Examination Board AQA Specification B. AQA English Literature offers you the opportunity to explore a wide variety of texts, from modern pieces by new and innovative authors to writers such as Shakespeare and Chaucer. Plays, poetry and prose will all be studied as part of the AS course. You will be encouraged to develop your own opinions of texts and shown how to search literature for evidence to support your ideas. We will also help you to develop your writing styles and essay techniques, studying the skills involved in planning and drafting work. Participation in group work and presentations is also an important part of the course. AS • UNIT 1: ASPECTS OF NARRATIVE You will study four texts, two prose and two poetry collections, for a two hour open book examination. • UNIT 2: DRAMATIC GENRES Two further texts will be studied here. This unit will develop your understanding of the features of tragedy by exploring two dramatic texts, one of which will be Shakespearean. A2 • UNIT 3: TEXTS AND GENRES Here you will study texts from one of two categories; Elements of the Gothic and Elements of the Pastoral. You will be examined on the ways in which context has influenced the production of the texts. • UNIT 4: FURTHER AND INDEPENDENT READING Here you will produce a coursework folder containing two extended essays. Firstly you will write a comparison of two texts making thematic and stylistic links. Secondly you will be asked to produce an analysis of a series of texts using critical theories that will be outlined in a pre-released booklet provided by the examination board.

English is a valuable ‘all purpose’ subject, leading to a multiplicity of possible higher education courses and future careers including science and medicine. If you wish to study for a degree in English, this course is essential.