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Teacher Resource Bank

GCE English Language and Literature B
Key Features

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Teacher Resource Bank / GCE English Language and Literature B / Key Features / Version 1.0

KEY FEATURES

The specification provides a full and coherent integration of literary and linguistic
study in each of the four units. It offers students an accessible and stimulating
course in which they will engage with a variety of spoken, written and multi-modal
texts. An additional attractive feature of the specification is the opportunity it
provides students to respond creatively to literary texts, both at AS and A2.

The specification was designed to preserve as much as possible of the previous

market-leading English Language and Literature Specification B, which proved
very popular with centres.

The higher level skills of critical understanding and response to texts together
with an emphasis on comparison has been incorporated into each unit, both at
AS and A2, thus obviating the necessity for a separate synoptic unit. There is
also the opportunity for students to demonstrate, in each unit of the course, their
awareness of the importance of context in both the production and the reception
of spoken and written texts.

ELLB1 - Introduction to the Study of English Language and

Literature

The basis of study for this unit will be a thematically linked anthology of short
texts, issued free to all centres.
The key feature of the anthology is variety, ensuring students encounter a large
number of differing text types and functions.
Candidates will answer two questions: one based on unseen texts that also mirror
the anthology theme; one based on the candidates own choice of texts from the
anthology.
Questions are designed to test students understanding of how language, form
and context shape meaning.

ELLB2 - Themes in Language and Literature

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Students study a pair of thematically linked set texts, chosen to represent

significant changes and developments within a genre.
The pairs of texts available represent the best of literary non-fiction and literary
fiction.
Assessment is by an internally marked and externally moderated folder of work,
designed to minimise, as far as possible, demands on teachers.
Students submit two pieces of work: (i) a critical response designed to enhance
their understanding of the writers craft and (ii) a creative response to one or both
of the set texts.
The two responses will both be based on a theme (one for each of the pairs of set
texts) announced by AQA before the beginning of each academic year.

Copyright 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

Teacher Resource Bank / GCE English Language and Literature B / Key Features / Version 1.0

ELLB3 - Talk in Life and Literature

The emphasis of this unit is on spoken language: the aim is to develop the
students understanding both of naturally occurring speech and of the functions of
crafted speech in literary texts.
Students understanding of the ways in which meanings are constructed,
conveyed and interpreted both in real life speech and in literary texts. This will be
the focus of the examination paper.
Question 1 will be based on one extract from each of four set plays. It will require
candidates to discuss the ways in which the playwright uses language to create
dramatic effects.
Question 2 will require candidates to compare two thematically linked texts: one a
transcript of naturally occurring speech, the other an extract from a literary work.

ELLB4 - Text Transformation

For this unit students are required to produce one or two original pieces of writing
based on two literary texts (or extracts there from) chosen from lists of prescribed
authors.
The piece(s) of writing must be such as to demonstrate some new perspective
on, insight into or interplay with the source or base text(s).
The piece(s) of writing must be accompanied by a reflective commentary in which
the student demonstrates understanding both of the creative process and also of
the original work transformed.
Assessment is by the submission of an internally assessed and externally
moderated folder of work, designed to minimise, as far as possible, demands on
teachers.

Copyright 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

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