Introduction to the New Higher The New Higher

Introduction to the New Higher

The New Higher course consists of: Ø Two internal Unit Assessments (assessing four separate skills) Ø A folio made up of two pieces of writing Ø A final exam, made up of two papers.

IMPORTANT! Ø You MUST pass all internal assessments in order to sit your exam. Ø HOWEVER your final grade is based on your writing folio and on how you perform in the final exam.

Writing Folio Ø Ø Ø You will produce two pieces of writing which will be sent to the SQA in April. These will form 30% of your overall mark. Both pieces will of a different genre: one creative/personal and one discursive. These pieces must be produced independently and you must select your own topics. There will be regular deadlines and ongoing monitoring of your progress with these pieces. Essays should be 1300 words, maximum.

Internal Assessments Ø Analysis and Evaluation: Outcomes 1 and 2 (Reading and Listening) Ø Creation and Production: Outcomes 1 and 2 (Writing and Talking)

Analysis and Evaluation Outcome 1 You will have one hour in which to read a text and answer questions about it. There are three assessment standards and you have to pass each one to pass the Outcome.

Analysis and Evaluation Outcome 2 You will have one hour in which to listen carefully to a text and answer questions about it. There are three assessment standards and you have to pass each one to pass the Outcome.

Creation and Production Outcome 1 You will produce a piece of persuasive writing of approximately 1300 words. There are three assessment standards and you have to pass each one.

Creation and Production Outcome 2 Ø You will plan, prepare and deliver a talk, based on your persuasive essay. Ø There are three assessment standards and you have to pass each one.

Final Exam Ø The New Higher exam is split into two papers: Ø 1 x Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation (1 hour 30 minutes) Ø 1 x Critical Reading paper (1 hour 30 minutes) Ø Questions on Scottish Text ü Critical Essay

How your final grade is assessed The Writing Folio 30 marks Final Exam Reading for U, A, E 30 marks Critical Reading 40 marks 100 marks

Reading for U, A and E Ø You will be given two thematically linked passages. You will be asked a series of questions on Passage 1. This will be worth 25 marks. You will then identify key points from Passage 2. The final question will require you to identify key areas in which the writers agree/disagree. You must refer to both passages in your answer. This question is worth 5 marks.

Critical Reading Paper -You will have one hour and 30 minutes in which to write one critical essay about a text which you have studied in class and answer questions on your Scottish text. - The essay must be of a different genre from your Scottish text (like National 5). - You may not have the text or any notes with you and will not know what questions you will be asked in advance.

Critical Reading Scottish Text Ø You will read an extract from a Scottish text you have previously studied in class. You will then answer a series of questions on this extract (worth 10 marks). Ø The final question (worth 10 marks) will require you to compare themes and techniques in the extract to those of the other poems you have studied.

SUMMARY To pass your course you must: - complete your Writing folio - pass the two Unit Assessments - sit and pass your final exam. Your final mark is entirely based on how you do in your exam and your writing folio.