AQA GCSE & A-Level

English Literature

Shakespeare, 19th century novel, modern texts, poetry anthology.

Specification: 8702

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17 topics
Fully covered
2 min
Marking turnaround
8 June 2026
Next exam date

What Examevo does for English Literature

Essay-style answers marked for AO1 (textual references), AO2 (language analysis), and AO3 (context). We check that quotes are embedded, analysis is developed, and comparisons are balanced across texts.

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Complete specification map

Everything you learn in English Literature

Accredited headings from spec 8702 (AQA), mapped topic-by-topic. Track progress topic-by-topic when you join Examevo.

4spec units
17topics mapped
5exam boards
Intro · 6Standard · 5Advanced · 6
01

Shakespeare

4 topics in this unit

  1. 1MacbethIntro
    • Macbeth — plot, characters and key scenes
    • Context of Macbeth — Jacobean society and theatre
    • Shakespeare’s language, imagery and dramatic methods
    • Themes in Macbeth — ambition, conflict, identity
    • Planning and writing a Macbeth essay (AO1–AO3)
  2. 2Romeo and JulietIntro
    • Romeo and Juliet — plot, characters and key scenes
    • Context of Romeo and Juliet — Jacobean society and theatre
    • Shakespeare’s language, imagery and dramatic methods
    • Themes in Romeo and Juliet — ambition, conflict, identity
    • Planning and writing a Romeo and Juliet essay (AO1–AO3)
  3. 3The Merchant of VeniceIntro
    • The Merchant of Venice — plot, characters and key scenes
    • Context of The Merchant of Venice — Jacobean society and theatre
    • Shakespeare’s language, imagery and dramatic methods
    • Themes in The Merchant of Venice — ambition, conflict, identity
    • Planning and writing a The Merchant of Venice essay (AO1–AO3)
  4. 4Much Ado About NothingIntro
    • Much Ado About Nothing — plot, characters and key scenes
    • Context of Much Ado About Nothing — Jacobean society and theatre
    • Shakespeare’s language, imagery and dramatic methods
    • Themes in Much Ado About Nothing — ambition, conflict, identity
    • Planning and writing a Much Ado About Nothing essay (AO1–AO3)
02

19th Century Novel

5 topics in this unit

  1. 1A Christmas CarolIntro
    • A Christmas Carol — plot, characters and narrative voice
    • Victorian context and social issues in A Christmas Carol
    • Writer’s methods — symbolism and setting in A Christmas Carol
    • Themes in A Christmas Carol — class, morality, science
    • Essay structure for A Christmas Carol (extract and whole text)
  2. 2Jekyll and HydeIntro
    • Jekyll and Hyde — plot, characters and narrative voice
    • Victorian context and social issues in Jekyll and Hyde
    • Writer’s methods — symbolism and setting in Jekyll and Hyde
    • Themes in Jekyll and Hyde — class, morality, science
    • Essay structure for Jekyll and Hyde (extract and whole text)
  3. 3Pride and PrejudiceStandard
    • Pride and Prejudice — plot, characters and narrative voice
    • Victorian context and social issues in Pride and Prejudice
    • Writer’s methods — symbolism and setting in Pride and Prejudice
    • Themes in Pride and Prejudice — class, morality, science
    • Essay structure for Pride and Prejudice (extract and whole text)
  4. 4Great ExpectationsStandard
    • Great Expectations — plot, characters and narrative voice
    • Victorian context and social issues in Great Expectations
    • Writer’s methods — symbolism and setting in Great Expectations
    • Themes in Great Expectations — class, morality, science
    • Essay structure for Great Expectations (extract and whole text)
  5. 5Jane EyreStandard
    • Jane Eyre — plot, characters and narrative voice
    • Victorian context and social issues in Jane Eyre
    • Writer’s methods — symbolism and setting in Jane Eyre
    • Themes in Jane Eyre — class, morality, science
    • Essay structure for Jane Eyre (extract and whole text)
03

Modern Texts

4 topics in this unit

  1. 1An Inspector CallsStandard
    • An Inspector Calls — plot, characters and dramatic tension
    • Post-war / modern context of An Inspector Calls
    • Writer’s methods — dialogue and stage directions in An Inspector Calls
    • Themes in An Inspector Calls — responsibility, power, society
    • Comparing ideas across An Inspector Calls and context
  2. 2Lord of the FliesStandard
    • Lord of the Flies — plot, characters and dramatic tension
    • Post-war / modern context of Lord of the Flies
    • Writer’s methods — dialogue and stage directions in Lord of the Flies
    • Themes in Lord of the Flies — responsibility, power, society
    • Comparing ideas across Lord of the Flies and context
  3. 3Animal FarmAdvanced
    • Animal Farm — plot, characters and dramatic tension
    • Post-war / modern context of Animal Farm
    • Writer’s methods — dialogue and stage directions in Animal Farm
    • Themes in Animal Farm — responsibility, power, society
    • Comparing ideas across Animal Farm and context
  4. 4The Curious IncidentAdvanced
    • The Curious Incident — plot, characters and dramatic tension
    • Post-war / modern context of The Curious Incident
    • Writer’s methods — dialogue and stage directions in The Curious Incident
    • Themes in The Curious Incident — responsibility, power, society
    • Comparing ideas across The Curious Incident and context
04

Poetry

4 topics in this unit

  1. 1Power and Conflict anthologyAdvanced
    • Power and Conflict anthology — themes, voice and structure
    • Analysing language, imagery and form in Power and Conflict anthology
    • Context and comparison in Power and Conflict anthology
    • Unseen poetry approach — Power and Conflict anthology
    • Writing a comparative poetry response — Power and Conflict anthology
  2. 2Love and Relationships anthologyAdvanced
    • Love and Relationships anthology — themes, voice and structure
    • Analysing language, imagery and form in Love and Relationships anthology
    • Context and comparison in Love and Relationships anthology
    • Unseen poetry approach — Love and Relationships anthology
    • Writing a comparative poetry response — Love and Relationships anthology
  3. 3Unseen poetryAdvanced
    • Unseen poetry — themes, voice and structure
    • Analysing language, imagery and form in Unseen poetry
    • Context and comparison in Unseen poetry
    • Unseen poetry approach — Unseen poetry
    • Writing a comparative poetry response — Unseen poetry
  4. 4Comparing poemsAdvanced
    • Comparing poems — themes, voice and structure
    • Analysing language, imagery and form in Comparing poems
    • Context and comparison in Comparing poems
    • Unseen poetry approach — Comparing poems
    • Writing a comparative poetry response — Comparing poems

How we mark English Literature

1. Check textual evidence

Quotes, references, and relevance to the question assessed throughout your answer.

2. Mark analytical depth

Language and structural analysis marked against level descriptors for each question type.

3. Strengthen your argument

Weak paragraphs identified with guidance on developing PEEL structure and context.

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