English Literature

Written examination. The paper comprises two sections. Each section comprises one data response question broken down into a number of parts, including a choice of extended open-response questions; pupils select one from a choice of two. Duration: 2 hours. 100 marks available.

English Literature: Eduqas 601/4870/6

English Literature has always been a popular subject due to the inspiration and conversation that great writing promotes. The Upper School course is both creative and engaging, allowing pupils to learn how to respond intellectually and expertly in both classroom discussions and their own writing.

The Lower Sixth year begins with a mix of contemporary and modern literature and develops into more detailed study of prose, poetry and drama. Throughout the year there will be visits from poets and writers, beginning with the town’s Literature Festival in September. Whenever possible, we organise theatre trips so that pupils can experience great drama on the stage.

There is an emphasis on independent reading and the following of individual interests and literary passions. This will build into the independent course work choices of the pupils which will be a comparison of novels: one pre-2000 and one post-2000. We will begin set text work, including a first reading of the Shakespeare play for examination and take the opportunity to visit the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon to see a play in performance and study the life of the playwright. Pupils are encouraged to read widely throughout the year and we will be asking them to respond intellectually, creatively and analytically to texts.

In the Upper Sixth, pupils will follow the Eduqas A level syllabus that covers a wide variety of writers, genres and eras. There is an engaging selection of set texts for beaks to choose from.

The aims of the course are outlined below:

read widely and independently both set texts and others that they have selected for themselves engage critically and creatively with a substantial body of texts and ways of responding to them develop and effectively apply their knowledge of literary analysis and evaluation explore the contexts of the texts they are reading and others’ interpretations of them undertake independent and sustained studies to deepen their appreciation and understanding of English literature, including its changing traditions.

There are four elements to the course:

Poetry: study of a pre-1900 collection and post-1900 poets in comparison. Drama: Shakespeare and the comparative study of two plays (pre and post-1900) Unseen: prose and poetry Coursework: comparative essay on two novels (pre and post-2000).