Specification/Exam Board:   CCEA

Grade B or above in GCSE English Language or C* or above in GCSE English Literature

Aims

This specification aims to encourage students to:

• engage critically and creatively with a substantial body of texts and ways of responding to them;
• develop and apply effectively their knowledge of literary analysis and evaluation;
• explore the contexts of the texts they are reading and others’ interpretations of them;
• deepen their understanding of the changing traditions of literature in English;
• carry out independent research and present personal responses in the form and language appropriate to literary study;
• develop advanced study skills that help them prepare for third level education;
• demonstrate through challenging internal and external assessments that they understand and can apply key concepts; and
• nurture a lifelong interest in English literature.

Key features

The following are important features of this specification.

• It includes five assessment units: four externally assessed and one internally assessed.
• It gives students the opportunity to study a range of English literature written by Irish writers.
• It gives students the opportunity to read texts from the canon of English literature and also texts by more modern writers.
• It allows students to develop as discerning readers, capable of independent and critical research.
• It can give students a sound basis for progression to higher education.
• A range of support is available, including specimen assessment materials and teacher guidance.

Scheme of assessment