English Literature Yearly Overview

GCSE English

Course Title: English Literature 
Exam Board: AQA
Qualification: GCSE

ABOUT THE COURSE

Literature students will be able to discuss, explain and analyse some of the greatest themes in our canon of Literature. You will study texts from Shakespeare, Dickens, through to modern poets. You will also consider the writer’s craft and how the reader responds to the written word. Literature is recognised at all universities as well as being highly valued by employers. You will show that you are a deep thinker, problem solver and are able to analyse to a high level.

ASSESSMENT OVERVIEW

Students are assessed on different genres of literature with three being closed book: any stimulus materials required will be provided as part of the assessment. There is one unseen question.

Paper One 1hr 45mins: Section A Shakespeare: students will answer one question on their play of choice. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the play and then to write about the play. Section B The 19th-century novel: students will answer one question on their novel of choice. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the novel and then to write about the novel as a whole.

Paper Two 2hrs 15mins: Section A Modern texts: students will answer one essay question from a choice of two on their studied modern prose or drama text. Section B Poetry: students will answer one comparative question on one named poem printed on the paper and one other poem from their chosen anthology cluster. Section C Unseen poetry: Students will answer one question on one unseen poem and one question comparing this poem with a second unseen poem.

Please click on the below links to view our KS4 Curriculum Overviews for 2024/25: