English Literature

Course summary

“We read to know we are not alone” (C S Lewis). We also read to live in the shoes of others, to “slip inside their skin” (Atticus Finch), to travel back in time, share the experiences of others and take on new perspective; to explore ideas, beliefs and values, challenge or discover your own and learn the literary skills to express ourselves more powerfully in original and creative ways through an enriched appreciation of our language. • Component 1 | Love Through the Ages The aim of this topic area is to encourage students to explore aspects of a central literary theme as seen over time, using unseen material and set texts. Students should be prepared for Love Through the Ages by reading widely in the topic area, reading texts from a range of authors and times. AS Level | Students will study four texts: one Shakespeare play, one poetry anthology and two prose texts. They will also respond to unseen poems in the exam. A Level | Students will study three texts – one poetry and one prose text, of which one must be written pre-1900, and one Shakespeare play. They will also respond to two unseen poems in the exam. • Component 2 | Texts in Shared Contexts (A Level only) The aim of this topic area is to encourage students to explore aspects of literature connected through a period of time. Students will choose one of the following options: • Literature on, or inspired by World War One • Modern Literature – 1945 to the present day • Component 3 | Independent Critical Study | Texts Across Time (A Level only) This component provides a challenging and wide-ranging opportunity for independent study. Students are required to write a comparative critical study of two texts. The text chosen for study must maximise opportunities for writing about comparative similarity and difference and must allow access to a range of critical views and interpretations, including over time.