English Literature

Assessment

Paper 1: Aspects of Tragedy Written exam: 2 hours and 30 minutes (40 per cent of A Level); closed book • Section A: extract-based question on a Shakespeare text, e.g. Othello • Section B: essay question on a Shakespeare text, e.g. Othello • Section C: essay question linking tragedy set texts, e.g. Keats's poetry and Miller’s Death of a Salesman Paper 2: Elements of Crime Written exam: 3 hours (40 per cent of A Level); open book • Section A: one compulsory analysis of an unseen crime extract • Section B: one essay question on a set text • Section C: one essay question about an element of crime writing linking two set texts Coursework: Theory and independence (20 per cent of A Level) The coursework element involves the study of two texts, one prose and one poetry text, chosen by the student with guidance from their teacher. They will produce two essays, of 1250-1500 words, each responding to a different text and linking to a different aspect of the critical anthology. One essay can be re-creative. The re-creative piece will be accompanied by a commentary. Coursework is assessed by teachers and moderated by AQA.