The purpose of this presentation is to provide you with an insight into how you can best support your child as they prepare themselves for the English examination at National 5. The presentation will investigate the content of the English course and exam, along with providing some information about the best ways to study.

In National 5 English there are three key elements that contribute to the overall grade awarded. The components and their contribution to the overall award are outlined below: Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation:30% Critical Reading (critical essay and Scottish text):40% Folio of Writing:30%

What is the Writing Folio? Pupils are required to complete a folio of writing consisting of 2 essays of between 500 and 1000 words each. The writing folio equates to 30% of the overall grade. These are graded externally by the SQA, and each writing piece is graded with a mark out of 15.

Pupils produce their folio pieces over the course of the year. It is hoped that the pieces submitted will be an accurate reflection of the best work that the pupils can produce.

The writing pieces contained in the folio should cover the following genres… Creative The creative piece is likely to be either a Personal Reflective essay or a short story. The work should be wholly original. Discursive For this essay, pupils will discuss an issue in society. They will aim to display an awareness of the key features of discursive/persuasive writing.

Class introduction to genre Research time (if necessary) Planning time Writing time (first draft) Individual Feedback Redraft Final proof read and review

Encourage your child to attend writing folio supported study. Ask to read writing folio pieces (although do not be surprised if your child is reluctant to share personal reflective essays.) Assist in the planning and research of discursive essays. Discuss topics with your child to help them to develop their argument. Encourage your child to read over their writing with care to check for errors in technical accuracy and expression.

The Reading for U, A, E paper will be completed by pupils in the final exam. This examination tests knowledge about language through their responses to questions on a non fiction piece of writing. This is generally taken from a newspaper or magazine.

The close reading paper is worth 30 marks. Pupils are given 1 hour to complete the paper.

Pupils are required to read an extract of “moderate difficulty” and answer a range of questions on it. Pupils will be tested on their understanding of the writer’s ideas and opinions as well as their analysis of the writer’s use of language and structure.

The questions in a close reading paper come under three individual categories… UnderstandingUnderstanding AnalysisAnalysis EvaluationEvaluation

Link Context Quotation Summarise Own Words Understanding Analysis Word Choice Sentence Structure Imagery Tone Contrast Evaluation Purpose Audience Effectiveness

Here is an example of a reading for U, A, E formula, and how to apply it. 1.Quote the word. 2.Give a denotation of the word 3. Give connotations of the word. 4. Use the connotations to explain the effect of the word. WORD CHOICE

This is how the formula can be applied to a question… When I moved to a flat in New York and discovered that my new neighbours included a colony of pigeons, my first reaction was: exterminate the brutes! Show how the writer's word choice helps us understand how he feels about pigeons. “Exterminate” Means to wipe out/eliminate/destroy This has connotations of violence/brutality This helps us to understand that the writer wanted to destroy the birds and violently kill them.

Read broadsheet newspapers Ensure that they have notes of their formula and that they are learning them. You can test their knowledge! Ensure that they are using past papers (there is only one Nat 5 paper but Int. 2 papers are useful). These are available on both the department and SQA website. Encourage your child to attend supported study when it is available.

The second element of the course is the Scottish Text Question. Pupils have studied 6 poems by Edwin Morgan. They are required to answer unseen questions on one of the 6 poems. The poem is supplied. This is worth 20 marks in total. The final question, worth 8 out of 20 marks, asks the pupil to compare the chosen poem with one or more than one of the other 5 Morgan poems. The other poems are not printed on the exam paper. Pupils should take 45 minutes out of the 1 hour 30 minute paper to do this.

Pupils will study each of the 6 poems individually. They will have annotated copies of each poem. They will also have notes on the similarities and differences between the poems. Example: ‘Good Friday’ and ‘Trio’ are both set in everyday situations in Glasgow, a bus journey and a shopping trip down Buchanan Street Both ‘Good Friday’ and ‘Trio’ are set during important Christian ceremonies (Easter and Christmas)

Check that your child has the 6 poems and detailed notes. Check that your child has notes on similarities and differences between poems Test their knowledge of poems from notes Encourage practice on pairing up poems on similarities and differences.

The third element of the course is the Critical Essay Paper. Pupils are required to write one extended response. This will be on any genre (studied in class) apart from poetry (focus of Scottish Text) The questions are unseen. Pupils should take 45 minutes out of the 1 hour 30 minute paper to do this.

Pupils will cover a range of texts in class thoughout the year. These will cover a range of genres, such as: ProseProse DramaDrama MediaMedia Pupils must select one question in the exam which they feel best suit their knowledge of the text. It is vitally important that pupils know a range of quotations and analysis from a range of texts (we recommend two for the final exam to allow for choice.) Pupils should have these on study cards.

Here is an example a quotation and analysis. “My dearest partner of greatness” (Macbeth writing to his wife about witches’ prophecies.) Act 1, scene 5 1.Word choice – ‘My’, ‘dearest’ – love, closeness, affection 2. Word choice – ‘partner’ – Togetherness, equality 3. Word choice – ‘greatness’ – Shared ambition, belief that prophecies will come true

Purchase a copy of the text. Consider Study Guides such as York Notes Test their knowledge of quotes Encourage ‘five minute’ essay plans on a range of questions Timed Essays from past papers. Offer to proof read their essays to check for technical accuracy and common errors.