Introduction to Your NEA Non-Fiction List

Welcome to your guide for the Component 04 Independent Study! This part of your A Level is exciting because it gives you the freedom to explore texts you are genuinely interested in. For Task 1 of your NEA (Non-Exam Assessment), you need to write a comparative essay. The starting point for this essay is the prescribed non-fiction list.

This chapter focuses specifically on the list of texts available for students sitting their examinations up until 2027. If you are sitting your exams in 2028 or later, you should refer to the updated list in the next chapter.

Don't worry if the idea of an independent study feels big! We are going to break down exactly which books are on the list and how the "rules of the game" work so you can make the best choice for your project.

The Prescribed List (For Exams until 2027)

For Task 1, you must choose one text from the list below. You will then pair it with a second text of your own choice (which must be published in book form). Here are the options provided by OCR (EMC):

Pre-2000 Texts

These texts were published before the year 2000. If you choose one of these, your second (free-choice) text must be published after 2000 to meet the syllabus requirements.

  • George Orwell: Down and Out in Paris and London
  • Jenny Diski: Skating to Antarctica
  • Bill Bryson: The Lost Continent
  • Solomon Northrop: Twelve Years a Slave
  • Truman Capote: In Cold Blood
Post-2000 Texts (*)

The following texts are already "Post-2000." If you choose one of these, your second (free-choice) text can be from any time period, as long as it is a book.

  • Alexander Masters: Stuart A Life Backward
  • Allie Brosh: Hyperbole and a Half
  • Anon: I am The Secret Footballer
  • Anna Funder: Stasiland
  • Jeannette Winterson: Why Be Happy When You Could be Normal?
  • Stephen Grosz: The Examined Life
  • Xinran: What the Chinese Don't Eat

Key Takeaway: You must choose at least one text from the list above. At least one of your two compared texts must have been published after 2000.

Understanding the "Post-2000" Rule

The examiners want to see that you can engage with contemporary voices as well as established ones. This is why the Post-2000 rule is so important. Let's look at two ways you can meet this rule:

Option A: Pick a Post-2000 text from the list (like Stasiland) + Any other book of your choice (e.g., a classic 19th-century memoir).
Option B: Pick a Pre-2000 text from the list (like In Cold Blood) + A book of your choice published after 2000.

Memory Tip: Think of the year 2000 as a "checkpoint." At least one of your two books must have passed that checkpoint!

What Should I Look for in a Text?

When browsing the list, don't just pick the shortest book! Think about the integrated linguistic and literary approach you need to take (AO1 and AO2). Consider these factors:

  • Voice and Persona: Does the writer have a distinctive "narrative voice"? For example, Allie Brosh uses a very different voice compared to Truman Capote.
  • Context of Production (AO3): Are you interested in the historical setting? Stasiland explores East Germany, while Twelve Years a Slave deals with the American South.
  • Mode and Genre: Even though these are all non-fiction, they vary wildly. The Examined Life is more clinical/psychological, while The Lost Continent is a travelogue.
  • Connections (AO4): Can you see a "link" between one of these books and another book you've read? You might link them by theme (e.g., poverty, identity, or crime).

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

To keep your NEA on track, keep these "Danger Zones" in mind:

  • The "Free Choice" trap: Your second text must be published in book form. You cannot use a single newspaper article or a website as your second text for Task 1.
  • Double-dipping: You cannot use a text that you are already studying for Component 01, 02, or 03.
  • Word Count: Remember that Task 1 is a 1500–2000 word essay. Make sure your chosen texts have enough "meat" for you to analyse in depth.
  • Approval: Your teacher must submit your text and task choices to the OCR Text and Task Proposal Service to make sure they are acceptable.

Quick Summary Checklist

1. Examination Year: Am I sitting my exams in 2025, 2026, or 2027? (If yes, use this list).
2. Selection: Have I picked one text from the OCR prescribed list?
3. The "Post-2000" Check: Is at least one of my two texts published after the year 2000?
4. The Pair: Is my second text a non-fiction or fiction book that offers interesting points of comparison (similarities or differences) to my first text?

Ready to move on? Once you've picked your texts, you'll be ready to look at Task 1: Analytical and Comparative Writing to start planning your essay!