GCE A2 English Literature  

At A2, the specification synthesizes the skills and learning of the whole course. Candidates will prepare for a paper which will contain unprepared passages for close study, comparison and critical commentary on a theme (for the next five years this will be 'Love through the Ages'). In Unit 4, candidates will be encouraged to reflect on ways of reading and writing about texts.

The A2 specification has 2 units:

Unit 3: Reading for Meaning

Students should read at least the equivalent of three texts on the theme of 'Love through the Ages', including:

• reading in the literature of love including the three genres of prose, poetry and drama
• literature written by both men and women
• literature through time (from Chaucer to the present day).
• some non-fiction texts.

Assessment

The paper will comprise four unseen extracts for close study, comparison and critical commentary.

Two compulsory questions:

• one comparing two extracts of the same genre, with close reading of the texts and reference to the wider reading of love poetry
• one comparing two extracts (of the remaining two genres), using wider reading of love through literature to inform interpretations.

Unit 4: Extended Essay and Shakespeare Study

Assessment

Coursework

One piece of work: an extended essay (3,000 words) comparing three texts and focused on:

• comparison
• appreciation of the writer's choices of form, structure and language
• exploring interpretations of text
• some understanding of the significance of context

Contact: Miss N Wright