- Sep 19, 2019
Our top 8 tips on how to write your National 5 English Critical Essay
Your critical essay is an essay that allows you to demonstrate your analysis, interpretation and evaluation of pieces of literature. Your national 5 English critical essay is worth 20 marks (or half of the critical reading exam) so it is important to make this count. In this post, we have outlined our top 8 tips on how to write and pass your National 5 English critical essay.
Remember: The N5 English Critical Essay questions are found in Section 2 of the Critical Reading paper. You must only answer one question.
1) Choose the right genre!
Ensure you select the correct genre for your essay. The Critical Essay paper will give you a choice of genres: Drama, Poetry, Prose and Language . You can only write an essay on a novel or short story using one of the Prose questions.
Writing about the wrong genre will stop you getting the grade you deserve.
Remember that your Critical Essay cannot be from the same genre as your Scottish text.
2) Choose the right question!
Under each genre heading, you will have a choice of two questions. Make sure that you read both of them carefully and select the one which you feel you could write about best.
3) Identify the key words in your chosen question! These words will be the focus of your essay.
For example:
Choose a poem in which the poet creates a powerful sense of place …
Choose a novel in which there is an interesting character .
In each of these examples, you would use the underlined phrase as your key words.
4) Introduce the text! Your introduction should consist of a brief paragraph consisting of two parts. Firstly, include the title, author, form and subject of your text.
E.g. ‘Dracula’ by Bram Stoker is a powerful gothic novel based upon an ancient vampire’s attempt to move from Transylvania to England.
The second part of your introduction should be a link to the question – using those key words.
E.g. Throughout the novel, we can clearly see how Stoker portrays Count Dracula as a mysterious and interesting character .
5) Structure your discussion! After your introduction, identify where you first see the key words in your chosen text.
E.g. In the opening stages of the novel, Stoker establishes Count Dracula as an interesting character when the protagonist – Jonathan Harker- is travelling to his castle:
‘I was not able to light on any map or work giving the exact locality of the Castle Dracula…’
Start every other paragraph, with a topic sentence that includes the key words.
Later in the novel, we see Stoker further develop the idea of Count Dracula as an interesting character , when Jonathan meets him in person…
6) Provide analysis of any evidence!
Here, the author makes effective use of setting , when he locates Dracula in a mysterious home. This helps develop the sense of the count being an interesting character.
Note that evidence can be quotations, but it doesn’t need to be – especially if you are writing about drama or prose. You just need to explain what events are significant and why they are effective.
7) Remember to evaluate!
Use phrases throughout your discussion to evaluate the writer’s methods:
E.g. this clearly shows… this is effective in revealing… this provides a vivid image of…
8) End in a proper manner!
Your essay must be complete. This means that you need to include a separate concluding paragraph, which sums up your discussion.
You can start your conclusion with
In conclusion, throughout (name of text) we can clearly see (key words) in terms of…
Ultimately, throughout (name of text) we can clearly see (key words) in terms of…
Just remember to include the key words in your conclusion and include an evaluative term too.
Eg. In conclusion, throughout the novel ‘Dracula’, Bram Stoker has clearly presented Count Dracula as an interesting character . This is evident in his effective use of setting to make Dracula mysterious, and later through the character development where the count changes from a proud Transylvanian to a murderous monster.
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English National 5 Essay Examples Available
The English Department have sent more resources for National 5 critical essay revision to this site for inclusion.
They take the form of exemplar timed essays on the novels studied in the course: Stone Cold, Of Mice and Men and Animal Farm.
Find them on the dedicated critical essay revision page . The PDF files are named according to: the novel they are concerned with; whether they are the first or second example (1 or 2); and each example is numbered into parts – (i) – (iv).
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NAT 5 Critical Essay: All My Sons - Arthur Miller (marked 19/20)
Subject: English
Age range: 14-16
Resource type: Assessment and revision
Last updated
9 September 2020
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This is a National 5 English A-grade critical essay which examines Arthur Miller’s play All My Sons in relation to the following question:
Choose a play in which the writer creates an interesting character. By referring to appropriate techniques, explain how the writer makes this character interesting.
This essay discusses the depiction of Joe Keller and the theme of self-interest versus social responsibility, and how this is presented through Keller’s characterisation within the play. Evidence from the play has been highlighted in light blue for easier use.
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Specimen reading for u, a and e paper nat 5, specimen critical reading paper nat 5, national 5 practice critical essay questions, candidate_portfolio_submission_instructions[1], english_n5_higher_portfolio, n5 revision advice, mini essay instructions, websites for n5 revision, understanding standards website, revision materials (click on learner tab) this site gives key questions to use for practice., english n5 summary, 2017 prelim reflection, n5-exam-advice-for-pupils.
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1. Using your own words as far as possible, summarise what happens in this extract. You should make four key points. 4. 2. Look at lines 1-19. By referring to one example of language and one stage direction, explain what is revealed about Deirdre's character. 4. 3.
English National 5 - Critical Essay Questions: PROSE PROSE Answers to questions on Prose should refer to the text and to such relevant features as characterisation, setting, language, key incident(s), climax, turning ... 5. Choose a novel or short story or non-fiction text which deals with an important issue (e.g. social, political, moral ...
National 5 English - Critical Reading Critical Essay Questions - Poetry Specimen A 1. Choose a poem which made a lasting impression on you. Explain briefly what the poem is about, then, by referring to appropriate techniques, show how the poem has made this lasting impression. 2. Choose a poem which features an encounter or an incident.
1) Choose the right genre! Ensure you select the correct genre for your essay. The Critical Essay paper will give you a choice of genres: Drama, Poetry, Prose and Language. You can only write an essay on a novel or short story using one of the Prose questions. Writing about the wrong genre will stop you getting the grade you deserve.
National 5; About the National 5 English course Section Two - Critical Essay. The National 5 English course is assessed on folio writing, a spoken language assessment, a final exam as well as ...
PROSE QUESTIONS. 1. Choose a novel which gives you an insight into an aspect of human nature or behaviour. State what the aspect is, and show how the characters' actions and relationships lead you to a deeper understanding of human nature or behaviour. 2. Choose a novel with an ending which you find satisfactory.
Nat 5 English - Poetry: Techniques. 13 terms. Nat 5 English - Poetry: Norman MacCaig Quotes. Nat 5 English - Critical Essay: A View From The Bridge study guide by zuzarosinska includes 29 questions covering vocabulary, terms and more. Quizlet flashcards, activities and games help you improve your grades.
National 5 Past Prose Essay Questions. Answers to questions in this part should refer to the text and to such relevant features as characterisation, setting, language, key incident(s), climax, turning point, plot, structure, narrative technique, theme, ideas, description . . . Choose a novel or short story in which there is an interesting ...
National 5; How to write a critical essay Test questions. Critical analysis is where you make an argument about a text you have read, providing points to support your case.
Revise how the Nat 5 English course is assessed with tips on the exam and assignment. Bitesize Scotland guide to Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) Nat 5 SQA
National 5 Discursive Folio Piece. For your first folio piece, you are required to write a discursive essay of 500-1000 words. This essay will be worth 15% of your total mark. You will be doing a Persuasive essay. ... 5.Destroy the opposing argument. 6.Question and answer. 7.Use of triples. 8.Attitude markers. 1. Address the reader throughout
Macbeth (worries he will not be able to get over the guilt of killing Duncan) "wake Duncan with thy knocking: I would thou could". Macbeth (regrets killing Duncan) "O full of scorpions is my mind dear wife". Macbeth (makes it clear that he is paranoid) Macbeth by William Shakespeare: Nat 5, Critical Essay revision. Get a hint.
National 5 Critical Essay Questions - Drama 1. Choose a play which deals with a close relationship within a family or community. By referring to appropriate techniques, show how the portrayal of this relationship helps in your understanding of the central concerns of the play. 2. Choose a scene from a play in which tension or suspense is built up.
The English Department have sent more resources for National 5 critical essay revision to this site for inclusion. They take the form of exemplar timed essays on the novels studied in the course: Stone Cold, Of Mice and Men and Animal Farm. Find them on the dedicated critical essay revision page. The PDF files are named according to: the novel ...
I don't like the looks they're giving you at the candy store". Opening 3. [avoiding his gaze] Opening 4. [CATHERINE, almost in tears because he disapproves] Opening 5. "You can't take no job. Why didn't you ask me before you take the job?" Opening 6.
docx, 17.45 KB. This is a National 5 English A-grade critical essay which examines Arthur Miller's play All My Sons in relation to the following question: Choose a play in which the writer creates an interesting character. By referring to appropriate techniques, explain how the writer makes this character interesting.
Attempt ALL the questions for your chosen text. SECTION 2 — Critical Essay — 20 marks Attempt ONE question from the following genres — Drama, Prose, Poetry, Film and Television Drama, or Language. Your answer must be on a different genre from that chosen in Section 1. You should spend approximately 45 minutes on each Section.
N5 Revision Advice. mini essay instructions. Websites for N5 Revision. Understanding Standards Website. Revision materials (click on Learner tab) This site gives key questions to use for practice. English N5 summary. 2017 prelim reflection. n5-exam-advice-for-pupils.
We have an expert-written solution to this problem! Theme of violence quotes. "Direness, familiar to my slaughterous thoughts". "My keen knife sees not the wound that it makes". "Blood will have more blood". "These hangman hands". "Direness, familiar to my slaughterous thoughts". Techniques and analysis. Technique:
bullet points in this final question, or write a number of linked statements. There is no requirement to write a 'mini essay'. Up to 2 marks can be achieved for identifying elements of commonality as requested in the question. A further 2 marks can be achieved for reference to the extract given. 4 additional marks can be awarded