Higher English Course Information

Course Assessment

Paper I: Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation 30%

Paper II: Critical Reading 40%

Folio 30%

Course Units

Spoken Language unit – pass/fail

Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evalution 30 marks/30%

Candidates are given two passages to read in their exam. These passages usually come from newspapers such as The Independent, The Guardian or The Times. Candidates must read the passages and answer the questions that follow. This area of the course is testing candidates ability to understand ideas, analyse language and evaluate the effect of the language. This is assessed through a mixture of the following question types:

Understanding Qs

Own Words – candidates are asked to express the same idea as the writer but using different words/phrasing

Summarise – candidates are asked to shorten main ideas of a text in their own words

Linking – candidates are asked to identify and explain the structure of the passage and how the writer moves between arguments

Final Comparison Qs – candidates are asked to identify key areas of agreement/disagreement between two passages, use quotes to prove these areas and explain the quotes in their own words

Analysis Qs

Word Choice – candidates are asked give connotations of words used by the writer and what it tells the reader about the situation in the passage

Imagery – candidates are asked to identify images used by the writer and explain what picture they create to help the reader understand the ideas of the passage

Sentence Structure – candidates are asked to explain the structure of the passage and how it helps the reader understand the ideas of the passage

Tone – candidates are asked to identify the attitude of the writer and how word choice, iamgery and sentence structure is used to convey the attitude

Evaluation Qs

Effective intros/conclusion – candidates are asked to explain why the opening and closing paragraphs of a passage are appropriate

 

Critical Reading 40 marks/40%

Section 1: Scottish Text 20 marks/20%

Candidates study a Scottish Text from an approved SQA list. In the exam they are given an extract from the text they have studied and are asked to answer questions on it for a total of 20 marks. The skills involved in this element of the assessment are the same as in the RUAE area of the course. Candidates answer a total of 10 marks worth of questions on the extract they are given in the exam. The other 10 marks come from responding to a question which demonstrates their understanding of how the extract in the exam ‘fits’ with the rest of the Scottish text studied. It is important candidates are familiar with the whole of the text(s) they study so they are able to make these connections. Examples of Scottish texts studied in the department include Carol Ann Duffy (Poetry), The Cone Gatherers (Prose) or Men Should Weep (Drama).

Section 2: Critical Essay 20 marks/20%

Candidates study a text in class throughout the year from a range of genres including drama, prose fiction, prose non-fiction or film. They explore different aspects of their texts including characterisation, theme, setting and structure. In the exam, they respond to a task related to one of these aspects. They are given a choice of three tasks – they choose one to answer. They are assessed on their knowledge and understanding of their text, their ability to analyse quotations and their ability to evaluate the text and offer some kind of response in relation to what the text has made them think about/what they have taken away from it.

 

Folio 30 marks/30%

The folio is an independently completed element of the course. SQA guidelines permit two drafts to be looked at by a teacher but teaching staff are only allowed to give minimum feedback/direction. Candidates must complete two essays – one broadly discursive (a report, a biography, a discursive essay or a persuasive essay) and one broadly creative (a short story, an imaginative piece, opening chapter of a book). They will be given help and direction as to what to feature in these essay to obtain marks. It is important candidates work on their folios throughout the year to ensure they gain maximum marks from it.

 

Spoken Language unit pass/fail

Candidates must participate in either a solo presentation or a group talk on a topic of their choice. They must demonstrate that they are able to communciate clearly, they are able to respond to questions and organise their ideas appropriately. Candidates must pass this element of the course in order to be able to sit the final exam.