English Literature
Reading literature increases knowledge in an active, intellectually challenging way that other more passive activities cannot do.
A thorough grounding in literature automatically provides knowledge of our literary heritage while at the same time increasing the student’s awareness of cultural values, history, sociology, psychology, and almost every branch of human knowledge.
Literary study expands our capacity to sympathise with other human beings, enhances our ability to see and imagine human complexity, and broadens our intellectual horizons by enlarging our power to experience life vicariously.
Studying English Literature at A Level allows students to explore texts in more depth than at GCSE. You will be with like-minded students, people who have chosen to do the subject because they enjoy it, which makes the level of debate more intense.
Entry Requirements
Grade 6 in English Literature
You need to have an interest in words, an enquiring mind, and be prepared to share your thoughts with others in the class. An enjoyment of reading is obviously going to be an advantage.
Topics Covered
Over the two year course, students will study the following texts:
Tragedy: typical texts: King Lear, Death of a Salesman (Arthur Miller), Tess of the D’Urbervilles (Thomas Hardy)
Crime: typical texts: Atonement (Ian McEwan), Brighton Rock (Graham Greene), The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (Coleridge)
Coursework: one essay on prose, one on poetry. There is some free choice here.
Methods of Assessment
At King Edward’s we take the AQA Literature B Specification.
Paper 1 - Literary Genres
2 hours 30 minutes closed book, 40% of A Level, 75 marks
- Section A: One passage-based question on set Shakespeare text.
- Section B: One essay question on set Shakespeare text.
- Section C: One essay question linking two texts.
3 hours open book, 40% of A Level, 75 marks
Paper 2 - Texts & Genres
3 hours open book, 40% of A Level, 75 marks
Study of 3 texts.
- Section A: One unseen Crime passage.
- Section B: One essay question on a Crime text.
- Section C: One essay question on two Crime texts.
Paper 3– Theory and Independence
50 marks 20% of A Level
Study of two texts: one poetry and one prose text, informed by study of the Critical Anthology (students have a free choice of one poetry and one prose text).
Two essays of 1250-1500 words.
Enrichment Opportunities
• Booker Prize Challenge offers students the chance to read and discuss novels in the short-list (very impressive on a UCAS statement!).
• LitSoc runs throughout the year. Students and teachers give talks on their favourite books or writers. We also have visitors from Southampton University.
• Trips to the theatre to see texts (depending on availability).
Meet the Staff
If you have a specific enquiry for the English Department, email english@kes.hants.sch.uk
|
Dr A.J. Schofield |
Head of English |
|
Miss. H.K. Arnold |
Second in Department i/c English Language A-Level |
| Mr. W.E. Collinson BA MPhil |
English, Deputy Head (Pastoral) |
|
Mrs. S. Evans |
English, Head of Year - Upper School |
| Mrs. J.L. Gunton BA |
Second in Department i/c GCSE. ITT Tutor |
| Ms. C.E. Pyne BA, MA |
English |
| Mrs. E.B. Rawson BA, MA |
English |
|
Ms. L. Dara BA |
Teacher of English |
