English literature or English language (A level)

[Barmi]

It's just what I've found from experience (and, to be fair, a detest of the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald), that when you reach the higher echelons of literature, it becomes increasingly difficult to write reams on books based on feelings you can't put into words.

I'm not saying people who love books can't do it, merely that it's more difficult.

John Donne (and many more poets besides) does a pretty good job at putting feelings into words. Read 'The Ecstasy'.

I love books. It was my easiest A-level subject. It sounds like an observation that is contrary to the popular one. I don't know what stage you are at in life (at university?), but there are many universities – particularly the most competitive ones – who require this love for literature. If this doesn't come across in interview, you are more than likely screwed.

And out of curiosity, could you illustrate which texts you are referring to when you talk of the "higher echelons of literature"?

Yeah, it was published in 2003, I only wrote mine a few months ago, so I remember . Have you ever read Brave New World or The Collector, they're wicked too :8

I've wanted to read Brave New World for months, but never quite got round to it. I really must put those two on my "to read when I get time" list!

[Virgin Mary]

It's just what I've found from experience (and, to be fair, a detest of the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald), that when you reach the higher echelons of literature, it becomes increasingly difficult to write reams on books based on feelings you can't put into words.

I'm not saying people who love books can't do it, merely that it's more difficult.

Going off on tangents about your feelings is what stupid, self-absorbed people do.

[Bun]

go for language, don't listen to barmi .

[le harry]

I know, it's weird!

Out of a free choice of any novels and any theme, we both picked the same. I think I already told you this but I was initially going to use The Handmaid's Tale until my teacher lent me her copy of Oryx and Crake to read. I had to rejig my question (because the jump words and links other than dystopian societies didn't match up), but it was worth it. It's a relatively new text (I think it was published in 2003?) so was by no means a standard comparative text at that point. Freaky. Freaky.

But still, lots of love for both of those books. Two of my favourite books of all timeeeee.

I'm choosing A Clockwork Orange (text) as my English Extension piece. Alongside that, i'm quite possibly using Nineteen Eighty Four (text) and A Clockwork Orange (movie) for my 12.7 comparative essay, there needs to be a third piece which has to be a play and i'm quite stumped on what to do. Of course this is all going under the dystopian society theme. But yes, Nineteen eighty four is a fantastic book - haven't read Oryx and Crake so I can't comment.

[Immenseman]

I'm choosing A Clockwork Orange (text) as my English Extension piece. Alongside that, i'm quite possibly using Nineteen Eighty Four (text) and A Clockwork Orange (movie) for my 12.7 comparative essay, there needs to be a third piece which has to be a play and i'm quite stumped on what to do. Of course this is all going under the dystopian society theme. But yes, Nineteen eighty four is a fantastic book - haven't read Oryx and Crake so I can't comment.

I was going to use "A Clockwork Orange" for my close analytical piece but I heard Brave New World was a better novel, so I went with that one. I love dystopian novels :8

[Hecktix]

I've done both language and literature at at A level.

From what i've read in your thread language is more suited to you.

To enjoy literature, you need to love reading.
To enjoy language, you need to love writing.

Of course you do still take analytical approaches in language as you do in literature, and neither is more 'respected' as they are practically the same course, you just do analysis on factual texts in language, which can be a bit dry but there are other aspects which are good, such as original writing coursework, instead of doing a piece about say a play, you write your own, its so much more fun!!

Other aspects of language include the relationships between language and things such as gender and power, which is really really interesting.

Both are brilliant subjects, but from what you've said language is more suited to you.

[Immenseman]

don't lie oli, language is for people who can't grasp literature ol:

[Hecktix]

don't lie oli, language is for people who can't grasp literature ol:

i got an A at lit fyi.
I love them both, but then I love literature.

They are similar in so many ways but so different, literature you have to have a passion for literature, and language you have to have a passion for language.

[Immenseman]

Yeah. At our 6th Form you had to get a B at least at GCSE English Literature and GCSE English Language to do English Literature at ALevel. Although Language students just needed the bog-standard 5 C's. Speaks volumes to me! ol:

[Hecktix]

i actually find language AS harder than I found Lit AS.