Portfolio Writing: overview of the SQA Higher English writing portfolio

The writing portfolio is the coursework component of SQA Higher English, worth 30 marks. It is two pieces of your own writing in different genres, one broadly creative and one broadly discursive, developed at home through drafting and redrafting and submitted for external marking. This page maps the two pieces and the process.

The two pieces

The creative piece. A personal or reflective essay, a short story, or poetry. Markers reward a clear purpose, an engaging and controlled style, deliberate structure and an authentic voice. In a personal essay, reflection on the meaning of the experience lifts it into the top band.

The discursive piece. A balanced discursive essay that weighs viewpoints and concludes, or a persuasive essay that argues one side and uses rhetorical technique. Both need clear structure, relevant evidence, and awareness of purpose and audience.

The writing process

Because the portfolio is coursework, the process is part of the assessment. Plan and draft early, improve the draft using feedback and the marking criteria, redraft for content, structure and expression, then proofread carefully. Technical accuracy is explicitly marked, so the final version must be clean.

How to study for the portfolio

1. Start early. Time to draft and redraft is the portfolio's main advantage over exam writing.
2. Choose genres for strength. Pick the creative and discursive forms you write best.
3. Redraft against the criteria. Improve content and structure first, then sharpen expression.
4. Proofread the final version. Spelling, punctuation and grammar are assessed.

For the official course specification

The SQA publishes the full Higher English course specification, portfolio guidance and assessment criteria at sqa.org.uk. Always check the current rules on permitted support and word counts before submitting.