Term 1: 'Othello', Unseen Poetry and Coursework
On one half of the course, students will will continue their study of Shakespeare's 'Othello', applying literary criticism to the study of the play.
On the other half of the course, students will focus on analysing 'unseen' poetry, learning on how to approach interpreting a poem they are not familiar with, and produce written analysis. They will apply their knowledge of poetic techniques and compare these across poems from different time periods and contexts.
Students will also continue to work independently on their coursework essay, receiving 1-1 support and in-class direction from their teacher.
Essays practice analysing unseen poetry; written responses to questions about 'Othello'.
hubris
Excessive pride and ego
Allusion
an implied or indirect reference to a person, event, or thing or to a part of another text.
Symbolism
The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.
Dramatic irony
Irony that is inherent in speeches or a situation of a drama and is understood by the audience but not grasped by the characters in the play.
Metaphor
A thing regarded as representative or symbolic of something else, e.g. She was a
dragon.
Literary Criticism
Literary criticism is the comparison, analysis, interpretation, and/or evaluation of works of literature. Literary criticism is essentially an opinion, supported by evidence, relating to theme, style, setting or historical or political context.
Eponymous
Giving their name to something. "The eponymous hero of the play"
Literary Allusion
Ideas, characters, imagery etc. referencing another famous book, poem, play etc.
Context
The circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea, and in terms of which it can be fully understood. Consider here the relationship 'Othello' holds with Cinthio's play and also the year it was written of 1603.
Dramatic Irony
Shakespeare uses dramatic irony in this play, which is when the audience knows something which characters in the play do not. Dramatic irony is often used to make the audience more involved - we know what is happening but feel powerless to do anything.
Resolution
After the tension created in a play has reached its climax, the resolution is where the conflict is all resolved. In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', love prevails and resolves all the issues, ensuring that all the characters are content with the result.
Machiavellian
Machiavellianism is the political theory of Niccolò Machiavelli, especially the view that any means can be used if it is necessary to maintain political power. Refers to someone cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous, especially in politics.
Develop the individual:
Students are encouraged to work collaboratively, gain confidence and increase their cultural capital.
Create a supportive community:
We explore themes of race, gender, possession, and betrayal. Students will reflect on the consequences of characters' actions.
Term 2: 'Othello' and Chaucer
On one half of the course, students will will continue their study of Shakespeare's 'Othello', and engage with a collection of critical essays on the play.
On the other half of the course, students will study aspects of the form of medieval poetry via 'The Wife of Bath's Tale' from 'The Canterbury Tales' by Geoffrey Chaucer. Students will need to explore the use of literary devices and the shaping of meanings in the text. Students will consider the significance and influence of contextual factors and engage with different interpretations of 'The Wife of Bath'.
First drafts of coursework are due in Term 2.
First set of mock exams take place in Term 2, which will include the Prose paper, the Drama paper and half of the Poetry paper (focusing on the Unseen/Poems of the Decade section).
Coursework makes up 20% of students' final grade.
patriarchy
a system of society or government in which men hold the power and women are largely excluded from it
hamartia
A fatal flaw leading to the downfall of a tragic hero or heroine. E.g. "Macbeth's hamartia is his ambition and pride."
blank verse
Is a literary device defined as unrhyming verse written in iambic pentameter
anaphora
the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or lines
repetition
Repetition is a literary device that repeats the same words or phrases a few times to make an idea clearer and more memorable.
quatrain
A stanza with four lines. Quatrains are the most common stanza form.
sestet
a six line stanza
octave
an eight line stanza
Syntax
The ordering of words into meaningful verbal patterns such as phrases, clauses, and sentences. Poets often manipulate syntax, changing conventional word order, to place certain emphasis on particular words.
Tragic Hero
A main character cursed by fate and possessed of a tragic flaw.
Shakespearean Tragedy
Put simply, a play in which the central character has a downfall
Stagecraft
the technical aspects of theatrical production, which include scenic design, stage machinery, lighting, sound, costume design, and makeup.
Symbolism
The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.
Connotation
An idea or feeling which a word invokes for a person in addition to its literal or primary meaning.
Antithesis
A person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else.
Interrogative
Having the force of a question.
Exclamative
A word or sentence that denotes an exclamation.
Declarative
Of the nature of or making a declaration.
Imperative
Giving an authoritative command.
Justice
Just behaviour or treatment.
Allusion
an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference
Motif
a dominant or recurring idea in an artistic work
Corruption
the action or effect of making someone or something morally depraved
Foreshadowing
a warning or indication of (a future event)
Reputation
the beliefs or opinions that are generally held about someone or something
Emphasis
Stress given to a word or words when speaking to indicate particular importance
refrain
a refrain is a word, line or phrase that is repeated within the lines or stanzas of the poem itself.
Develop the individual:
Students are required to manage their own time, meet deadlines and think independently.
Create a supportive community:
Students will collaborate, discuss and share ideas.
Term 3: Unseen Poetry, with 'Poems of the Decade' and Chaucer
On one half of the course, students will revise their knowledge of the modern poetry, and work on comparing this with unseen poetry. They will apply their knowledge of poetic techniques and compare these across poems from different time periods and contexts. On the other half of the course, students will study Chaucer's 'Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale'.
Essays in responses to exam-style poetry questions.
Metaphorical
A figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance.
alliteration
The occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words.
Stanza
An arrangement of a certain number of lines, usually four or more, sometimes having a fixed length, meter, or rhyme scheme, forming a division of a poem.
Speaker
The voice in a poem.
Internal rhyme
A rhyme created by two or more words in the same line of verse.
hyperbaton
an inversion of the normal order of words, especially for the sake of emphasis, as in the sentence ‘ this I must see ’.
refrain
a refrain is a word, line or phrase that is repeated within the lines or stanzas of the poem itself.
Belonging
Feeling like you fit in with a place or group.
Nostalgia
A sentimental longing or wistful affection for a period in the past.
Nature
The physical world, can include: plants, animals, weather.
Romanticism
A literary, artistic, and philosophical movement originating in the 18th century. Often focussed on autobiographical material, thoughts and feelings, common human values, and an appreciation of nature.
Develop the individual:
Students will develop their analytical skills as well as their ability to compare and draw on ideas from a range of different sources.
Create a supportive community:
Students will work collaboratively, discussing and sharing ideas.
Term 4: Revision
Students will revise all learnt content in preparation for their second set of mock exams, in which all course elements will be tested.
Set set of mock exams are in Term 4.
Allusion
an implied or indirect reference to a person, event, or thing or to a part of another text.
lyrical poetry
lyric poetry is a formal type of poetry which expresses personal emotions or feelings, typically spoken in the first person
Syntax
The ordering of words into meaningful verbal patterns such as phrases, clauses, and sentences. Poets often manipulate syntax, changing conventional word order, to place certain emphasis on particular words.
hyperbaton
an inversion of the normal order of words, especially for the sake of emphasis, as in the sentence ‘ this I must see ’.
refrain
a refrain is a word, line or phrase that is repeated within the lines or stanzas of the poem itself.
Tragedy
an event causing great suffering, destruction, and distress
Shakespearean Tragedy
Put simply, a play in which the central character has a downfall
Tragic Hero
A main character cursed by fate and possessed of a tragic flaw.
Plastic Theatre
Plastic Theatre is the use of props, noises and stage directions to convey a blatant parallel with the characters states of mind on stage.
stage directions
advice printed in the text of a play giving instructions regarding movements, gestures, expression of characters as well as how the stage would look.
Stagecraft
the technical aspects of theatrical production, which include scenic design, stage machinery, lighting, sound, costume design, and makeup.
Motif
Motif is a literary technique that consists of a repeated element that has symbolic significance to a literary work.
Justice
Just behaviour or treatment.
Hierarchy
Ranking society in order of power and authority
Syntax
Word order and sentence structure.
symbolism
an object or image that represents something else
syllable
A single unit of written or spoken word, an unbroken sound used to make up words.
Metaphor
A thing regarded as representative or symbolic of something else, e.g. She was a
dragon.
blank verse
Is a literary device defined as unrhyming verse written in iambic pentameter
Protagonist
The leading character, hero, or heroine of a drama or other literary work.
prose
written or spoken language in its ordinary form, without metrical structure.
verse
writing arranged with a metrical rhythm, typically having a rhyme.
Develop the individual:
Students will develop their knowledge and confidence in comparing texts and analysing a range of text types.
Create a supportive community:
Students will work collaboratively to help prepare and support each other through mock exam process.
Term 5: Revision
Students will continue to revise and prepare for their final A-Level examinations, revisiting all course content across the Prose, Poetry and Drama topics.
Practice exam papers.
Allusion
an implied or indirect reference to a person, event, or thing or to a part of another text.
lyrical poetry
Lyric poetry is a formal type of poetry which expresses personal emotions or feelings, typically spoken in the first person. The term derives from a form of Ancient Greek literature, the lyric, which was defined by its musical accompaniment, usually on a
Syntax
Word order and sentence structure.
hyperbaton
an inversion of the normal order of words, especially for the sake of emphasis, as in the sentence ‘ this I must see ’.
refrain
a refrain is a word, line or phrase that is repeated within the lines or stanzas of the poem itself.
Tragedy
an event causing great suffering, destruction, and distress
Shakespearean Tragedy
Put simply, a play in which the central character has a downfall
Tragic Hero
A main character cursed by fate and possessed of a tragic flaw.
hamartia
A fatal flaw leading to the downfall of a tragic hero or heroine. E.g. "Macbeth's hamartia is his ambition and pride."
stage directions
advice printed in the text of a play giving instructions regarding movements, gestures, expression of characters as well as how the stage would look.
Stagecraft
the technical aspects of theatrical production, which include scenic design, stage machinery, lighting, sound, costume design, and makeup.
Motif
Motif is a literary technique that consists of a repeated element that has symbolic significance to a literary work.
Plastic Theatre
Plastic Theatre is the use of props, noises and stage directions to convey a blatant parallel with the characters states of mind on stage.
Develop the individual:
Create a supportive community: