English Literature at AS and A Level

The Definitive Guide

‘people who know nothing about Literature know nothing about life…’

AS English Literature

At AS Level you will study different literary genres and periods.

You will have one exam and one extended piece of coursework.

What Kind of Things Will I Do and What Skills Will I Develop?

In this course you will:• Explore the cultural/historical and social

contexts in which the texts were written• Analyse the writers’ use of literary technique.• Develop knowledge and understanding of key

themes and literary genres and literary periods.

• Discuss how texts can be interpreted in more than one way.

• Compare texts.• Develop creative writing, communication,

discussion and analytical skills.

LT1 Exam

• Analysis of poetry.• You will study two modern poets:

Sheenagh Pugh and Carol Ann Duffy

LT1 Exam

• These poets have lots of opinions about the modern world and often approach this in a humorous way.

• Factoid: Duffy takes old myths and makes them modern. Be prepared to read about Mrs Midas and Mrs Darwin and not their more famous husbands!

LT1 Exam

You will also study a post 1990 drama text called ‘Broken Glass’ by Arthur Miller.

Factoid: did you know that Arthur Miller was once married to Marilyn Monroe?

How Long is the Exam?

• A whopping two and a half hours!• Make sure you get plenty of sleep

the night before.

LT2 Coursework

There are 2 parts to this extended coursework:

• Prose study• Creative Reading• The folder of coursework you

submit will be 3 pieces of work totalling 3000 words.

LT2 Prose StudyYou will study a text written between 1800-1945

and compare this novel to another novel either from the same time period or later time period. At the moment we study:

• ‘Wuthering Heights’ by Emily Bronte, ‘Enduring Love’ by Ian McEwan and ‘Jane Eyre’ by Charlotte Bronte

• Factoid: Ian McEwan wrote ‘Atonement’ which was recently given the Hollywood film treatment and starred Keira Knightley and James McAvoy.

LT2 Prose Study

• You will then write a piece of coursework of approximately 1500 words on two of these novels based on character or theme.

LT2 Creative Reading

This part of your coursework folder includes the following:

• A 750 word creative writing piece based on a literary genre e.g. gothic fiction, travel writing or a particular author e.g. Martin Amis, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Margaret Atwood

• A 750 word commentary on how you used the stimulus text (the author or text you have chosen) and developed your own creative piece.

LT2 Creative Reading

• This piece of coursework allows you the freedom to explore the type of literature you enjoy and write creatively.

• Factoid (sort of): you may enjoy this part of the course so much you decide you want to be a writer, become really famous and have your book turned into a film that stars Keira Knightley as well!

A2 English Literature

• Again, in year 13, the course is made up of an exam and a folder of coursework.

LT3 Coursework

• You will produce a folder of approximately 3000 words on analysing three texts from different literary periods and genres e.g. Renaissance period, twentieth century or Victorian period

• The emphasis in this module is on independent research and reading allowing you to choose what you enjoy (with our guidance of course.)

LT4 The Exam

• The only exam you will sit will include questions on the following:

• Shakespeare and another drama text e.g. ‘Hamlet’ and ‘The Revenger’s Tragedy’

• Pre 1800 poetry e.g. Chaucer’s ‘The Wife of Bath’

• An unseen poem

LT4 The Exam

How long? Another whoppingtwo and a half hours.

Should I Study English Literature?The answer is most certainly yes if you are the type of student who:• Enjoys reading• Enjoys discussing and analysing.• Enjoys trips to the theatre and other cultural

pursuits.• Want to gain insights into philosophy, history and

politics through literature.• Wants to develop writing and communication

skills.• Wants a career in the media, journalism,

business, law, teaching or the arts.

We feel passionately about English Literature and really want you to feel the same.

‘Literature makes us betternoticers of life; we get topractice on life itself; which inturn makes us better readers ofdetail in literature; which in turnmakes us better readers of life.’

• Thank you for listening

• Hope to see you next September

• Any questions?