Advanced Higher English

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

You will need to have gained A or B pass at Higher English to be able to progress to Advanced Higher

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The main purpose of the Course is to provide learners with the opportunity to apply critical, analytical and evaluative skills to a wide range of complex and sophisticated texts from different genres. Learners will develop sophisticated writing skills, responding to the way  structure,  form  and  language  shape  the  overall  meaning  of  texts.  The Course provides personalisation and choice for learners by allowing them to choose to develop skills in different types of writing, and by developing their awareness of the relationship between text and context in the analysis and evaluation of literary texts.

English: Analysis and Evaluation (Advanced Higher)

Learners extend and refine their skills of analysis and evaluation through the study of complex and sophisticated literary texts from the genres of drama, poetry and prose (fiction and non-fiction). Learners will also develop independent learning skills by selecting materials for research into an aspect or aspects of literature, formulating relevant tasks and researching primary and secondary sources. Learners also develop organisational and presentational skills required in the production of a dissertation.

English: Creation and Production (Advanced Higher)

The purpose of this Unit is to provide learners with the opportunity to extend and refine their writing skills through the production of different types of writing. Learners will use language creatively for a variety of purposes and in a variety of forms. Learners will develop a range of skills necessary for the deployment of language to create effect.

ASSESSMENT

Dissertation (externally marked coursework, 30 marks): a detailed critical essay of 2500-3500 words on literary texts and a topic of the candidate’s choice. The dissertation is written independently, with support from a department mentor, and involves reading, planning, researching, writing and redrafting throughout the year. 

Portfolio–writing (30 marks): two pieces of writing in any two genres, such as persuasive, argumentative, polemic, reportage, personal reflective, memoir, travel writing, poetry, drama, radio/tv playscript, short story, or monologue. 

Exam Paper 1 – Textual Analysis (20 marks): an extended critical analysis of an unseen literary extract. Candidates choose one from poetry, prose, prose non-fiction or drama.

Exam Paper 2 – Literary Study (20 marks): a comparative critical essay on two or more texts studied in class. Candidates choose one unseen question from a selection on poetry, prose fiction, prose non-fiction or drama. 

What will my Home Learning commitment be?

At Advanced Higher, the quantity of independent reading, research and writing rises significantly.  Students can expect to be doing at least 2 hours of homework per week. However, this will be flexible depending on if you have reading to do or an  assessment to  prepare for.

PROGRESSION

Degree programmes in Business, Drama, Education, English, Humanities, Journalism, Law,  Media, and Social Science. Careers in Commerce and Industry, Education, Journalism, Law, Marketing, Media, and Politics