What will I learn?
The Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in English Literature consists of four components: three externally examined papers and one non-examination assessment (coursework) component. The qualification requires the study of eight literary texts plus unseen poetry.
Component 1, Drama:
Overview of content – students study:
● One Shakespeare play and one other drama from either tragedy or comedy – both texts may be selected from one or both of these categories.
● Critical essays related to their selected Shakespeare play. Students’ preparation is supported by Shakespeare: A Critical Anthology – Tragedy or Shakespeare: A Critical Anthology – Comedy.
Overview of assessment:
● Written examination, lasting 2 hours and 15 minutes.
● Open book – clean copies of the drama texts can be taken into the examination. The Critical Anthology must not be taken into the examination.
● Total of 60 marks available – 35 marks for Section A and 25 marks for Section B.
● Two sections: students answer one question from a choice of two on their studied text for both Section A and Section B.
● Section A – Shakespeare: one essay question, incorporating ideas from wider critical reading (AO1, AO2, AO3, AO5 assessed).
● Section B – Other Drama: one essay question (AO1, AO2, AO3 assessed)
Component 2, Prose:
Overview of content – students study:
● Two prose texts from a chosen theme. At least one of the prose texts must be pre-1900.
Overview of assessment:
● Written examination, lasting 1 hour and 15 minutes.
● Open book – clean copies of the prose texts can be taken into the examination.
● Total of 40 marks available.
● Students answer one comparative essay question from a choice of two on their studied theme (AO1, AO2, AO3, AO4 assessed).
Component 3, Poetry
Overview of content – students study:
● poetic form, meaning and language
● a selection of post-2000 specified poetry and
● a specified range of poetry from: either
● a literary period (either pre- or post-1900) or
● a named poet from within a literary period.
Overview of assessment:
● Written examination, lasting 2 hours and 15 minutes.
● Open book – clean copies of the poetry texts can be taken into the examination.
● Total of 60 marks available – 30 marks for Section A and 30 marks for Section B.
● Two sections: students answer one question from a choice of two, comparing an unseen poem with a named poem from their studied contemporary text and one question from a choice of two on their studied movement/poet.
● Section A – Post-2000 Specified Poetry: one comparative essay question on an unseen modern poem written post-2000 and one named poem from the studied contemporary text (AO1, AO2, AO4 assessed).
● Section B – Specified Poetry Pre- or Post-1900: one essay question (AO1, AO2, AO3 assessed).
Component 4, Non-examination assessment:
Overview of content – students have a free choice of two texts to study.
Chosen texts:
● must be different from those studied in Components 1, 2 and 3
● must be complete texts and may be linked by theme, movement, author or period
● may be selected from poetry, drama, prose or literary non-fiction.
Overview of assessment:
Students produce one assignment:
● one extended comparative essay referring to two texts (AO1, AO2, AO3, AO4, AO5 assessed)
● advisory total word count is 2500–3000 words
● total of 60 marks available.