English Literature A Level (Full AS + A2)

Syllabus

The Pearson Edexcel A Level in English Literature consists of three externally examined papers and one coursework component. The qualification requires the study of eight literary texts plus unseen poetry. This course has been designed to reflect this, and will take students through each component as listed below:

Component 1: Drama

Students will study the following texts:

• William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night
• Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest
• William Shakespeare, Shakespeare: A Critical Anthology - Comedy (This Edexcel publication is only available from your exam centre and you should ask your exams officer to order one in for you when you register for your exams.)

Component 2: Prose

Students will study the following texts:

• Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
• Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid's Tale

Component 3: Poetry

Students will study the following texts (and they must study the stated editions):

• T. S. Eliot, Selected Poems (Faber, 2009) ISBN 9780571247059 (This is the 80th Anniversary Edition in an attractive hardcover.)
• William Sieghart, ed., Poems of the Decade: An Anthology of the Forward Books of Poetry 2002–2011 (Faber and Faber, 2015) ISBN 978-0571325405

Coursework Component

Students will study the folowing texts:

• Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights
• Angela Carter, The Bloody Chamber

Pearson Edexcel A Level in English Literature (9ET0)

In order to attain this qualification you must sit three examinations and submit one piece of coursework. Booking exams is the responsibility of the student. Tutors will be able to authenticate coursework for marking by the exam centre. Any and all exam fees will be paid by the student directly to their chosen exam centre. On purchasing the course we will provide students with a list of recommended exam centres.

Paper 1: Drama *Paper code: 9ET0/01

Paper 1 covers the two plays, and critical essays on Shakespeare, supported by student's reading of the critical anthology. This is an open book exam, meaning students can take copies of the primary texts into the examination, however the critical anthology must not be taken into the exam.

Details:

• Exam Length: 2 hours and 15 minutes
• Exam Weighting: 30% of the total qualification
• Questions: The paper has two sections, A and B. Students answer one essay question from a choice of two on their studied text for both sections A and B.
• Marks: 35 for section A/ 25 for section B - 60 marks in total

Paper 2: Prose *Paper code: 9ET0/02

Paper 2 covers the two novels. As with paper 1, this is an open book exam, meaning students can take copies of the primary texts into the examination.

Details:

• Exam Length: 1 hour
• Exam Weighting: 20% of the total qualification
• Questions: Students answer one comparative essay question from a choice of two.
• Marks: 40 marks in total

Paper 3: Poetry *Paper code: 9ET0/03

Paper 3 covers a selection of poetry from the two collections studied in the course, as well as some unseen material that will be provided in the exam itself. This is also an open book examination.

Details:

• Exam Length: 2 hours and 15 minutes
• Exam Weighting: 30% of the total qualification
• Questions: The paper has two sections, A and B. In section A students answer one question from a choice of two, comparing an unseen poem with one they have studied. In section B they answer one question from a choice of two on one poet, or poetic movement that they have studied as part of the course
• Marks: 30 for section A/ 30 for section B - 60 marks in total

Study Hours

This is only an approximate figure and is dependant upon how much time you can dedicate to your studies and how well you grasp the learning concepts in the course material. Furthermore, at the end of each lesson there is a question paper that needs to be completed and returned to your tutor. You should allow at least 1 - 2 hours of study to complete each question paper.

The approximate amount of time required to complete the course is: 300 hrs.