WJEC Eduqas A Level English Language & Literature specification (A710)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your WJEC Eduqas A Level English Language & Literature exam. It lays out exactly what you need to learn, how you'll be assessed, and what skills the examiners seek. Whether you're working through the course for the first time or revising for your final exams, the specification helps you stay focused and confident in your preparation.
We've included helpful revision tools to support you in putting the specification into practice. Wherever you're starting from, you'll find everything you need to feel prepared, from the official specification to high-quality resources designed to help you succeed.
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In the next section, you'll find a simplified summary of the official WJEC Eduqas A Level English Language & Literature specification, along with a breakdown of key topics, assessment structure, and useful study resources. We've also included links to topic-level guides and revision tools to help you put the specification into practice.
Contents
Disclaimer
This page includes a summary of the official WJEC Eduqas A Level English Language & Literature (A710) specification, provided to support your revision. While we've made every effort to ensure accuracy, Save My Exams is not affiliated with the awarding body.
For the most complete and up-to-date information, we strongly recommend consulting the official WJEC Eduqas specification PDF.
Specification overview
This A Level English Language & Literature qualification from Eduqas promotes the integrated study of literary and linguistic approaches. It encourages students to engage creatively and critically with a wide range of spoken and written texts from different genres and periods. Learners apply terminology and conceptual understanding from both disciplines to analyse and produce texts, while developing intellectual maturity, independence, and contextual awareness. The course fosters appreciation of how language choices shape meaning and offers opportunities for original writing informed by genre study and wider reading:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0Subject content breakdown
Component 1: Poetry and Prose
- Study of the WJEC Pre-1914 Poetry Anthology and an unseen post-1914 text
- Prose fiction text selected from a prescribed list (e.g. Jane Eyre, Atonement)
- Integrated linguistic and literary approaches used for analysis
- Focus on language, form, structure, context and connections:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Component 2: Drama
- One Shakespeare play (e.g. Othello, King Lear) and one post-1900 drama (e.g. The History Boys)
- Closed-book analysis of extracts and thematic essay writing
- Emphasis on dramatic techniques, historical context, performance interpretation:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Component 3: Non-Literary Texts
- Comparative analysis of three unseen spoken texts (e.g. transcriptions, speeches)
- Study of a prescribed non-literary prose text (e.g. In Cold Blood, Homage to Catalonia)
- Skills in detecting bias, viewpoint, language features, and genre-specific techniques:contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Component 4: Critical and Creative Genre Study
- Genre study (1500-word critical analysis) based on a prose text and wider reading
- Two creative writing tasks (one literary, one non-literary) informed by research
- Genres include Gothic, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Life-writing, Travel, Journalism, and more:contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Assessment structure
Component 1: Poetry and Prose
- Written exam: 2 hours
- 30% of qualification
- Section A: poetry comparison (anthology + unseen post-1914)
- Section B: two-part question on prose fiction text (open-book)
Component 2: Drama
- Written exam: 2 hours
- 30% of qualification
- Section A: Shakespeare – extract and essay
- Section B: Post-1900 drama – essay (closed-book)
Component 3: Non-Literary Texts
- Written exam: 2 hours
- 20% of qualification
- Section A: comparative analysis of three unseen spoken texts
- Section B: two-part question on a non-literary prose text (closed-book)
Component 4: Critical and Creative Genre Study
- Non-exam assessment (NEA): 3200–3500 words
- 20% of qualification
- Section A: critical genre study (1500 words)
- Section B: two creative writing tasks, literary and non-literary (850–1000 words each):contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Key tips for success
Doing well in your WJEC Eduqas A Level English Language & Literature isn't just about how much you study, but how you study. Here are a few proven tips to help you stay on track
- Start with a clear plan: Break the subject into topics and create a revision schedule that allows enough time for each. Start early to avoid last-minute stress.
- Focus on understanding, not memorising: Use our revision notes to build a strong foundation in each topic, making sure you actually understand the material.
- Practise regularly: Attempt past papers to familiarise yourself with the exam format and timing. Mark your answers to see how close you are to full marks.
- Be strategic with your revision: Use exam questions by topic to focus on weaker areas, and flashcards to reinforce important facts and terminology.
- Learn from mistakes: Whether it's from mock exams or practice questions, spend time reviewing what went wrong and why. This helps prevent repeat mistakes in the real exam.
- Stay balanced: Don't forget to take regular breaks, eat well, and get enough sleep, a healthy routine makes revision much more effective.
With the right approach and consistent practice, you'll build confidence and improve your chances of exam success.
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