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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.
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Discursive writing
In a discursive piece you are expected to discuss a given topic and present an argument related to it.
Organising a discursive essay
There are two basic types of discursive essay. Firstly there are persuasive essays in which you can argue strongly either in favour of or against a given discussion.
Alternatively, there are argumentative essays. In these you look at a discussion topic in a balanced way.
Finding information for a discursive essay
There are many sources you can use to find information for your discursive essay. These include:
- relevant books from a library
- online sources
- magazines and newspapers
- television and video
- family members
When looking in the library, focus on the non-fiction and reference sections. When searching online, always think carefully about key words.
Make sure you consider the reliability of all your sources. It is important you keep a note of where all your information comes from. This will allow you to check it again later and to complete your bibliography and footnotes.
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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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- Past Papers
- National Qualifications > Subjects > English > National 5 > National 5 English
National 5 English
Updates and announcements, subject updates.
- October 2019 subject update (181 KB)
- October 2018 subject update (267 KB)
Course modifications 2022-23 (18/08/22)
National Course modification summary: English
Alternative certification model
The alternative certification model is how National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses will be resulted this year, following the cancellation of the 2021 exams. It involves five different stages.
View the alternative certification model and see what will happen at each stage.
Essential information
Course specification.
This explains the overall structure of the Course, including its purpose and aims and information on the skills, knowledge and understanding that will be developed.
- N5 English Course Specification July 2018
2022 revision support for learners ( Mar 2022 )
We have updated this document to provide information on the modifications made to course assessments (coursework and exams) at the start of academic year 2021-22.
- 2022 revision support for learners: National 5 English
Past Papers and Marking Instructions
Access all past papers by subject/level
Additional question papers resources
These illustrate the standard, structure and requirements of the question papers learners will sit. These also include 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
There were no exams in 2021. The 2020-21 question paper resources are, for most subjects, modified papers which reflect the modifications put in place for session 2020-21
- National 5 English Critical Reading question paper
- National 5 English Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation question paper
- National 5 English Critical Reading marking instructions
- National 5 English Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation marking instructions
Coursework ( 06/12/2022 )
This section provides information on marking instructions and/or the coursework assessment task(s). It includes information that centres need to administer coursework and must be read in conjunction with the course specification.
- Instructions for the submission of National 5 and Higher English coursework December 2022
- English Coursework Template - Microsoft Word
- English Coursework Template - Google Docs
- Coursework assessment task for National 5 English
- Guidance on conditions of assessment
Information on the production and submission of SQA-assessed coursework for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher.
- Coursework for External Assessment (261 KB)
Understanding Standards ( 23/01/2023 )
Please note: for session 2022-23 there are modifications to this course. understanding standards materials should therefore be viewed along with the national course modification summary available in the course information 2022-23 section..
- Examples of candidate evidence with commentaries
Course assessment overview
National 5 english webinar (changes to course assessment from academic session 2017-18 onwards).
- Download webinar
- Overview of Course Assessment Presentation with audio (2 minutes)
- Overview of Question Paper Presentation with audio (4 minutes)
Changes to understanding standards materials
- Changes to published Understanding Standards materials
Please note: Understanding Standards materials are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain up to date.
Additional resources session 2021-22
Please note: Additional Understanding Standards resources published during sessions 2020-2022 are currently under review.
New – new materials not previously published
Updated – published in 2020/21 but amended for 2021/22
Carried forward – published in 2020/21 carried forward to 2021/22
- New - Question paper 2 Critical Reading commentaries and evidence
- New - Question Paper 1: RUAE commentaries and evidence
- Carried forward - Overview of Understanding Standards resources - RUAE, critical reading and portfolio
The pre-recorded webinars below and accompanying presentations can be found on SQA's secure website. You can access these through your SQA co-ordinator.
- Question paper 1 - pre-recorded webinar and accompanying presentation.
- Question paper 2 - pre-recorded webinar and accompanying presentation.
Course reports ( September 2022 )
These reports provide information on the performance of candidates which it is hoped will be useful to teachers, lecturers and assessors in their preparation of candidates for future assessment.
Course Reports
- 2017 National 5 English Course report October 2017
- 2018 National 5 English Course Report August 2018
- 2019 National 5 English Course Report September 2019
- 2022 National 5 English Course Report September 2022
2021 Key Messages
The Alternative Certification Model included a national quality assurance activity, carried out in May 2021.
This report provides information on any common themes and key points from the evidence submitted.
- National 5 English 2020-21 key messages June 2021
Verification Reports
- English Verification Key Messages Round 1 March 2017
- English and Communication Qualification Verification Summary Report June 2019 June 2019
Additional CPD support
Where any particular areas of concern are identified, which are not addressed by our Understanding Standards events or support materials, we will offer free continuing professional development (CPD) training, subject to request. CPD support is subject-specific and can be tailored to cover one or more qualification level. To find out more about this service visit our CPD page .
Scottish Texts in English Courses
Scottish text list for National 5 and Higher English courses:
- Scottish set text list 2018-19
In 2016, we carried out a consultation with teachers and other key stakeholders on the refresh of the Scottish set text list for National 5 and Higher English courses. Based on the findings of this consultation, we have refreshed the Scottish set text list for use from session 2018-19 onwards. The report below details the findings of our consultation.
- Summary Report: Scottish set text refresh consultation
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S4 National 5 – Persuasive Writing Materials
Below are the links to the materials to help you with your essay.
Roundabout-Proposal-Elgin – example essay
Tesco-persuasive-piece – example essay
Nat 5 and Higher Persuasive Writing guidelines – powerpoint used in class
Writing Persuasively at National Five STudent Guide – essay plan
Essay due Monday December 16th.
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WEST OS has a wide range of recorded lessons for BGE and Senior Phase pupils:
https://online.clickview.co.uk/libraries/34760024/west-os/categories
For N5, Higher and Advanced Higher we would recommend the thousands of great resources on SCHOLAR
https://scholar.hw.ac.uk/
Both SCHOLAR and WEST OS have their own tiles on GLOW which we would recommend pupils add to their GLOW launch pad.
Other useful links:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/levels http://www.rhsenglish.com/ www.englishbiz.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/learning/learningzone/ http://www.brightredbooks.net/Account/logon www.ltscotland.org.uk/knowledgeoflanguage/ www.bbc.co.uk/schools/bitesize/ www.ltscotland.org.uk/ www.higherstillnotes.co.uk/ www.sparknotes.com/ www.cliffsnotes.com/ http://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poetry/tags/sqa-national-5-texts http://www.scotlitangus.com/ http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/learning/teachers-librarians/teaching-resources-cpd/senior-phase http://www.shmoop.com/
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National 5 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....
persuasive techniques. Conclusion • Sum up the points that you have made. • Use persuasive techniques throughout. • End in a particularly persuasive way. Tips on Style: You may wish to use rhetorical questions to involve the reader in your essay and encourage them to consider more closely the points you are making.
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 .
5. Destroy the opposing argument It is important to mention the opposing side of the argument in your essay. However, when you do this you must make sure that you prove that the opposing argument is wrong. You must destroy the opposing argument. Otherwise, you will undermine your own argument!
National 5 and Higher English Folio Videos SQA National 5 English - The Persuasive Essay 1 myetutor 1.06K subscribers Subscribe 4.7K views 8 years ago Writing a persuasive essay for...
National 5 English - Course overview and resources - SQA Home National Qualifications > Subjects > English > National 5 > National 5 English National 5 English English National 3 National 4 National 5 Higher Adv Higher Subject updates Course modifications 2022-23 (18/08/22) Course Specification When are the exams?
S4 National 5 – Persuasive Writing Materials Guys, Below are the links to the materials to help you with your essay. Roundabout-Proposal-Elgin – example essay Tesco-persuasive-piece – example essay Nat 5 and Higher Persuasive Writing guidelines – powerpoint used in class Writing Persuasively at National Five STudent Guide – essay plan
National 5 & Higher RUAE Preparation Task Helping your child with Higher National 5 Higher Critical Essay Questions Higher course High Quality Higher Folio Examples Advanced Higher Resources Advanced Higher Course Useful Links Useful Links Support for National 4 , National 5 and National 6 English SQA – English
National 5 English/Persuasive Topics A tommcmillan_ 2 Doing folio work. trying to write a persuasive piece but struggling for an idea. Would like something funny or quite out there. Any ideas please?, Posted from TSR Mobile Reply 1 8 years ago A allybop99 2