Higher ENGLISH What you need to do to pass

In May, you will sit two exam papers as your final exams  Critical Essay paper – 1 hour 30 mins (40% of your final grade.)  Close Reading paper – 1 hour 30 minutes (40% of your final grade.)  But before you sit these, you need to pass both of your NABs first.  You must complete a folio of 2 writing pieces.

What are NABs?  NABs (National Assessment Bank tasks) are exam tasks which test your competence and to check that you’re ready to sit the final exams.  These are pass/fail assessed – you will not get a grade for your NABs.  They do not contribute towards your final grade.  If you fail a NAB, you will get one more chance to re-sit them.  NAB 1: Textual Analysis (known as ‘Literary Study’) NAB 2: Close Reading (known as ‘Language study’)

How many and what types of NAB will I sit? 1. Close Reading - this is similar to the final Close Reading paper you will sit in May. 2. Textual Analysis – where you read an unseen poem or other form of fiction and answer questions on the techniques used. 3. Writing – you will write either an argumentative, creative or discursive essay on a topic of you choosing. (This will be taken from your strongest writing piece from your writing folio).

Literature – what does this paper require me to do?  You will answer a task from two different sections of the paper (Drama/Prose/Poem/Media etc.)  Each essay will each be graded out of 25, before being added up and calculated out of 50.  Your grade will then fall into either of the following bandings:

The grade you will achieve will be either: Grade A (Band I) Grade B (Band II) Grade C (Band III) Grade D (Band IV) 8-11

What are the Performance Criteria for Critical Essays? Understanding  As appropriate to task, the response demonstrates secure understanding of key elements, central concerns and significant details of the text. Analysis  The response explains accurately and in detail ways in which relevant aspects of structure/style/ language contribute to meaning/effect/impact. Evaluation  The response reveals clear engagement with the text(s) or aspects of the text(s) and stated or implied evaluation of effectiveness, substantiated by detailed and relevant evidence from the text(s). Expression Structure, style and language, including use of appropriate critical terminology, are deployed to communicate meaning clearly and develop a line of thought which is sustainedly relevant to purpose; spelling, grammar and punctuation are sufficiently accurate.

What will we study?  You will study a minimum of 3 genres in class, more than likely: Prose, Drama and Poetry.  You will have to study all of your notes thoroughly and know all of your texts to ensure that you are able to answer 2 of the questions in your exam.  The questions will be unseen. You must prepare for every eventuality.

Texts for 4.7  Prose: ‘Never Let Me Go’ by Kazuo Ishiguro  Drama: ‘Doll’s House’ by Henrik Ibsen  Poetry

Close Reading- what SQA say  In response to a series of questions, candidates will be required to demonstrate their ability to understand, analyse and evaluate two thematically linked passages of unseen prose. Some questions will require comparison and/or contrast between the passages.

Close Reading – What does this mean?  You will read 2 unseen passages – normally non- fiction such as a broadsheet newspaper article or travel writing.  You will then answer questions, which total 50 marks.  You will answer different types of questions, e.g Understanding (U), Analysis (A) and Evaluation (E).  There will be questions that ask you to compare both passages also.  You need to achieve at least 25 marks in order to pass the Close Reading paper.

What is the writing folio?  New for 2010/11 candidates.  Externally assessed by the SQA  Weighting of 20%  Grading: A B C D  2 pieces must be submitted, one of a broadly creative nature, and one of a broadly discursive nature.  Candidates will have to sign a declaration that the pieces of writing are their own work.

Overall Grade  The grade of award will be based on the total score obtained in the examination and in the folio of writing.  The NABs are not taken into account in the final grade however your achievement in your NAB assessment will be recorded and used to contribute towards Course estimates and to provide evidence for appeals. They are still very important.

Next...  For next term (or sooner if possible):  A ring-binder  Dividers, if possible Good Luck and enjoy!