sqa dissertation advanced higher english

English Department

Advanced higher.

In S6 pupils who have been successful in Higher English have the opportunity to further develop their skills in Advanced Higher. The course is excellent preparation for university as it requires a great deal of independent work, organisation and a high level of understanding of complex and sophisticated texts.

The Advanced Higher class are also given a range of opportunities beyond the classroom to develop their skills. In recent years, these opportunities have included visits to the Mitchell Library and Strathclyde University Library to develop their understanding of how to use secondary sources, a creative writing workshop at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, theatre performances and visits from journalist Peter Ross and author (and ex-Williamwood pupil) Martin Stewart.

The Advanced Higher Course consists of four elements

Literary Study

Throughout the year, students will study a range of work by classic writers, such as Tennessee Williams, Sylvia Plath, John Donne and James Joyce. In the final exam they will complete a critical essay that will require them to compare a number of different texts. This is worth 20% of their overall mark.

Textual Analysis

Over the course of the year, students will develop their independent analysis skills. In the exam, students will be given an unseen text and will be required to complete an extended analysis. They will be able to choose between poetry, prose-fiction, prose non-fiction and drama. This is worth 20% of the overall mark.

Portfolio of Writing

Pupils will be given the opportunity to study a range of different genres of writing and be given a number of stimuli to help them begin their own work. They will select two pieces to re-draft and submit as coursework. The writing folio of worth 30% of the overall mark

Dissertation

The dissertation is very different to any work undertaken at Higher and an excellent opportunity for pupils to explore their own literary passions. Pupils will choose their own texts and topic and will complete, re-draft and submit a 2500 word essay. The dissertation is worth 30% of the overall mark.

Advanced Higher Writing Folio and Dissertation Template

From 2017-18, all Advanced Higher English writing folios and dissertations will be scanned and e-marked. To enable this, all pupil work must be submitted on an SQA template. You should complete your work on this template and then print the document off and submit it to your teacher as usual.

Please download the following template document.  Please select the version that is compatible with the programme you are using:

Microsoft Word: English Coursework Template

Google Docs: English Coursework Template

• This template must be used. If it is not, then we will not be able to submit your folio to the SQA
• Both folio pieces should be included on one document . Clear headings should be used to make it obvious where one ends and the next begins
• There is space for your Scottish Candidate Number and a page number at the bottom of every page . These must be filled in. If you are unsure of your Scottish Candidate Number then Mr Fisher will inform you.
• You must include your word count for each piece of writing and your list of sources.
• You will not be able to copy and paste footnotes into the template, therefore you must start your dissertation on the template.

If you have any questions, then please check the following document  Instructions For The Submission Of Advanced Higher English Coursework  or ask your teacher for guidance.

St Thomas of Aquin's

S6 Advanced Higher English

Course overview.

The Advanced Higher English course is a fantastic opportunity for pupils who have a real love of literature to explore this passion further. The Advanced Higher English course is also valuable preparation for university as it requires pupils to be prepared to work independently towards extended deadlines.

Methodology

How is the course assessed?

There are two types of assessment:

External and Internal

The external assessment forms the basis for the final grade and takes the following format:

• Portfolio (60%)

Section 1: dissertation

Learners will produce a dissertation to demonstrate planning, research and presentation of their knowledge and understanding of an aspect or aspects of literature.

The text(s) chosen must not be the same as those used in the Literary Study question paper.

This dissertation will be between 2,500 and 3,000 words long and will be worth 30 marks (30% of the total mark).

Section 2: writing

Learners will produce two pieces of writing for two different purposes. The writing can be from the following types:

♦ persuasive

♦ informative

♦ argumentative

♦ personal/reflective

♦ prose fiction

This Section will be worth marks (30% of the total mark). Up to fifteen marks will be awarded for each essay selected for the portfolio.

The purpose of this question paper is to assess learners’ ability to apply the skills of critical analysis and evaluation to literary texts.

This question paper will give learners an opportunity to demonstrate the following skills, knowledge and understanding:

♦ the skills of critical analysis and evaluation of a previously studied literary text(s)

♦ the skills of critical analysis and evaluation of an unseen text such as a poem, an extract from a novel or drama text.

Learners will choose one question from a range of questions to provide an extended written response. Learners will select from genres taught, such as poetry, drama or prose. This will be worth 25 marks (25% of the total mark). The text(s) chosen must not be the same as those used in the dissertation.

Learners will also complete a textual analysis of an unseen text or extract from a text. This will be worth 20 marks (20% of the total mark).

The question paper will have 40 marks in total (40% of the total mark).

Internal assessment:

Pupils must pass the internal assessment in order to gain the full qualification. Internal assessments will complement the preparation for the external assessment element of the course. There are two units of internal assessment:

Creation and production :

The learner will:

Produce complex and sophisticated written texts by:

1.1 Selecting significant ideas, using a form and structure appropriate to purpose and audience.

1.2 Applying knowledge and understanding of language and language choice.

1.3 Critically reflecting on the development of their writing.

Analysis and evaluation

Critically analyse and evaluate complex and sophisticated literary texts in depth by:

1.1 Exploring main ideas and themes

1.2 Applying knowledge and understanding of language to analyse and evaluate meaning and effect

1.3 Exploring connections and comparisons between literary texts

The learner will develop literary research skills by:

2.1 Producing a research outline in which the purpose of the undertaken literary research is identified and explained

2.2 Selecting, analysing and evaluating evidence from a range of sources

2.3 Understanding approaches to organising research findings

Recording & Reporting

Specific Home Study tasks will be distributed on a regular basis by individual class teachers, but pupils are also advised to revise English skills independently.

Self-revision/Home Study exercises that pupils are recommended to undertake should include:

• Reading and note-taking on dissertation texts
• Reading of secondary sources for dissertation text
• Revision of class texts
• Reviewing notes for textual analysis
• Preparation and writing of folio

Home work will appear here soon.

http://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/ http://www.understandingstandards.org.uk/Subjects/English http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zqxhfg8 http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/47904.html

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