English Literature | A-Level
Examination Board | AQA
Specification Code | 7717 (1A and 2B)
Subject Content
- Literary Genres: Aspects of Tragedy
- Texts and Genres: Elements of Political and Social Protest Writing
- Non-Exam Assessment: Theory and Independence
Assessment Details
Students will study the two exam units (Tragedy and Political and Social Protest Writing) over the two-year course and the NEA will be completed early in Year 13.
Students will focus on the application of five key skills:
- To be able to articulate informed, personal and creative responses to literary texts, using associated concepts and terminology, and coherent, accurate written expression.
- To analyse ways in which meanings are shaped in literary texts.
- To demonstrate understanding of the significance and influence of the contexts in which literary texts are written and received.
- To explore connections across literary texts.
- To explore literary texts informed by different interpretations
Non-Exam Assessment: Theory and Independence
Students will work mainly independently by selecting one novel and one poem of their choice and create two essays which analyse the texts through the lens of key theoretical concepts from the Critical Anthology (feminism, Marxism)
Students will produce two essays of between 1250 and 1500 words each.
Paper 1 - Literary Genres: Aspects of Tragedy
Students will study three set texts:
- King Lear
- Keats’ Poetry Anthology
- Death of a Salesman
Paper 2 - Texts and Genres: Elements of Political and Social Protest Writing (PSPW)
Students will study three set texts:
- Songs of Innocence and Experience
- The Handmaid’s Tale
- The Kite Runner
There will also be a question on an Unseen Text, but students will be taught how to successfully approach this type of text using the elements of PSPW to guide them.
Non-Exam Assessment: Theory and Independence
Students will work mainly independently by selecting one novel and one poem of their choice and create two essays which analyse the texts through the lens of key theoretical concepts from the Critical Anthology (feminism, Marxism). Students will produce two essays of between 1250 and 1500 words each.
Additional Equipment Recommended
Copies of the core texts/revision guides/folder with notepaper/access to wider reading.
What can I do to support my child at home?
Be interested in what your child has been learning in English Literature! Why not read the set texts and talk to your child about the characters, plot and context? You could arrange a trip to the theatre to watch a production of ‘King Lear’ or ‘Death of a Salesman’ together, watch the film version of ‘The Kite Runner’, or even watch the TV adaptation of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ and discuss the differences between the original novel. Talk with your child about current politics and social issues. Recommend books that you have enjoyed in the past and lend them your copy to add to their wider reading. Visit second-hand bookshops and look for cheap copies of literary texts, or even texts written by the same author as their set texts, that your son/daughter could read.
The best way to support your child to learn is to role-model: let them watch you read.
Websites
Books
- Copies of core texts (ask the teacher for a reading list)/revision guides/wider reading texts
Teaching Staff Contact Details
Head of English
Mrs Webber - jwebber@cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk
KS5 Co-ordinator for English
Mrs. Onan-Read - aread@cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk
Second in English
Mrs Savine - asavine@cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk
Teacher of English
Mrs Woodcock - cwoodcock@cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk