A2 Coursework Guidance

3.4 Unit4 – LITA4 Extended Essay and Shakespeare Study

Introduction

For this unit teachers have the freedom to create a course of study which will be assessed by coursework. The unit will encourage reflection on ways of reading and writing about texts (including  creative or original interpretations). In their coursework candidates will have the opportunity to write a sustained comparative essay on three texts of their own choice linked by either the theme of ‘Love Through the Ages’ or by a theme of their own choice. This represents increased demand, development and progress from the AS coursework. Candidates will build upon their prior knowledge of Shakespeare from GCSE as well as on their explorations of the dramatic genre in their AS coursework.

Content

This unit is assessed by means of a coursework portfolio. Candidates should select three texts. One text will be any Shakespeare play. The other two texts, for comparison, will be of any genre. None of the texts should have been studied at AS. The coursework folder will consist of one extended comparative essay as follows.

The extended essay      (70 marks)

The extended essay will provide opportunities for candidates to write at length (about 3000 words) and to develop their research skills, drafting and redrafting their work as appropriate.

The texts will be chosen by the teacher and candidate to reflect a shared theme. Choices of texts and tasks will be made by the teacher and candidate, subject to the approval of the consortium adviser.

The tasks must reflect the relevant Assessment Objectives and will focus on:

• comparison

• appreciation of writers’ choices of form, structure and language

• exploration of their own and other readers’ interpretations

• some understanding of the significance of context.

Candidates need to remember that they are writing a literary essay, and will show through the comparative task that they:

• understand the content of all three texts

• analyse the different ways the writers present their subject matter and ideas

• hold informed independent views about the texts, and can consider and use other readers’ views to develop their own

• are aware of the usefulness of relevant contextual information to their interpretations.

Choosing appropriate texts is therefore very important

– texts which not only enable the candidate to discuss plot, characters and themes, but also provide opportunities to explore and comment on:

• the writers’ styles and techniques

• choices of genre

• different narrative techniques

• individual choices of language and their effects

• the different ways writers structure ideas and develop similar themes.

(Information taken from AQA English Literature A Specification at http://store.aqa.org.uk/qual/gce/pdf/AQA-2740-W-SP.PDF )