Course Overview: Read. Analyze. Understand the World. This course is an invitation to explore the human experience through some of the world’s most powerful writing. Designed for the Cambridge IGCSE 2026 syllabus (0475), this class goes far beyond simple plot summaries. We will dissect how writers use language to manipulate emotion, challenge society, and construct meaning. You will leave this course not just with a qualification, but with the ability to read critically and think independently—skills that are essential for university and beyond.
What You Will Study (The 2026 Text List) The syllabus changes regularly, and for 2026 we will be focusing on a diverse mix of classic and contemporary texts. You will study specific works from the following three categories:
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Drama (The Play): We treat plays as living scripts, analyzing character conflict, tension, and stagecraft.
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Possible texts: We will tackle either a classic Shakespearean play like A Midsummer Night’s Dream or Antony and Cleopatra, or a modern drama like Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire or Shelagh Delaney’s A Taste of Honey .
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Prose (The Novel or Short Stories): We will analyze narrative structure, themes, and character development in a major work of fiction.
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Possible texts: This could be a novel like Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart or Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, or a collection of short stories from Stories of Ourselves .
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Poetry (The Collection): We will conduct a close analysis of 15 set poems, looking at how poets use imagery, rhythm, and form.
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Possible texts: Collections may include diverse voices from Songs of Ourselves (featuring poets like Seamus Heaney and William Blake) or a focused study of Kayo Chingonyi’s collection Kumukanda.
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The 4 Core Skills You Will Master Success in IGCSE Literature isn’t about memorizing what the teacher says. It is about mastering the four “Assessment Objectives” (AOs) that Cambridge examiners look for:
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Detailed Knowledge (AO1): You will learn to know your texts inside out, supporting every argument with precise quotations and textual references.
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Deeper Understanding (AO2): You will look beneath the surface to explore hidden themes, contexts, and character motivations, moving beyond just “what happened” to “why it matters”.
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Writer’s Craft (AO3): This is the key to high grades. You will learn to analyze how a writer achieves their effects—why they chose that specific adjective, sentence structure, or metaphor.
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Personal Response (AO4): Your voice matters. We will teach you how to build a convincing, “informed personal response,” allowing you to argue your own unique interpretation of the text.
How You Will Be Assessed Your final grade is based on your ability to analyze and write. Most students will take two main written papers:
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Paper 1: Poetry and Prose (50%): A 1 hour 30-minute exam where you answer two in-depth essay questions—one on poetry and one on prose.
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Paper 2: Drama (50%): A 1 hour 30-minute exam focused entirely on the plays we have studied. You will answer one question based on a specific passage and one general essay question.
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Note: Depending on the specific track we choose, you might interpret an “Unseen” literary text or submit a Coursework portfolio instead of the second exam.
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Is This Course Right for You? This course is ideal if you want to:
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Develop a Global Perspective: Explore universal issues and cultures through literature.
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Sharpen Your Communication: Learn to write clearly, persuasively, and with emotional intelligence.
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Prepare for the Future: Cambridge IGCSEs are recognized by universities and employers worldwide as a standard of academic excellence.
Prerequisites You should be comfortable reading and writing in English. We recommend that you have completed a broad curriculum (like Cambridge Lower Secondary) before starting, but the most important requirements are curiosity and a willingness to read.