Critical Reading Scottish Set Texts: overview of the SQA Higher English set text section

Critical Reading: Scottish Set Texts is the first half of SQA Higher English Question Paper 2, worth 20 marks. It prints an extract from a Scottish text you have studied and tests close textual analysis plus knowledge of the wider text. This page maps how the section works across the three main genres.

How the section works by genre

Drama

The extract is analysed for dialogue, stage directions, conflict and characterisation, treating the text as performed. The final question links the extract to the whole play.

Poetry

The printed poem is analysed for imagery, sound, form, structure and tone. The final question links it to at least one other poem in the poet's prescribed selection, so the whole selection is examinable.

Prose

The extract is analysed for narrative voice, characterisation, setting and structure. The final question links it to the wider novel or, for short stories, to other stories in the collection.

The two kinds of question

The early analysis questions reward reference plus comment on the printed extract. The final commonality question, worth roughly half the section, requires references from across the wider text. Budget time so the high-tariff final question is never rushed.

How to study the set text section

1. Build a quotation bank. Memorise short quotations tied to themes and techniques across the whole text.
2. Revise the whole text. The commonality question reaches beyond the extract, so know key moments throughout.
3. Use genre-specific technique. Analyse drama, poetry and prose with the right vocabulary for each.
4. Practise the final question. It carries the most marks; drill planning a balanced extract-and-wider-text answer.

For the official course specification

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