English Writing Folio
• From session 2010-2011 onwards,
candidates at Higher, Intermediate 2 and
Intermediate 1 English will be asked to
submit a folio of writing as part of the
external assessment
• The folio will be worth 20%. Close Reading
and Critical Essay will be worth 40% each
(previously 50% each)
• The inclusion of writing in the external
assessment is intended to allow your
writing skills to contribute to the final
grading, which previously relied solely on
the exam
• Higher and Int 2 – two pieces of different
genre
• Int 1 – one piece
Genre
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CREATIVE
A personal reflective essay
A piece of prose fiction
A poem or set of thematically liked poems
A dramatic script
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DISCURSIVE
A persuasive essay
An argumentative essay
A report
Word limits
• Minimum length (except poetry)
Higher – 650 words
Int 2 500words
Int 1 300 words
It is unlikely that a piece at or just above
the minimum number of words will be able
to meet the requirements to score in the
higher range of marks. However, excessive
length is not encouraged.
Word limits
• Maximum length
Higher - 1300 words
Int 2 - 1000 words
Int 1 - 600 words
NB. The word count should EXCLUDE
titles, footnotes, lists of sources etc,
but must INCLUDE any quotations.
Presentation
• Pieces of writing submitted in the folio
should be typed, word processed, or neatly
handwritten. Margins should be of a
reasonable size and only one size of the
page should be used.
• Word processed submissions are
encouraged and the following format is
strongly recommended:
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A standard font, eg Times New Roman, Ariel
Point size: 12
Alignment: left of justified
Margins: 2cm all round
Line spacing: 1.5 or 2.0
Print colour: black (except possibly graphs,
diagrams in a Report)
Estimates and Appeals
• Since the work included in the folio is
presumed to be the candidate’s best,
there will be no requirement for
additional evidence of Writing to be
submitted in any Appeal or Absentee
consideration
Guaranteeing
authenticity
Candidates are REQUIRED to submit
to the teacher:
• Draft title and proposals
• Outline plan
• First draft
• Final version
Candidates are STRONGLY
RECOMMENDED to:
• Use a log or checklist to record
progress
• Keep a record of all sources including
websites, electronic articles,
newspapers and books used
Levels of support
Acceptable levels of support:
• Any amount of teaching and learning which
extends candidates’ knowledge and understanding
• Initial discussion between pupil and teacher
• Oral or written comment on first draft
• Brad suggestions on first draft
• Use of spell check/dictionaries
• Reference to sources for background information
and ideas
Levels of support
Unacceptable levels of support:
It is unacceptable for the teacher or a third party
to:
• Direct, as opposed to guide, the genre of topic
• Provide notes or detailed models or frameworks
• Give specific advice on re-structuring or rewording
• Systematically identify and/or correct errors in
expression or technical accuracy
• Undue reliance on ideas/phraseology from sources