English Language

OVERVIEW

The course we offer, OCR English Language and Literature (EMC), involves study of a wide range of interesting and engaging texts. There is an Anthology of non-fiction spoken and written texts across time including: Pepys on the Great Fire of London; Chief Joseph’s Surrender Speech; the King’s Abdication Speech 1936; Dizzee Rascal on Newsnight; Russell Brand’s evidence to Parliamentary Select Committee and a live music review of Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s On the Run II World Tour. You will also study a novel, The Great Gatsby, a drama, A Streetcar Named Desire, and the poetry of Seamus Heaney and you will also explore the contexts of 1920s and 1940s America and the Irish Troubles. Additionally, there is the opportunity to write creatively and produce your own texts.

AS LEVEL

Component 1: Non-Fiction and Spoken Texts

Anthology study with a written paper comparing two texts from the anthology and one piece of non-fiction writing.

Component 2: The language of Literary Texts

This component is the Prose and Poetry Study with a written paper analysing narrative techniques in an extract from The Great Gatsby and a question comparing two printed poems of a selection of fitted poems studied.

There is no coursework at AS Level.

A LEVEL

Component 1: Exploring Non-Fiction & Spoken Texts

Component 2: The language of Poetry & Plays

We explore the poetry of Seamus Heaney and A

Streetcar Named Desire.

Component 3: Reading as a Writer, Writing as a Reader

There will be one question on the language of The Great Gatsby and one piece of narrative creative writing and the associated commentary.

A LEVEL NON-EXAMINED

ASSESSMENT (COURSEWORK)

Component 4: Independent Study: Analysing and Producing Texts

Task 1 is a personal investigation that explores a specific technique or theme in one set text, Stuart: A Life Backwards, and your own choice text (20% A Level).

For Task 2, you will produce a piece of original non-fiction writing.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Those who study English at A Level have the possibility of embarking upon many careers. These are just a few of them: journalism, media, law, business, the police and teaching.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Grade 5 and grade 6 in any combination from English Language and English Literature.