CONTENT
Students work through interpretations, write critical essays
(literature answers), answer detailed questions on a literary text,
write imaginative/discursive
essays
or reports and produce a Personal Study.
100% of the final grade is determined by examination performance which is
interpretation work and critical essay writing. There is no folio to be sent
away which makes
the Higher English course different from Standard Grade.
The components have been arranged into three units :
Unit 1 Language Study (interpretation and essay writing)
Unit 2 Literary Study
Unit 3 Personal Study (a smaller version of the Specialist Study)
INTERNAL
ASSESSMENT
In the Higher Still course, the student must gain a pass in every
type of work required in a unit to gain the Higher course award.
Since session
2002-2003,
the Personal Study has been produced in a test situation in class rather
than
being written and redrafted several times in class and at home. This
has important implications for students (see Entry Requirements).
EXTERNAL
ASSESSMENT
100% of the final grade is generated by the final exam.
This comprises two interpretations and two critical essays (literature
answers). The
examination requirements are
simplified for Intermediate 2 and Intermediate 1.
HOMEWORK
There is a lot of homework. This will include preparation
for the Personal Study unit assessment, in the form of note-taking
and
reading. Also,
revision for the
critical essay and interpretation work will be very important.
VALUE
OF COURSE
A pass in Higher English is a valuable qualification for
those intending to go to college or university and it is also highly
regarded by
employers. However,
Higher English is not essential for general university admission.
Furthermore, Higher English is not designed, like Standard
Grade, as a course suitable
for everyone. For some students entering Fifth Year, maximising
the chances of
a
good spread of Higher passes means choosing not to opt for
Higher English. For many students, Intermediate 2 is a better
option. For some, Intermediate
1 is
the best option.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Students would be expected to have an award in
English at Credit level in Standard Grade. A grade 2 or better
is essential
in
both Reading
and Writing.
These
overall grades cannot be the only consideration, however,
because the nature of the assessment
is different. In Standard Grade, 50% of the weighting in
both Reading and Writing comes from a folio which is redrafted
with
teacher
assistance. In Higher, there
is no opportunity for redrafting/correction since the assessments
are done
under exam conditions. Students who tend not to gain Credit
grades in first drafts
are therefore likely to find Higher English too demanding
in S5.
For students who achieve grade 3 with first drafts of folio
items in Reading and Writing, Intermediate 2 is the best
option.
For students who tend to achieve grade 4 with first drafts,
Intermediate 1 is the most appropriate
course.
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English Advanced Higher
CONTENT
Like Higher English, this course develops skills in textual
analysis and creative writing. Although oral communication
is included
as a course option,
the main
focus is on the study of literature in depth. The authors/topics
will vary from year to year but will be drawn from a list
which includes Hardy, Austen,
Donne,
Wordsworth, Heaney, Shakespeare, Shaw, Wilde and others.
ASSESSMENT
Assessment is based on a series of components :
•
Dissertation (3500-4500 words) which is compulsory for all candidates.
•
Combination of two 40-hour units likely to be drawn from literature, creative
writing (assessed in a folio submitted by the candidate) and textual analysis.
The options will vary from student to student, in line with personal aptitudes
and preferences.
Most of the options are assessed in the final examination;
in other cases (eg creative writing), a folio is submitted.
The
dissertation is worth 40% of the overall course weighting. The
other two components are worth 60% (30% each).
Students must meet criteria in order to pass each component
and pass all components to achieve a course award.
HOMEWORK
Much of the work has to be done at home. The bulk of this
homework will take the form of reading and note-taking
plus preparatory
work for the
dissertation.
VALUE OF COURSE
It is an ideal preparation for those wishing to study
English at college or university and very suitable
for any student
with an
interest in
literature or creative
writing.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Normally, candidates should have at least a grade
C in Higher English.
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