What you need to do to pass

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Critical Essay paper – 1 hour 30 mins (40% of your final grade.)
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Close Reading paper – 1 hour 30 minutes (40% of your final grade.)
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But before you sit these, you need to pass both of your NABs first.
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You must complete a folio of 2 writing pieces.

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NABs (National Assessment Bank tasks) are exam tasks which test your competence and to check that you’re ready to sit the final exams.
These are pass/fail assessed – you will not get a grade for your NABs.
They do not contribute towards your final grade.
If you fail a NAB, you will get one more chance to re-sit them.
NAB 1: Textual Analysis (known as ‘Literary Study’)
NAB 2: Close Reading (known as ‘Language study’)

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Close Reading - this is similar to the final Close
Reading paper you will sit in May.
Textual Analysis – where you read an unseen poem or other form of fiction and answer questions on the techniques used.
Writing – you will write either an argumentative, creative or discursive essay on a topic of you choosing. (This will be taken from your strongest writing piece from your writing folio).

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You will answer a task from two different sections of the paper (Drama/Prose/Poem/Media etc.)
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Each essay will each be graded out of 25, before being added up and calculated out of 50.
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Your grade will then fall into either of the following bandings:

Grade A (Band I) 20 - 25
Grade B (Band II) 16 -19
Grade C (Band III) 12-15
Grade D (Band IV) 8-11

Understanding
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As appropriate to task, the response demonstrates secure
understanding of key elements, central concerns and significant details of the text.
Analysis
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The response explains accurately and in detail ways in which relevant aspects of structure/style/ language contribute to meaning/effect/impact.
Evaluation
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The response reveals clear engagement with the text(s) or aspects of the text(s) and stated or implied evaluation of effectiveness, substantiated by detailed and relevant evidence from the text(s).
Expression
Structure, style and language, including use of appropriate critical terminology, are deployed to communicate meaning clearly and develop a line of thought which is sustainedly relevant to purpose; spelling, grammar and punctuation are sufficiently accurate.

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You will study a minimum of 3 genres in class, more than likely: Prose, Drama and Poetry.
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You will have to study all of your notes thoroughly and know all of your texts to ensure that you are able to answer 2 of the questions in your exam.
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The questions will be unseen. You must prepare for every eventuality.

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Prose: ‘Never Let Me Go’ by Kazuo Ishiguro
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Drama: ‘Doll’s House’ by Henrik Ibsen
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Poetry

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In response to a series of questions, candidates will be required to demonstrate their ability to understand, analyse and evaluate two thematically linked passages of unseen prose. Some questions will require comparison and/or contrast between the passages.

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You will read 2 unseen passages – normally nonfiction such as a broadsheet newspaper article or travel writing.
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You will then answer questions, which total 50 marks.
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You will answer different types of questions, e.g
Understanding (U), Analysis (A) and Evaluation (E).
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There will be questions that ask you to compare both passages also.
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You need to achieve at least 25 marks in order to pass the Close Reading paper.

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New for 2010/11 candidates.
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Externally assessed by the SQA
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Weighting of 20%
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Grading: A B C D
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2 pieces must be submitted, one of a broadly creative nature, and one of a broadly discursive nature.
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Candidates will have to sign a declaration that the pieces of writing are their own work.

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The grade of award will be based on the total score obtained in the examination and in the folio of writing.
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The NABs are not taken into account in the final grade however your achievement in your NAB assessment will be recorded and used to contribute towards Course estimates and to provide evidence for appeals. They are still very important.

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For next term (or sooner if possible):
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A ring-binder
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Dividers, if possible
Good Luck and enjoy!