Aims - Summer 2017 - AQA AS/A-level English Language and Literature (7706/7707)

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by OmBimo

Summer 2017 Aims for AQA AS/A-level English Language and Literature (7706/7707) outlines how underlying specification principles shape teaching and assessment. It revisits an integrated approach linking language and literature, grounded in stylistics and stylistic concepts. The session connects ideas to AO1 and AO2, examines student performance data from AS Paper 1 Section A (June 2016), and discusses terminology, transition between levels, re-creative writing confidence, and available support and services around results day 2017.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPPTX

Pages41

Reading Time1 h 43 min

AccessFree to download

Structure of the session

Introduction – re-visit the specification's underlying principles

Transition and terminology

Textual Intervention

Reflection and future planning

Summer 2017 results

Support and resources available

Introduction

Underlying principles of the AS/A-level English Language and Literature specification

AQA AS/A-level English Language and Literature believes that…

Link to AOs

AO1 and AO2 overview

AO1 apply concepts and methods… using associated terminology

AO2 analyse ways in which meanings are shaped in texts

Summer 2017 results

Focusing on AO1 and terminology transition

Building confidence with AO1

AO1 in action

Let’s look at a student response

The Definite Article

Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. English Hub School networks AS/A-level English Language and Literature (7706/7707) Slide 1 Summer 2017 Aims Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. To revisit the specification's underlying principles To consider insights of student performance at AS-level (2016 series) To explore how to build confidence in understanding and application of concepts and terminology (AO1) To explore how to build confidence and skill in re-creative writing To engage with student responses and examiner commentaries To reflect on delivering the course with opportunities to share best practice To know the services available on and after results day 2017 Structure of the session Introduction – re-visit the specification's underlying principles Transition and terminology Textual Intervention Reflection and future planning Summer 2017 results Support and resources available Slide 2 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. Follow us on Twitter @AQACPD. Introduction Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. Underlying principles of the AS/A-level English Language and Literature specification AQA AS/A-level English Language and Literature is… Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. A holistic, contemporary approach to the study of English An integrated subject - two strands ‘language’ and ‘literature’ are pulled together/interwoven Informed by academic field of Stylistics Coherent – there’s a thread running through the spec which is embedded in the key concepts: Genre Narrative Representation Register Point of view Characterisation Literariness AQA AS/A-level English Language and Literature believes that… Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. the best form of literary criticism is grounded in linguistics the best analyses are rooted in the language of the text, are focused and systematic invites students to learn a range of terminology rewards students for precision there’s no hierarchy of language levels Discussion activity: Can you identify something you’ve done in your teaching that reinforces this ethos? Link to AOs Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. These underlying principles are inherent in the assessment objectives AO1 and AO2 are equally-weighted at A-level Combined carry 56% of the marks for the qualification AO Description AO1 Apply concepts and methods from integrated linguistic and literary study as appropriate, using associated terminology and coherent written expression Ability to describe language features using terminology accurately, explore texts in a systematic way AO2 Analyse ways in which meanings are shaped in texts Ability to explain how the features identified contribute to a sense of meaning – interpretation AS-level English Language and Literature Paper 1 Section A Imagined Worlds Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. The graphs below show how students performed on AO1 compared to AO2 on June 2016 AS-level Paper 1 Section A Q3 A Handmaid’s Tale Look at both graphs. What can you deduce about students’ performance on this question? What might these graphs tell us? AS-level English Language and Literature Paper 1 Section A Imagined Worlds Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. Q3 Max Mark Cands Mean What this means? AO1 apply concepts and methods … using terminology (description) 20 2672 9.05 less than half the marks AO2 analyse meanings (interpretation) 15 2672 7.77 marginally above half marks Focusing on AO1 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. There’s a steep transition from mark 8 to 9 which marks the threshold between Level 2 and Level 3. The spike at 9 marks tells us many students were performing well enough to get into the bottom of Level 3. Focusing on AO1 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. Discussion Look at the Level 2 and Level 3 descriptors in mark scheme, page 28. Can you identify a student

FAQs

What teaching purpose does the session's “Aims” state for the AQA AS/A-level specification?

It aims to revisit the specification’s underlying principles, consider insights into student performance, and build confidence in understanding, applying concepts and terminology, including re-creative writing.

How are AO1 and AO2 positioned within the assessment framework?

The underlying principles are inherent in the assessment objectives, and at A-level AO1 and AO2 are equally weighted, with combined carry 56% of the marks for the qualification.

What does the session say about student challenges and the use of terminology for AO1?

AO1 is described as more challenging for many students, and terminology needs to be used accurately as a tool to explore how meaning is created, rather than feature-spotting or using labels for their own sake.

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by OmBimo