English Literature

Course summary

The course builds on the GCSE English/Literature skills of reading, understanding and analysis. It aims to: develop confident, independent and reflective readers of a range of texts encourage students to express their responses effectively encourage the use of critical concepts and terminology with understanding and discrimination encourage students to reflect on their own responses to texts, to consider other readers' interpretations, and to develop awareness of contexts in which texts are written. Studying Literature teaches a student how to read carefully and think critically and opens students’ minds to the past, to the present and to the future. The course encourages students in developing the confidence to approach and tackle unfamiliar and diverse forms of books and writing. As well as developing their skills in analysis and discussion, students of Literature find that it helps them develop their verbal skills and ability to plan and write extended essays in other subject areas. The study of Literature can provide students with a fresh and creative angle with which to approach their studies in particular and their lives in general.