A Level English Literature

Assessment

Course Content and Assessment Component 1: Drama (30% of total qualification) Students study one Shakespeare play and one other drama from either tragedy or comedy – both texts may be selected from one or both of these categories. Critical essays related to their selected Shakespeare play. Students’ preparation is supported by Shakespeare: A Critical Anthology – Tragedy or Shakespeare: A Critical Anthology – Comedy. Written examination, lasting 2 hours and 15 minutes. Open book – clean copies of the drama texts can be taken into the examination. The Critical Anthology must not be taken into the examination. Component 2: Prose (20% of total qualification) Students study two prose texts from a chosen theme. At least one of the prose texts must be pre-1900. Written examination, lasting 1 hour. Open book – clean copies of the prose texts can be taken into the examination. Component 3: Poetry (30% of total qualification) Students study a selection of post-2000 specified poetry and a specified range of poetry from: either a literary period (either pre- or post-1900) or a named poet from within a literary period. Written examination, lasting 2 hours and 15 minutes. Open book – clean copies of the poetry texts can be taken into the examination. Component 4: Coursework (20% of total qualification) Students have a free choice of two texts to study. Students produce one comparative essay referring to two texts. Advisory total word count is 2500–3000 words.