English Literature

Overview Studying literature allows us the opportunity to examine the human condition through the stories we share. It addresses the existential questions of life and allows readers access to a range of experience to which we would not normally be exposed. This course builds on the skills developed at IGCSE level and encourages pupils to develop informed yet sensitive personal opinions whilst critically analysing and appreciating writers’ craft and its impact on the reader. A Level English Literature provides a solid foundation for any university course as it develops the analytic skills required for further study.

Syllabus Cambridge International AS and A Level English - Literature (9695)

Course Aims The Cambridge International AS and A Level in English Literature aims to develop: • an appreciation of and informed personal response to literature in English in a range of texts in different forms, and from different periods and cultures • the independent skills of reading, analysis and communication • effective and appropriate communication • wider reading and an understanding of how it may contribute to personal development

Course Content In this course, pupils will develop skills of reading and analysis of texts, and are encouraged to undertake wider reading to aid understanding of the texts studied. They will learn skills of effective and appropriate communication including the ability to discuss the critical context of texts.

The chosen set texts for AS Level in 2020 are: 1) Paper 3: Poetry and Prose • Selected Poems – Robert Frost • small Island – Andrea Levy 2) Paper 2: Drama • Much Ado About Nothing – William Shakespeare • All My Sons – Arthur Miller The chosen set texts for A Level in 2020 are: 1) Paper 5: Shakespeare and other pre-20th Century Texts • The Winter’s Tale – William Shakespeare • Oliver Twist – Charles Dickens 2) Paper 6: 1900 to the present • Never Let Me Go – Kazuo Ishiguro The Glass Menagerie – Tennessee Williams

Assessment The course is assessed by four examination papers; two are written at the end of Lower XX (AS Level), and two are written at the end of Upper XX (A Level). The following papers are written:

1) Paper 3: Poetry and Prose 2) Paper 4: Drama 3) Paper 5: Shakespeare and other pre-20th Century Texts 4) Paper 6: 1900 to the Present Each paper follows the same format and carries equal weighting:

Exam Content: Content from two set texts is examined in each of the four papers. Pupils write one response per set text. Question Style: a choice of two questions per set text, one essay and one contextual. Duration: 2 hours Marks: 50 (each paper is worth 25% of the total A Level grade)