English Literature

Vision

Building on the skills gained at GCSE, Year 12 Literature students spend the first year studying drama, poetry and prose. The drama component encourages learners to explore the changing traditions of drama over time. Students will study how meanings are shaped, and how values and attitudes are expressed in drama texts. The poetry component encourages learners to develop their ability to read widely and engage critically with a range of poetry from different times whilst developing further their techniques of analysis and evaluation. For both components, students will study the cultural and contextual influences on readers and writers; reflect on different interpretations of literary texts, including, where relevant, critical interpretation; debate alternative ideas about a text and consider multiple readings. Students begin the year with one of Shakespeare’s plays and pre-19th century poetry.   

In the Spring term, students undertake an independent and sustained study of literary texts and will be assessed by a 2,500-3,500 word assignment based on the novels of two different authors, one pre-2000 and one post-2000. The texts are taught in class, and they learn how to use the two texts to illuminate each other, and how to make connections between the two novels. Students undertake research in exploring contextual factors that have helped shape the production and reception of texts, including literary traditions of texts; select material that is culturally, personally and academically relevant; and research other interpretations of texts. This is a chance for students to explore their own area of interest and are supported with one-to-one sessions during the planning stage.

Students will also begin their study of the Unseen unit. This component gives students the opportunity to synthesise and reflect upon the knowledge they have gained from the course as a whole and to apply their skills of literary analysis to the examination of unseen prose and unseen poetry texts. Here, learners can approach each section in a personal and engaged way, demonstrating their own critical skills as they encounter texts that have not been previously set for study as part of the course. In preparation for this unit, students should read a wide range of prose from the defined periods and a wide range of poetry of different periods and forms.

In Year 13, students consider their study of drama and poetry, but with a focus on paired texts and the different readings opened through the act of comparison. In poetry, they study two post-19th century texts, and in drama there is one pre-1900 play and one post-1900 play, again with the focus on interpretation; how meanings are shaped; the influence of context and culture, and different readings. Students will continue with their independent study and their study of unseen texts during their second year too.  

Course details