Candidates are required to show knowledge and understanding of a range of literary texts and to evaluate them critically. Students will be expected to engage with the ways in which meaning is shaped, as well as demonstrating understanding of the significance and influence of the contexts in which these texts are written and received. Furthermore, they will be assessed on their ability to draw appropriate connections within and between texts and to explore alternative interpretations of meaning. The course is designed to enable students to build upon their existing analytical skills from their GCSE study, as well as immersing them in different genres and styles of writing, so that they can approach the unseen element of the examination with confidence.
At least grade 6 in both GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature.
Component 1 – Literary Genres: Aspects of Tragedy Literary Genres: Aspects of Tragedy is an externally-assessed written paper (2 hours and 30 minutes). It represents 40% of the overall qualification. The examination is closed book and is made up of three sections (with the same text studied for Sections A and B). ● Section A: A passage based question on Othello ● Section B: An essay question on Othello ● Section C: An essay question linking together a second drama text (Death of a Salesman) with one other text from a prescribed list (Keats poetry) Component 2 – Elements of Political and Social Protest Writing Elements of Political and Social Protest Writing is an externally-assessed written paper (3 hours). It represents 40% of the overall qualification. The examination is open book (unannotated copies) and is made up of three sections. Students must study three texts, including one pre-1900 text (Blake’s Songs of Innocence and Experience), one post-2000 prose text (The Kite Runner) and one further text (The Handmaid’s Tale). There is also a question on an unseen passage (which will display recognisable features and conventions of political and social protest writing). ● Section A: Compulsory question on an unseen passage ● Section B: An essay question focusing on one of the three texts studied ● Section C: An essay question that allows for connections to be made between the other two texts studied. Component 3 – Independent Critical Study: Texts across Time Independent Critical Study: Texts across Time is an internally assessed unit (formally known as coursework and now referred to as ‘non-examined assessment’). It is comprised of two separate tasks and represents 20% of the marks for the overall A level. The word count for each piece is 1250-1500 words. One piece must be focused on a poetry text and the other on a prose text. A critical anthology will be studied alongside the focus text and students will be required to apply their understanding of a particular critical approach to the text in their response. Some examples of the critical approaches that can be considered are ‘Narrative Theory’, ‘Feminst Criticism’, ‘Marxist Criticism’ and ‘Post-Colonial Criticism’
About Education Provider
| Region | East of England |
| Local Authority | Hertfordshire |
| Ofsted Rating | Outstanding |
| Gender Type | Mixed |
| Address | High Elms Lane, Garston, Watford, WD25 0UU |
Candidates are required to show knowledge and understanding of a range of literary texts and to evaluate them critically. Students will be expected to engage with the ways in which meaning is shaped, as well as demonstrating understanding of the significance and influence of the contexts in which these texts are written and received. Furthermore, they will be assessed on their ability to draw appropriate connections within and between texts and to explore alternative interpretations of meaning. The course is designed to enable students to build upon their existing analytical skills from their GCSE study, as well as immersing them in different genres and styles of writing, so that they can approach the unseen element of the examination with confidence.
At least grade 6 in both GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature.
Component 1 – Literary Genres: Aspects of Tragedy Literary Genres: Aspects of Tragedy is an externally-assessed written paper (2 hours and 30 minutes). It represents 40% of the overall qualification. The examination is closed book and is made up of three sections (with the same text studied for Sections A and B). ● Section A: A passage based question on Othello ● Section B: An essay question on Othello ● Section C: An essay question linking together a second drama text (Death of a Salesman) with one other text from a prescribed list (Keats poetry) Component 2 – Elements of Political and Social Protest Writing Elements of Political and Social Protest Writing is an externally-assessed written paper (3 hours). It represents 40% of the overall qualification. The examination is open book (unannotated copies) and is made up of three sections. Students must study three texts, including one pre-1900 text (Blake’s Songs of Innocence and Experience), one post-2000 prose text (The Kite Runner) and one further text (The Handmaid’s Tale). There is also a question on an unseen passage (which will display recognisable features and conventions of political and social protest writing). ● Section A: Compulsory question on an unseen passage ● Section B: An essay question focusing on one of the three texts studied ● Section C: An essay question that allows for connections to be made between the other two texts studied. Component 3 – Independent Critical Study: Texts across Time Independent Critical Study: Texts across Time is an internally assessed unit (formally known as coursework and now referred to as ‘non-examined assessment’). It is comprised of two separate tasks and represents 20% of the marks for the overall A level. The word count for each piece is 1250-1500 words. One piece must be focused on a poetry text and the other on a prose text. A critical anthology will be studied alongside the focus text and students will be required to apply their understanding of a particular critical approach to the text in their response. Some examples of the critical approaches that can be considered are ‘Narrative Theory’, ‘Feminst Criticism’, ‘Marxist Criticism’ and ‘Post-Colonial Criticism’
