English Literature
There are many benefits to studying English Literature. You will study a range of literary texts including poetry, prose and drama. These texts will cover both pre and post 19th Century. This is a two year course which is examined at the end of the two years.
The course allows you to develop your independent learning skills and increase your analysis and evaluation of texts – all skills that prepare students for University life and the world of work.
Minimum GCSE Grade Requirements | Grade 6 in English Language and English Literature. |
FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES
This course provides an ideal background for English studies at University and complements ALL subjects well. At the same time it is suitable for students leaving directly for employment and training at 18.
The course allows students to develop their independent learning skills and increase their analysis and evaluation of texts – all skills that prepare students for University life and the world of work.
Careers where English Literature is considered desirable include: Law, Journalism, Publishing, Human Resources and Teaching.
COURSE CONTENT & ASSESSMENT
Assessment
80% written examinations and 20% coursework
The first exam is 2 hours 30 minutes. It is closed book and worth 40% of the total marks. In Section A you respond to a Shakespeare text (currently The Tempest or Hamlet). The first part of the question asks you to analyse a given extract from the play; you will need to analyse the effects of Shakespeare’s choices of language, structure and form. The second part of the question focuses on the whole play; you will need to respond to a given view of the play. In Section B you will have to answer 1 question from a choice of 6 – all questions give a view on literature – you need to respond to the view by comparing the two texts studied (one poetry text and one play written pre-1900 – currently Christina Rossetti and Ibsen's The Doll's House).
The second exam is 2 hours 30 minutes. It is closed book and worth 40% of the total marks. For the first task you will be given an (unseen) extract from the Gothic genre and will need to analyse the passage, relating your discussion to your reading of the Gothic. For the second task you will have choice of three questions; you will need to compare the two studied novels in response to a view on the Gothic. We currently study Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Angela Carter’s The Bloody Chamber for this unit.
There are two coursework tasks worth 20% of the total marks. The first task is a written analysis of a poem (focusing on language, structure and form). The second task is a thematic comparative essay of a play and a prose text (currently The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini and A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams).
Additional Costs
Students must buy their own copies of texts (between £6.00 and £9.00 per text). Over the course of the year there may be trips – theatre trips and conferences cost approximately £30 plus transport.
English Department
| Subject Leader | Ms V Johnston |
| Mrs J Brown | |
| KS3 Lead (Years 7 & 8 and Year 6 Transition) | Mrs L O'Boyle |
| KS3 Lead (Years 8 & 9 and KS4 Transition) | Mrs R Merchant |
| KS4 Lead | Mrs F West |
| KS5 Lead | Mrs L Kamen |
| KS3 Transition and Data | Mrs L O'Boyle |
| Mrs A Ellershaw - Head of Media / EPQ Coordinator | |
| Mrs C Moulson | |
| Mrs K O'Callaghan | |
| Ms L Rolfe - Assistant Head Teacher | |
| Mrs K Scuri - Drama | |
| Mrs C Simler | |
| Mrs C Trump (SENCO) | |
| English Administrator | Mrs H Rapsey |
| Subject Documents |
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| KS4/5 Reading List for English |