English Literature

Exam Board:  AQA

English Literature Specification B

Choose English because:

• It is relevant.
• You like reading, discussing ideas and thinking.
• You want to explore your feelings.
• You are interested in human relationships and society.
• You’re interested in theatre and cinema.
• You want a highly regarded qualification.

Writers frequently studied:

Ian McEwan Keats
Shakespeare Jane Austen
The Brontës Blake
Scott Fitzgerald Coleridge
Oscar Wilde Chaucer
Arthur Miller James Joyce

The course

You will study contemporary and pre 20th century fiction, non-fiction, poetry and drama.
You will be encouraged to develop personal and imaginative responses to texts through class work, group work and private study.

You will develop the skills of literary analysis, learn to explore themes in texts and recognise key features of language and form.

You will make links between the works you are studying and the period and culture in which they were written.

You will extend your private reading and explore a range of writers and styles.

“Literature is my Utopia. No barrier of the senses shuts me out from the sweet, gracious discourses of my book friends. They talk to me without embarrassment or awkwardness.”
Helen Keller 1880 – 1968

The AS-level

Unit 1: Aspects of Narrative

You will study two novels (at least one post 1900) and two poetry texts (1800 – 1945).
Assessment by examination

Unit 2: Dramatic Genres

You will explore the dramatic genre of tragedy, studying a Shakespeare play and one other text.
Assessment by coursework

The A2-level

Unit 3: Texts and Genres

You will focus on a topic – either Elements of the Gothic or Elements of the Pastoral – studying at least two texts (1300 – 1800).
Assessment by examination

Unit 4: Independent Reading

You will prepare a portfolio of two essays including a comparative study of two texts and a response to critical approaches to literature.
Assessment by coursework

“Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read.”
Groucho Marx 1968

The one-year course

You can gain a full A-level in English Literature on our one-year course. The course covers AS Unit 1 and one coursework text by January leaving the remaining units for the spring and early summer terms. Hard work – but rewarding!

If you already have an AS-level in English Literature from AQA or another exam board, you can join us for your A2 programme. Please contact us for advice on transfers.