Examination Board : OCR
Link to Specification : http://www.ocr.org.uk/Data/publications/key_documents/GCE_English_Lit_Spec.pdf
Units Taken : See Below

AS Unit F661: Poetry and Prose 1800 - 1945 (Closed Text Exam): Students will read a novel with one teacher, study a poet with another teacher and answer one question on each in the exam. They will be required to do wider reading of contemporary writers and critics to inform their understanding.

AS Unit F662: Literature post 1900 (Coursework): Students will be required to read at least three texts on a specific theme. These will be studied with their teachers before being set a 2000 word comparative essay and a 1000 word recreative or analysis piece for coursework.

A2 Unit F663: Drama and Poetry pre-1800 (Closed Text Exam):
Section A requires one answer from a choice of questions on the selected Shakespeare play.
Section B requires one answer from a choice of questions on the works of a selected poet and dramatist.

A2 Unit F664: Texts in Time (Coursework):
This unit encourages candidates to develop research skills and to synthesise knowledge in an extended essay that covers at least two of the genres of poetry, prose and drama.

Students who study English at A-level will develop and hone their analytical and essay writing skills. They will be able to argue and discuss critically using rhetoric, technical language and formal academic styles. They will learn how to read challenging literature and develop independent research skills needed at undergraduate level.

Entry Requirements (all A2 subjects carry a minimum requirement of a D-grade AS level)

The school offer for entry is 5 GCSEs at B Grade and above with English Language or Literature and Mathematics at A* - C grade. In addition this subject makes the following requirements:
B grade or above in English and English Literature.
Students who wish to study English at A-level need to be well read; they must have read widely exploring works of many different genres and periods. They need to be able to read quickly and be prepared to read texts that are not just studied on the course. Essay writing is difficult and much more advanced than GCSE and students need to be prepared to spend time editing and redrafting work before handing it in.

If you are made an offer and meet the required grade, you will be expected to complete the following before your first lesson in September:


*Read three texts from the KS5 reading list available from the English Office (including one Shakespeare play). Click here to view the reading list for the academic year 2009-10.
*Write a practical criticism of a poem of your choice not studied on your GCSE course taking care to comment on structure, language, imagery and meaning.
*Go and see a theatre production of a well known playwright (not a musical!)

Resources needed for this course (Books, Field-trips etc)

You will have to purchase at least five books over the course of the AS year; these usually cost between £7 and £10 and your teacher will inform you of what to buy at the beginning of the year.

A useful handbook to buy would be 'Ways of Reading' published by Routledge.