Subject Choices for GCSE
CORE SUBJECTS
English Literature English Literature at GCSE allows you to begin to tackle some of the big questions about love, identity, power, and society.
Through the rigorous study of literary texts you hone
SCHOLARSHIP
your analysis skills, exploring texts in increasingly
Throughout the course we expect you to aim above
independent and conceptual ways. You will sharpen your
the requirements for GCSE, developing the skills that
craft of analytical writing and become embroiled in hot
allow you to flourish at A Level English Literature.
debate in class. This is simply a wonderful course. As well as the rigour and depth of class discussion EXAM PAPER 1 (40%):
which develops your independence of thought, we
Shakespeare and the 19th Century Novel
ask you to read widely, using the A Level Journals
You will answer one question on a play by
such ‘Emag’ and ‘English Review’ to sharpen your
Shakespeare and one question on a 19th century
understanding of texts and to debate different
novel, writing an extended essay exploring how
critical opinions – decidedly an A Level skill.
writers use different techniques and methods to engage you and present different ideas. While
As well as this, we explore the significance of texts’
these are older texts, the issues they depict are
social, historical and literary contexts – again an
timeless and speak to the complexities of the
essential skill for success at A Level. By Year 11, your
human condition; you will love studying them!
essays will develop the scholarly voice of a much older student.
EXAM PAPER 2 (60%): Modern Texts and Poetry
For this paper you will study a text written in the 20th or 21st century, thinking about how writers use their craft to convey their ideas. In the exam, you will answer one of a choice of two essay questions on this text. You will then answer an essay question comparing two poems from the AQA ‘Power and Conflict’ cluster of poetry, and then some shorter questions on a poetry text you will not have seen before. You will hone your close analysis skills through plenty of practice!
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