5 GCSEs (or equivalent). Grade 6 in English Language and English Literature.

This qualification covers a range of literary texts, from the early seventeenth century to the modern day. Poetry, prose and drama are all studied.

The aims of this specification are to encourage learners to develop their interest in and enjoyment of literature and literary studies as they:

• read widely and independently both set texts and others that they have selected for themselves
• engage critically and creatively with a substantial body of texts and ways of responding to them
• develop and effectively apply their knowledge of literary analysis and evaluation in writing • explore the contexts of the texts they are reading and others’ interpretations of them.

Assessment

Year 12

Component 1: Drama and poetry pre-1900

Selected Poems by Christina Rossetti

The Duchess of Malfi by Webster

Examination 2h 30m

40% of total marks

Component 2: Comparative and contextual study

The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter

Examination 2h 30m

40% of total marks

Component 3: Literature post-1900

Close analysis of Owen’s war poetry

Component 3: Literature post-1900

Close analysis of Owen’s war poetry

Year 13

Component 1: Drama and poetry pre-1900

Measure for Measure by Shakespeare

Examination 2h 30m

40% of total marks

Coursework 20% of total marks

Component 2: Comparative and contextual study

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Unseen gothic extract

Examination 2h 30m

40% of total marks

Component 3: Literature post-1900

Comparative analysis of  Butterworth’s play Jerusalem and Waugh’s novel Brideshead Revisited

Coursework 20% of total marks

People who study this course go on to undergraduate studies at university in a variety of subjects. English literature is a popular course at university. Other subjects range from the sciences such as biology and the humanities such as history, psychology and geography.