How to Get Full Marks on the Critical Essay Question (SQA National 5 English): Revision Note

Section 2 of the Critical Reading paper assesses your ability to write an extended essay on a text which you have previously studied. This section will guide you through how to approach the question in this section effectively:

• How to prepare for the Critical Essay

• Breaking down the question

• What skills are required

• What the examiners are looking for

How to prepare for the Critical Essay

The Critical Essay gives you the opportunity to show your understanding of a complete text, such as a novel, play, short story, poem or film. You will be expected to analyse how the writer uses language and structure to explore key ideas or themes. 

To prepare effectively for the question in Section 2, you should:

• Revise your text thoroughly and understand its key themes and ideas

• Learn key quotations / references / scenes that you can use as evidence in your essay

• Practise analysing how the writer’s choices create meaning to convey their message

• Familiarise yourself with different types of essay questions from past papers

Breaking down the question

Once you’ve chosen which critical essay to answer, make sure you understand what it’s asking you to do. Start by highlighting or underlining the key words in the question. This will help you focus on what the task requires you to do.

Let’s have a look at an essay question in more detail.  ‘Explain’ is the main command word used in critical essay questions.

In this example, you are being asked to do two things:

1. Explore an important theme or issue covered in the play:

   1. For example, you might focus on themes such as poverty, gender, inequality, conflict, ambition or identity

   2. You need to remain focused on this theme throughout your response

2. Explain how the writer explores this theme, using appropriate techniques:

   1. This is the main part of your essay and where most of your marks will come from

   2. You need to analyse how the playwright uses techniques such as characterisation, dialogue, setting, structure or stage directions to develop the theme and reveal ideas to the audience

Your answer must deal with both parts of the question to gain full marks.

What skills are required 

To achieve top marks in the Critical Essay, you need to demonstrate a range of skills. The following points outline the main skills examiners are looking for in your response. Giving a critical response means interrogating the text, which means presenting your own unique insights, interpretations and any connections you make from the text.

Evaluation

Evaluation involves showing an informed, personal response to the text. You are expected to demonstrate what you have enjoyed, learned or found powerful about the writer’s ideas. A high quality response will:

• Present a well-developed commentary on what has been gained or appreciated from the text

• Refer directly to key features such as characterisation, themes, structure, tone or setting

• Use precise examples or quotations to support your opinion

• Show an awareness of how the text’s techniques contribute to its overall impact

Analysis

Analysis is about examining how the writer uses language, structure and style to shape meaning and influence the reader. Your aim is to show that you recognise the deliberate choices the writer has made and can explain their impact clearly and thoughtfully. A high quality response wil

• Show a thorough awareness of the writer’s techniques, commenting insightfully on how they are used to develop theme, tone or character

• Make confident use of critical terminology, such as imagery, symbolism, structure, and sound, to support your analysis

• Support points with a range of well-chosen references or short quotations that are effectively integrated throughout your response

Form and structure

• Form relates to the way in which the text is presented

• Structure relates to how the information within the text is organised

• Both of these aspects are intertwined and so the form of a text will influence its structure

• If you are familiar with key structural terms, you will find it easier to analyse your text more effectively, but only use terminology to enhance the point you are making

Language

• Being familiar with key literary terms can also help to support the analysis of your text

• You always need to discuss the effects of the deliberate choices the writer has made, so focus your analysis on the impact of these techniques, words and phrases on the reader / audience

• The examiner expects you to comment on how writers use language for effect

• Throughout your response, add your own interpretation and ensure that all of your points are fully developed

What the examiners are looking for 

When marking your Critical Essay, examiners focus on four key areas of your essay-writing skills:

• Familiarity, understanding and relevance:

• This means showing a strong knowledge of the text you’ve studied and writing an essay that stays focused on the specific question

• Every paragraph should clearly link back to the question

• Analysis:

  • This is about explaining how the writer creates meaning and effect through techniques like word choice, imagery, structure, tone or characterisation

  • You’re showing that you understand not just what happens, but how the writing works

• Evaluation:

  • This involves giving a personal response to the text, showing what you found powerful, moving or interesting, and explaining why

  • You’re demonstrating your ability to judge how effective the writer’s ideas and techniques are

• Use of language:

  • This refers to how clearly and accurately you express your ideas:

    • It includes spelling, punctuation, grammar and overall structure

  • A well-organised, fluent essay makes your ideas easier to follow and helps you gain higher marks