English Literature

What Will I Learn?

Students will study a range of texts including prose, poetry and drama and examine the links and patterns between those from different genres. They will debate and challenge the interpretations made by others as they develop their own informed personal responses to Literature. The course will allow students to look closely at a broad range of texts. In Y12, students study a collection of contemporary poetry, a modern play and two contrasting styles of novel on a set theme. Currently the choices are, The Forward Book of Poetry, A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, Hard Times by Charles Dickens and The Color Purple by Alice Walker. In addition to this, in Y13, Victorian Romantic poetry will be studied, along with a Shakespeare play (currently Hamlet).

Why choose English Literature?

This course will allow you to think critically about the world around you; an important skill for the world of work. English Literature will complement the study of every other A-level option as it involves both analytical and creative skills. It is a subject very highly regarded by universities and is obviously designed to develop both reading and writing skills to a high level. This qualification is extremely useful if you are looking to study English Language or Literature, Media, Law, Education, Journalism, MFL, Politics, Geography, History, Psychology, Sociology or Linguistics at university. It is also very helpful for careers in web design, administration, PR, writing, the police force and medicine. As your communication skills will be developed to a very high level, studying A-level Literature will benefit you in every area of communication.

If I am interested in English Literature

I should read: High quality fiction such as The Booker Prize winners; writers from the literary canon such as the Brontës, Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and George Orwell; a wide range of poetry, past and present; and go to the theatre if you get an opportunity