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ENGLISH LITERATURE

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BTEC SPORT

BTEC SPORT

The English Literature A level leads to you becoming a more effective reader and a better writer It challenges you to look at the world around you in new ways and from new perspectives Aside from being a fantastic course that will open your eyes to the wider world, English Literature works well in a combination with other humanities and languages, or as something different with which to balance your study of Maths or Science It is a facilitator subject that can help you in your analytical writing, particularly if you are looking at a humanities-related degree

The Old Shirburnians who studied English Literature at A level have gone on to pursue a range of careers, including Law, Journalism, Finance, Advertising, TV Production, Acting and Documentary Filmmaking

Studying literature also shows future employers that you can:

° Express yourself clearly and fluently both orally and in writing

° Put forward ideas and arguments in a concise manner

° Think independently

° Gather, investigate and assess material

° Analyse and problem solve

° Show empathy and insight

What is the course content?

For the pre-1900 units, pupils will study Hamlet by W illiam Shakespeare and one of the following text combinations:

° Edward II by Christopher Marlowe and Paradise Lost

Books IX and X by John Milton

° A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen and The Merchant’s Prologue and Tale by Geoffrey Chaucer

For the Comparative and Contextual study unit, you will study one of the following options:

° The Gothic

° The Immigrant Experience

° American Literature

How is the course assessed?

Exam Board: OCR

Pupils take two examinations:

° Paper 1: Drama and Poetry pre-1900 (40%);

° Paper 2: Comparative and Contextual Study (40%)

The third component is made up of the coursework portfolio (20%) In this component you produce two pieces of assessed work The first piece can either be an essay or a piece of creative writing, mimicking the style of a text/writer The second task is a comparative essay which allows you the opportunity to explore your individual literary interests in a highly personal task

What else should I consider?

The Department runs a range of cCo-curricular activities that we would encourage you to attend:

° Debating

° Creative Writing

It is strongly advised that you have a grade 7 or above in English Literature at GCSE

Pre-course material

As a department, we encourage you to read widely and to pursue your own literary interests However, if you are considering studying English Literature at A level, it may help to read the following texts: The Art of Fiction by David Lodge; Shakespeare’s Restless World by Dr

Neil MacGregor

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