AS Level English Language & Literature

AS Level English Language & Literature
This course gives you an opportunity to read widely and to make creative and informed responses to the major literary genres of poetry, prose and drama as well as introducing you to the forms and conventions of other types of non-literary writing. It will enable you to develop knowledge and understanding of the key constituents of language, how the variations in language, form and context shape and change meanings in speech and writing, how individual texts can be interpreted in different ways and how to develop creative and critical approaches to the study of texts.

What will I be doing?
AS Level (First Year of Course)
Critical Reading of Literary and Non-Literary Texts
You will focus on the critical reading of a wide range of texts including a play, two modern novels, and a range of other texts, both written and spoken. You will be required to compare and contrast texts, exploring relationships between them and identifying and describing how meanings are created.

Creative Writing
An internally accessed coursework based unit. You will produce a folder of work made up of three pieces of work as follows:

• Creative writing piece written for a reading audience
• Creative writing piece written for a listening audience
• 1000 word commentary on the above pieces

A2 Level (Second Year of Course)
Independent research and Study
You will produce a folder of work comprised of three key elements as follows:

• One piece of literary writing
• One piece of non-fiction writing
• An analytical commentary on the above pieces

Varieties in Language & Literature
A synoptic unit which requires you to reflect on the knowledge and skills you†ve gained through the previous units. In the exam you will have to produce a detailed analysis of three unseen spoken or written texts of different genres. You will also analyse language techniques and literary devices which reflect the insights you have gained through the integrated study of language and literature.

How will I be assessed?
Throughout the course you will be given regular assessed written tasks to help you develop the skills necessary for exam success.
You will be formally assessed by exams in June (some exams also available in January) and through the coursework folders (40% of total A level) as outlined above.

Where can they go after completion?
English leads naturally to careers in journalism, publishing, and teaching. Many universities see English as evidence of a well-rounded and widely read student who possesses good writing skills. If you are thinking of undertaking an Arts and Humanities course at university you might consider taking this subject. It encourages critical and close analytical focus and develops a high reading stamina.