English Language and Literature

What is English Language and Literature?

English Language & Literature is an integrated course that combines literary analysis with linguistic study. You will explore how language shapes meaning in novels, plays, poetry and non-fiction texts, while examining the relationship between writers, readers, speakers and audiences. The course develops both analytical and creative skills, encouraging you to become a confident interpreter and producer of texts.

What will I study?

You will study a range of literary, non-literary and digital texts, exploring concepts such as voice, identity, representation and meaning.

Texts studied are:

• Dracula – Bram Stoker
• Twelfth Night – William Shakespeare
• A Streetcar Named Desire – Tennessee Williams
• Voices in Speech and Writing: An Anthology

Alongside these texts, you will explore a wide range of non-fiction texts, including journalism, articles, blogs, interviews, broadcasts and other contemporary forms of communication. You will examine how language is used in different contexts and for different audiences, while making connections between literary and non-literary texts.

Assessments

You will complete two examinations and one coursework component:

40% Paper 1: Voices in Speech and Writing
40% Paper 2: Varieties in Language and Literature
20% Non-Examination Assessment: Investigating and Creating Texts

Both examinations are open-book, meaning you can take clean copies of your set literary texts into the examination.

Coursework

The coursework component is worth 20% of the final A Level grade. Students choose an area of personal interest and study one fiction text and one non-fiction text connected to that topic. They then produce two original pieces of writing: one piece of fiction writing and one piece of creative non-fiction writing. Alongside these, students write an analytical commentary explaining how their reading and research influenced their own writing. This component develops creativity, independence and sophisticated analytical skills, making it one of the most distinctive and rewarding aspects of the course.

Trips, visits and enrichments:

• Trips to the theatre and cinema to see productions of set texts
• Creative writing
• Book club
• College newspaper

What can it lead to?

Most students go on to study courses at various universities, including Oxbridge and Russell Group. English is a core subject which develops a range of specific and transferable skills which can lead to and be useful in a wide variety of careers such as teaching, journalism, librarianship, writing, public relations, advertising and retail management.