English Literature

Assessment

The OCR specification is structured appropriately to ease the transition from GCSE to A level. The tutorials are, by the nature of the subject, interactive as well as analytical. Students who study English Literature are expected to draw and reflect on their own life experiences to understand the themes of the texts studied. In addition, tutors will help develop the language skills of the students by analysing the techniques and devices of inspiring novelists, playwrights and poets. To prepare students for the A-level course, tutors will encourage students to look for thematic links and to explore the social, cultural and historical contexts of the characters and the authors they study. There will be one weekly Timed Assignment as well as two homework assignments per week. Students will be required to read widely to broaden their vocabulary and enhance their writing style. The MPW English Department prides itself on the programme of theatre trips and conferences it arranges to support and encourage the enjoyment of literature. We benefit hugely from being located near the Crescent Theatre, Birmingham Rep and the Midlands Arts Centre and within easy travelling distance of The Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-Upon-Avon. The department benefits greatly from the involvement of very experienced tutors, who possess specialist knowledge of a broad range of literary genres and writers. A Level Specification – OCR H472 Component 01 (40%) – Examination of Shakespeare, drama and Poetry pre-1900 Assessment is using a written two-hour and 30-minute paper which is a closed book. Three texts are selected for study, two dramas- one Shakespeare and one another dramatist and one poetry text. All the texts must be written pre-1900. Candidates are required to answer two questions, one from each section of the paper. The study of Shakespeare is the focus for the first question whilst in the second they will explore connections between their chosen texts from the genres of drama and poetry. Through the course, candidates will develop not only a detailed knowledge and understanding of the set texts but also their appreciation of cultural and contextual influences on writers, readers and/or audiences and explore relationships between texts. Component 02 (40%) – Examination Comparative and contextual study Assessment is using a written two-hour and 30-minute paper which is a closed book. A topic area taken from: American Literature 1880- 1940, The Gothic, Dystopia, Women in Literature and the Immigrant Experience will be chosen. At least two texts must be studied from the chosen area, one of which must be from the core list provided by the board; the second text may be chosen from this core list or the list of suggested texts. Learners are required to explore contrasts, connections and comparisons between different literary texts within the context of a specific topic area. The first question involves close reading and the second a comparative and contextual study, both from the chosen topic area. Component 03 (20%) – Coursework Close reading or re-creative writing piece with commentary and a comparative essay Assessment is by two pieces of coursework. One piece is a close, critical analysis of a section of a text about the text as a whole or one poem about others by the same writer. The other piece is a comparative study of two texts, informed by interpretations of other readers. The word limit for the coursework is 3000 across both essays. Through this study of modern literature with one text in each prose, poetry and drama published after 1900, including a work published or performed after 2000, candidates learn to compare texts and gain confidence in their use of literary critical concepts and terminology. Candidates have the opportunity to follow areas of individual interest and enjoyment, exploring connections such as stylistic, thematic or contextual.