ENGLISH LITERATURE (AQA)
A2 Course Outline
What Do You Study in A2 English Literature?
The Study of English literature requires aptitude in a number of areas:
- Reading a variety of specified literary texts;
- Essay-writing skills including the handling of complex syntax, the planning of a critical argument and the use of references to support an argument;
- The command of critical vocabulary; and
- A grasp of how historical and cultural contexts shape the meanings of literary texts.
The AQA English Literature syllabus (Spec B) consists of one examination module, Texts & Genres (2 hours - closed book) and one coursework module Further & Independent Reading (two pieces, 1500-2000 and 1200-1500 words) at A2 level. The examination set texts vary considerably but all belong to the Gothic literature canon from 1300 to the twentieth century. At least three texts must be studied. Some of the texts are:
- William Shakespeare Macbeth
- Christopher Marlowe Dr Faustus
- Angela Carter The Bloody Chamber
The coursework is centered around comparison and criticism and texts include:
- Browning Dramatic Monologues
- Iain Banks The Wasp Factory
In lessons the focus is on close textual reading and understanding of chosen texts, and on knowing how to meet the assessment objectives set by examiners. Homework usually involves close reading, essay planning and writing and research methodology.
Essay Writing
- The nuts and bolts of writing a clear sentence
- What is a sentence? How to diagram a sentence
- Punctuation: using full-stops, commas, colons, semi-colons and the apostrophe
- Co-ordinating conjunctions in the long sentence
- The use of appropriate and formal language
The Fiction Toolkit
- Narrator, narrative voice and point of view
- How thoughts are presented: direct speech, indirect speech, free direct speech
- Characterisation, Tone, language and setting
The Poetry Toolkit
- Imagery: metaphor, simile, personification, sibilance etc
- Form: sonnets, stanzas, quatrains and couplet
- Repetition and litany
- Metre, rhyme, rhythm and memorability
- Enjambement and caesura
- Other devices: hyperbole, onomatopoeia, alliteration and assonance
- Tone: formal and informal language, archaisms etc
- Narrator: lyric, narrative, the ode and the dramatic monologue
The Drama Toolkit
- Defining plots: exposition, dramatic incitement, complication, crisis, and resolution in tragedy and comedy
- Style: naturalism and expressionism
- Dialogue, asides and soliloquy
- Character
- Irony
- Genre
| ENGLISH LITERATURE (AQA Board) A2 Specification | |
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Unit Three LITB3 |
Texts & Genres: 'The Gothic' (Closed Book)
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Unit Four LITB4 |
'Comparison and Criticism' |
Structure of the Course
This course will be taught for six 45 minute lessons per week. Homework will be set weekly and deadlines must be adhered to. Students must enjoy reading and be willing to read widely for pleasure.
