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- Sep 19, 2019
Our top 8 tips on how to write your National 5 English Critical Essay
Your critical essay is an essay that allows you to demonstrate your analysis, interpretation and evaluation of pieces of literature. Your national 5 English critical essay is worth 20 marks (or half of the critical reading exam) so it is important to make this count. In this post, we have outlined our top 8 tips on how to write and pass your National 5 English critical essay.
Remember: The N5 English Critical Essay questions are found in Section 2 of the Critical Reading paper. You must only answer one question.
1) Choose the right genre!
Ensure you select the correct genre for your essay. The Critical Essay paper will give you a choice of genres: Drama, Poetry, Prose and Language . You can only write an essay on a novel or short story using one of the Prose questions.
Writing about the wrong genre will stop you getting the grade you deserve.
Remember that your Critical Essay cannot be from the same genre as your Scottish text.
2) Choose the right question!
Under each genre heading, you will have a choice of two questions. Make sure that you read both of them carefully and select the one which you feel you could write about best.
3) Identify the key words in your chosen question! These words will be the focus of your essay.
For example:
Choose a poem in which the poet creates a powerful sense of place …
Choose a novel in which there is an interesting character .
In each of these examples, you would use the underlined phrase as your key words.
4) Introduce the text! Your introduction should consist of a brief paragraph consisting of two parts. Firstly, include the title, author, form and subject of your text.
E.g. ‘Dracula’ by Bram Stoker is a powerful gothic novel based upon an ancient vampire’s attempt to move from Transylvania to England.
The second part of your introduction should be a link to the question – using those key words.
E.g. Throughout the novel, we can clearly see how Stoker portrays Count Dracula as a mysterious and interesting character .
5) Structure your discussion! After your introduction, identify where you first see the key words in your chosen text.
E.g. In the opening stages of the novel, Stoker establishes Count Dracula as an interesting character when the protagonist – Jonathan Harker- is travelling to his castle:
‘I was not able to light on any map or work giving the exact locality of the Castle Dracula…’
Start every other paragraph, with a topic sentence that includes the key words.
Later in the novel, we see Stoker further develop the idea of Count Dracula as an interesting character , when Jonathan meets him in person…
6) Provide analysis of any evidence!
Here, the author makes effective use of setting , when he locates Dracula in a mysterious home. This helps develop the sense of the count being an interesting character.
Note that evidence can be quotations, but it doesn’t need to be – especially if you are writing about drama or prose. You just need to explain what events are significant and why they are effective.
7) Remember to evaluate!
Use phrases throughout your discussion to evaluate the writer’s methods:
E.g. this clearly shows… this is effective in revealing… this provides a vivid image of…
8) End in a proper manner!
Your essay must be complete. This means that you need to include a separate concluding paragraph, which sums up your discussion.
You can start your conclusion with
In conclusion, throughout (name of text) we can clearly see (key words) in terms of…
Ultimately, throughout (name of text) we can clearly see (key words) in terms of…
Just remember to include the key words in your conclusion and include an evaluative term too.
Eg. In conclusion, throughout the novel ‘Dracula’, Bram Stoker has clearly presented Count Dracula as an interesting character . This is evident in his effective use of setting to make Dracula mysterious, and later through the character development where the count changes from a proud Transylvanian to a murderous monster.
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English National 5 Essay Examples Available
The English Department have sent more resources for National 5 critical essay revision to this site for inclusion.
They take the form of exemplar timed essays on the novels studied in the course: Stone Cold, Of Mice and Men and Animal Farm.
Find them on the dedicated critical essay revision page . The PDF files are named according to: the novel they are concerned with; whether they are the first or second example (1 or 2); and each example is numbered into parts – (i) – (iv).
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NAT 5 English Critical Essay: The Crucible (Marked 15/20) - Important Relationship
Subject: English
Age range: 14-16
Resource type: Assessment and revision
Last updated
25 January 2021
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This is a National 5 English A-grade critical essay that examines Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible in relation to the following question:
*Choose a play which explores an important relationship, for example, husband and wife, leader and follower, parent and child, or any other relationship. Describe this relationship and then, by referring to appropriate techniques, explain how the relationship develops. *
This NAT 5 essay can be used for Higher English as well, and examines John and Elizabeth Proctor’s relationship. Quotations have been highlighted in blue for ease.
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A bundle is a package of resources grouped together to teach a particular topic, or a series of lessons, in one place.
The Crucible Essay and Quote Booklet Bundle: NAT 5/Higher
This bundle contains 5 example Higher English critical essays and 1 example National 5 critical essay. It also contains a booklet of the most significant and useful quotes necessary for studying Arthur Miller's 'The Crucible' with accompanying analysis. This bundle is useful for teaching by example, reference for both students and teacher, and for general information of the play and playwright.
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National 5; About the National 5 English course Section Two - Critical Essay. The National 5 English course is assessed on folio writing, a spoken language assessment, a final exam as well as ...
1) Choose the right genre! Ensure you select the correct genre for your essay. The Critical Essay paper will give you a choice of genres: Drama, Poetry, Prose and Language. You can only write an essay on a novel or short story using one of the Prose questions. Writing about the wrong genre will stop you getting the grade you deserve.
Illustrates the standard, structure and requirements of the question papers candidates will sit (includes marking instructions). English: Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation Specimen Question Paper National 5 June 2018; English: Critical Reading Specimen Question Paper National 5 October 2018; 2021. There were no exams in 2021.
SECTION 2 — Critical essay — 20 marks Attempt ONE question from the following genres — Drama, Prose, Poetry, Film and Television Drama, or Language. Your answer must be on a different genre from that chosen in Section 1. You should spend approximately 45 minutes on each section. Write your answers clearly in the answer booklet provided.
you or the reader etc. • Discuss the central concern(s) of the text. • In order to make sure that you demonstrate understanding, analysis and evaluation, you can structure your essay in any of the following ways: . S.E.A.L. STATEMENT - this is your topic sentence or sentences.Use it to make your
Introduction which clearly introduces line of argument. Clearly and fully explained points. Justification using evidence (textual evidence such as quotations) and explanation. Clear structure which helps develop argument - topic sentences, sub-conclusions, linking, transitional markers.
This video describes how to write successful 'main body' paragraphs in an English Critical Essay. It suggests a mnemonic to help you structure the paragraphs...
Portfolio of Writing. Two pieces of writing for Higher must be submitted and will be sent to the SQA for grading purposes. Each essay is worth 15 marks and should be 800 - 1,000 words in length. It is essential that your son/daughter keeps up to date with homework and deadlines set by his/her English teacher.
Critical essay Critical essay mark Total . Comments . 1 : Tally's Blood . 15/20 . Final question - 4/8 . On the Sidewalk Bleeding . 11/20 . 26/40 : Candidate repeats material in final question of Scottish text. Decision as to where to award marks explained critical essay is relevant but thin in analysis. 2 : The Way My Mother Speaks . 20/20 ...
This video describes how to write a successful introduction to an English Critical Essay. It suggests a mnemonic to help you structure the introduction and ...
This video describes how to write a successful conclusion in an English Critical Essay. It suggests a mnemonic to help you structure the paragraph so you can...
Section 2 Critical essay The candidate was awarded 11 marks. Summary The candidate has chosen to write about the short story On the Sidewalk Bleeding by Evan Hunter, in response to question 4 from the prose section. The National 5 English Question Paper 2019 | Critical Reading Commentary SQA | www.understandingstandards.org.uk 2 of 26
The English Department have sent more resources for National 5 critical essay revision to this site for inclusion. They take the form of exemplar timed essays on the novels studied in the course: Stone Cold, Of Mice and Men and Animal Farm. Find them on the dedicated critical essay revision page. The PDF files are named according to: the novel ...
NATIONAL 5 CRITICAL ESSAY EXEMPLAR - 'MACBETH' Techniques: characterisation, key scene(s), structure, climax, theme, plot, conflict, setting, dramatic irony, foreshadowing Choose a play which you feel has a dramatic final scene. Describe briefly what happens in the final scene and then, by referring to appropriate
Finalised Marking Instructions. Scottish Qualifications Authority 2022. These marking instructions have been prepared by examination teams for use by SQA appointed markers when marking external course assessments. The information in this document may be reproduced in support of SQA qualifications only on a non-commercial basis.
5. Choose a novel or short story or non-fiction text which deals with an important issue (e.g. social, political, moral, religious . . .). Identify the issue and, by referring to appropriate techniques, show how the author deepens your understanding of it. 6. Choose a novel or short story in which there is a character who provokes an
touch repetitive as the essay goes on. Analysis/evaluation Analysis is the real strength of the essay, and the candidate demonstrates a thorough awareness of techniques. There is analysis of character, shot selection, National 5 English Question paper: critical reading 222 Commentary SQA www.understandingstandards.org.uk 1 of 6
A simple way to structure all English critical essays. This structure has been used successfully at all levels, even up to getting an 'A' at Higher English. ...
Editable to suit your own teaching style (if you focus on PEE or PEEL chains, PCQE or other ways of structuring paragraphs), use this planning document to ensure your learners write detailed responses in their Critical Reading paper. This would be great when used after looking at our National 5 English Critical Essay: Planning and Writing a ...
I don't like the looks they're giving you at the candy store". Opening 3. [avoiding his gaze] Opening 4. [CATHERINE, almost in tears because he disapproves] Opening 5. "You can't take no job. Why didn't you ask me before you take the job?" Opening 6.
This is a National 5 English A-grade critical essay that examines Arthur Miller's play The Crucible in relation to the following question: *Choose a play which explores an important relationship, for example, husband and wife, leader and follower, parent and child, or any other relationship. Describe this relationship and then, by referring ...