English Combined

Taught at Kenilworth School & Sixth Form

Exam Board: AQA 

Assessment Method: You will be assessed by 2 written examinations worth 40% each, both sat at the end of year 13, and a piece of NEA coursework worth 20%, produced within the A Level course. 

Why Should I Follow This Course? 

This specification differs from those focused primarily on literature by extending its coverage beyond literature to explore differences and similarities between literary texts and others; it differs from those primarily focused on language by bringing the nature of literary discourse into sharper view. This course demonstrates an ability to develop and appreciate a range of transferable skills and gives you the opportunity to study a varied course of texts and activities. You will discover the main linguistic and literary approaches and methods of study, and how these relate to each other. It will deepen your knowledge and understanding of both language and literature and enrich your experience of English.  

What will I learn? 

Across the course, you will cover a range of skills, both creative and analytical. You will use base texts from a variety of genres and contextual backdrops to inform your discussions of language usage.  

In the ‘Telling Stories’ unit, you will examine the representation of place through an anthology of texts relating to the city of Paris. Within ‘Imagined Worlds’, you will consider a writer’s point of view, context and genre in within a prose text; a dystopian novel called ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ by Margaret Atwood. 

In ‘Poetic Voices’ you will look at the works of Robert Browing or Seamus Heaney to consider the forms and functions of poetic voices, considering how a poet’s language can establish identity and evoke meaning. Methods of language analysis are integrated into the activities centered around our other studied Literature texts, ‘Othello’ by William Shakespeare and ‘The Great Gatsby’ by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Within these units, you will look at the role of the individual in society, and complete re-creative writing based on the set text, followed by an evaluating own writing. You will also look at conflict in drama considering methods of language analysis within class activities. 

You will also independently complete a 2,500 - 3,000 word investigation worth 20% of your overall assessment. You will explore a theme or technique of writing in literary and non-literary texts of your choice. 

Where Will This Qualification Take Me? 

Business and marketing, publishing, journalism, copywriter, content writer, public relations, teacher, lecturer, lexicographer, scriptwriter, creative writer, researcher (academic or media), lawyer or legal professional, advertising, archivist, librarian, human resources, civil service, corporate trainer. 

Entry Requirements: Grade 6 or above in both GCSE English Language and English Literature.