Hello all,

The final question of the close reading paper asks you to identify two things: ideas that both passages discuss; whether the writers agree and/or disagree on those ideas.

This paper from the SQA gives an example of the final question and some exemplar answers. Pay close attention to answer three: look how simple the structure is.

• Idea that both passages cover
• How the idea is explored in passage 1
• How the idea is explored in passage 2

That structure is then repeated and it is awarded 5 marks. Very simple and straightforward and easy to structure.

Higher English Close Reading Final Q

Mr Douglas

Hi you lot!

I know I’ve given you a lot of stuff recently, but I thought the exemplar essays might be the most useful. So in case you have lost them or didn’t get them, here they are.

Marrakech Exemplar

Othello Character Exemplar

Porphyria’s Lover Exemplar

Enjoy,

Mr D

All I want for Christmas, is homework!

I know it was on all of your Christmas lists to Santa, so here it is.

Complete this essay on Othello for Monday 7th of January. Use your notes, your quotes, the planning we did in class and the exemplar plans and essays I have given you. Here’s what you need in case Santa forgets.

ModelEssayPlan Othello – Turning Point Othello Teacher Analysis Othello Exemplar

In addition, if you did not hand in your personal reflective folio piece before Christmas, I am expecting this too.

If you are looking for something else to do, you should continue to revise Porphyria’s Lover for your prelim in January (yikes) and start to think about a controversial topic that you are passionate about for your discursive essay.

Apart from that (and the work you’ll have from other subjects!) have a wonderful holiday. You’ve worked hard and deserve it.

Merry Christmas,

Mr Douglas

Here are the sheets for you to work on over the October week. Have them finished for discussion on Monday 22nd October.

(Oxford)Othello – Act 4

(Oxford)Othello – Act 5

Enjoy your holiday!

Mr Douglas

Hello!

We discussed in class the importance of being familiar with the style and skill of newspaper journalists and columnists in conveying their opinions to their readers. Our job in close reading is to identify and summarise their ideas and opinions, to show how those ideas and opinions create certain effects on the readers, and to say how well the writer creates effects on us.

This week we are simply looking at the understanding element (U) – to identify and summarise the writer’s ideas and opinions. You have to be able to do this in your own words.

Using the attached passage, write down why you think the writer created this article, and for each paragraph summarise the point or opinion he is expressing.

My Once in a Generation Cut?

Any questions, ask on here or in class. Homework due Tuesday 9th October.

Mr D

For your future reference and enjoyment, here are the sheets we have used so far to track the goings-on in “Othello.”

(Oxford)Othello – Act 1

(Oxford)Othello – Act 2

(Oxford)Othello – Act 3

Happy analysis,

Mr Douglas 🙂

Hello guys,

Just in case you ‘misplace’ (ie. LOSE!) the notes and analysis I gave you on “Porphyria’s Lover,” here they are for you to download. Remember, you should combine my notes with your notes to create some sort of genetically modified SUPER NOTES!

“Porphyria’s Lover” Analysis

Enjoy,

Mr Douglas 🙂

Hello 5E1!

Congratulations on your exam results last year, and welcome to Higher English!

I’ll use this blog to post notes and reminders, and you can use it to ask questions at any time.

I hope you find this a useful resource in what will undoubtedly be another successful year for you all.

See you soon, Mr D 🙂