English Literature

A-Level English Literature (Edexcel)

Why Choose English Literature?

English Literature isn’t just about reading books – it’s about stepping into whole new worlds. Plays, novels, poetry: each text opens up ideas, characters, and voices that shape how we understand people, society, and history. Along the way, you’ll sharpen your analytical skills, learn to craft powerful arguments, and gain a deeper appreciation of how writers use language to move, challenge and inspire us.

It also pairs brilliantly with other subjects such as History, Drama, and Politics, all of which build on the same skills of interpretation, argument, and critical thinking.

This is a subject for curious minds: people who love stories, ideas, and debates. In lessons, you’ll discuss, question, challenge, and explore. You’ll also develop skills that go far beyond the classroom – the ability to think critically, write with precision, and interpret the world around you.

Course Overview & Assessment

Component

Texts Studied

Assessment

Weighting

Paper 1: Drama
·         A Streetcar Named Desire (Tennessee Williams)
·         Othello (William Shakespeare)
2 essays

2 hours

30%

Paper 2: Prose
Theme: Women and Society
·         Wuthering Heights (Emily Brontë)
·         A Thousand Splendid Suns (Khaled Hosseini)
 
1 Comparative essay

1 hour

20%

Paper 3: Poetry
·         Poems of the Decade anthology + Unseen Poetry
·         The poetry of John Donne
2 essays

2 hours

30%

Non-Exam Assessment (Coursework)

Independent 5,000-word essay where you choose and compare two texts (novels, plays, poetry, or literary non-fiction). You’ll devise your own question, carry out research, and develop a sustained argument — a real taste of university-level study.

Coursework essay

20%

 

Where Can It Take You?

English Literature is one of the most respected A Levels. Universities and employers value it because it shows you can think critically, argue convincingly, and communicate with style.

Career paths? Endless. Law, journalism, publishing, media, advertising, government, teaching – and much more. But more than that, English Literature gives you skills for life: curiosity, empathy, and the ability to make sense of the world around you.

Ready to Explore?

If you want a subject that combines creativity, challenge, and big ideas, English Literature is for you.

Key Contacts

  • KS5 Co-ordinator: Mr. Zain Ahmed – zmd@slougheton.com
  • Curriculum Leader: Mr. Alex Saynor – asn@slougheton.com