English Literature

GCSE English Literature

Examining Board: AQA 8702

Aims of the Course:

• read a wide range of classic literature fluently and with good understanding and make connections across their reading
• read in depth, critically and evaluatively so that they are able to discuss and explain their understanding and ideas
• develop the habit of reading widely and often
• appreciate the depth and power of the English literary heritage
• write accurately, effectively and analytically about their reading, using Standard English
• acquire and use a wide vocabulary, including the grammatical terminology and other literary and linguistic terms they need to criticise and analyse what they read.

Overview of the Course

Students will study a Shakespeare play of choice and will be required to write in detail about an extract from the play and then to write about the play. Students will study a 19^th century novel and will study extracts from the novel and the whole text. Modern texts, including prose and drama will be studied, as well as a range of poetry from an anthology and some unseen poetry.

Examination and Assessment Methods

Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel (1 hour 45 minutes) 40% of GCSE

Section A: Shakespeare: -to answer one question on a chosen Shakespeare play.

Section B: The 19th-century novel- to answer one question on a 19^th century novel.

Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry (2 hours 15 minutes) 60%

Section A: Modern texts - one question

Section B: Poetry - one question from a pre-seen anthology of poems

Section C: Unseen Poetry - two questions on two unseen poems.