English Department - OCR
English Department, AQA, 2018-20
The study of English Language and Literature at St. Catherine’s gives students the opportunity to explore and enjoy the work of some of our greatest writers, enriching their appreciation of our shared heritage and the power of language. Students build on the communication and critical thinking skills learnt at Key Stage 3. These include: directed writing; confident speaking and empathetic listening skills; precise, concise analysis and evaluation of the effects of the writer’s purposes and methods of writing, and so on. These skills not only support achievement in other GCSE subjects, but also offer excellent preparation for the demands of A level study of English Literature, as well as for a range of other A levels, other study and future careers.
All girls at St. Catherine's take GCSEs in both English Language and English Literature. These are assessed in public examinations at the end of Year 11. There is no longer any coursework or controlled assessment. Below is an outline of the AQA GCSE programmes of study:
AQA English Language GCSE
Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing
Written exam, 1hr 45mins
80 marks worth 50% of the Language GCSE
Section A: Reading for 40 marks
One ‘unseen’ literature fiction text and four questions (1 x 4 marks, 2 x 8 marks, 1 x 20 marks). The text could be an extract from a novel or short story, and will be selected from the 20th or 21st centuries.
Section B: Writing for 40 marks
One choice from two descriptive and/or narrative writing tasks (24 marks for content and organisation, 16 marks for technical accuracy). Student chooses between a written prompt and a visual image, both linked to the topic of the reading text in Section A.
Paper 2: Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives
Written exam, 1hr 45mins
80 marks worth 50% of the Language GCSE
Section A: Reading for 40 marks
Two linked ‘unseen’ texts from different time periods and genres (one non-fiction and one literary non-fiction) and four questions (1 x 4 marks, 1 x 8 marks, 1 x 12 marks, 1 x 16 marks). The texts could be high quality journalism, articles, reports, essays, travel writing, accounts, letters, sketches, diaries, autobiographical and biographical writing etc. One text will be from the 19th century, and the other from either the 20th or 21st centuries depending on the text in Paper 1.
Section B: Writing for 40 marks
A task in which the student presents a viewpoint (24 marks for content and organisation, 16 marks for technical accuracy). The task will be linked to an idea from Section A, but there is no choice of tasks here.
‘Speaking & Listening’ is also assessed as part of the Language GCSE, although this is a separate endorsement and the marks do not count towards the final Language GCSE grade. Pupils are assessed on their ability to present, to respond to questions and feedback, and on appropriate use of Standard English.
AQA English Literature GCSE
Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th Century Novel
Written exam, 1hr 45mins
64 marks worth 40% of the Literature GCSE
Section A: Shakespeare for 34 marks
One task on the studied play, writing in detail about a given extract and then about the play as a whole.
Section B: The 19th Century Novel for 30 marks
One task on the studied novel, writing in detail about a given extract and then about the novel as a whole.
Paper 2: Modern Texts and Poetry
Written exam, 2hrs 15mins
96 marks worth 60% of the Literature GCSE
Section A: Modern Texts for 34 marks
One essay question from a choice of two on the modern text studied.
Section B: Poetry for 30 marks
One comparative question using one named poem and one other poem of the student’s choice from the anthology cluster studied.
Section C: Unseen Poetry for 32 marks
One question on one ‘unseen’ poem and then another question comparing this poem with a second ‘unseen’ poem.
*Both papers are ‘closed book’.
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