English Language and Literature A Level

ENGLISH LITERATURE

Examining Board: Edexcel. Head of Department: Mr S Wise

English Language and Literature are central to how we communicate and make sense of the world. In an increasingly digital age, the ability to communicate fluently and persuasively in English, whether spoken or written, is an integral part of most professional careers. Areas such as Media, Law, Commerce and Education (amongst many others) all demand a high level of literacy and the ability to work well with others. The Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in English Language and Literature is designed to define and assess achievement of the knowledge, skills and understanding that will be needed by students planning to progress to undergraduate study at a UK higher education establishment, particularly (although not only) in the same subject area, English, English Literature and English Language.

This course enables students to:

● develop and apply their understanding of the concepts and methods for the analysis and study of language

● develop and apply their knowledge of literary analysis and evaluation

● use linguistic and literary approaches in their reading and interpretation of texts, showing how the two disciplines can relate to each other

● engage creatively and critically with a wide range of texts

● explore the ways in which texts relate to each other and the contexts in which they are produced and received

● develop their skills as producers and interpreters of language

● undertake independent and sustained studies to develop their skills as producers and interpreters of language.

This A-Level aims to give a solid grounding in both English Language and Literature. It examines the wide variety of responses that a piece of writing can evoke and extends the ability to articulate perceptions of, and insights into, a range of texts. To study English in the Sixth Form, you should have a love of reading and creative writing, a willingness to engage in discussion and debate (a key aspect of the course) and the ability to learn independently. Students analyse an anthology comprising a wide variety of non-fiction texts such as diaries, reviews, travelogues and speeches. In the exam they will be asked to compare one of these anthology texts with an ‘unseen’ text (also non-fiction). They will also explore a play (drama text) and answer a question on it, starting with a printed extract and then moving to consider the play as a whole. Both questions are equally weighted.

Students also study a theme, ‘Society and the Individual’, and evaluate unseen prose non-fiction texts which consider it. This theme is also addressed by two further literary texts (one prose and one drama), leading to a comparative essay question.

The final component gives considerable scope for Independent Learning: students choose two texts, one fiction and one non-fiction, on a given area of study, for example travel, relationships or conflict. They produce two pieces of original writing, one fiction, one creative non-fiction, and a short commentary reflecting on their studied texts. This unit is internally marked and externally moderated. The advisory word count is 2500-3250.

This A Level in English Language and Literature meets Pearson’s World Class Qualification Principles, which ensure that the qualification is demanding, rigorous, inclusive and empowering through internationally benchmarked standards, encouraging deep learning and measuring higher-order skills and is therefore a valued addition to any university application. Successful completion of the course will equip students with the analytical and communication skills essential for degree-level study and future graduate employment.