GRADE 8 ENGLISH LITERATURE 2016 – 2017

The purpose of Grade 8 Course of Study in English Literature is to build a strong

foundation in literacy skills, knowledge and understanding, and to enrich their cultural
awareness through the study of literary heritage texts. The Course of Study supports
students’ development of KS3 literacy skills.

Aims and objectives of the Course of Study in Literature enable students to:

 Read a wide range of classic literature fluently and with good understanding, and make
connections across their reading

 Read in depth, critically and evaluatively, so that they are able to discuss and explain
their understanding and ideas

 Develop the habit of reading widely and often

 Appreciate the depth and power of the English Literary heritage

 Write accurately, effectively and analytically about their reading, using Standard
English

 Acquire and apply a wide range of vocabulary, including grammatical terminology,

and other literary and linguistic terms they need to criticise and explore and interpret
what they read

Focus Overview of content Overview of assessment

Shakespeare: *Develop skills to analyse how the *A two-part question- with the first question
language, form, structure and context focused on close language analysis of an extract
The Merchant of texts can create meanings and of about 30 lines.(AO2) (20marks). *The
of Venice effects. (AO2) second task is focused on how a theme from the
Total Marks:40 extract is explored elsewhere in the play.
*Develop skills to maintain a critical (AO1and AO3)(20marks)
Exam time: style and informed personal
55 minutes response. (AO1and AO3)

Prose: *Develop skills to analyse how the *A two-part essay question-with the first part
language, form, structure and context based on a short quotation from the text, to
The Pearl by of texts can create meanings and provide a stimulus for the response.
John Steinbeck * Both parts of the question will focus on one
Total Marks:40 effects. or more of the following areas: plot,events,
settings, characters, themes and will require
Time: 1 Hour *Develop skills to maintain a critical students to explore the question in relation to
style and informed personal the context. (AO1, AO3 and AO4)
response.
* Assessment Objectives covered are *Marks will be given for accurate spelling,
AO1, AO3 and AO4. punctuation and grammar.

Duration of Prose and Poetry Paper: 1 Hour 50 Minutes Total Marks:80

Poetry: *Develop skills to analyse how the *Question/s focus on two unseen poems that
Collection of language, form, structure and context are linked by a theme.
poems of texts can create meanings and * Students may be required to answer questions
effects. on one poem, as well as a comparison question
Total Marks:40 on two poems.
*Develop skills to maintain a critical
Time:50 style and informed personal *Questions focus on theme, poet's use of
minutes response. language, form and structure, personal response.

* Develop comparison skills. * Students are required to compare poets’

presentation of the theme through their use
* Assessment Objectives covered of language, form and structure.(AO1,AO2 and
are AO1, AO2 and AO3. AO3)

*Poems will be printed on the question paper.

Assessment Objectives
There are four AOs, which will be focused on during the course of study of English
Literature.

The AOs listed in the table below, focus on:

 understanding of texts
 analysis of language, form, structure and effect
 understanding of the context of the texts
 comparison
 use of vocabulary and sentence structures
 responding with a critical style
 developing an informed personal response.

AO1 Read, understand and respond to texts

 maintain a critical style and develop an informed personal response
 use textual references, including quotations, to support and illustrate
 interpretations
AO2 Analyse the language, form and structure used by a writer to create meanings and
effects, using relevant subject terminology where appropriate
AO3 Show understanding of the relationship between texts and the contexts in which
they were written
AO4 Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect,
with accurate spelling and punctuation.

Learning outcomes according to Pearson Edexcel requirements for English Literature

Learning outcomes Students will:

Literal and inferential
comprehension
understand a word, phrase, sentence or whole text in context;
explore aspects of plot, characterisation, events and settings;
distinguish between what is stated explicitly and what is implied;
explain motivation, sequence of events, and the relationship
between actions or events

Critical reading identify the theme and distinguish between themes; support a
point of view by referring to evidence in the text; recognise the
possibility of and evaluate different responses to a text, use
understanding of writer’s social, historical and cultural contexts
to inform evaluation; make an informed personal response that
derives from analysis and evaluation of the text

Evaluation of a writer’s choice of analyse and evaluate how language (including figurative
vocabulary, grammatical and language), structure, form and presentation contribute to quality
structural features and impact; use linguistic and literary terminology for such
evaluation (such as, but not restricted to, phrase, metaphor,
meter, irony and persona, synecdoche, pathetic fallacy)

Writing – producing clear and write effectively about literature for a range of purposes such as:
coherent text to describe, explain, summarise, argue, analyse and evaluate;
discuss and maintain a point of view; select and emphasise key
points; use relevant quotation and detailed textual references

Writing – accurate Standard use accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar

English