GCSE English at Ousedale School

Click here to download your revision guide for English Literature.
Click here to download the revision guide for English Language.

Introduction to Course

The vast majority of students will follow a unified course in English Language and English Literature, leading to the award of two separate qualifications. You will be asked to read and to respond to a variety of literary and non-fiction texts in both speech and writing. You will also be asked to write appropriately and accurately for a wide range of purposes and audience. You will be required to work in pairs and in groups as well as on your own and to develop your powers of speaking and listening effectively. At all times we will want you to support your views with firm evidence from the materials we ask you to study and we hope that you will find this process exciting and challenging: a firm preparation for further study, and for life.

Course Content

During the course you will:

• Read and analyse modern and pre-20th century novels, short stories, plays and poems, including the works of Shakespeare;
• Read and analyse a range of non-fiction and media texts, including the moving image;
  work, talk, discuss, problem-solve in pairs and small groups;
• Write stories, poems, plays, speeches, articles, essays, letters, diaries, leaflets & reports for a wide range of audiences and purposes
• Wider reading is an essential feature of the course and one of the best ways for you to improve the standard of your work.

Course Assessment

In English Language, assessment is through coursework (40% in total: 20% reading and writing and 20% speaking and listening) and end of course examinations (60%)

In English Literature coursework accounts for 30% of the marks available and the final examination for 70%.