1. Added value unit
National 4 English

2. Stage 1: planning and reading
Read two straightforward texts which are linked by a particular topic. One must be a written text, either fiction or non-fiction:
Fiction: prose, poetry, film/TV drama, radio programme, advert
Non-fiction: travel writing, documentaries, information texts

3. SUCCESS CRITERIA
Your final presentation must be well structured, have a clear line of thought and demonstrate that…
Your understanding of the text(s) is secure
Your analysis of the text(s) is accurate and detailed
Your evaluation of the text(s) is based firmly on textual evidence
Your expression is sufficiently accurate

4. POSSIBLE TOPICS
Investigating the work of a particular author or director (e.g. their novels, films, short stories, etc.)
An investigation of a particular theme e.g. looking at the theme of war in Wilfred Owen’s poem and an article about soldiers in a newspaper.
Any topic on which you hold strong views e.g. news discussed in the papers or on television.

5. Further suggestions A novel and a film of the book. For instance:
A genre, ghost story – ‘A Woman in Black’ (novel) and ‘A Woman in Black (film).
A topic. For instance:
World War II and the film ‘Private Peaceful’.
A Song and a poem. For example:
consider relevant background information; purpose, what are songwriter and poet doing? – describing, commenting, recounting. Think about the form of the song/poem - ballad, lyric...; technique; theme

6. You need to -
Provide evidence of your reading and use of other sources
Record your research findings, for example in a learning logbook
Take clear notes of sources consulted
Note main points
Include at least one detail from each source
Aim to use an appropriate presentation format for your topic

7. Stage 2 – selecting your information
Choose a feature of the texts which will be the focus for your reading and evaluation. E.g.
techniques layout style theme message
These features can be different, or the same, for each text.

8. Stage 3 – understanding and evaluating
Record this information by taking notes:
a) Comment on how successful the texts are in terms of your chosen features.
E.g. you might comment on the successful format, style and layout of an informational webpage or on the unconvincing portrayal of a fictional character.
b) Use appropriate critical language according to your chosen texts and topic(s).
E.g. you might use terms such as ‘style’ or slang’ when discussing the language of journalism or terms such as ‘theme’ or ‘setting’ if commenting on a short story.

9. Stage 4 – presenting your findings
An informative essay
E.g. read two or more information texts on a topic of interest and compare treatment of the topic, e.g. persuasive texts or biography or memoir or factual reports, articles, documentaries.
At the start, make it clear why you have chosen those particular texts.
At the end, assess the effectiveness of the contribution of the texts.
700 – 800 words.

10. Stage 5 – responding to q’S
You will respond to oral questions about your findings, which will provide evidence of your listening skills.
NOTE: You can repeat some of the points you have made but you must not simply repeat the information from your talk or in your writing.