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AS/A2 English Literature
The course is designed to enable you to:
Experience and respond to a wide range of texts through discussion, analysis and creative writing
Learn how to analyse and discuss the techniques that writers and speakers use to communicate depending on the audience and purpose
Communicate through discussion and well-planned and clearly structured essays
Become an independent and reflective reader and writer.
The course suits those who enjoy reading widely both modern and classic texts. You should enjoy responding to texts in a critical way in detail, relishing the chance to discuss writers’ techniques in the form of written essays.
What's involved?
Texts in Context
At AS, you will be studying some of the most powerful literature written about the First World War by those who had first hand experience of it as well as those who have written texts long after it ended. You will read a range of texts both independently and in class, including: fiction, diaries, memoirs, autobiographies, plays, poetry and drama. The aim of this module is to encourage: Wider independent reading of literature about World War One. This will be across all three genres ( prose, drama and poetry ), across time and across genders and close reading of a poetry text which includes around 50 poems about WW1.
In Unit 2 you will study two texts from World War One Literature: ‘Birdsong’ by Sebastian Faulks and ‘Journey’s End’ by R. C. Sherriff. The coursework folder will contain two pieces of writing: one will be on the selected prose text and the other will be on the selected drama text.
The total word count for the two pieces: 2,000 – 2,500 words.
Reading for Meaning
This final A2 examination synthesises the skills and learning of the whole course. In the examination you will study closely unprepared texts from all genres, chosen across time and linked by the theme of ‘Love through the Ages’. You will compare the extracts in terms of subject matter and style commenting on: the ways different writers at different times approach the chosen theme and the ways different readers interpret texts
Extended Essay and Shakespeare Study
You will write an extended comparative essay on three texts of your choice, one of which will be a Shakespeare play. The other two texts, for comparison, will be of any genre. The texts can be linked by the theme of ‘Love through the Ages’ or by a theme of your own choice. Extended comparative essay of 3,000 words.
English Literature will give you a wide range of options when you progress to university including English degrees, Teaching, Journalism and complements many other subjects.