An Introduction to GCSE English (9-1)

Transcription

1 An Introduction to GCSE English (9-1) Welcome to GCSE English. In Years 10 and 11, you will study GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature in your lessons. This means that at the end of Year 11, you will receive two separate GCSEs. In this handbook, you will find a breakdown of what each GCSES consists of. Expectations In order for you to achieve to the best of your ability, we require you to apply yourself wholeheartedly to all aspects of GCSE English. It is imperative that you are reading regularly for suggestions see the enclosed reading list. You should also practise writing regularly in order that you develop your writing style and you will often be asked to complete extended pieces of writing in class and for homework. As you are also marked on your speaking and listening skills as part of GCSE English Language, it is essential that you frequently contribute ideas to whole class discussions and group work and that you listen supportively and actively to others ideas. Homework You will be set homework in English as least once a week and often twice a week. As you will be completing two GCSEs, we have a lot to fit in to lessons and so it is essential that you complete all homework on time and in full. Homework may take the form of extended pieces of writing, reading or research homework or preparing notes for assessments. Reading To best prepare you for the increased demands of the new GCSEs, you should regularly be reading a range of fiction texts including 19 th Century Fiction. Additionally, you should regularly be reading a range of non-fiction texts including: high quality newspapers such as The Telegraph and The Guardian, magazines, websites, autobiographies, travel writing etc. Set Texts The texts below will be studied for English Literature. We will provide copies for you to use in class, but you will also need to purchase your own copy to use at home. We will provide you with a free copy of the poetry anthology. Macbeth A Christmas Carol An Inspector Calls Assessment The method of assessment in English has changed; the examinations now make up 100% of your overall grades. You will complete four exams, two for English Literature and two for English Language, at the end of Year 11 in May and June of To best prepare you for this, you will be completing regular practice assessments throughout the two years. There are two assessment weeks in English in Year 10. These assessments will take place in your English lessons in the weeks below:

2 Year 10 Week commencing 4 th January Poetry and A Christmas Carol. Week commencing 9 th May Macbeth and An Inspector Calls. Contacts Please speak to your English teacher in the first instance. Head of Faculty Mr H. Seckleman KS4 Coordinator Miss M Parfitt

3 English Language GCSE (9-1) Exam Board Edexcel Paper 1 Fiction and Imaginative Writing 1 hour 45 minutes 40% of GCSE Section A Unseen 19 th Century Fiction You will be asked to analyse and evaluate an unseen extract from 19 th century fiction of approximately 650 words. You will assessed on your ability to: read and understand texts identify and use quotations analyse how writers use language and structure to create effect use relevant subject terminology critically evaluate texts. Section B Imaginative Writing You will be asked to write creatively, this could be part of a short story or an autobiographical piece of writing. You will be assessed on your ability to: write clearly, effectively and imaginatively adapt your tone, style and register to suit different audiences, purposes and forms use structural and grammatical features to organise texts use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures write using accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar. Paper 2 Non-Fiction and Transactional Writing 2 hours 60% of GCSE Section A Unseen 20 th and 21 st Century Non-Fiction You will be asked to analyse, evaluate and make comparisons between two non-fiction texts that total approximately 1000 words. You will assessed on your ability to: read and understand texts identify and use quotations analyse how writers use language and structure to create effect use relevant terminology compare writers ideas and perspectives, as well as how these are conveyed across two texts critically evaluate texts. Section B Transactional Writing You will be asked to adapt your writing to suit the audience, purpose and form of the task. This could be to write a newspaper article, a letter or a speech. You will be assessed on your ability to: writer clearly, effectively and imaginatively adapt your tone, style and register to suit different audiences, purposes and forms use structural and grammatical features to organise texts use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures.

4 (Speaking and Listening) Continuous Assessment You are also assessed on your oral communications skills throughout the course. This could take the form of group work or individual presentations and also your oral contributions to class discussions and your ability to listen to others. You will be awarded a separate level for speaking and listening which will be listed alongside your other GCSE results.

5 English Literature GCSE (9-1) Exam Board Edexcel Paper 1 Shakespeare and Post 1914 Literature 1 hour 45 minutes 50% of GCSE Section A Macbeth You will be asked to closely analyse an extract from the play and also write an essay on how a character or theme is presented in the whole play. You will be assessed on your ability to: know the text inside out critically evaluate how a characted or theme is presented explore the importance of the social, cultural, economic and historical contexts of the play. Paper 2 19 th Century Novel and Poetry Since hours 15 minutes 50% of GCSE Section A A Christmas Carol You will be asked to closely analyse an extract from the novel and also write an essay on how a character or theme is presented in the whole novel. You will be assessed on your ability to: use quotations to evaluate and analyse how language devices and structural devices are used to present character or theme in a given extract and the whole novel. Section B Anthology and Unseen Poetry There are two questions in this section. The first question asks you to compare and contrast two poems from 15 studied in the poetry anthology. You will assessed on your ability to: evaluate how language, structure and form is used by the poets to create effect explore the connections and contrasts across the two poems explore the importance of the social, cultural, economic and historical contexts of the poems. The second question asks you to compare and contrast a key theme or idea in two unseen poems: evaluate how language, structure and form is used by the poets to create effect explore the connections and contrasts across the two poems. Non-Fiction In addition to reading fiction, you should regularly be reading a range of non-fiction texts including: broadsheet newspapers such as The Telegraph and The Guardian, magazines, websites, autobiographires, travel writing etc. Useful Revision Websites: SAM Learning, BBC Bitesize, Sparknotes, Andrew Moore s Study Guides.