Course Overview
Throughout the English Literature course, you will study a range of texts- novels, plays and poetry- from different periods. Most of these are assessed via an examination. However, there is also the non-examination assessment opportunity where you select and work on writing a 2500-3500 word assignment based on the reading of two prose texts from different periods, one pre-2000 and one post-2000, nominated by the centre.
| AS – Unit 1
Written Examination 20% of qualification |
| Section A: Comparative analysis of poetry and unseen text
One question requiring a comparative analysis of one poem from the WJEC English Language and Literature Pre-1914 Poetry Anthology and an unseen text from a choice of two, one of which will be a spoken text Section B: Creative writing and commentary One question presented in three parts comprising two writing tasks, one of which will require a text written to be spoken, and a commentary |
| AS – Unit 2
Written Examination 20% of qualification |
| Section A: Post-1900 drama
One two-part question based on the reading of one play from a prescribed list Section B: Non-literary text study One question based on the reading of one non-literary text from a prescribed list |
| A2 Unit 3
20% of qualification |
| Section A: Shakespeare extract
One extract-based question based on the reading of one Shakespeare play from the prescribed list for this unit Section B: Shakespeare essay One essay question based on the reading of one Shakespeare play from the prescribed list for this unit |
| A2 Unit 4
20% of qualification |
| Section A: Unseen texts
One question requiring comparative analysis of three unseen texts, one of which will be spoken language Section B: Prose study One question based on the reading of one prose text from a prescribed list |
| A2 Unit 5
20% of qualification |
| Section A: Genre study
A critical and sustained study of a prose genre Section B: Related creative writing One original writing assignment linked to the genre studied for Section A |
Progression
Whilst going to on to university to study for an English Literature, Language or Combined English Language and Literature degree is a popular option for many of our students, it is not your only option. An English Literature A level qualification opens doors to a myriad of degree-level subjects and allows you to go on to pursue a career in law, journalism, publishing, editing, teaching, broadcast media, and even politics amongst many other.