Why Study English?

GCSE English Language develops all areas of your reading, writing and communication skills; these skills are transferable across all your GCSE subjects. GCSE English Literature gives you the opportunity to respond to, and enjoy, many different kinds of texts, discovering the place of Literature in its social, historical and cultural context. English Language and English Literature are taught as a combined course leading to two separate GCSE qualifications.

You will study:

• Non-fiction and literary non-fiction texts from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries
• A range of literature: poetry, prose and drama, including a Shakespeare play

 

 

Assessment

Both GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature will be assessed by examination only. The Spoken Language Endorsement will be assessed in School by your class teacher.

Assessment in GCSE English Language

Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing

Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes, 80 marks, 50% of GCSE

This exam focuses on reading literary prose texts and creative writing. You will read and respond to an extract from a literary prose text; you will also complete one piece of original narrative or descriptive writing.

Paper 2: Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives

Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes, 80 marks, 50% of GCSE

This exam focuses on reading and writing non-fiction texts. You will read and compare non-fiction texts: one 19th-century non-fiction text and one 20th or 21st-century text. You will also write one piece of original non-fiction; either a speech, letter or article to present a viewpoint.

Spoken Language Endorsement: (Non-exam assessment 0% of total GCSE)

You will present information in a formal spoken presentation and listen and respond to others appropriately. You will receive a separate grade for this on your GCSE certificate: either a pass, merit or distinction.

Assessment in GCSE English Literature

Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel

Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes, 64 marks, 40% of GCSE

Section A Shakespeare: You will answer one question on Romeo and Juliet. You will be required to write in detail about an extract from the play and then to write about the play as a whole.

Section B The 19th-century novel: You will answer one question on either Jekyll and Hyde or A Christmas Carol (depending upon which set you are in). You will be required to write in detail about an extract from the novel and then to write about the novel as a whole.

Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry

Written exam: 2 hour 15 minutes, 96 marks, 60% of GCSE

Section A Modern texts: You will answer one essay question from a choice of two on your studied modern drama text An Inspector Calls.

Section B Poetry: You will answer one comparative question on one named poem printed on the paper and one other poem from the Love and Relationships cluster in the AQA anthology.

Section C Unseen poetry: You will answer one question on one unseen poem and one question comparing this poem with a second unseen poem.

Literature examinations are closed text