A level Literature

msmith2008

I have just completed my GCSEs and want to take A level Literature. Has anyone got any top tips for the course? Recommendations for summer preparation. I potentially want to study it at university too. :smile:

Reply 1

DerDracologe

Study Forum Helper

Read the texts which you need to study for the course over the summer thoroughly.

Reply 2

katieamypollard

Read over the summer not just the books you will study but other things to help develop your critical thinking, really just take a break before college so your brain can reset, the course generally doesn't require much prep so make sure to relax as well

Reply 3

livkrk

Summer preparation wise I would say either read your texts or learn some background about them. There isn’t loads you can do before starting the course but once you have began, stay on top of your revision notes, reread your texts (I personally didn’t but a lot of my friends did and it was very useful for them).

I’m not sure what exam board you would do but I did OCR Lit so this might not apply to you. Do your own extra research about context - I only did this in March/April of year 13 and wish I did it earlier because it was so useful. Same with critics comments, I went into my exams with like 30 per paper (way too many but it’s just how my memory works).

Also if your exam board has coursework, get it done ASAP!! I didn’t finish mine until October of year 13 and was stuck with 4 pieces of coursework (2 for lit) and mocks so struggled time-wise. If you manage to stay on top of your revision notes it will be okay. I locked in after my January mocks and am predicted an A after getting Bs all year.

I would say A Level Literature is VERY different to GCSE. Your writing style will develop more, you have more freedom with your writing and the AOs are completely different. I think it is quite a step up, and technique is everything, so even if at the beginning your essays aren’t getting that high marks it just takes time to understand how to structure and write properly (something I wasn’t fully aware of until close to exams as I said before). I won’t lie, some of A-Level Literature is boring but I really enjoyed it regardless.

So there is little you could really do right now, other than getting your books/texts and possibly reading them, and reading the specification for your exam board.

Good luck though!! Let me know if you have any questions!

Original post by msmith2008

Reply 4

Wilf G

Original post by msmith2008

Have you approached the Head of English at the college where you'd be taking A Literature? If not, do so. Find out a couple of things, along the lines of what those who've replied to you here have already said. What's the examining board? Which spec is followed? The format of English Lit assessment at A Level is generally the same across all exam boards, but set texts and recommendations may differ. The HoD will tell you what those are likely to be 2025-2027, so I'd endorse the idea that you maybe either borrow a couple of those texts, or get hold of your own. (Plenty of copies available on Amazon etc. Make sure you opt for copies in 'Very Good' or better condition; if not, it's possible they'll be already highlighted and have markings in them. Others' notes can influence your own interpretations, and studying texts at A Level is about what YOU think.)
Once you've got a text you feel you've engaged with, whether it's a Shakespeare play or whatever, test yourself. Start annotating it along the lines of what you'll undoubtedly have done at GCSE. If you've got your own copy, you can do what you like with highlighter pens, sticky notes, and page tabs! That should make you feel like you're beginning to develop your own understanding and interpretations of the book, which in turn will give you confidence; a great way to start studying A Level English Lit. You could even set yourself a mini-assignment to tackle.
Once that's done, try the same with another text, which you're not so sure about. Test yourself again.
Anyway, just some thoughts. If you want to reply to this, please do! If you want ideas for task titles, let me know, too.
Enjoy! I think English Lit (and the degree) are fantastic courses (and I'd do them all again!). 😀