Fast Track A Level English Literature

Fast Track A Level English Literature Course Content

The whole ‘A’ level has THREE (3) specific themes which are presented in six easy to follow units of study, which are sub-divided into themes of learning, these are:

Fast Track A Level English Literature Units 1 & 2: – Drama

Students will study aspects of the form of drama via two plays. The central focus of the drama study is the literary text. Students will need to explore the use of literary and dramatic devices and the shaping of meanings in their chosen plays. Students study a tragedy or comedy drama by Shakespeare and another tragedy or comedy drama. Teaching and wider reading should address the significance and influence of contextual factors and engage with different interpretations of the chosen Shakespeare play. Students’ study of Shakespeare should be enhanced by engagement with critical writing. Teaching of this is supported by either Shakespeare: A Critical Anthology – Tragedy or Shakespeare: A Critical Anthology – Comedy, provided by Pearson free of charge.

Fast Track A Level English Literature Unit 3 & 4: – Prose

Students will study aspects of prose via two thematically linked texts, at least one of which must be pre-1900. Literary study of both texts selected for this component should incorporate the links and connections between them, and the contexts in which they were written and received.

Fast Track A Level English Literature Unit 5 & 6: – Poetry

Students will study a selection of poems from two published poetry texts. They will consider the concerns and choices of modern-day poets in a selection of contemporary poems. Students will apply their knowledge of poetic form, content and meaning, and develop their skills in comparing an unseen poem with an example of studied poetry. Students will also develop depth of knowledge about poetic style by studying a selection from the work of a single named poet, or a selection from within a literary period or movement. Literary study of the chosen set poems should be enhanced by study of the contexts in which they were written and received.

Fast Track A Level English Literature Coursework Submission

The Coursework element is in addition to the six internally marked assignments, one for each of the units being studied. Marking of this coursework is initially internal by the tutor, but is moderated and final graded by the Edexcel Examiner and included as part of the final outcome result for the A level qualification.

Coursework will be assessed via two texts. There are no prescribed texts but centres must select complete texts which may be drawn from poetry, drama, prose or literary non-fiction. Students must select different texts from those studied in Components 1, 2 and 3. The selected texts may be linked by theme, movement, author or period. Literary study of both texts should be enhanced by study of the links and connections between them, different interpretations and the contexts in which they were written and received.

Students will apply their literary reading skills to two chosen texts. They will engage in wider reading, use independent reading skills and apply research and study skills to their chosen literature. Teachers and students are offered a free choice of two texts (2) which should ideally reflect interests and preferences that have arisen as a result of the prescribed course and wider independent reading. Assignment choice one (1) extended comparative essay referring to two texts. Total advisory word count: 2500–3000.

Assessment

Awarding Body Syllabus

The course has an internally assessed course work element, which is marked by the tutor and externally moderated by Edexcel, prior to the formal examination sitting; this adds twenty percent (20%) to the outcome of final assessment by a THREE (3) unseen papers across the three syllabus components of learning, that amount to 5.45 hours sitting.

To ensure that the four assessment objectives are clearly placed and assessed prior to the final examination, the TMA’s are weighted in accordance with these AO statements below:

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

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.

AO4:   Explore connections across literary texts.

AO5:   Explore literary texts informed by different interpretations.

Additional Information:

Please find below the Set Texts required for the course:

Donne, J. (ed. Illona Bell) Selected Poems. Penguin Classics: London, 2013. ISBN-13: 978-0140424409.
Faulks, S. Birdsong. Vintage: London, 2014. ISBN-13: 978-1784700034.
Hosseini, K. The Kite Runner. Bloomsbury: London, 2014. ISBN-13: 978-1408824856.
James, H. What Maisie Knew. Wordsworth: London, 2002. ISBN-13: 978-1840224122.
Shakespeare, W. King Lear. Wordsworth: London, 2000. ISBN-13: 978-1853260957.
Walker, A. The Color Purple. W&N: London, 2014. ISBN-13: 978-1780228716.
Webster, J. The Duchess of Malfi. Longman: London, 2004. ISBN-13: 978-0582817791.

Students will also study poems from a range of poets published since 2000. These are available in the poetry collection listed below:

Poems of the Decade: An Anthology of the Forward Books of Poetry ISBN-13: 978-0571325405.