English Literature
Our students will move from initial readings to more in-depth consideration of some engaging and thought provoking texts across the two year programme of study. The texts have been chosen for maximum engagement and the study takes place through group discussion and closer reading strategies in a small group context.
The learning is balanced between poetry and drama, with your choice of two prose texts (one pre and one post 2000) being examined by coursework - an NEA. The popularity of this course is evident across schools nationwide. Many students are drawn to the subject's ability to ignite their imagination, foster a love for reading, and stimulate intellectual curiosity. A Level English Literature attracts students who are passionate about literature, storytelling, and the power of words.
Entry Requirements
English Language or Literature GCSE grade 6 and above is recommended.
What will I Study?
Our current prescribed examination texts include:
Year 12: A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams: we explore the tragedy of Blanche Dubois and the destruction of the most famous ‘Southern Belle.’
Year 12 - 13: Mean Time by Carol Ann Duffy. An opportunity to grapple with an exciting and emotive collection from our former Poet Laureate, covering childhood, love, loss and grief.
Year 12 - 13: The Whitsun Weddings by Philip Larkin. Once termed ‘the saddest heart in the post-war supermarket’, our students enjoy the challenge of Larkin’s characteristic and often humorously dark pessimism. Students then explore and compare the thematic concerns of these two modern poets.
Year 12 Summer: The Duchess of Malfi by John Webster. We have chosen a perfectly tragic Jacobean comparative piece to compare to A Streetcar Named Desire, with corruption, deceit and the staggering abuse of power in 16th century Italy.
Year 13: The Tempest by William Shakespeare. This is a poignant last play, his farewell to stage and the Jacobean drama provides our students with an exciting combination of the best of all the elements of Shakespearean stagecraft.
Year 13: Blake and Songs of Innocence and Experience. In this, he investigates, as he so eloquently summarised, 'the two contrary states of the human soul’ at a time of devastating social and cultural change. This is a stand-alone text to explore the way Blake created meaning from his poetry, reacting to a world in devastating transition.
Year 13: Unseen texts study - we provide a range of unseen poems and prose to analyse to prepare for our Component 3.
Year 13: Prose Study Coursework (NEA). One 2500-3500 word assignment based on the reading of two prose texts from different periods, one pre-2000 and one post 2000, selected by you and agreed by the Examination Board. Students will choose and explore a thematic concern that is relevant to both texts, sharing their ideas through purposeful mentoring sessions and pertinent feedback in a thesis-style structure.
Which exam board is used and how will I be assessed?
The examination board is Eduqas.
Click here to access the exam board webpage for this specification.
There will be three examination papers at the end of the course (worth 30% + 30% +20% respectively.)
The NEA is worth the final 20% of the award.
Each paper is 2 hours long. All questions will be significant, essay-based responses to poems, extracts and play segments.
Where could this subject take me?
By studying A Level English Literature, students open the door to a wide array of exciting university courses. The subject equips students with strong, analytical communication and research skills. They can pursue degrees in English Literature, English Language and Linguistics, Creative Writing, Journalism, Media Studies, Theatre Studies, and Cultural Studies, amongst others.
These courses provide a deep understanding of literary analysis, critical thinking, and effective communication skills, which are highly valued in various professions. A Level English Literature can lead to diverse career pathways beyond traditional teaching roles. These options include becoming a writer, editor, journalist, literary agent, public relations specialist, librarian, or even a screenwriter. Even roles in law, public relations and marketing beckon, where strong communication skills and critical thinking are valued.
For those interested in combining work experience with further education, popular Higher and Degree Apprenticeships related to this subject include Publishing, Digital Marketing, Communications, and Education. Thornleigh students studying this subject often consider universities such as Durham University, University College London (UCL), and the Universities of Edinburgh, Liverpool and Manchester. Several universities, including these mentioned, consistently rank in the top 10 for English Literature. Choose Manchester Metropolitan University and you may even find yourself in one of Duffy’s lectures!
Typical entry requirements for a degree in English Literature include A Level grades or equivalent in English Literature, English Language, or related subjects, with many universities looking for strong analytical and writing skills.
How can I get ahead in this subject
Interesting Revision Resources:
Larkin and Duffy: A Guide by Liz Croft
The Duchess of Malfi & A Streetcar Named Desire: A Study Guide for WJEC Eduqas A-Level English Literature (Notable) Izzy Ingram
York Notes on all Key texts- See Amazon for details.
Interesting Books to Prepare:
The World’s Wife and Feminine Gospels by Carol Ann Duffy (Wider reading)
Philip Larkin: A Writer’s Life by Sir Andrew Motion (Context)
Letters Home by Philip Larkin (Context)
Dangerous Enthusiasm: William Blake and the Culture of Radicalism in the 1790s by Jon Mee (Context)
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell (Fictional rework on Shakespeare and his family.)
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams (Literary traditions)
Interesting Websites to visit:
William Shakespeare
The William Blake Archive
Interesting documentaries to watch:
Life of Blake
Philip Larkin: Love and Death
The Tempest
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