A Level English Literature

Overview: A Level English Literature is made up of 3 units: Love Through the Ages (exam) Texts in Shared Contexts (exam) Independent Critical Study (coursework)

Love Through the Ages: 3 texts: “The Great Gatsby” by F Scott Fitzgerald, a selection of pre-1900 poetry and “Othello” by Shakespeare. 3 hour written exam with 3 sections – only the last section is open book. 75 marks – 40% of A Level.

Texts in Shared Contexts: 3 texts: “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood, “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams and “Feminine Gospels” by Carol Ann Duffy. 1 unseen extract 2 hour and 30 min exam – open book. 75 marks – 40% of A Level.

Independent Critical Study: 2 texts – one of which must have been written pre-1900 (“The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman). Comparative critical essay of 2500 words plus a bibliography. 50 marks – 20% of A Level.

Paper 2B: Texts in Shared Contexts: Modern Times: Literature from 1945 to the Present Day

Assessment Objectives: AO1: Articulate informed, personal and creative responses to literary texts, using associated concepts and terminology, and coherent, accurate written expression.

Assessment Objectives: AO2: Analyse ways in which meanings are shaped in literary texts. AO3: Demonstrate understanding of the significance and influence of the contexts in which literary texts are written and received.

Assessment Objectives: AO4: Explore connections across literary texts. AO5: Explore literary texts informed by different interpretations.

The Handmaid’s Tale A dystopian novel set in a fictionalised future vision of America. Women now have defined roles and the narrative is told by Offred, a handmaid, whose role is to breed. The opening of the novel is set at the beginning of the handmaids’ training. Explore the significance of setting in this extract.