English Language & Literature
Overview:
This course offers the opportunity to think critically about language in the texts we encounter in society.
Content:
We teach the AQA English Language and Literature syllabus. Students will study for two examination papers and a ‘non-examination assessment’ piece. The first paper, titled ‘Telling Stories’ will require them to study a novel, a collection of poems by a named author, and an anthology of texts thematically linked to the place, ‘Paris’. For the cohorts who have already taken this course, the students have studied ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ by Margaret Atwood and a collection of poems by Carol Ann Duffy.
In addition to analysing texts, for this course students are required to produce ‘re-creative’ writing and then for the second paper, one of the texts studied acts as a ‘springboard’ to rewrite a section of text in the exam. Paper 2 allows students to develop their analytical and creative skill further, exploring two additional literary texts – one a novel and one a drama text. These are thematically linked under the heading ‘Exploring Conflict’ and students will be required to produce a piece of ‘re-creative’ writing in response to the novel and a traditional essay response to a question, for the drama text. The texts studied in the past two years have been ‘The Great Gatsby’ and ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’.
In addition, students will complete a non-exam assessment piece (NEA). For this, students have a great deal of freedom of choice and will work synoptically to draw together all skills of literary and linguistic analysis covered in the course. Students must choose two texts – one literary and one ‘non-literary’ and complete an investigation into a specific aspect of how language is used to create meaning across both.
Entry Requirements: Please refer to The John of Gaunt entry requirements.
Course structure and assessment:
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Paper 1 – Imagined Worlds and Poetic Voices |
Paper 2 – People and Places |
NEA – Making Connections |
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What's assessed Remembered Places – the representation of place Imagined Worlds – point of view and genre in prose Poetic Voices – the forms and functions of poetic voice Methods of language analysis are integrated into the activities |
What's assessed Writing about Society –the role of the individual in society, and re-creative writing based on set texts. Critical commentary – evaluating own writing Dramatic Encounters – exploring conflict in a set drama text. Methods of language analysis are integrated into the activities |
What’s assessed An investigation on a chosen theme and texts Methods of language analysis are integrated into the activities.
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How it’s assessed Written exam: 3 hours 100 marks 40% of A-level |
How it’s assessed Written exam: 1 hour 30 mins 75 marks 40% of A-level |
How it’s assessed • 50 marks • 20% of A-level • assessed by teachers • moderated by AQA
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Questions Section A – Remembered Places • One compulsory question on the AQA Anthology: Paris (40 marks) • This section is closed book. Section B – Imagined Worlds • One question from a choice of two on prose set text (35 marks) • This section is open book. Section C – Poetic Voices • One question from a choice of two on poetry set text (25 marks) • This section is open book. |
Questions Section A – Writing about Society • One piece of re-creative writing using set text (25 marks) • Critical commentary (30 marks) • This section is open book. Section B – Dramatic Encounters • One question from a choice of two on drama set text (45 marks) • This section is open book.
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Task A personal investigation that explores a specific technique or theme in both literary and non-literary discourse (2,500 – 3,000 words).
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Specification:
AQA English Language and Literature 7707
http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/as-and-a-level/english-language-and-literature-7706-7707
Further Study:
Links to Higher Education
All English A-levels have a grounding in sound academic study, and as such they are valued by all universities and colleges.
- English is in the top 5 most popular courses at university
- There are many combined courses which include English
- English Language and Literature is a good basis for studying journalism, media, film, creative writing, advertising, PR or communication or political studies at university
Links to employment
Just as universities appreciate the value of an English A-level, so do employers. Completing the course will help you to:
- Develop your ability to work independently
- Research, work and present ideas in teams
- Interact and communicate effectively
- Read, interpret and write clearly and analytically
These are key skills sought after by employers.
