English Literature

Course summary

A Level of English literature builds on the skills that students have developed at GCSE. Students analyse a range of literary texts (novels, plays and poetry) with a particular focus on the way writers use language, form and structure to create meanings. You will explore set texts by a variety of writers from Shakespeare to Oscar Wilde to modern crime authors, examining the impacts of social and historical contexts. You will also study literary theories, including feminism, Marxism and ecocriticism, applying these to the set texts and also your wider reading. The course will develop your ability to think critically about what you read and shape your ideas into cogent arguments. Students develop a wide range of skills that can be transferred to other areas of study. A genuine interest in English literature and a willingness to engage in wider reading are essential. You will have well-developed analytical skills and the ability to write confidently and coherently. English literature is a rewarding subject: you will learn how to interpret texts in a range of different ways, offering personal responses supported by critical perspectives. As literature is open to interpretation, you should also have an open mind. What topics will I study? Aspects of tragedy, including drama by Shakespeare and Arthur Miller, and poetry by John Keats. Elements of crime, including novels by Graham Greene, Ian McEwan and Kate Atkinson.