National 5/Higher - Discursive Writing Information Literacy National 5/Higher - Discursive Writing

What have you to do? Choose a topic independently. Find at least two texts to research. However, on average, pupils studying at National 5 or Higher level are expected to use between 4-10 texts. These texts can be written e.g.: book, newspaper, leaflet, website. But can also be oral/audio e.g.: documentary or song etc.

Assessment Using your own words create either an argumentative or persuasive piece of writing on your topic. RESEARCH. Argumentative = a for and against argument on a specific topic. Persuasive = persuade the reader of your opinion/point of view on a specific topic. Or you could create a report on your topic but you must negotiate this with your teacher in advance. Your piece of writing must not exceed more than 1000 words (National 5) or 1300 words (Higher).

How will you do it? Information Literacy Always choose your texts carefully. If your text is a book or leaflet: Evaluate the author/publisher of the book. Are they experts on the topic, do they have first hand experience of the topic? Are they credible? Question how up to date is it? Was it published many years ago? Has it’s information been superseded by newer information? Is it still valid? Think about why it was published. Is it biased? This is especially important when researching political topics. When researching for a piece of discursive writing you are looking to strike a balance between all sides of the argument.

How will you do it? Information Literacy Cont. Always choose your texts carefully. If your text is a website: Use a reliable online database or website to find information on your topic e.g.: Issues Online, the BBC, The Guardian. If you must use Google, remember to use its ‘Search Tools’ to filter your results (see next slide). By using the ‘Search Tools’ you are more likely to find relevant and credible websites. Otherwise you are taking a huge risk simply using the websites a general Google search will return. Avoid Wikipedia as its information can be edited by anyone and SQA markers do not consider it a reliable source of information for official folio work.

Google – Search Tools

How will you do it? Information Literacy Cont. As you use your texts take notes. Skim and scan the words. Summarise the points. Write them down – perhaps in bullet points. Collect as much information as you can as fast as you can. When taking notes use your own words. Do not copy and paste. If you do it is a form of cheating = PLAGIARISM. If you cannot use your own words or if you deliberately want to include a statement from your texts in order to support the argument you are making then you must reference. To reference simply quote the words within inverted commas, then place them within the body of your essay. You must also include an entry in your bibliography to inform the marker where you found the quote e.g.: title/author of a book, website address etc.

Bibliography Get into the habit of including a bibliography with any piece of writing. A bibliography is a list of the names of the texts you have used / quoted from and is normally the last page of your writing. This will help your teacher and SQA marker to grade/mark your work.