GCSE English Literature Topics by Exam Board: Full List

As a student of AQA GCSE English Literature, you will need to have a good understanding of  how your course is structured and what texts will be included in each exam to ensure success.

This article provides a detailed breakdown of the AQA, Edexcel and Eduqas WJECGCSE English Literature courses. We’ll outline the content and examination format for each one to help you focus your studies effectively.

AQA GCSE English Literature topics

The AQA GCSE English Literature course is designed to develop your skills in reading, analysis, and critical thinking. You will undertake the study of a diverse range of texts.

The course consists of two main components:

1. Shakespeare and the 19th-Century Novel

2. Modern Texts and Poetry
   

1.Shakespeare and the 19th-Century Novel

This unit focuses on developing your analytical skills through a detailed exploration of some classic texts from English literature.

The key areas of study for this part of the course are:

• Shakespeare: You will analyse character, themes and language in one play by William Shakespeare from this list:

  • Macbeth 

  • Romeo and Juliet

  • The Tempest

  • The Merchant of Venice

  • Much Ado About Nothing

  • Julius Caesar

• The 19th-century Novel: You will analyse themes, narrative techniques and historical context in one novel from this list:

2.Modern Texts and Poetry

This unit is intended to help you develop the ability to analyse modern literature and poetry.

The key areas of study for this part of the course are:

• Modern Prose or Drama: You will study one whole text from a choice of 12, including post-1914 prose fiction and drama.

Drama texts:

Prose texts:

• Poetry: You will study a thematic cluster of 15 poems. Each poem was written between 1789 and the present day. They are contained in a poetry anthology. There are three clusters in total, each thematically linked:

  • Love and Relationships

  • Power and Conflict

  • Worlds and Lives

  Additionally, you will look at a wide range of poetry in order to develop your skills of analysis in preparation for part of your exam in which you will need to be able to analyse unseen poetry.
  

What is covered in AQA GCSE English Literature Paper 1?

AQA GCSE English Literature Paper 1 is called Shakespeare and the 19th-Century Novel.

This written paper tests the reading and writing skills you have learned in the Shakespeare and the 19th-Century Novel part of the course.

The paper is divided into two sections: 

Section A — Shakespeare:

You will answer one question on the play you have studied. You will be writing in detail about an extract from the play and will also write about the play as a whole.

Section B — The 19th-century novel: 

You will answer one question on the novel you have studied. You will write in detail about an extract from the novel, and will also write about the novel as a whole.

• You will have 1 hour 45 minutes to complete Paper 1

• This paper is worth 64 marks in total.

• Paper 1 is worth 40% of your total marks.

What is covered in AQA GCSE English Literature Paper 2?

AQA GCSE English Literature Paper 2 is called Modern Texts and Poetry.

This written paper tests the reading and writing skills you have learned in the Modern Texts and Poetry part of the course.

The paper is divided into three sections: 

Section A — Modern texts:

You will answer one essay question from a choice of two on the modern prose or drama text you have studied. 

Section B — Poetry: 

You will answer one comparative question on a poem printed on the paper and one poem from the anthology cluster you have studied.  

Section C — Unseen poetry: 

You will answer one question on an unseen poem and a second question comparing this poem with a second unseen poem.  

• You will have 2 hour 15 minutes to complete Paper 2

• This paper is worth 96 marks in total.

• Paper 2 is worth 60% of your total marks.

Revision resources for AQA GCSE English Literature

There’s a lot to read and take in for your AQA GCSE English Literature exam. But don’t worry! There’s plenty of help available at Save My Exams. The English team has created a wide range of revision notes, exam questions, flashcards and past papers to make sure you enter the exam room feeling fully prepared to ace this important subject.

AQA GCSE English Literature: Revision Notes

AQA GCSE English Literature: Exam Questions

AQA GCSE English Literature: Flashcards

AQA GCSE English Literature: Past Papers

Edexcel GCSE English Literature topics

Because English Literature is a core subject of the national curriculum, the requirements for the Edexcel course are similar to the AQA course. Whichever syllabus your school or college is following, you will undertake a fairly similar approach to your study of English Literature.

The Edexcel GCSE English Literature course is also comprised of two main components:

1. Shakespeare and Post-1914 Literature

2. 19th-Century Novel and Poetry since 1789
   

1.Shakespeare and Post-1914 Literature

This unit requires you to study a Shakespeare play and a modern British novel or drama.

The key areas of study for this part of the course are:

• Shakespeare: You will analyse one play by William Shakespeare from this list:

  • Macbeth

  • Romeo and Juliet

  • The Tempest

  • The Merchant of Venice

  • Much Ado About Nothing

  • Twelfth Night

• Post-1914 Literature: You will study a modern prose or drama text, focusing on character, theme, setting, and structure. The list of texts is as follows:

2.19th-Century Novel and Poetry since 1789

In this unit, you’ll be focusing on a 19th-century novel and an analysis of a poetry collection.

The key areas of study for this part of the course are:

• 19th-Century Novel

You’ll be studying one text from this list:

• Poetry Since 1789

In this part of the course, you’ll study an anthology of poetry written between 1789 and the present day. They are thematically linked and you will look at one collection from the following:

• Relationships

• Conflict

• Time and Place

• Belonging

You will study and learn to analyse a wider range of poetry in preparation for part of your exam in which you will need to answer questions based on unseen poetry.

What is covered in Edexcel GCSE English Literature Paper 1?

Edexcel GCSE English Literature Paper 1 is called Shakespeare and Post-1914 Literature.

This written paper tests the reading and writing skills you have learned in the Shakespeare and Post-1914 Literature part of the course.

The paper is divided into two sections: 

Section A — Shakespeare:

You will answer a two-part question on the play you have studied. The first part will focus on an extract from the play. The second is about how a theme reflected in the extract is explored elsewhere in the play.

Section B — Post-1914 Literature: 

You will answer one essay question based on the novel you have studied. 

• You will have 1 hour 45 minutes to complete Paper 1

• This paper is worth 80 marks in total.

• Paper 1 is worth 50% of your total marks.

What is covered in Edexcel GCSE English Literature Paper 2?

Edexcel GCSE English Literature Paper 2 is called 19th-Century Novel and Poetry since 1789.

This written paper tests the reading and writing skills you have learned in the 19th-Century Novel and Poetry since 1789 part of the course.

The paper is divided into two sections: 

Section A — 19th-Century Novel:

You will answer a two-part question based on the novel you have studied. The first part is focused on an extract from the book, and the second part will explore the whole text

Section B — Poetry since 1789: 

Part 1 of this section will be about the poetry collection you have studied. You will answer one question comparing one named poem from the anthology to another poem from that collection. The named poem will be shown in the question paper. 

Part 2 of the poetry section comprises one question comparing two unseen contemporary poems.

• You will have 2 hours 15 minutes to complete Paper 2.

• This paper is worth 80 marks in total.

• Paper 2 is worth 50% of your total marks.

• Texts are not allowed in the examination.

Revision resources for Edexcel GCSE English Literature

There are plenty of resources at Save My Exams to help you prepare for your Edexcel GCSE English Literature exam, including revision notes and past papers.

Edexcel GCSE English Literature: Revision Notes

Edexcel GCSE English Literature: Past Papers

WJEC Eduqas GCSE English Literature topics

WJEC Eduqas covers a similar range of units to AQA and Edexcel. 

The WJEC Eduqas GCSE English Literature course is comprised of two main components:

1. Shakespeare and Poetry

2. Post-1914 Prose/Drama, 19th-Century Novel, and Unseen Poetry

1.Shakespeare and Poetry

This unit requires you to study a Shakespeare play and poetry from 1789 to the present day.

The key areas of study for this part of the course are:

• Shakespeare: You will analyse one play by William Shakespeare from this list:

  • Macbeth

  • Romeo and Juliet

  • Othello

  • The Merchant of Venice

  • Much Ado About Nothing

  • Twelfth Night

• Poetry: You will study a range of poems from the Eduqas Poetry Anthology.

2.Post-1914 Prose/Drama, 19th-Century Novel, and Unseen Poetry

• Post-1914 Prose/Drama: You will study the themes, structure and language of one text from this list:

• 19th-Century Novel: You’ll be studying one text from this list, focusing on narrative techniques, character development, and historical context:

• Unseen Poetry: You will study and learn to analyse a wider range of poetry in preparation for the part of this exam in which you will answer questions based on unseen poetry.

What is covered in WJEC Eduqas GCSE English Literature Paper 1?

WJEC Eduqas GCSE English Literature Paper 1 is called Shakespeare and Poetry from 1789 to the Present Day.

This written paper tests the reading and writing skills you have learned in the Shakespeare and Poetry part of the course.

The paper is divided into two sections: 

Section A — Shakespeare:

You will answer one extract-based question based on the play you have studied and one essay question on the play as a whole.

Section B — Poetry: 

You will answer one comparative question on a named poem and another from the anthology. 

• You will have 2 hours to complete Paper 1

• This paper is worth 80 marks in total.

• Paper 1 is worth 40% of your total marks.

What is covered in WJEC Eduqas GCSE English Literature Paper 2?

WJEC Eduqas GCSE English Literature Paper 2 is called Post-1914 Prose/Drama, 19th-Century Novel, and Unseen Poetry.

This written paper tests the reading and writing skills you have learned in the Post-1914 Prose/Drama, 19th-Century Novel, and Unseen Poetry part of the course.

The paper is divided into three sections: 

Section A — Post-1914 Prose/Drama:

You will answer a source-based question on your chosen modern text.

Section B — 19th-Century Novel: 

You will answer a source-based question on your chosen 19th-century text.

Section C — Unseen Poetry:

You will answer two questions: one analysing an unseen poem, and one comparing two unseen poems.

• You will have 2 hours 30 minutes to complete Paper 2.

• This paper is worth 120 marks in total.

• Paper 2 is worth 60% of your total marks.

• Texts are not allowed in the examination.

Revision resources for WJEC Eduqas GCSE English Literature

Use the range of resources at Save My Exams to help you prepare for your WJEC Eduqas GCSE English Literature exam, including revision notes and past papers.

WJEC Eduqas GCSE English Literature: Revision Notes

WJEC Eduqas GCSE English Literature: Past Papers

Improve Your English Literature Grades with Save My Exams

The earlier you start your revision, the better prepared you’ll be for your final exams. Prepare for success right away by using the detailed GCSE resources created by the English experts at Save My Exams. There’s plenty to support your revision, including:

• Revision notes

• Past papers and mark schemes

• Exam questions with sample answers

• Flashcards

• Examiner tips

GCSE English Literature Resources

References

Department for Education: English Literature GCSE subject content and assessment objectives

AQA GCSE English Literature

Edexcel GCSE English Literature

WJEC Eduqas GCSE English Literature