English Literature

English Literature

Exam board: AQA
Course code:
8702

http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-literature-8702

For further information, please contact Mrs A Gibson: [email protected] 

 

The course enables students to read and respond to a wide variety of texts, from contemporary poetry to historical work from our long literary heritage, with understanding and confidence and, we hope, with real enjoyment and appreciation. Our aim is to prepare students for the world that awaits them, to develop their knowledge of the world, creating perceptive, thoughtful and considerate young people. We strive to instil not only a love of the written word in lessons, but a love of literature beyond their school years.

The exam consists of two papers, both of which are constituted as follows and are assessed in May/June of Year 11.

Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th Century novel

How it is assessed:  Written Examination:  1 hour 45 minutes; 64 marks; 40% of GCSE Literature.

  • Section A: Shakespeare – students answer one question on Macbeth. They write in detail about an extract from the play and then about the play as a whole.
  • Section B: The 19th-century novel - students will answer one question on Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. They write in detail about an extract from the novel and then about the novel as a whole.

Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry

How it is assessed:  Written Examination:  2 hours 15 minutes; 96 marks; 60% of GCSE Literature.

  • Section A: Modern texts - students answer one essay question on An Inspector Calls.
  • Section B: Power and Conflict Poetry - students answer one comparative question on one named poem printed on the paper and one other poem from the anthology.
  • Section C: Unseen poetry - students answer one question on an unseen poem and one question comparing this poem with a second unseen poem.

Students are given end of unit tests for each module to ensure a clear picture of where they currently are and how they can progress further.

Higher Education and Careers

The competences required for literary study are those needed in most professions: clear thinking, close scrutiny of evidence, arguing and presenting a case and being responsive to the views of others.