English Literature
Examining Board
AQA
Course Introduction
The course encourages students to develop knowledge and skills in reading, writing and critical thinking across the English literary heritage. Students will read a wide range of classic literature fluently and with good understanding, and make connections across their reading.
Through literature, students have a chance to develop culturally and acquire knowledge of the best that has been thought and written. Studying GCSE English Literature should encourage students to read widely for pleasure.
Assessments
Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel (1 hour 45 minutes)
Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry (2 hours 15 minutes)
Progression
Studying GCSE English Literature should encourage students to read widely for pleasure, and as a preparation for studying literature at a higher level.
Course Content
Shakespeare: students will answer one question on their play of choice. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the play and then to write about the play as a whole.
The 19th-century novel: students will answer one question on their novel of choice. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the novel and then to write about the novel as a whole.
- Modern texts: students will answer one essay question from a choice of two on ‘An Inspector Calls’.
- Poetry: students will answer one comparative question on one named poem printed on the paper and one other poem from their chosen anthology cluster.
- Unseen poetry: Students will answer one question on one unseen poem and one question comparing this poem with a second unseen poem. They should be able to analyse and compare key features such as their content, theme, structure and use of language.
Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel
Section A: Shakespeare (Romeo and Julie, Macbeth, or The Merchant of Venice)
Students will answer one question on their play of choice. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the play and then to write about the play as a whole.
Section B: The 19th-century novel (A Christmas Carol, Frankenstein or The Sign of The Four)
Students will answer one question on their novel. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the novel and then to write about the novel as a whole.
Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry
Section A: Modern texts
Students will answer one essay question from a choice of two on ‘An Inspector Calls’.
Section B: Poetry
Students will answer one comparative question on one named poem printed on the paper and one other poem from their chosen anthology cluster.
Section C: Unseen Poetry: Students will answer one question, one unseen poem and one question comparing this poem with a second unseen poem.
Contact Name
Mrs J Rendall – Head of English (Maternity Cover)
