The critical essay: overview of Section 2 of SQA National 5 English Critical Reading

The critical essay is Section 2 of SQA National 5 English Question Paper 2 (Critical Reading), worth 20 marks. You write one essay on a studied text, choosing a question from a genre that must be different from your Scottish set text. This page maps the skills and genre options.

The skills

Structure. A focused introduction, point-evidence-analysis-link body paragraphs, and a conclusion that answers the question, all carrying a clear line of thought.

Evidence and technique. Short, accurate quotations, the technique each shows, an analysis of its effect, and a link to the question. Analysis of technique scores, not quotation-dropping or feature-spotting.

The genre options

Drama and prose

Analysed through dramatic technique (dialogue, stage directions, staging) or narrative technique (narrative voice, characterisation, setting, structure).

Poetry

Analysed through poetic technique (imagery, word choice, sound, form, structure), avoiding paraphrase.

Film and television drama

Analysed through media technique (mise-en-scene, camera, editing, sound).

Language

Analysed through language features (register, tone, word choice, rhetorical devices) and how they achieve a purpose for an audience.

How to study the critical essay

1. Learn the structure. Practise the introduction, point-evidence-analysis-link paragraphs and conclusion.
2. Build a quotation bank. Memorise short quotations tied to technique and theme.
3. Write timed essays. Practise answering different questions on your text under exam time.

For the official course specification

The SQA publishes the National 5 English course specification, the critical essay criteria, and past papers at sqa.org.uk. Always revise from the current specification and SQA past papers.