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…
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…
•Understanding
•Analysis
•Evaluation
Own Words
Summarise
Understanding
Quotation
Context
Link
Word Choice
Sentence Structure
Analysis
Effectiveness
Evaluation
Imagery
Tone
Audience Contrast
Purpose
Here is an example of a reading for U,
A, E formula, and how to apply it.
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:
•Prose
•Drama
•Media
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.
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.