students who enjoy the process of constructing a reading of text that draw upon a range of different sources and interpretations. It will also appeal to students who enjoy debate and exploring topics such as history, politics, psychology and gender. A Level English Literature offers an insight into the way writers use language, structure and form to shape meaning and explore the issues and ideas that reflect upon our lives. It affords the opportunity for discussion of themes and characters and further allows for the exploration of dramatic technique. It builds on the work you are familiar with from GCSE English Literature but develops your skills of analysis and your ability to approach texts from many critical perspectives such as feminism, Marxism, psychoanalysis and reader response. You will look at a range of different texts from different genres and narrative forms, from Shakespeare to contemporary texts, and consider how historical, political and socio-cultural context impact on the meanings that are both implicit and explicit within the text. Literature has a strong analytical element which complements Government & Politics, History, Sociology and Philosophy. Students of other subjects too will benefit from the different cultural perspectives offered.