English | Year 12 - 13

Specification

Curriculum Intent

Offering clear progression from GCSE, this course allows students to build on the skills and knowledge already gained and prepare for their next steps. Designed with a focus on the integration of language and literature, this specification enables students to see how linguistic and literary methods are related and to explore these links in their work.

The main focus for the first year will be on skills acquisition as students become familiar with applying the linguistic theory of Stylistics to a range of texts. Texts are grouped on a theme of Telling Stories and students will focus on three main areas of study: a collection of non-fiction texts focussing on Remembered Places around the theme of Paris; a short anthology of poetry from a selected poet exploring aspects of Poetic Voices; and a literary prose text which explores aspects of Imagined Worlds.

Implementation

Our A-level English Language and Literature specification draws on the academic field of Stylistics in order to create an integrated English Language and Literature course which brings together literary and non-literary discourses. This specification integrates literary and linguistic fields via shared concepts about the way language choices create representations, both in literary and nonliterary texts: words create worlds, both in literature and elsewhere. This specification differs from those focused primarily on literature by extending its coverage beyond literature to explore differences and similarities between literary texts and others; it differs from those primarily focused on language by bringing the nature of literary discourse into sharper view. The specification offers unique opportunities to consider issues of 'literariness' and 'literalness' that tend to remain unquestioned in other English courses.

The topics and titles of the subject content clearly signpost the key areas of study and separate the content both logically and distinctively. 'Telling Stories' focuses on how and why stories are told, the ways in which writers and speakers present stories, and how language choices help to shape the representations of different worlds and perspectives. 'Exploring Conflict' retains this focus on language choices (which pervades the specification) but looks at how these choices help to construct ideas of conflict between people, and between people and their societies. 'Making Connections' focuses on language use in different types of text and requires students to make active connections between a literary text and some non-literary material. For the purposes of this specification, literary texts are defined as those that are drawn from the three main literary genres of prose fiction, poetry and drama. ‘Non-literary’ is an overarching term which describes more than simply non-fiction. It includes non-fiction but also texts and data that are not formally published and marketed – for example, personal letters, spontaneous speech, multimedia texts. Non-literary texts do not have to occur in continuous prose: they can be charts and diagrams, transcripts, lists.

Impact

The key areas of learning embedded in the specification – the representation of place, point of view and genre in prose, the forms and functions of poetic voice, the role of the individual in society, conflict in drama, creative transformations of texts, researching and writing – will effectively engage A-level students from a wide ability range and help them to develop the key critical, creative and analytical skills required both for progression to higher education and for enhanced employability. The focus of teaching and learning is also guided to some extent by the set text choices, which have all been chosen for their accessibility and position as ideal vehicles for the application of students’ knowledge across these key areas.

The variety of assessment styles used allows students to develop a wide range of skills. These include the ability to read critically, analyse, evaluate and undertake independent research, which are invaluable for both further study and future employment.

What will I learn on this course?

The main focus for the first year will be on skills acquisition as students become familiar with applying the linguistic theory of Stylistics to a range of texts. Texts are grouped on a theme of Telling Stories and students will focus on three main areas of study: a collection of non-fiction texts focusing on Remembered Places around the theme of Paris; a short anthology of poetry from a selected poet exploring aspects of Poetic Voices; and a literary prose text which explores aspects of Imagined Worlds.

Assessments, Intervention and Support

You will complete frequent assessments throughout the two years. You will only complete external exams at the end of year 13. As a department, we are supportive and will put measures in place to support your learning and ensure that you are making the right amount of progress.

Independent Study

You will be expected to take control of your own learning and read outside of lesson time. In order to succeed in this A-Level, you must have a broad knowledge of Literature; the only way to achieve this is by reading! In addition to this reading, you will be expected to:

• Complete practice papers and questions
• Revise each unit as the two-year course progresses
• Homework will take a minimum of 3 hours a week
• Seek teachers out to clarify any misunderstandings or to help you solve problems

Summer tasks to prepare for the course

• Read at least one novel from the A-Level reading list and prepare a presentation exploring the writers’ techniques and use of structure

Paper 1: Telling Stories—40%

You will complete a 3 hour exam. All sections are open book. There are three sections:

• Section A—Remembered Places – comparison question focussing on two extracts from the AQA Paris Anthology
• Section B—Imagined Worlds—essay question on an extract from the studied prose text - 'The Handmaid's Tale' by Maragret Atwood
• Section C—Poetic Voices—essay question exploring themes in two studied poems - Selected Poems of Robert Browning

Paper 2: Exploring Conflict—40%

You will complete a 2 hours and 30 minutes open book exam

• Section A—Wider Society—text transformation task based on a studied text with an accompanying evaluative commentary - 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Section B—Dramatic Encounters— question on an extract of a studied play - 'A Streetcar Named Desire' by Tennessee Williams

Non-exam assessment: Making Connections—20%

Comparative critical study of two texts: one literary fiction, one non-literary text. Extended essay—3000 words

Reading

Over the two years you will read a minimum of 5 texts:

Telling stories

Paris Anthology

Poetry Anthology

Prose text

Exploring Conflict

Prose text

Drama text

Non-exam assessment