English Literature

Introduction

English Literature is taught in the same groups and lessons as English Language. It is expected that all students will sit the GCSE examinations in both subjects.

What will it be like?

This course aims to enable students to develop:

The ability to read, understand and respond to a wide range of literary texts, and to appreciate the ways in which authors achieve their effects.

Awareness of social, historical and cultural contexts and influences in the study of literature.

The ability to construct and convey meaning in speech and writing, matching style to audience and purpose.

Students will study:

• A Modern prose or drama text
• A 19th century novel
• Poetry – an anthology and unseen poetry
• Shakespeare

Assessment by final examination will involve work based on the following units:

Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel. Assessed by a 1 hour 45 minutes written examination worth 64 marks (40% of GCSE)

Section A Shakespeare: students will answer one question on their play of choice. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the play and then to write about the play as a whole.

Section B The 19th-century novel: students will answer one question on their novel of choice. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the novel and then to write about the novel as a whole.

Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry. Assessed by a 2 hour 15 minutes written examination worth 96 marks (60% of GCSE)

Section A Modern Texts: students will answer one essay question from a choice of two on their studied modern prose or drama text.

Section B Poetry: students will answer one comparative question on one named poem printed on the paper and one other poem from their chosen anthology cluster.

Section C Unseen Poetry: Students will answer one question on one unseen poem and one question comparing this poem with a second unseen poem.