English Literature A Level

ENGLISH LITERATURE

Why should I come to Pendleton College?
English Literature is a stimulating and well-established subject that generates great enthusiasm among students. It involves working on literary texts of all types - poetry, plays and novels - and covers both historical and contemporary writing. There are also significant opportunities on the course to develop creative writing skills linked to the reading you are doing. It is important to note that many of the more traditional universities (notably Oxford and Cambridge) offer English courses that are predominantly literature. English Literature AS/A2 is strongly recommended for students thinking about any of these higher education options.

What will I study?
The course will develop students' skills as both readers and writers. Year one will cover:

• Modern poetry and a modern play
• A comparative study of a 19th century and a 20th century novel
• The production of a creative writing piece (fiction) based on writers you will be studying

Year two will cover:

• Poetry pre-1800
• Shakespeare
• Exploration of three texts from different periods and genres

What will I achieve?
English Literature students will extend their knowledge of writing from a wide range of periods and styles. The course offers an opportunity to explore the backgrounds, lives and ideas of writers and investigate the many social, psychological and historical aspects of texts. It is also a chance to develop creative writing skills. English Literature can lead on to degree level study of English but it is also a strong preparation for careers in the arts, media, publishing, public relations and many other fields.

How is the course assessed?
In both Years one and two assessment is carried out by a combination of examinations and coursework.

What else will I do?
Students can expect to take part in theatre visits, study days at partner universities, speaker visits and creative writing activities.