English Literature

Exam Board: OCR

Head of Department: Mr R J Prichard

Am I suited to this course?

Entry requirements: The minimum requirement is B grades in English and English Literature at GCSE but higher grades are preferable.

You should have an enthusiasm for literature, reading, thinking about what you read, discussing it and writing about it.

What will we study?

In the Lower Sixth you will study the work of one poet and one novel written between 1800 - 1945 for the examination. For coursework you will write about three tests written after 1900, including one published or performed after 1990.

What work will I do?

Work is done through reading and discussion in class and through the study of works of criticism. Students are expected to make their own notes and to prepare and write essays in study time and at home.

Students are expected to develop their skills in understanding and analysing set texts; to be able to judge and think for themselves and to express their findings in a clear, detailed, organised and effective form

How will my AS and A level grades be assessed?

Two modules are assessed in the first year:

  1. One exam (2 hours - closed text)
  2. One coursework component

In the second year two further modules complete the A level course:

  1. One exam on Shakespeare (Section A) and Drama & Poetry pre-1800 (Section B). This is a two hour, closed text exam.
  2. One coursework component comparing three texts; this is entitled "Texts in Time".

Possible Examination texts include

1st Year: Wilfred Owen, William Wordsworth, Pride & Prejudice, Wuthering Heights
2nd Year: Othello, The Winter's Tale, Dr Faustus, The Duchess of Malfi, The Pardoner's Tale, Paradise Lost Book I.

Coursework texts are yet to be decided.