This course develops the core literacy and English skills of reading, writing, talking and listening by studying and creating a wide variety of texts.
Learners will complete two unit assessments:
1. Language
Writing: Learners will produce one piece of either creative or discursive writing. This piece can be used as part of the Writing Folio for the final Course Assessment.
Close Reading: Learners will answer questions on an unseen, non-fiction text to demonstrate their understanding, analysis and evaluation skills.
2. Literary Study
Textual Analysis: Learners will answer questions on an unseen extract from a play, novel or poem to demonstrate their textual analysis skills.
Candidates must pass all unit assessments in order to be presented for the exam.
Course Assessment
Coursework – Writing Folio 20%
The writing folio will comprise one discursive and one creative piece. A first draft will be marked by the class teacher with comments and returned to students who may then make changes. A final draft will be submitted to the SQA.
Exam –
Paper 1: Close Reading 40%
Learners will read two unseen, non-fiction passages and answer questions to demonstrate their skills in understanding, analysis and evaluation.
Paper 2: Critical Essay 40%
Pupils will pick two essay questions from different genres and write two critical essays on previously studied works of literature, language or media.
RECOMMENDED ENTRY LEVEL:
To achieve success at Higher English, it is strongly recommended that learners have previously obtained the following qualification:
- Grade A or B at National 5