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About the course

  • About the National 5 English course

    The National 5 English course is assessed on folio writing, a spoken language assessment, a final exam as well as revision and coursework throughout the year. Structuring your answers and understanding the marking can help you get the best result.

Reading

  • Analysing language in Critical Reading

    In the first section of the National 5 Critical Reading assessment, you will be asked to comment on examples of language, such as word choice and imagery. Revise how to identify and analyse some of the key language techniques in this guide.

  • Analysing sentence structure in Critical Reading

    In the first section of the National 5 Critical Reading assessment, you will be asked to comment on examples of language including sentence structure. Revise how to analyse sentence structure in this guide.

  • Analysing tone in Critical Reading

    In the first section of the National 5 Critical Reading assessment, you should be able to comment on the tone the writer creates and the techniques they've used to create it. Revise how to analyse tone in this guide.

  • Understanding and inference

    Reading for understanding involves identifying the main points, purpose and intended readership of the text. Inference is when the reader works things out using clues in the text.

  • How to write a critical essay

    Critical analysis is where you make an argument about a text you have read, providing points to support your case.

  • Creating parody. Video

    How humorous intent can be created through parody in writing.

  • Critical reading - Scottish drama

Writing

  • Descriptive

    Description is used to convey an impression of a person or place and to create an atmosphere. The best writers select only those descriptive details which help create these effects.

  • Discursive

    Discursive writing presents an argument related to a given topic. It can either examine both sides of the issue in a balanced way or argue persuasively on one side only.

  • Personal reflective

    In a piece of reflective writing the writer not only gives an account of an experience but examines what he or she thought and felt about it, both at the time and later on.

  • Creative writing

    A short story usually centres around a significant moment in the lives of the characters, told either by one of the characters (first person) or by a narrator.

Talking and listening

  • Talking

    Effective spoken communication requires a combination of well thought-out ideas, clear and audible delivery and, where appropriate, due consideration for other people’s opinions.

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