Course Description

This qualification is linear, meaning that students will sit all the A level exams at the end of their A level course.

Course Description:

This qualification is linear, meaning that students will sit all the A-level exams at the end of their A-level course.

The A-level consists of three units of study. In the first, Literary Genres, the texts are connected through a mainstream literary genre: either Aspects of Tragedy or Aspects of Comedy. Students study three texts: one Shakespeare play, a second drama text and one further text. The paper for this component is closed book: the exam is 2 hours 30 minutes and is worth 40% of the A-level.

In the second unit, Texts and Genres, the texts are grouped together as having elements of more modern genres: either Crime Writing or Political Writing. Students study three texts: one post-2000 prose text, one poetry and one further text. They also respond to an unseen passage in the examination. The paper for this component is open book (students may take a copy of their set texts into the examination). The exam is 3 hours and is worth 40% of the A-level.

The third unit, Theory and Independence, requires students to study two further texts: one poetry and one prose text, informed by study of the Critical Anthology. This final unit is worth 20% of the A-level and requires students to complete two essays of 1250 -1500 words (each responding to a different text and linking to a different aspect of the Critical Anthology). These essays are assessed by teachers and moderated by AQA.

Career Opportunities 

A level English Literature would complement advanced level qualifications including History, Modern Foreign Languages, Law, Psychology and Sociology.

Course Details

For more information please contact Mrs Rudge, Key Stage 5 Coordinator/Mr Lloyd, Head of English: (01922) 721071 ext. 263.

Email: s.rudge@josephleckieacademy.co.uk or d.lloyd@josephleckieacademy.co.uk