AQA-2740-W-SP-14

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GCE English Literature A for exams from June 2014 onwards (version 1.4)3.4 Unit4 – LITA4 Extended Essay and Shakespeare StudyIntroductionFor this unit teachers have the freedom to createa course of study which will be assessed bycoursework. The unit will encourage reflection onways of reading and writing about texts (includingcreative or original interpretations).In their coursework candidates will have theopportunity to write a sustained comparative essayon three texts of their own choice linked by eitherthe theme of ‘Love Through the Ages’ or by a themeof their own choice. This represents increaseddemand, development and progress from the AScoursework. Candidates will build upon their priorknowledge of Shakespeare from GCSE as well as ontheir explorations of the dramatic genre in their AScoursework.ContentThis unit is assessed by means of a courseworkportfolio. Candidates should select three texts. Onetext will be any Shakespeare play. The other twotexts, for comparison, will be of any genre. None ofthe texts should have been studied at AS.The coursework folder will consist of one extendedcomparative essay as follows.The extended essay70 marksThe extended essay will provide opportunities forcandidates to write at length (about 3000 words)and to develop their research skills, drafting and redraftingtheir work as appropriate.The texts will be chosen by the teacher andcandidate to reflect a shared theme. Choices of textsand tasks will be made by the teacher and candidate,subject to the approval of the consortium adviser.The tasks must reflect the relevant AssessmentObjectives and will focus on:• comparison• appreciation of writers’ choices of form, structureand language• exploration of their own and other readers’interpretations• some understanding of the significance ofcontext.Candidates need to remember that they are writing aliterary essay, and will show through the comparativetask that they:• understand the content of all three texts• analyse the different ways the writers present theirsubject matter and ideas• hold informed independent views about the texts,and can consider and use other readers’ views todevelop their own• are aware of the usefulness of relevant contextualinformation to their interpretations.Choosing appropriate texts is therefore very important– texts which not only enable the candidate todiscuss plot, characters and themes, but also provideopportunities 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 anddevelop similar themes.Examples of choices of coursework texts andpossible connections1. Texts sharing the theme of Love Through theAges• The presentation of marriage in Much Ado AboutNothing, Brick Lane and Emma• The presentation of passion in Antony andCleopatra, Birthday Letters and Wuthering Heights• The presentation of the consequences of lovein Romeo and Juliet, Browning’s DramaticMonologues and Enduring Love2. Texts sharing a different theme – somesuggestions• The theme of ‘Minds Under Stress’: texts Hamlet,The Bell Jar, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’sNest• The theme of ‘Relationships between parents andchildren’: texts The Tempest or King Lear, Weneed to Talk about Kevin, and The Wasp Factory• The theme of ‘Responses to death’: texts Hamlet,The Death and Life of Charlie St Cloud, and TheLovely Bones• The theme of ‘Society and its values’: texts TheMerchant of Venice, The Crucible and The ScarletLetter• The theme of ‘The Lear Story’: texts King Lear,Bond’s Lear and A Thousand AcresCoursework GuidanceSupport and guidance with this coursework unit isavailable from the consortium adviser. Please seeSection 6 of this specification.313
GCE English Literature A for exams from June 2014 onwards (version 1.4)Assessment Criteria for Unit 43Band 10 – 16A01 A02 A03 A04Articulate creative,informed andrelevant responsesto literary texts,using appropriateterminology andconcepts, andcoherent, accuratewritten expressionCandidatescharacteristically:a. communicatelimited knowledgeand understandingof literary textsb. make few usesof appropriateterminology orexamples tosupport theirinterpretationsc. attempt tocommunicateusing inaccuratelanguaged. present an unclearline of argumentDemonstrate detailedcritical understandingin analysing the waysin which structure,form and languageshape meanings inliterary textsCandidatescharacteristically:a. identify few aspectsof structure, formand language inliterary textsb. make limitedreferences to textsto support theirresponses.Explore connectionsand comparisonsbetween differentliterary texts, informedby interpretations ofother readersCandidatescharacteristically:a. make few linksand connectionsbetween literarytexts, referring tosuperficial featuresb. reflect viewsexpressed in alimited wayc. assert a narrowrange of meaning.Demonstrateunderstanding ofthe significanceand influence of thecontexts in whichliterary texts arewritten and receivedCandidatescharacteristically:a. communicatea limitedunderstanding ofcontext throughdescription ofculture, text type,literary genre orhistorical period.e. make unsupportedassertions.Candidatescharacteristically:Candidatescharacteristically:Candidatescharacteristically:Candidatescharacteristically:Band 217 – 35a. communicateknowledgeand someunderstanding ofliterary textsb. present responsesmaking useof appropriateterminologyand examplesto supportinterpretationsc. communicatecontent andmeaning usingstraightforwardlanguageaccuratelya. identify someaspects ofstructure, form andlanguage in literarytextsb. show awareness ofwriters’ techniques,commenting onspecific aspectswith reference tohow they shapemeaningc. make reference totexts to supporttheir responses.a. make links andconnectionsbetween literarytexts or notecomparisonsb. communicatereasonableunderstandingof the viewsexpressed in otherinterpretations orreadings.a. comment on someof the relationshipsbetween texts andtheir contextsb. comment on howculture, text type,literary genre orhistorical periodinfluence thereading of literarytexts.d. adopt ageneralisedapproach.14
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