Prelim Study

General Guidance

Please remember that the N5 and Higher examination is split over two papers, each testing different skills.

Paper 1 (Reading for UAE) is easiest to attempt if you complete a brief pre-reading activity in the exam. The JGHS English Department recommends that you do the following:

1. Read the title
2. Read all of the introduction
3. Read the first sentences of each paragraph
4. Read the conclusion
5. Note the key purpose, main points made by the writer and their attitude towards the topic.
6. Quickly read the questions.
7. Read the whole passage.
8. Begin answering the questions.

Paper 2 (Critical Reading) is broken into two sections: Scottish text - the Morgan or Duffy poetry; and Critical Essay - To Reach Japan/ Black Mirror/The Great Gatsby/To Kill a Mockingbird/The Crucible etc.

DO NOT IMMEDIATELY START WRITING

Instead, carefully look at the critical essay questions for your chosen genre (Prose, Drama etc.) and select the one you will answer on. Then go back to the Scottish Text question (Morgan/Duffy) and start your response. This will allow your subconscious to start working on the essay whilst you work your way through your poetry response. If you don't do this, you will leave your brain 'cold' and may well struggle to change gears from your writing on one section to the other.

Remember, you are always against the clock and no one will tell you when to move from section 1 to section 2!


Paper 1 - Reading for UAE

For help studying 'Reading for UAE', please visit the tab at the top of the page and review the strategies provided for answering each of the different question types.

It is good to get into the habit of reading articles from broadsheet journalists and actively searching out the features of writing that they opt to employ in their work. Additionally, you should be thinking about the impact that the writer intends to have on their reader(s) through the use of each given technique. Try looking at some of the opinion pieces from The Guardian and trying to answer the prompts in the How to Read a Text document to get started.


Paper 2 - Section 1 - Scottish Text Study

This is either the Edwin Morgan poetry collection if you are in S4 or the Carol Ann Duffy poetry collection from S5 upwards. Please view the resources in the approriate tab for your level of study.

You will need practise preparing a response for the final comparison question. This question tests your ability to compare the poems within a writer's body of work. As such, your best form of study is to consider the links that the 6 poems in your pack have in terms of both craft (how they have been put together) and thematic content (the ideas they urge the reader to consider).

Areas of commonality tend to include, but are not limited to:
  • Powerful, immediately effective openings.
  • Use of a narrative persona to explore a voice often left unheard.
  • The persona being that of the poet themselves, focusing on an autobiographical experience/reflecting the poet's own experiences.
  • Use of thought provoking imagery and word choice.
  • Use of enjambment to create a deliberate ambiguity/potential for multiple interpretations of a line.
  • Closing lines directly challenging the reader to consider the heart of an issue/theme.
An example structure (showing how your marks are awarded at both N5 and Higher) can be found here. Use this format to prepare responses for each poem in the set.

Once you understand how the marks are awarded, read through this more detailed guide, with a worked example of an expected response from a candidate.


Paper 2 - Section 2 - Critical Essay: Literature Study

Pre-prelim preparation questions for N5, Higher and Advanced Higher

Please note, your prelim question will not be exactly the same as the question in the linked file.

That being said, if you prepare a response for the question given, you will be able to tweak and tailor your planned response to meet the specific requirements of the critical essay question in the prelim exam.

Use the guidance and examples of good writing in the Critical Essay Writing tab to help prepare your response.