GCSE English Language & Literature Grade 5+

The AQA English Literature A Level consists of three components:

Component One:	Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare and Pre-1900 Poetry
Component Two:	The Help by Kathryn Stockett, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams and Feminine Gospels by Carol Ann Duffy.
Component Three:	Texts in time – one poetry and one prose.

In Year One you will study Component Two and cover The Help by Kathryn Stockett; Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams and Feminine Gospels by Carol Ann Duffy, as well as prepare for the unseen prose section of the paper.

In Year Two you will study Component One, which is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë; The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare and a collection of poetry from pre-1900, as well as prepare for the unseen poetry section of the paper.

20% Non-Exam Assessment, 80% Written Examinations

Paper One:	Love through the Ages 40%
Paper Two:	Modern Times: Literature from 1945 40%
Paper Three:	Texts in Time 20%

Your A Level English Literature course will develop your critical understanding, enjoyment and appreciation of literature. You will study a variety of texts from different time periods and make connections between these texts. This course relies on you reading independently and widely. It is an academic subject that is one of the Russell Group's ‘facilitating subjects’ and is therefore highly respected by universities and employers. Studying English Literature shows that you are conceptual and see 'the bigger picture' as well as understanding the human condition.

Personal Development:	Explore and develop your conceptual thinking and consider how history has shaped how we think.
Enrichment:	Visits to the theatre and cinema, study days and debates on literature focuses.

English Literature opens doors! Studying English prepares you for a diverse range of professional fields. From the study of English Literature, you’ll develop comprehensive written and spoken communication skills, becoming adept at arguing a point, framing a narrative and analysing various levels of meaning. These skills are important in degrees or fields of employment where strong communication and written English are valued, including journalism, creative writing, publishing, arts management and promotion, advertising, marketing and PR, law such as solicitor, barrister, paralegal or legal secretary, a teaching career at any level, from Primary school to Higher Education or Civil service posts. 

1. Is it like GCSE English Literature?
   Yes, it is similar, but you will find that the texts are more complex and cover more adult issues.
2. How much reading will I have to do?
   Lots of the reading will be covered in lessons, but there will also be an expectation that you read chapters or scenes at home on your own, in order that the content is covered.
3. Will there be lots of essays?
   Essays will form your response to the texts, but not entirely! We will do lots of preparation on how to write for the examinations, but we will do lots of other work too, like collages, presentations and short answer questions.