In preparing for your A Level in English Literature, you will be following a specification from one of the examination boards. Their course pages are linked below:
You will be able to download the specification and some past papers and mark schemes from those sites.
If you are studying an international A Level, you will probably be following the syllabus from one of the following examining boards:
All A Level examinations in English Literature in the UK share the same Assessment Objectives, though they are balanced across the papers in different ways.
Assessment Objectives for UK A Level
| AO1 | Articulate informed, personal and creative responses to literary texts, using associated concepts and terminology, and coherent, accurate written expression |
| AO2 | Analyse ways in which meanings are shaped in literary texts |
| AO3 | Demonstrate understanding of the significance and influence of the contexts in which literary texts are written and received |
| AO4 | Explore connections across literary texts |
| AO5 | Explore literary texts informed by different interpretations |
The AOs have different weightings in different papers, so you will have to know which AOs are assessed in each and with what weighting.
Though Edexcel’s International A Level uses the UK Assessment Objectives, the Cambridge Assessment syllabus has devised its own suited to international study, though they are broadly comparable.
Assessment Objectives for Cambridge Assessment International AS and A Level
| AO1 | Knowledge and understanding Respond with understanding to literary texts in a variety of forms, from different cultures; with an appreciation of relevant contexts that illuminate readings of the texts. |
| AO2 | Analysis Analyse ways in which writers’ choices of language, form and structure shape meanings and effects. |
| AO3 | Personal response Produce informed independent opinions and interpretations of literary texts. |
| AO4 | Communication Communicate a relevant, structured and supported response appropriate to literary study. |
| AO5 | Evaluation of opinion Discuss and evaluate varying opinions and interpretations of literary texts. |