One key benefit of Sion sixth form is our flexibility in terms of the courses we can offer; in 2023, students asked to study a combined Language and Literature course and we added this option to our curriculum. It has been very well received and enjoyed, as students have been introduced to lively modern texts and made the most of the opportunity to produce their own creative writing.
Who is this course suitable for?
English Language and Literature will suit students who:
have a genuine interest in reading and enjoy texts of all periods and genres
are comfortable expressing opinions and justifying comments on complex ideas and texts
enjoy creative writing
like the freedom of selecting their own reading and topic areas of study.
Aims of the course:
to apply concepts and methods from integrated linguistic and literary study as appropriate, using associated terminology and coherent written expression
to analyse ways in which meanings are shaped in texts
to demonstrate understanding of the significance and influence of the contexts in which texts are produced and received
to explore connections across texts, informed by linguistic and literary concepts and methods
to demonstrate expertise and creativity in the use of English to communicate in different ways.
Course Content & Assessment
This qualification requires the study of six texts including Voices in Speech and Writing: An Anthology, which covers a range of non-literary and digital texts from the 20th- and 21st centuries. There is a lot of freedom with regards to selecting study texts in this course, especially in the coursework unit.
Paper 1
Voices in Speech and Writing
Comparative essay question on one unseen 20th- or 21st-century source extract and one text from the ‘Voices’ anthology
Extract-based essay question on the chosen drama text, e.g. All My Sons
Paper 2
Varieties in Language and Literature
Essay task on an unseen prose non-fiction extract, linked by theme, e.g. Society and the Individual
Comparative essay question on two texts linked by the studied theme, e.g. The Great Gatsby and A Raisin in the Sun
Coursework
Investigating and Creating Texts (student-chosen topic)
1: Two pieces of original writing – one piece of fiction and one piece of creative non-fiction writing
2: One analytical commentary reflecting on their studied texts and the writing they have produced