Literature learning area contacts:

• ATAR

  In the Literature ATAR course, students learn to create readings of literary texts and to create their own texts, including essays, poems, short stories, plays and multimodal texts. Students engage with literary theory and study literary texts in great detail. Students learn to read texts in terms of their cultural, social and historical contexts; their values and attitudes; and their generic conventions and literary techniques. They enter the discourse about readings, reading practices and the possibility of multiple readings. Students learn to create texts paying attention to contexts, values and conventions. Students learn about literary language, narrative, image and the power of representation. Students experience the aesthetic and intellectual pleasure that reading and creating literary texts can bring.

  Syllabus

  • ATAR Year 11 Syllabus – For teaching from 2026 (606.6 KB)Last updated: 31 Jul 2026 1:00pmAlso available in Word Format (396.2 KB)
  • ATAR Year 12 Syllabus – For teaching from 2024 (597.8 KB)Last updated: 31 Jul 2026 12:59pmAlso available in Word Format (456.9 KB)
  • Literature ATAR Year 11 and 12 Literature prescribed text lists 2026 (583.2 KB)Last updated: 16 Jan 2026 1:19pmAlso available in Word Format (357.1 KB)

  What's changing

  • ATAR Year 12 What's changing - General capabilities (410.3 KB)Last updated: 30 Sep 2025 11:35amAlso available in Word Format (317.2 KB)
  • ATAR Year 12 What's changing - Rationale and Aims (390.8 KB)Last updated: 30 Sep 2025 11:35amAlso available in Word Format (315.5 KB)

  Grading

  • Grade descriptions in Year 11 syllabus

  • Grade descriptions in Year 12 syllabus

  Support Materials

  • Glossary of key words used in the formulation of questions (381.7 KB)Last updated: 28 Jan 2026 11:38amAlso available in Word Format (212.3 KB)
  • ATAR Year 11 sample course outline (464.5 KB)Last updated: 16 Jan 2026 12:38pmAlso available in Word Format (359.5 KB)
  • ATAR Year 11 sample assessment outline (418.2 KB)Last updated: 16 Jan 2026 12:44pmAlso available in Word Format (351.7 KB)
  • ATAR Year 11 sample assessment tasks  (513.2 KB)Last updated: 16 Jan 2026 12:49pmAlso available in Word Format (364.9 KB)
  • ATAR Year 12 sample course outline (534.3 KB)Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 2:17pmAlso available in Word Format (360.2 KB)
  • ATAR Year 12 sample assessment outline (997.3 KB)Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 2:17pmAlso available in Word Format (360.1 KB)
  • ATAR Year 12 sample assessment tasks (517.6 KB)Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 2:17pmAlso available in Word Format (368.4 KB)
  • ATAR Literature Close Reading lecture 2016 (36.2 MB)Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:53pm
  • 2016 Extracts and acknowledgements in 2016 Lecture on Close Reading (961.7 KB)Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:53pm
  • ATAR Literature powerpoint slides - The close reading lecture 16 February 2016
  • Transcript of ATAR Literature close reading lecture by Jennifer Shand (184.2 KB)Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:53pm

  Examination Materials

  • 2025 Summary examination report for candidates (269.9 KB)Last updated: 19 Mar 2026 2:28pm
  • 2025 Examination (403.5 KB)Last updated: 28 Jan 2026 11:30am
  • 2025 Marking Key (339.2 KB)Last updated: 28 Jan 2026 11:30am
  • 2025 Text Booklet (350.3 KB)Last updated: 28 Jan 2026 12:35pm
  • Additional Past ATAR Course Examinations