English Literature

Course summary

Studying spoken and written words, alongside the different ways in which writers use and manipulate language to create effects, affect an audience and evoke emotions, English literature A level develops exceptional communication skills in students as well as the ability to structure an argument, analyse and compare texts, contextualise, and think critically. Engaging with a rich variety of literature, English literature A level enables students to experience a greater depth and breadth of study, with flexible content encouraging independent reading around core texts, and research skills. Exploring modern prose from writers such as Orwell, Atwood, Stoker and Carter, and poetry and drama texts from Shakespeare to Ibsen and Rossetti, to name but a few, students are expected to explore individual interests alongside prescribed texts on the course and draw on other subjects they are taking to develop and individualise their responses. Students should enjoy reading, writing and sharing ideas, and although there are often no single ‘correct’ responses to issues or questions raised throughout the course, the willingness to articulate and refine one’s own thoughts using evidence-based analysis is key, as well as to contextualise and use critics as a way of understanding the texts more deeply.