C SirJohnDeanes A SirJohnDeanes www.sjd.ac.uk

English Literature

English Literature explores ‘art’ texts such as poems, plays and novels. It is a highly-regarded course that is ideal for those who enjoy reading and discussion. The course will introduce you to a range of work that broaden your knowledge of the world, improve your verbal and written communication skills and develop your ability to analyse and evaluate.

What will I study?In English Literature you will study a range of poetry, prose and drama from different time periods. During the course you will explore how writers develop characters and themes, and you will study three texts of different genres including at least one Shakespeare play and some poems written before 1800.

Written exams make up 80% of your marks with the remaining assessed from your coursework.

Co-curricular activities?The department organises regular theatre trips, including an annual visit to Stratford-upon-Avon, and trips to relevant study days on set texts. Last year, Year 12 and Year 13 students visited Moniack Mhor, Scotland’s national creative writing centre, where they lived and worked alongside professional writers for the week. The department also supports and encourages students to take part in creative writing competitions.

Where might it lead?English Literature is an interesting and highly valued course that will open up a wide range of possibilities for the future. Former English Literature students have gone on to study a very wide range of subjects at university. In addition to English and related subjects, our students have read for degrees in such subjects as Anthropology and Archaeology, Law, Criminology, Modern Languages, Psychology, Theatre, Film and Television.

STUDY LEVEL

A levelCONTACT DETAILS

Tom Conolly, Teacher of English Literature and Second in Departmentconolly_t@sjd.ac.uk

C SirJohnDeanes A SirJohnDeanes www.sjd.ac.uk

English Literature

Course Breakdown

Summary of ContentThe A level course is a thought-provoking exploration of a minimum of eight texts which range across the genres and history of English Literature. Alongside regular discussions on how meanings are generated within texts, students will also develop the analytical writing skills required at this level.

Aspects of TragedyPaper 1 requires students to analyse how aspects of the tragic genre are presented in a variety of texts:

• Othello – William Shakespeare

• Death of a Salesman – Arthur Miller

• Selection of Keats’ Poetry

Elements of Social and Political Protest WritingPaper 2 requires students to explore their texts through the lens of political and social protest writing:

• The Kite Runner – Khaled Hosseini

• A Doll’s House – Henrik Ibsen

• Songs of Innocence and Experience – William Blake

The non-examined assessment allows students to explore one prose text and one poetry text of their own choosing, making use of a range of critical perspectives

Suggested Preparation for SeptemberLook to read a selection from the set texts. The Kite Runner makes an excellent summer read.

Course Summary• Exam board is AQA

Paper Content Marks Duration Weighting

Paper 1 Aspects of Tragedy 75 2 hours 30 minutes

40%

Paper 2 Elements of Social and Political Protest Writing 75 3 hours 40%

NEA (non–examined assessment)

2 pieces of writing 50 N/A 20%