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A-Level English Literature
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A-Level English Literature
Background information about studying English Literature
English Literature at A-Level is all about the in depth study of works of literature - primarily novels, plays, and poetry. Students will be expected to engage with contextual issues from the texts' time of composition - so the French Revolution in the poems of Wordsworth, or the state of the Monarchy in Shakespearean England for example - and will be encouraged to think critically and analytically about their reading.
How will it differ from GCSE?
Difficulty
The main difference in difficulty in the step up from GCSE to A-Level is in the level of response expected of you as students. No longer can you come to lessons and reply with "I thought it was ok". The onus is on you to engage with the texts you will be reading and formulate your own opinions and interpretations. Furthermore, you will be expected to communicate these ideas effectively, not just in essays and exams, but also during verbal discussions, which tend to make up a large part of the teaching structure.
Workload
The workload can seem a lot harder for those students who are slower readers. As with all A-Levels, the workload will be higher than at GCSE as you are studying at a more focused level. Each week you may be expected to read a certain number of chapters of novels, or acts of plays; to write a critical response to a set question about your reading - which could be "Discuss the presentation of Iago in Act I of Othello" or "Evaluate how effectively the final verse of this poem portrays the feeling of loss" etc.; you could be asked to write a creative excerpt - such as a diary for the character of Juliet after Romeo's first visit.
Of course, all teaching methods differ, but in class you can expect to be reading - silently or aloud, answering a series of short questions or an essay length one, and discussing various important issues.
Required Individual Study
On top of what your teachers set you, you will also be expected to utilise your free time to further your own studies. This could be by reading secondary material on the society that Oscar Wilde lived in, for example, or more academic texts that discuss and analyse a particular writer's style, such as a book that analyses Larkin's use of simile, metaphor and enjambement in The Whitsun Weddings. You may also wish to read around, either for personal pleasure, expanding your knowledge and, hopefully, vocabulary, or by reading texts relevant to your study - so if you're studying the Regeneration series by Pat Barker you may wish to read other WWII novels.
How is it assessed?
English Literature at A-Level will be made up of two modules per year - one exam based and one coursework based, with a weighting of 60% from the exam and 40% for the coursework.
AQA
Exams
- AS - This is an open book exam where you will be expected to answer questions on the core texts you will study across the year. Section A is usually about two novels, and Section B will focus on two collections of poetry.
- A2 - This will be a closed book exam focusing on a minimum of three texts. Section A will be single text specific, expecting you to show your knowledge of one text in great detail; Section B will see you asked to think comparatively between texts.
Coursework
- AS - The AS coursework unit will see you produce two pieces of work based around two plays. One will be a tradition analysis or investigative piece, while the second offers more creative opportunities, allowing you to write a short story, monologue or script based on the text you have studied.
- A2 - Here you will study at least three texts and again will be split into two essays, with one giving more creative opportunity. (Spec A - one coursework approx 3,000 words comparing 3 whole texts; one Shakespeare play, and two others of any genre (prose, poetry, or drama)). One is a comparitive essay on two of the texts you will have studied, whilst the second will expect you to engage with and apply an aspect of critical theory, e.g. post-colonialism or feminism, to the text you wish to write about.
OCR
Exams
- AS - A closed book exam where you will have to write two essays - one on whichever of the four poets your teacher has chosen to do, where you will be given one poem and expected to make comparisons with others you have studied, and one on whichever of the four novels you've been studying, where it will be particularly important to hit AO3 and A04 - other interpretations and context. (60% AS Level / 30% A2 Level)
- A2 - This will be a closed book exam. Again, two essays - one on the set Shakespeare you've been studying, and one comparative essay where you will look at pieces of pre-18th century prose and poetry.
Coursework
- AS - There are two pieces of coursework. One is a close reading of a short text of your own choice (or, depending on the school, your teacher's choice) where most marks will be awarded for AO2. Another is a comparison of two texts - one of which must be post-1990 - with no marks on AO2 but lots on AOs 3 and 4. Word limit of 3,000 across both pieces- you're meant to use roughly 1000-1200 on the close reading and 1800-2000 on the comparative piece. (40% AS Level / 20% A2 Level)
- A2 - A single comparative piece - 'Texts in Time' where you will study three texts - I think one of them must be post-1990 and another pre-1900. Marks to be had in all AOs but in particular 3 and 4 (lots of comparison will be needed). Word limit of 3,000.
Field trips and excursions
Getting to know the plays you're studying in detail is vitally important, and given that plays are written to be performed, this could include knowledge of how it would be carried out on stage. You may have theatre trips arranged by your teachers so you can get see how these plays are performed, although you may simply have opportunities to see other related works by the authors you're studying. And don't forget, a theatre trip to London (if your school is close enough) should also give you some free time in the city!
Where can I go with an English Literature A-Level
It's a common misconception that English at A-Level, and subsequently degree level, limits your options to being a teacher. This simply isn't the case. Studying English develops your written and verbal communications skills, your ability to use words to your advantage and to think and respond analytically. Whilst this obviously does transfer from A-Level to degree level, these skills would be of benefit to students who wish to study Law, Forensic Science, Psychology, or Business - the list goes on. In the work place, communication skills developed through English study would benefit anyone who wishes to move up to management level; while a number of employers in the finance and computing sectors look to employ students with an English background to tailor their existing skills into the industry.
User Opinions
Username: Timewarp
What I like about studying this subject: It makes you think in ways that my other subjects don't do and it enables you to develop your own opinions. There is no right or wrong as such and you can suggest something completely bizarre but as long as you can support it properly then it's right. I also quite like the books we study, which helps. At my sixth form we have a very good English department and both my teachers make the subject enjoyable whilst varying between individual work, group work, essays, discussion and presentations :D
What I dislike about studying this subject: Sometimes when you have a double lesson it can be a bit tedious as there is a high volume of discussion involved. Also there's lots of essays which I suspect most people will dislike as well as me.
Username: rebeccadaleyx
What I like about studying this subject: For many reasons, one being that it doesn't just cover the subject of English Literature, it covers a broad range of subjects. Examples being; Psychology when looking into Freudian interpretations, History when looking into society at the time that the text has been written such as the Shakespearean era's fascination with witchcraft when looking at Macbeth or even Politics when looking into the Marxist school of thought for example. The subject is so fascinating and allows you to look so much deeper than just reading books! :)
What I dislike about the subject: It is quite a demanding subject with the amount of books you have to read and the essays required, however if you enjoy reading and enjoy the books you are studying it does turn this negative into a positive.
Username: Immyx
What I like about studying this subject: It really helps to develop your writing skills, as well as building upon your analytical knowledge. You get to think a lot more in depth and independently than at GCSE and this means you're able to form your own opinion of texts. The subject also covers a broad range of areas, such as the historical and social context of texts, which can be really interesting.
What I dislike about studying this subject: The pace is quite fast, you're expected to read both set texts and other relevant texts yourself. You also get set quite a lot of essays and the subject can be difficult to revise. However, if you enjoy the subject this is a lot less of a chore.
Username: justanotherindigo
What I like about studying this subject: It's a lot more broader than GCSE English! You develop on your writing and analytical skills and the books are so much more interesting. It isn't just about reading books, but also developing the skills to become an independent critic. And of course it's not just analysing characters and themes; but you are allowed to explore how the social/political/historical context of the text influences the writers ideas throughout the text. If you loved Literature at GCSE, chances are you will love it so much more at A-Level! :)
What I dislike about studying this subject: There is greater emphasis on independent reading, which isn't necessarily a bad thing (well for me anyway!) but at times it can really get to you. Revision can also be a challenge and the essay technique for the exam takes quite a while to get used too.
