• There are no set texts. In previous years, we have studied two novels or two plays.

• You tackle one essay question from a range. The question will be comparative in nature, so we study more than one text!

• 20 marks 

• 1 Hour 30 minutes

• You tackle one question on an unseen poem, extract of prose or non-fiction.

• You write an extended critical analysis of it. 

• 20 marks

• 1 Hour 30 minutes

• The portfolio–writing is worth 30 marks. It consists of one piece, which is marked out of 15. This is then doubled to give a mark out of 30. This is 30% of the overall marks for the course assessment.

• In this assessment, you have to produce one piece of writing from the following genres: persuasive, informative, argumentative, reflective, poetry, prose fiction or drama

• Your writing must have consistent technical accuracy. This means that paragraphs, sentences and punctuation are accurate and organised so that your writing is clearly and readily understood, and spelling errors are infrequent. Carefully proofread your work so that there are few errors.

• The length of your piece of writing should be appropriate to purpose and genre (poetry may be significantly shorter). There is no word count.

• • The project—dissertation is worth 30 marks. This is 30% of the overall marks for the course assessment.

  •  It assesses the following skills, knowledge and understanding: conducting independent reading, planning and research writing a piece of extended critical investigation on an aspect of literature. In this assessment, you have to write a dissertation of between 2,500 and 3,500 words on an aspect or aspects of literature.

  • This is an extensive project that requires you to work independently, and adhere to deadlines. The first stages of the process alone (selecting and reading texts, and identifying a task) will take considerable time.

  • The texts you choose should have sufficient depth and complexity to allow you to demonstrate the level of critical analysis required for Advanced Higher English.

  • Your dissertation should explore a limited area of literary technique, applying complex critical analysis with appropriate supporting evidence. The formulation of a suitable task is of crucial importance, as it informs the line of argument that you develop and explore in your dissertation.

The project—dissertation has three stages:

• • Planning: you should choose appropriate texts and formulate a precise and focused dissertation task on an aspect of literature.

  • Research and development: you should investigate and research relevant materials and record all sources consulted.

  • Writing: you should write your dissertation, reflecting, redrafting and proofreading before final submission.

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