GCE A Level English Literature

Method of Assessment Assessment takes the form of external examinations. At AS level, there are two modules: Unit 1: Prose and Drama (50% of AS Level, 20% of A-Level). Students will sit a closed book examination of two hours. They will respond to a prose-fiction, pre 1900 text, two part question, focused on a novel selected by the English Department such as Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. Another question will also be based on Drama, such as Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar named Desire’. Unit 2: Poetry Post 1900 (50% of AS Level, 20% of A Level). Students will sit an open book examination of two hours. Students will draw on a comparison of two poetry texts such as Philip Larkin's The Whitsun Weddings' and Carol Ann Duffy's Mean Time anthologies, focusing on one question to compare and contrast poems, whilst another question requires a critical analysis of one poem studied. There are a further three modules to complete the full A Level: Unit 3: Poetry Pre 1900 and Unseen Poetry (open-book) (20% of A Level). Students will write on a selected Pre 1900 poetry text such as John Keats Selected Poems in part A of this examination, as well as carrying out a comparative analysis of two unseen poems for Part B. Unit 4: Shakespeare (20% of A Level). Students will study a Shakespearean play, such as The Tempest or Hamlet and answer one question based on an extract taken from the play, as well as an essay question. This is a closed book examination. Unit 5: Prose Study (20 % of A Level) This is a coursework element of the qualification. Students will be asked to read two prose tests from different periods, pre 2000 and post 2000, and write a 3000 word assignment based on their reading.