Aston Manor Academy

English Literature

EXAMINATION BOARD
Edexcel

AIMS OF THE COURSE
English Literature ensures that candidates explore texts thoroughly. Students will compare the way that stories are told and construct their own perceptions and realities of narratives. Later on in the course, pupils will reflect on the cultural meanings of texts, and analyse what critics say / write about them. At AS, students will:
• Pay close attention to how narrative works in texts and explore thematic links between texts.
• Make connections and comparisons across texts.
At A2, students will:
• Extend their independent reading.
• Extend their awareness of critical methods and readings.

STRUCTURE AND CONTENT AT AS
Component 1 – 60%: Poetry and Drama (open book exam).
Section A – comparative essay on a choice of two poems (24 marks)
Section B – detailed exploration of a drama text (48 marks).
Texts include: Post-2000 poetry, The Importance of Being Earnest, Doctor Faustus, A Streetcar Named Desire.
Component 2 – 40%: Prose (open book exam).
A comparative essay question on a studied theme. Two novels will be studied in preparation for this: one pre-1900 and one post-1900 (44 marks).
Themes include: Childhood, Colonisation, Crime and Detection, Science and Society, The Supernatural, Women and Society.

STRUCTURE AND CONTENT A2 – A LEVEL
Component 1 – 30%: Drama (open book exam)
Section A – an essay exploring Shakespeare and wider critical reading (35 marks).
Section B – an essay exploring another Drama (25 marks).
Component 2 – 20%: Prose (open book exam)
A comparative essay question. Two novels will be studied in preparation for this: one pre-1900 and one post-1900 (40 marks).
Component 3 – 30%: Poetry (open book exam)
Section A – comparative essay on a choice of two poems (30 marks).
Section B – one essay on specified poetry from a specific poet or literary period (30 marks).
Coursework – 20%: (Internally assessed).
A 2500 – 3000 word comparative essay on a choice of two personally selected texts linked by theme, movement, author or period (60 marks).

ASSESSMENT
AS: 100% external assessment – two exams.
A2: 80% external assessment – three exams. 20% internal assessment.

WHERE CAN I GO AFTER COMPLETING THIS COURSE?
If you want to develop an interest in and enjoyment of English Literature, thoroughly reading widely, critically and independently, this is the course for you! You will read a variety genres from ‘across the centuries’ and critical works about these texts and how we read them. What career doesn’t require a good reader? From journalism to video-game design, all jobs need a
thoughtful, creative, intelligent candidate – skills which come from studying A Level English Literature.

Further details about any aspect of the course can be obtained from Miss Z Jones – Head of English.