ENGLISH LITERATURE & LANGUAGE (AQA)

“Language is wine upon the lips.”

Virginia Woolf

If you enjoyed English Language at GCSE, this course will allow you to develop your interests in both language and literature as interconnecting subjects. Added to this will be the study of spoken language; the language of the media, how speech is represented in literature and, most fascinating of all, analysis of everyday conversation. Do we always say what we mean: mean what we say?

PAPER 1: TELLING STORIES

What's assessed

• Remembered places – the representation of place
• Imagined worlds – point of view and genre in prose
• Poetic voices – the forms and functions of poetic voice
• Methods of language analysis are integrated into the activities

Assessed:

• Written exam: 3 hours
• 100 marks
• 40% of A-level

Questions:

Section A – Remembered places

• One compulsory question on the AQA Anthology: Paris (40 marks)
• This section is closed book.
• Section B – Imagined worlds

• One question from a choice of two on prose set text (35 marks)
• This section is open book.
• Section C – Poetic voices

• One question from a choice of two on poetry set text (25 marks)
• This section is open book.

PAPER 2: EXPLORING CONFLICT

• Writing about society – the role of the individual in society, and re-creative writing based on set texts
• Critical commentary – evaluating own writing
• Dramatic encounters – conflict in drama
• Methods of language analysis are integrated into the activities

Assessed:

• Written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes
• 100 marks
• 40% of A-level

Questions

Section A – Writing about society

• One piece of re-creative writing using set text (25 marks)
• Critical commentary (30 marks)
• This section is open book.
• Section B – Dramatic encounters

• One question from a choice of two on drama set text (45 marks)
• This section is open book.

NON-EXAM ASSESSMENT: TEXTS ACROSS TIME (INDEPENDENT CRITICAL STUDY)

• What's assessed: A personal investigation that explores a specific technique or theme in both literary and non-literary discourse (2,500–3,000 words)

• Making connections – investigation on a chosen theme and texts
• Methods of language analysis are integrated into the activity

Assessed:

• Assessed by teachers
• Moderated by AQA
• 50 marks
• 20% of A-level

Past titles have included:

An investigation into how linguistic devices are used to present a character as being ‘normal’ despite their criminal tendencies within Stevenson’s ‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ and Ted Bundy’s final interview before execution.

An investigation into how linguistic devices are used to present a serial killer in ‘Silence of the Lambs’ and ‘Interview with a Serial Killer’ a Netflix original documentary.

An investigation into how linguistic and literary devices are use to create a grieving character in Salinger’s ‘The Catcher in the Rye’ and Dr Christina Hibberts’ blog titled, ’10 things everyone should know about siblings and grief’.

An investigation into the use of linguistic and literary devices to portray the subject of addiction within the characters in Irvine Welsh’s ‘Trainspotting’ and the article ‘Coming Clean: the photo diary of a heroin addict written by Susan Stellin.

Style is a crucial focus. Why do writers and speakers choose one form of language rather than another? For example, what choices of style have been made by Kirsty Allsopp and Heston Blumenthal, and how does that affect our impressions of them? You will study the style of a wide range of literary and non-literary material; the language of newspapers, magazines, television, radio, internet, as well as advertisements.

A facilitating subject

English Language and Literature makes an ideal companion subject to any other specification, most obviously the Humanities, Languages and Psychology. A qualification in the subject will always be highly regarded by universities, colleges and employers alike - truly a lifelong asset.

Careers

We have a strong tradition of students going on to a degree in English, the passport to many exciting career opportunities in areas such as the media, advertising, law, consultancy, journalism, publishing and teaching to name but a few.

Beyond the classroom

There are numerous opportunities to visit theatres, conferences and study days; as well as the chance to go to Paris to learn more about how this place is presented, during our study of the Paris Anthology.

“The tongue of a man is his sword and effective speech stronger than all fighting.” Anon

To begin English Language and Literature, you must have achieved at least a G6 in both English Language and English Literature at GCSE.

For further details please contact Alex Hodson ah@pershore.worcs.sch.uk