GCSE English

GCSE English
The course is designed to enable you to:
· Develop your ability to write for different audiences, purposes and topics
· Read and analyse poetry and short stories from around the world
· Understand different types of writing and the best way to get information from them.
Is it for me?
The course suits those with enthusiasm for English and who wish to gain a pass grade whilst on the course.
What's involved?
You are assessed by both coursework and Exams.
Coursework
You will complete a coursework folder of four pieces of written coursework as well as three speaking and listening activities.
The coursework folder is worth 40% of the total mark.
The written element of the coursework folder will include a range of activities such as:
- Original writing - writing your own short story. In the past students have completed this part of the coursework using different styles, including writing a short story with a twist, autobiographical writing and a diary of travelogue entries.
- A media task - a comparison of the opening of two films analysing or analysing adverts.
- A prose study - studying and comparing three short stories or a novel, such as the 'Presentation of Crime and the Criminal' in short stories by Roald Dahl and HG Wells.
- The study of a Shakespeare play. You might study, for example, Othello or the roles of the witches in Macbeth.
Exams
There are two exams, which are both taken at the end of the course. Together they make up 60% of your total mark. For the exams you will learn essay writing techniques through 'writing to argue, persuade and advise' and 'writing to inform, explain and describe.' You will also study 'Poetry From Other Cultures' and how to respond to a variety of media and non-fiction texts.
Progression
These are very transferable skills that will assist you in other courses and in employment, some students who are successful at GCSE can go on to study English at AS and then A2 level.