AS and A Level: English Literature: Prose Coursework

Prose Defined

'Prose' is the ordinary expression of language in a written or spoken form. In this case, it generally involves the study of books (mainly fictional novels). You'll study Prose alongside Poetry and Drama as the three principle components of AS Level or A Level English Literature.

Why Study Prose?

If you want to study English Literature, you can't not study Prose! This is because it accounts for the vast bulk of literary works produced in the last few centuries. If you wish to be entertained, informed, lifted or moved, you'll have the choice of thousands of wonderful works of English-language Prose.

Prose: What Will I Study?

The Prose components of your English Literature A Level might be split into pre- and post-1800 (or 1900). You'll read the works of legendary writers such as Jane Austen, Emily Bronte, Thomas Hardy, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Evelyn Waugh and Oscar Wilde. You'll produce coursework and essays critically analysing and comparing these writers' works of Prose.

Further Study After Prose

In your A Level English Literature, you'll also study Poetry and Drama, to give you a balanced understanding of English writing. These studies will position you well should you go on to take a Degree in subjects such as Drama, English Literature, Classics and Linguistics.

Where Can I Find Out More?

Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA)

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

Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations (OCR)

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