AS and A Level: English Literature: Drama: Pre-1770 Coursework

Pre-1770 Drama Defined

In this part of the English Literature AS or A Level course, you'll read written texts produced before 1770 and intended for dramatic performance. So you'll read scripts written for performance, which may later have been made into television and film productions.

Pre-1770 Drama: Why Study This?

Your studies in this area will teach you about the different ways writers have used language and structure in their works. You'll also gain the ability to interpret how writers approach the different genres such as tragedy and comedy, and what kinds of cultural influences have a bearing on their written works.

What Will I Study During Pre-1770 Drama?

Shakespeare will obviously feature strongly in this part of the course. You'll also analyse how different writers create their characters and plots, and you'll learn to compare the way authors approach these vital elements of writing. You'll write essays discussing form, embedded meanings and connections within texts.

Further Study After Pre-1770 Drama

The assignments, essays and other coursework you undertake during Pre-1770 Drama will qualify you for Degree-level study of courses including Drama, English Literature, Creative Writing, Theatre Studies, Classics and Linguistics. You could also choose to study film or television courses at film school.

Where Can I Find Out More?

Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations (OCR)

http://www.ocr.org.uk/Data/publications/key_documents/GCE_English_Lit_Spec.pdf

Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drama

Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA)

http://www.qca.org.uk/qca_4081.aspx