This document provides information about the coursework and written exam portions of an A-Level English Literature course. For coursework, students must write a 3000-word essay comparing three texts on a shared theme, which is developed into a question and approved by the exam board. The written exam consists of two sections - close analysis of two unseen extracts from different genres, and comparison of two more extracts using knowledge of the theme of love through literature. Students are expected to read widely on this theme from various time periods, genres, and authors for the exam.

1. A2 ENGLISH LITERATUREYour guide through the academic year.www.sevansmedia.blogspot.com

2. CourseworkCoursework20% of total A Level marksOne piece of work:• An extended essay (3000 words) comparing threetexts and focused on– comparison– appreciation of the writer’s choices of form,structure and language– exploring interpretations of text– some understanding of the significanceof contextwww.sevansmedia.blogspot.com

3. What you need to do.You devise a question based on the study of three texts with a shared theme:The Merchant of VeniceThe CrucibleThe Handmaid’s TaleI help you with your question choice and it must be approved by the examining body – AQAwww.sevansmedia.blogspot.com

4. The Written PaperRefer to the “Roadmap”.Written Paper, 2 hours 30 minutes Closed Book30% of total A Level marks• Four unseen extracts for close study, comparisonand critical commentaryTwo compulsory questions:• One comparing two extracts of the same genre,with close reading of the texts and reference to thewider reading of love poetry• One comparing two extracts (of the remainingtwo genres), using wider reading of love throughliterature to inform interpretationswww.sevansmedia.blogspot.com

5. What you need to do.Students should read at least the equivalent of three texts on the theme of Love Through the Ages,including:• The three genres of prose, poetry and drama• Literature written by both men and women• Literature through time (Chaucer to present day)• Some non-fiction textswww.sevansmedia.blogspot.com

6. Love Through the AgesThese texts are:The Rover.Captain Corelli’s Mandolin.Selected poems by Byron and Keats. www.sevansmedia.blogspot.com