A Level English Literature

What is the course about?

English Literature A-Level continues the development of literary analysis skills from GCSE. English Literature enables students to study a wide range of literary texts across genres and time periods, enabling students to understand how literature has changed over time. English Literature encourages students to explore the relationships that exist between texts and the contexts within which they are written, received and understood. Studying texts within a particular genre or context enables students to investigate and connect them, drawing out patterns of similarity and difference using a variety of reading strategies and perspectives.

Assessment method

There are two final written examinations at A Level. This is supported by the Texts Across Time NEA (a comparative essay) which makes up 20% of the course. For this essay, students will study the novel Frankenstein as a class and then compare an element of Frankenstein with a text of their choice. Students work closely with their teacher on the text and title for their NEA and receive one to one mentoring.

Who might the course suit?

Students who genuinely enjoy reading literary texts, discussing ideas and exploring different interpretations and points of view will gain a great deal from this course. We expect our candidates to have a love of literature and a thirst to discover more about it!

What might the course lead to?

A Level English Literature is highly regarded by universities in the UK and across the globe – including Oxbridge and the Ivy League universities in the States. It is well-established and demonstrates that a student can interpret and analyse language as well as argue a case fluently. These are essential skills in many professions including journalism, law, publishing and teaching.

What are the texts studied?

Othello by William Shakespeare
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
Feminine Gospels by Carol Ann Duffy
Love Across the Ages - a collection of pre-1900 poetry
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley