Edexcel A-Level English Literature
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Course 9ET0Official specification (opens in a new tab)
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38 topics
Assessment Objectives and weightings1 topic
Qualification requirements1 topic
Component 1: Drama5 topics
Component 2: Prose13 topics
- Component 2: Prose105 objectives
- Component 2: Prose – Childhood – Pre-19006 objectives
- Component 2: Prose – Childhood – Post-19006 objectives
- Component 2: Prose – Colonisation and its Aftermath – Pre-19006 objectives
- Component 2: Prose – Colonisation and its Aftermath – Post-19006 objectives
- Component 2: Prose – Crime and Detection – Pre-19006 objectives
- Component 2: Prose – Crime and Detection – Post-19006 objectives
- Component 2: Prose – Science and Society – Pre-19006 objectives
- Component 2: Prose – Science and Society – Post-19006 objectives
- Component 2: Prose – The Supernatural – Pre-19006 objectives
- Component 2: Prose – The Supernatural – Post-19006 objectives
- Component 2: Prose – Women and Society – Pre-19006 objectives
12 of 13 shown
Component 3: Poetry15 topics
- Component 3: Poetry162 objectives
- Component 3: Poetry – Section A: Post-2000 Poetry – Poems of the Decade: An Anthology of the Forward Books of Poetry 2002–201169 objectives
- Component 3: Poetry – Section B: Specified Poetry Pre- or Post-1900 – Pre-1900 – The Medieval Period – Everyman and Medieval Miracle Plays, editor A C Cawley (Everyman, 1993)30 objectives
- Component 3: Poetry – Section B: Specified Poetry Pre- or Post-1900 – Pre-1900 – The Medieval Period – English Mystery Plays: A Selection, editor Peter Happé (Penguin Classics, 1975)30 objectives
- Component 3: Poetry – Section B: Specified Poetry Pre- or Post-1900 – Pre-1900 – The Medieval Period – The Wife of Bath’s Prologue and Tale, editor James Winny (Cambridge, 1994)21 objectives
- Component 3: Poetry – Section B: Specified Poetry Pre- or Post-1900 – Pre-1900 – Metaphysical Poetry – Metaphysical Poetry, editor Colin Burrow (Penguin, 2006)96 objectives
- Component 3: Poetry – Section B: Specified Poetry Pre- or Post-1900 – Pre-1900 – Metaphysical Poetry – John Donne Selected Poems (Penguin Classics, 2006)96 objectives
- Component 3: Poetry – Section B: Specified Poetry Pre- or Post-1900 – Pre-1900 – The Romantic Period – English Romantic Verse, editor David Wright (Penguin Classics, 1973)63 objectives
- Component 3: Poetry – Section B: Specified Poetry Pre- or Post-1900 – Pre-1900 – The Romantic Period – Selected Poems: John Keats, editor John Barnard (Penguin Classics, 2007)51 objectives
- Component 3: Poetry – Section B: Specified Poetry Pre- or Post-1900 – Pre-1900 – The Victorian Period – The New Oxford Book of Victorian Verse, editor Christopher Ricks (OUP, 2008)96 objectives
- Component 3: Poetry – Section B: Specified Poetry Pre- or Post-1900 – Pre-1900 – The Victorian Period – Christina Rossetti Selected Poems, editor Dinah Roe (Penguin, 2008)72 objectives
- Component 3: Poetry – Section B: Specified Poetry Pre- or Post-1900 – Post-1900 – The Modernist Period – The Great Modern Poets, editor Michael Schmidt (Quercus, 2014)90 objectives
12 of 15 shown
Non-examination assessment1 topic
Prescribed texts - Component 1: Drama and Component 2: Prose1 topic
Prescribed texts - Component 3: Poetry – poems to be studied1 topic
About this course
About Pearson Edexcel A-Level English Literature
The Pearson Edexcel A-Level English Literature course invites students to explore a rich and diverse range of literary texts, from Shakespearean drama to contemporary poetry and prose. The specification is designed to develop critical, analytical, and independent thinking, encouraging students to consider how texts are shaped by their contexts and how they speak to universal human concerns.
Structured around the core components of drama, prose, and poetry, the course also includes a non-examination assessment (coursework) that allows students to pursue their own literary interests. Key themes include love, power, identity, and social justice, with a strong emphasis on comparative study and the application of literary theory.
Assessment Structure
The Pearson Edexcel A-Level English Literature qualification is assessed through three written papers and one non-examination assessment (coursework). Paper 1: Drama (30% of the qualification, 60 marks, 2 hours 15 minutes) examines one Shakespeare play and one other drama text. Paper 2: Prose (20% of the qualification, 40 marks, 1 hour 15 minutes) requires a comparative study of two prose texts. Paper 3: Poetry (30% of the qualification, 60 marks, 2 hours 15 minutes) covers a specified poetry collection and unseen poetry. The coursework component (20% of the qualification, 40 marks) is an extended essay of 2500-3000 words, allowing students to write independently about two texts of their choice.
Why Choose Pearson Edexcel?
- Pearson Edexcel offers a flexible and engaging specification that balances classic and contemporary texts, giving students the opportunity to study a wide range of voices and genres. The inclusion of a coursework component allows for independent research and personal choice, which can be particularly motivating for students who enjoy pursuing their own literary interests.
- The assessment structure is clear and manageable, with each paper focusing on a distinct literary form. This allows students to develop deep, specialised knowledge in drama, prose, and poetry, and the mark schemes reward both analytical precision and personal response, making it accessible to a range of abilities.
- Edexcel provides extensive support resources, including past papers, examiner comments, and digital teaching tools, which can help students prepare effectively and build confidence for their final exams.
Frequently Asked Questions
What texts are studied on the Pearson Edexcel A-Level English Literature course?
The set texts vary by school and year, but the specification offers a wide range. For Drama, you might study 'Othello' or 'Hamlet' by Shakespeare, alongside modern plays like 'A Streetcar Named Desire' or 'The Importance of Being Earnest'. For Prose, you could compare 'Frankenstein' with 'The Handmaid's Tale', or 'Great Expectations' with 'Never Let Me Go'. Poetry options include collections by poets such as John Keats, Carol Ann Duffy, or Seamus Heaney. Your school will choose specific texts from the approved lists, so check with your teacher for the exact texts you'll be studying.
How is the coursework (non-examination assessment) marked and what does it involve?
The coursework component is worth 20% of your final A-Level grade and involves writing an extended comparative essay of 2500-3000 words on two texts of your choice. These texts can be any literary works, including novels, plays, or poetry, and they do not have to be from the set list. You will be assessed on your ability to construct a coherent argument, analyse language and form, and explore connections between texts. Your teacher marks the coursework, and it is then moderated by Pearson to ensure consistency. This is a great opportunity to study texts you are passionate about and to demonstrate independent research skills.
What is the difference between the AS and A-Level English Literature qualifications?
The AS-Level is a standalone qualification worth half an A-Level and is typically taken in the first year of study. It covers two papers: Paper 1 (Drama and Poetry) and Paper 2 (Prose), and does not include coursework. The A-Level is a full two-year qualification that includes all the AS content plus additional texts and a coursework component. If you take the full A-Level, your AS results do not count towards your final grade; instead, you sit all A-Level exams at the end of the second year. The A-Level is more demanding and allows for deeper exploration of texts and themes.
How much independent reading is required for this A-Level?
Independent reading is crucial for success in A-Level English Literature. Beyond the set texts, you are expected to read widely around the authors, contexts, and critical interpretations. For the coursework, you will need to select and read two additional texts independently. Teachers often recommend reading at least one extra novel or play per term to broaden your understanding. The exam papers also include unseen poetry and prose, so regular reading of a variety of genres will help you develop the analytical skills needed to respond to unfamiliar texts confidently.
Are there any specific skills or prior knowledge needed to start this A-Level?
While there are no formal prerequisites, a strong GCSE in English Literature (grade 6 or above) is usually recommended. You should have a genuine enjoyment of reading and a willingness to engage with challenging texts. Key skills include the ability to analyse language, form, and structure, and to write coherent, persuasive essays. You will also need to be comfortable with discussing abstract ideas and historical contexts. The course will build on your GCSE skills, but you will be expected to develop more sophisticated critical thinking and independent research abilities.
Assessment and exam guidance
Assessment Objectives
AO1
26.7%Articulate informed, personal and creative responses to literary texts, using associated concepts and terminology, and coherent, accurate written expression
AO2
26.7%Analyse ways in which meanings are shaped in literary texts
AO3
21.9%Demonstrate understanding of the significance and influence of the contexts in which literary texts are written and received
AO4
14%Explore connections across literary texts
AO5
11%Explore literary texts informed by different interpretations
Exam Structure
Pearson Edexcel A-Level (9ET0)
Component 1: Drama
2h 15m
Duration
60
Marks
30%
Weighting
Component 2: Prose
1h 15m
Duration
40
Marks
20%
Weighting
Component 3: Poetry
2h 15m
Duration
60
Marks
30%
Weighting
Non-examination assessment
Not stated
Duration
60
Marks
20%
Weighting
Tips and common mistakes
Common Exam Mistakes
Pitfalls to avoid in your exams
- •Misunderstanding: Believing that all Assessment Objectives are weighted equally in every exam question. Correction: Check the specific AO weightings for each paper and question type, as some heavily reward context (AO3) while others focus on language analysis (AO2).
- •Misunderstanding: Ignoring the overall GCE percentages and focusing only on one skill. Correction: Ensure your revision covers all AOs in proportion to their overall weighting in the qualification to maximise your final grade.
- •Misunderstanding: Thinking that memorising the exact percentages will earn marks in the exam. Correction: Use the percentages to guide your essay structure and focus, rather than writing about the AOs themselves in your answers.
- •Relying on generic, memorised essays instead of offering a personal response; correct this by directly answering the specific question with an original argument.
- •Using literary terminology incorrectly or 'feature spotting' without analysis; correct this by only using terms when they directly support the exploration of meaning.
- •Writing with informal language or poor grammar; correct this by proofreading for academic register, accurate punctuation, and clear sentence structures.
- •Feature spotting without analysis; correction: always follow the identification of a technique with an explanation of its specific effect on the text's meaning.
- •Using overly long quotations that dilute the focus; correction: embed short, precise textual details or single words to analyse specific linguistic choices.
Top Examiner Tips
Expert advice for exam success
- •Tailor your essay paragraphs to reflect the dominant AOs for that specific question.
- •Use the overall GCE weightings to identify which skills require the most consistent practice throughout your course.
- •Review the mark scheme for each component to see how the percentage weightings translate into specific grading criteria.
- •Establish your personal, creative response immediately in the introduction with a strong, definitive thesis statement.
- •Weave literary terminology naturally into your sentences rather than forcing complex words where simpler ones suffice.
- •Leave three minutes at the end of the exam to proofread your work, specifically checking for coherent expression and accurate punctuation.
- •Use analytical verbs such as 'emphasises', 'subverts', or 'illuminates' to force your writing to focus on the effect of the technique.
- •Group your analysis around a central argument rather than working chronologically through a text, allowing for a more conceptual approach to meaning.
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