Literary Study: overview of the SQA Advanced Higher English comparative critical essay

Literary Study is Question Paper 1 of SQA Advanced Higher English, worth 20 marks in a 90 minute paper. You write one comparative critical essay on texts you have studied in a single genre, building a sustained argument across two or more texts. There is no set text list, and you may not use your dissertation texts. This page maps the skills the essay rewards.

The skills of a strong essay

The comparative critical essay

Answering a comparative task with one argument across two or more texts, comparing within each paragraph rather than handling the texts in turn.

Analysing whole texts in depth

Engaging closely with characterisation, structure, style and language across complete texts, supported by a quotation bank, not plot summary.

Sustaining a comparative line of argument

Framing a thesis, ordering paragraphs so the argument develops, and reaching an evaluative conclusion.

Genre and context

Analysing how each text uses the conventions of its genre, and bringing in literary, social, historical and cultural context where it deepens the reading.

How to study Literary Study

1. Read your texts comparatively. Map the similarities and differences that a comparative essay depends on.
2. Build a quotation bank. Short, memorised quotations from across each text let you support any task at speed.
3. Practise comparative theses. Turn likely tasks into single comparative claims so you can plan fast in the exam.
4. Write timed comparative essays. Practise comparing within paragraphs and reaching an evaluative conclusion in 90 minutes.

For the official course specification

The SQA publishes the full Advanced Higher English course specification, specimen and past papers, and marking instructions at sqa.org.uk. Always revise from the current specification and SQA past papers.