English Literature A-Level AQA Specification A (2 year course)

Core Content:

4.1 Love through the ages

4.2 Texts in shared contexts. Option A: WW1 and its aftermath

4.3 Independent critical study: texts across time

 

Paper 1: Love through the ages

What’s assessed?

Study of 3 texts: Shakespeare: “Othello”, Prose: “Wuthering Heights” and an anthology of post 1900 Poetry.

Exam will include 2 unseen poems

 

Assessed:

Written exam: 3 hours

Open book in Section C only (Wuthering Heights and post 1900 poetry)

75 marks; 40% of A-level

 

Questions:

Section A: Shakespeare; a passage based question with linked essay (25 marks).

Section B: Unseen Poetry: essay question on 2 unseen poems (25 marks).

Section C: Comparing texts: essay question linking 2 texts (25 marks).

 

Paper 2: Texts in shared contexts:

What’s assessed?

Study of 3 texts on WW1 and its aftermath: Prose, Poetry and Drama.

Possible titles are: Prose “Regeneration”, Drama “My Boy Jack” and Poetry Anthology. These will be confirmed towards the end of Year 12.

Exam will include an unseen extract.

 

Assessed:

Written exam:2 hours and 30 minutes

Open book

75 marks; 40% of A-level

 

Questions:

Section A: 1 compulsory question on set text eg: “Regeneration” (25 marks).

Section B: 1 compulsory question on an unseen extract (25 marks) and 1 essay question linking 2 texts eg; “My Boy Jack” and the Poetry Anthology (25 marks).

 

Non-exam assessment: Independent critical study: texts across time:

 

Comparative critical study of 2 texts,at least 1 written pre 1900.

One extended essay of 2,500 words and a bibliography

50 marks; 20% of A-level

Assessed by teachers; moderated by AQA.

 

You will be required to read widely around both topics.