Introduction to

A Level Literature
Autumn Term 1
2017-18
 Me
Ms Croasdale
Head of Key Stage 3
Several years of teaching experience plus an MA in Critical
Theory, and a second one in Digital Media, Culture and
Education.
Starting my PhD this year, so, students, I feel your pain (and
my final essay is 80,000 words).
Room 121 (or the English office, because rooming issues.)
 Contact out of hours:

This is my work email:

acroasdale@bishop.towerhamlets.sch.uk
You can use it to send me drafts of work or ask
questions.
 You need to

Read the texts so that you can

make progress during your lessons, which you
should apply to
your written work.
 Support
Mistakes are a part of learning.
Some absences are unavoidable.
Some tasks need further explanation or help.
In all these cases, see me in room 121. I will not respond with
sarcasm to genuine questions.
 STUDENT STUDY SKILLS
You must read all texts that you are given in good detail, making pencil
notes in the margin as you read.

You should read around your texts- you should have a good knowledge of
a texts author, context, themes, characters and critical ideas.

You should make brief notes during class discussions that will aid your
revision of key texts and assignments. This is often something Year 11s dont do
enough of.

You could create a timetable of your dedicated study time- you should
dedicate a number of hours a week to the study of each of your subjects.
 1. Create study/revision
timetables
Give yourself a set amount of time and a
focus for each evening- this can coincide
with your h/w timetable

2. Practise, Practise,
Practise
You will need to retain a lot of
information- make notes and set aside time
to keep revising.
Expand your vocabulary.
Understand your learning patterns.
 3. Collaborate with your
classmates
Select a good study buddy- to share notes and
to improve your communication skills

4. Take regular study

breaks.
Completing As/A LEVELs is very stressful
divide up your time so that you can
incorporate exercise which improves your
brains ability
 5. Understand your
learning Style
Every one learns differently-
visual/auditory/reading/writing/kinesthetic-
make sure that you use different ways- variety is
the spice of life after all!

6. Use mind-maps
To keep a note of all
you learn!
They help to organise your thoughts
 Extra Curricular

Seriously, build your

CV with something.
 Book Club
If you love reading then this is for you.

Open to Years 12 and 13.

Wednesdays at 3.05 in 120.

What do we do?
We all read the same book over 2/3 weeks, and then we have an in-depth
conversation about it as a group.

Why join?
Develop your comprehension and literary skills for examinations.
Access books that will help you study English at university.
Enjoy some fantastic books.

Any questions?
See Mr Collett in 120
 Culture

What is culture?
Where can you find it?
Why is it important?
Why is it important to you during your A Level?
 STUDENT EQUIPMENT
All students will be presented with the following:
1. A folder
2. A red exercise book (one for each teacher)
3. A course Booklet
4. Relevant texts
Students should ensure that all items have their Name/
Surname/Teachers Name/ Class/subject
Presentation is key- you need to ensure that your books/folders are
always presented neatly.
You will be given dividers for your folders- please ensure that you are
aware of how these should be used and of the importance of keeping
your folder neat.
EXCERCISE BOOKS

Student Full Name

AS English Literature
Ms Croasdale
12 Atwood 12 AET1
Book number (eg. Book 1)

You must ensure that you bring the correct book to each lesson
Under no circumstances should you graffiti your books
Class Name - Atwood
 BOOK LAYOUT
Presentation of a students work is very important. Please
ensure that they stick to the guidelines.
Tuesday 4th September 2012

The title and date must always

Title of work
be underlined- a line should be
missed
Learning Objective:

Key words: Written out in

Always full!
Write
Neatly Copy down the key words
and notes correctly and
neatly

Please ensure that there is still a standard of organisation and presentation when
students are taking informal notes and completing homework or log book
entries/activities.
 English Literature Changes to
Subject Criteria
20% coursework at A level no AS coursework
8 texts reduced from 12, to facilitate in-depth reading
and move away from secondary texts
6 texts reduced to 4 at AS
Changes to dates ranges: post-1900 becomes post-2000;
greater emphasis on pre-1900 texts (3 out of 8)
Unseen assessment will be a compulsory requirement
Less emphasis on comparison in favour of
connections
Year 2 Autumn 1 Autumn 2 Spring 1 Spring 2 Summer 1 Summer 2
Teacher 1 Drama: Drama & Poetry: Poetry: Revision & Exams
(x4) Othello Poetry: Phillip Larkin Anthology Exam Prep
Othello & Revision
Phillip Larkin Drama: Duchess
of Malfi revision

Teacher 2 Coursework: Coursework: Coursework: Prose revision: Revision & Exams

(x2) Personal Personal Personal Science and Exam Prep
choice, choice, choice, Society-
comparative comparative comparative Frankenstein
essay. essay. essay. The Handmaids
Prose revision Tale
 Autumn
You will study two texts from Science and Society Frankenstein
and The Handmaids Tale which you will have to compare.
You will develop your understanding of:
Reading, Annotation and Context
Narrative and Structure
Character and Plot
Language
Comparative Writing
What culture have you experienced over the
summer and what did you think of it?
Literary writing is only one way of engaging in
culture, for example, when Im not working I
practically live at the theatre, or the cinema, or in
galleries.
You might be a Netflix fiend, or have a thing for
sport, or be a gamer
 Homework Task:
Inspiration in Culture
Your task is to find a piece of culture that you are
inspired by- think about this carefully!
You will write about 1 side.
You will include:
- Background what is it, where does it come from?
- Why it is important to you
- How it was made
- No Wikipedia cut and paste, thank you.
Your homework is due on Monday!
 What is your academic goal?
What do you want to
achieve?
How are you going to
get there?
What do you need to
do?
What do you need to
change about yourself ?
How will you ensure
that you remain
consistent and reach
your goal?
A level English Literature Components
A level English Literature
components
A level English Literature Components
A level English Literature
coursework