English Literature

Assessment

A Level (two year course) Unit 1: Drama (60 marks) Section A: Shakespeare (35 marks) One essay question from a choice of two on the studied Shakespeare text. In this unit, historical and cultural contextualisation enriches the study of the play. Section B: Other Drama (25 marks). One essay question from a choice of two on the studied text. Texts: to be confirmed, depending on class teacher, the Shakespeare will be 'Hamlet', 'Othello' or 'King Lear'. In LVI, the girls will enjoy studying the twentieth-century American tragedy 'A Streetcar Named Desire'. Unit 2: Prose (40 marks) Girls study two prose texts, one pre-1900, one post, which are grouped by theme. The themes include Childhood, Colonisation, Crime, Science, The Supernatural, and Women. The examination consists of one comparative essay. Again, contextualisation is assessed. Texts: Presently, the girls study 'Dracula' and 'The Picture of Dorian Gray', but this choice depends on class teacher. Unit 3: Poetry (60 marks) Section A: Contemporary Poetry (30 marks) One comparative essay from a choice of two on an unseen poem written post-2000. This is a rare chance to study literature for examination written within the girls' lifetime as well as develop the important critical skills of clear thinking under pressure, comparison and evaluation. Section B: Poetry Collections (30 marks) One essay question from a choice of two on the studied poet or movement. Texts: currently the girls are enraptured with the work of Keats and Christina Rosetti but the choice of poetry will depend on the class teacher. Unit 4: Coursework (60 marks) One extended comparative essay of 2500-3000 words on two texts linked by theme, movement, author or period. This is an exciting opportunity for girls to pursue their own literary interests and to discover a range of authors working outwards from their teachers' direction. Texts: The current starting point is 'The Handmaid's Tale', but this is dependent on the teacher.