KS4 English Literature

A course leading to a GCSE in English Literature.
A modern prose or drama text, a Shakespeare play, a 19th Century novel and an Anthology of Poetry.
There are some links with the English Language GCSE and some of the texts studied can provide useful practice for the unseen literary extracts in one exam.

Develops your ability to respond to others’ ideas and ways of seeing the world.
Further develops your ability to communicate effectively and to think independently. To succeed, you need to analyse well and develop lively and interesting essays.
It is even more evidence of good reading and writing skills to add to your English Language GCSE.
Leads directly to English Literature or Language and Literature at A Level.
The analytical, expressive and argumentative skills that you will develop will be useful for your future career and further study.

Two written exams at the end of Year 11. Graded 1-9 with 9 being the highest.

Shakespeare and the 19th Century novel (40%) and Modern Texts and Poetry (60%).

Shakespeare & the 19th Century novel (1 hour 45 minutes)

Section A – Two-part question on a studied Shakespeare play. One in response to an extract and one an extended response on the whole play.

Section B – Two-part question on a studied 19th Century novel. One in response to an extract and one an extended response on the whole text.

Modern Texts and Poetry (2 hours 15 minutes)

Section A – An essay on a studied modern prose or drama text.

Section B – Comparative essay on two poems from studied anthology.

Section C – Two responses to unseen poetry.