Specifications that use this resource:

Subject specific vocabulary

The following subject specific vocabulary provides definitions of key terms used in AQA's AS and A-level English Literature B specifications.

Significance

When used in AS and A-level English Literature B questions, the term ‘significance’ has a very specific use and gives access to Assessment objectives (AOs) 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Its use here derives from semiotics and involves understanding the idea of signification. In this specification, 'significance' involves weighing up all the potential contributions to how a text can be analysed: for example, through the way the text is constructed and written; through text specific contexts which can be relevantly applied; through connecting the text(s) to other texts; and then finding potential meanings and interpretations.

Genre

This specification's examination components are organised around 'genres', but the term is used somewhat differently in each of the two components. In a most general sense, genre involves grouping texts by type, and so connecting texts. There are many ways of grouping literary texts though. Two of the most frequent appear in this specification: 'Literary genres' (Tragedy or Comedy) have their origins in the Ancient World with a specific emphasis on drama; 'Texts and Genres' (Crime Writing/Political and Social Protest Writing) are more modern and, being heavily influenced by culture, are continually evolving.

Aspects

Aspects of Tragedy/Comedy: the use of the word ‘aspects’ highlights the fact that it is the actual texts which are the focus of study, seen through the lens of the genre, rather than wholesale study of the genre per se. It also suggests that specific questions will focus on specific areas within the genre, and that differences between texts can be as significant as similarities.

Elements

Elements of Crime Writing/Political and Social Protest Writing: the use of the word ‘elements’ is similar to the use of the word ‘aspects’ above, in that again it is the actual texts which are the focus of study, seen through the lens of the genre, rather than wholesale study of the genre per se. The word ‘elements’ also acknowledges that the two genre topics are less formalised groupings than Tragedy/Comedy, covering a wider spread of prose, poetry and drama.

Dramatic methods

The requirement to consider author’s dramatic methods appears on many questions involving drama texts. This requires students to understand that drama text is a very specific type of literary writing: studied on the page, but written for performance.

The following phrases, which signal A02, will frequently appear as parts of questions on Specification B:

'Remember to include relevant analysis of dramatic/authorial methods/relevant comment on the ways that writers have shaped meanings.'

When responding to questions built around the idea of significance, students need to be reminded that they must consider AO2 as part of their wider discussion of the literary debates they are engaging with. These phrases remind students of the need to consider relevant aspects of structure and language use, especially as it relates to the combinations of genre (prose/poetry/drama: tragedy/comedy/crime/political and social protest) that they are working on.

Theory

The use of ‘Theory’ in the title of the Non-exam assessment (NEA) component is a clear statement that this specification understands that literary reading and interpretation is never fixed, and that one way debates can arise is through an awareness that the critical methodology you use can shape the meanings that you find.