English Literature
Studying AQA English Literature allows students to experience global, modern texts and writings which have significantly influenced our literary and cultural heritage.
Curriculum Information
Key Stage 4 Core Subject Information
Exam Board: AQA
Qualification: GCSE in English Literature
During their GCSE journey, students will study a wealth of authors including Shakespeare and a range of poets. The texts covered will span texts from the 19th century to modern poems.
Students will have the opportunity to explore and engage with the authorial viewpoint and writers’ methods in detail and consider a range of interpretations surrounding the chosen language and structure.
Context is considered and explored, and along with critical readings of the set texts, a depth of understanding of the key ideas, themes and characters are also developed.
Literature Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel
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What's assessed |
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How it's assessed
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Questions Section A Shakespeare: students will answer one question on their play of choice. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the play and then to write about the play as a whole. Section B The 19th-century novel: students will answer one question on their novel of choice. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the novel and then to write about the novel as a whole. |
Literature Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry
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What's assessed |
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How it's assessed
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Questions Section A Modern texts: students will answer one essay question from a choice of two on their studied modern prose or drama text. Section B Poetry: students will answer one comparative question on one named poem printed on the paper and one other poem from their chosen anthology cluster. Section C Unseen poetry: Students will answer one question on one unseen poem and one question comparing this poem with a second unseen poem. |
