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A level English lit ocr is it that hard? And what should I do if so

I have finally chosen my a level options and have decided to go with lit,rs and classics. The subject I am currently worried about is english lit as despite feeling like I severely underperformed in my gcse exams I still managed to get myself a grade 8, but I have been repeatedly told that OCR a level lit is extremely difficult. I have seen the ridiculous grade boundaries myself but still have a strong passion for the subject, so I was wondering if somebody could give me a description of what the course entails and how I can utilise the next few days two prepare. I would also appreciate it if somebody could reveal something about the coursework and what it consists of as I only know it will be on comparing two texts: history boys with the prime Jean brodie. Further information on exam technique or anything useful would also be extremely helpful
(edited 5 months ago)
Reply 1
Original post by Ishaaq Saeed
I have finally chosen my a level options and have decided to go with lit,rs and classics. The subject I am currently worried about is english lit as despite feeling like I severely underperformed in my gcse exams I still managed to get myself a grade 8, but I have been repeatedly told that OCR a level lit is extremely difficult. I have seen the ridiculous grade boundaries myself but still have a strong passion for the subject, so I was wondering if somebody could give me a description of what the course entails and how I can utilise the next few days two prepare. I would also appreciate it if somebody could reveal something about the coursework and what it consists of as I only know it will be on comparing two texts: history boys with the prime Jean brodie. Further information on exam technique or anything useful would also be extremely helpful

Hello! I did English literature A-level (not OCR but Eduqas, which is arguably more difficult). I’d recommend looking at some exemplar answers and learning from the specific style used in essays, as it is quite a bit more advanced than A-level. Reading the chapter/poem/act before class starts at looking ay further analysis in JSTOR and Sparknotes is also extremely useful, and scholars in JSTOR can also be used in essays.

The coursework is a 3000 word essay where you compare two pieces of literature. You will choose a question that explores a theme in both books, learning to cite in the Harvard style. Your teacher will probably have you start this later on as it needs quite a bit of writing skill you will not have developed yet.

I loved English lit A-level, so hopefully you will too! It just needs a bit of patience and learning at the start.
Reply 2
Original post by waffelton
Hello! I did English literature A-level (not OCR but Eduqas, which is arguably more difficult). I’d recommend looking at some exemplar answers and learning from the specific style used in essays, as it is quite a bit more advanced than A-level. Reading the chapter/poem/act before class starts at looking ay further analysis in JSTOR and Sparknotes is also extremely useful, and scholars in JSTOR can also be used in essays.
The coursework is a 3000 word essay where you compare two pieces of literature. You will choose a question that explores a theme in both books, learning to cite in the Harvard style. Your teacher will probably have you start this later on as it needs quite a bit of writing skill you will not have developed yet.
I loved English lit A-level, so hopefully you will too! It just needs a bit of patience and learning at the start.

Thank you so much for the advice

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