ENGLISH LANGUAGE & LITERATURE

WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE?

English Language and Literature is a new and exciting course which draws and expands on what you will have studied at GCSE. It draws on all genres of literature, with a particular focus on wider reading and interpretation of key themes in texts. You will study drama, poetry and prose over a range of time periods, comparing structure, themes and ideas throughout. You will be expected to place texts in the given contexts they were written. There will also be some creative writing elements to the course. You will study an anthology on a variety of spoken, written and media texts linked with Paris.

WHAT IS THE COURSE STRUCTURE LIKE?

The course is a two year course, with a possibility of a one year AS version. It consists of two exams and a language investigation piece of coursework. The exams are worth 40% each, and the coursework will be 20% All exams will be taken end of your second year.

1 Telling Stories (3 hours – 100 marks)

The paper consists of three sections.

Section A: Remembered Places (40 marks)

Students will be given a thematic question on a text from the anthology of Paris. This will be a closed book, and they must use key linguistic and literary to analyse it.

Section B Imagined Worlds (35 marks)

The students will be given a question on a choice of two from a prescribed prose text. The text will be given at a later date. This will be an open book.

Section C Poetic Voices. (25 marks)

In this section, the students will answer a question on an aspect of poetry. This will be given from a chosen anthology of poems. This will be an open book. A finalised list of set texts is available on the board’s website (www.aqa.org.uk). Your teacher will advise you of which ones you will study.

Paper 2 Exploring Conflict (2 hours 30 mins - 100 marks)

In this, students will study key literature of society, and will study a core text which will be given by the teacher. Section A will be a written creative task based on an element of the chosen text (i.e. a different point of view, hidden chapter etc.) Students will then create a linguistic analysis of their own writing.

Section B is a response to a studied drama text, and will focus on character, theme or language. There may also be an aspect of spoken language to be studied.

A list of core and choice texts will be given by the board.

Non Exam Assessment (20% - 2500 words) Making Connections

In this “coursework” element, students must choose two texts of their own and write a comparative essay on a given theme. The two texts they choose cannot be from either reading list, and one needs to be non-literary. Your teacher will advise and help you with question choice and texts.

What are the entry requirements?

A Grade 5 at English Language is the minimum to suit the academic rigour of the course, but a 6 or above would help.

What does it go well with?

Law, History, Sociology, Psychology, English Language, RE, Art.

What careers could it lead to?

English Literature is excellent for teaching (both primary and secondary), Journalism, Law, Civil Service and anything which may require organisation and astute academic reasoning. Anybody who would like a holistic study of English would benefit, and it would open opportunities to study either Language or Literature at degree level.

ALPS Score. A2 ALPS 2 – Outstanding