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English Literature

Is this course for me?
If you love reading and have enjoyed studying texts in depth for GCSE and you want to learn more about the process of writing, how different texts 'work' and how writers from different eras develop their themes and styles, then this may be the course for you. You will also have the commitment to read widely and explore the authors and their work in detail, and you enjoy discussing issues and can write well.

What does the course involve?
Four units: 1.Drama  2.Prose  3.Poetry  4.Coursework

Drama
1. Shakespeare play - Hamlet
2. "Other" drama -The Importance of Being Earnest
3. Critical Anthology about Shakespeare's Tragedy

Assessment:
• Written exam (2 hours 15 minutes)
• Open book
• 60 marks
• 30% of A level

Prose
Two texts on a chosen theme: Childhood:
1. Hard Times -Charles Dickens
2. The Colour Purple -Alice Walker

Assessment:

• Written exam: one hour
• Open book
• 40 marks
• 20% of A level

Poetry
Study of two texts:
1. The Poems of the Decade: Anthology of Poetry published post 2000
2. Modernist poetry

Assessment:
• Written exam -2 hours 15 minutes
• Open book
• 60 marks
• 30% of A level

Coursework
Students have free choice of two texts to study and will need to write one comparative essay referring to their two texts. There is an advisory word count 2500-3000 words. It is 20% of the final A level.
It is assessed by teachers and moderated by Edexcel 

What qualifications do I need?
You will need to have gained a GCSE grade 7 or above in English Language or Literature. It is not essential to have studied Literature. You will also need the basic requirements of 5 or more Grade 4s (or equivalent) at GCSE.

What can I do afterwards?
In addition to leading to undergraduate courses in English and English Literature, English A level is very highly regarded as a key qualification for a very wide range of careers and other University courses. If you are considering applying to do any course at one of the Russell Group universities, you would be best advised to take English Literature rather than English Language and Literature.