Specification at a glance

This qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all exams at the end of their course.

Subject content

Methods of language analysis underpin each component:

Assessments

Paper 1: Telling stories

What's assessed

  • Remembered places – the representation of place
  • Imagined worlds – point of view and genre in prose
  • Poetic voices – the forms and functions of poetic voice
  • Methods of language analysis are integrated into the activities

Assessed

  • Written exam: 3 hours
  • 100 marks
  • 40% of A-level

Questions

Section A – Remembered places

  • One compulsory question on the AQA Anthology: Paris (40 marks)
  • This section is closed book.

Section B – Imagined worlds

  • One question from a choice of two on prose set text (35 marks)
  • This section is open book.

Section C – Poetic voices

  • One question from a choice of two on poetry set text (25 marks)
  • This section is open book.

Paper 2: Exploring conflict

What's assessed

  • Writing about society – the role of the individual in society, and re-creative writing based on set texts
  • Critical commentary – evaluating own writing
  • Dramatic encounters – conflict in drama
  • Methods of language analysis are integrated into the activities

Assessed

  • Written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes
  • 100 marks
  • 40% of A-level

Questions

Section A – Writing about society

  • One piece of re-creative writing using set text (25 marks)
  • Critical commentary (30 marks)
  • This section is open book.

Section B – Dramatic encounters

  • One question from a choice of two on drama set text (45 marks)
  • This section is open book.

Non-exam assessment: Making connections

What's assessed

  • Making connections – investigation on a chosen theme and texts
  • Methods of language analysis are integrated into the activity

Assessed

  • Assessed by teachers
  • Moderated by AQA
  • 50 marks
  • 20% of A-level

Task

A personal investigation that explores a specific technique or theme in both literary and non-literary discourse (2,500–3,000 words)