English Literature

Assessment

For the A level, there are three components: two examined and one non-examined (coursework) component. Component One focuses on Shakespeare and also Poetry and Drama pre-1900. Students will study one play from a choice of Hamlet, or The Tempest. For the second half of the paper, students will have the choice to study either Chaucer’s Merchant’s Tale or a selection of poems by Christina Rossetti and these will be examined in an essay which asks them to compare this poetry with Ibsen’s play, A Doll’s House, and to consider the context of both texts. The second component explores a topic in literature. The ‘Comparative and Contextual Study’ will consist of a close reading (unseen) exercise and a comparative essay. The paper will be split into different topic areas. Topics offered include either The Gothic (Frankenstein and Dracula) or Dystopian Literature (1984 and The Handmaid’s Tale). The non-examined (coursework) component requires candidates to study three texts from across the genres of poetry, drama and prose from any literature written after 1900, and one of the texts must be post-2000. Task One (current text choice is Rapture by Carol Ann Duffy) offers a choice between a critical piece and a re-creative piece with a commentary Task Two is a ‘linked texts’ essay (current texts are Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire & McEwan’s Enduring Love) focusing on connections and comparisons between two texts. We try to offer a choice as to which text you pick for each section of the course to tailor your interests. The OCR course is demanding but enjoyable. Students who choose English Literature also benefit from trips to the theatre, talks and lectures.