2. Understanding Standards Advanced Higher English
An overview of course assessment

3. Aims of this audio presentation
To provide teachers and lecturers with:
an overview of changes to course assessment in National Qualifications
information on what has and hasn’t changed
advice on preparation for course assessment

4. Background Scottish Government announcement September 2016.
Units removed from National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses on a phased basis over three years.
Requirement to review course assessment to ensure coverage of full course.

5. Background (continued)
Since the Scottish Government’s announcement, we have:
undertaken a review of the Advanced Higher English course
consulted with the English NQST
given consideration to teacher workload
taken opportunity to streamline documentation

6. What is not changing
The aims, rationale and content of the Advanced Higher English course are not changing.
The current course assessment components remain unchanged:
Component 1: question paper Literary Study
Component 2: question paper Textual Analysis
Component 3: portfolio–writing
Component 4: project–dissertation

7. What is changing
Introduction of increased upper word limit for project–dissertation:
previously 2,500-3,000 words
now 2,500-3,500 words

8. Rationale supporting no change to course assessment
ensures that key skills continue to be assessed
critical reading and creative and critical writing skills sufficiently assessed
historic delivery experience and engagement suggests widespread satisfaction with extent of course assessment coverage

9. Key aspects of Advanced Higher English Course
complex and sophisticated literature
creative and critical writing
discussion
growing independence
importance of reading

10. Reading skills Candidates have to demonstrate the following:
Understanding of the central concerns of a text.
Critical analysis and evaluation of the use of literary techniques.
Taking an evaluative stance with respect to effects and impact of a text.
Conducting a critical comparison of texts.

11. Writing skills Candidates have to demonstrate some of the following:
Communicating complex and sophisticated ideas or information.
Exploring and reflecting on personal experience in a thoughtful, insightful way.
Writing creatively and imaginatively in a literary form.
Demonstrating knowledge of features of literary form.

12. Talking and listening skills
As part of their learning, candidates will be given opportunities to demonstrate:
Discussing or presenting complex and sophisticated ideas and/or information.
Exploring, through discussion, complex and sophisticated literary texts.

13. Question paper: Literary Study
One appropriately structured critical essay from the following genres: poetry, prose fiction, prose non-fiction, drama. (20 marks)
Command words typically used:
discuss
analyse
to what extent do you agree?
compare and/or contrast

14. Question paper: Literary Study
Number of texts required:
poetry: three poems
prose fiction: two novels or three short stories
prose non-fiction: at least two non-fiction texts
drama: two plays.
Note: texts and/or writers chosen for Literary Study must not be the same as those used for dissertation.

15. Question paper: Textual Analysis
One critical analysis: (20 marks)
Candidates select one unseen text from the following genres:
poetry
prose fiction
prose non-fiction
drama

16. Question paper: Textual Analysis
Command words typically used:
discuss
make a detailed analysis
write a detailed critical response
Note: candidates can select the same genre in each question paper.

17. Portfolio: writing
Assesses candidates’ skills in writing in two different genres. Candidates produce two written texts from the following genres:
persuasive
informative
argumentative
reflective
poetry
prose fiction
drama

18. Project: dissertation
Assesses candidates’ independent reading of complex and sophisticated literature: (30 marks)
New word limit: 2,500-3,500 words.
Three stages of dissertation process:
planning
research and development
writing
Note: the formulation of a suitable task is of key importance.