Inverkeithing High School

Advanced Higher English

Dissertation
 This dissertation will give candidates an opportunity to demonstrate skills in
independent planning, research and presentation of their knowledge and
understanding of an aspect or aspects of literature.

The text(s) chosen must not be the same as those used in the Literary Study question
paper.
This dissertation will be between 2,500- 3,000 words long and will have 30 marks (30%
of the total mark).

Advanced Higher Dissertation Advice

Advice about texts and topics

 Focus on one genre of text (i.e. don’t mix and match between poetry and prose, for example)

 Choose from: 2 novels or 2 plays or 4-6 poems or 4-6 short stories

 The texts that you choose should have a considerable amount in common to allow for genuine
comparison and contrast. There must be meaningful comparisons between the texts.

 The texts that you choose must be of high literary quality.

 You should try to choose texts for which you will be able to easily access reliable information and
research.

 Once you have chosen your texts, the choice of topic is crucial:

- Your topic should be as original as possible

- your topic should be clear and precise
- your topic must allow you to go into depth and detail with your analysis and evaluation of the
literary techniques used
- your topic must allow you to have a clear and well-developed line of argument
- your topic must allow you to compare and contrast your chosen texts throughout
- your topic must allow you to explore a variety of different literary theories and criticism

Examples of dissertation proposals (with SQA commentary)

1. An analysis of the theme of transience and permanence in the Odes of John Keats.
A clear and succinct task.

2. I wish to examine the influence of Raymond Chandler on contemporary crime fiction. After a brief examination
of The Speckled Band by Arthur Conan Doyle as a paradigm of the ‘traditional’ approach to detective writing, I will
examine how Chandler transformed the genre using The Big Sleep as an example, then show how his use of plot,
characterisation, atmosphere and setting have contemporary manifestations in LA Confidential by James Ellmore.
This task provides a clear developmental structure. The candidate should be careful not to rely on narrative.

3. I wish to analyse and evaluate the way in which different authors use the technique of twin or multiple
narratives in order to convey theme: Cold Mountain by Charles Frasier; The Collector by John Fowles; Talking it
Over by Julian Barnes.
This is a reasonable task. The dissimilar nature of the chosen texts is overcome by the focus being on the technique,
rather than ‘the stories‘. In addition, the task almost demands that the candidate engage in analysis.
4. The erring female in late 19th Century fiction: authorial sympathy but the inevitability of retribution: Flaubert:
Madame Bovary and Tolstoi: Anna Karenina.
Clear line of argument is apparent here.

5. Themes of omniscience and control in two early novels of John Fowles: The Collector and The Magus.
Both texts clearly deal with different aspects of ‘omniscience and control’, so there is much for the candidate to say in
a task which forces an analytical approach.
.
6. The Fiction of Post-Apocalypse. An analysis of the literary techniques involved in conveying the reality of life
after the collapse of society as we know it, with particular reference to language and myth: The Road by Cormac
McCarthy; Riddley Walker by Russell Hoban.
This is a very demanding task, although one with great potential. The dissimilarities between the texts, the demands
made on the reader by the latter text, and the candidate’s chosen focus of attention, make this a demanding
dissertation topic with great potential.

7. How Webster depicts the role of women in Jacobean society in The White Devil and The Duchess of Malfi.
This task is acceptable, however the candidate should be careful to restrict the scope of the dissertation to literary
analysis.

8. A detailed comparative study of the literary techniques used in Schindler’s Ark by Thomas Keneally and To Kill a
Mockingbird by Harper Lee to portray racial prejudice and its effects on society.

Taking notes from your chosen texts

The primary source of information for your dissertation will be the texts that you have chosen:

 Keep your notes well-organised. Organise your notes in a way that is suitable for you; but dates,
headings and sub-headings are highly recommended.

 You must focus on taking notes that are relevant and appropriate to your topic/proposal.

 You must focus on taking notes that are relevant and appropriate to the areas of the texts that you
are comparing and contrasting.

 Begin noting down significant quotations/extracts that you might wish to refer to/use in your final
dissertation.

 You should keep a note of page/chapter numbers.

Taking notes from critical perspectives/literary criticism

In addition to your own notes and impressions of your chosen texts it is a good idea to take notes from
appropriate critical works that are already out there:

 Use your own words as far as possible.

 You must take note of the exact place you got your information from (title of publication, dates,
author, website address etc.)

 Write down quotations exactly

 Ensure that your sources are reliable

These texts can be used as secondary sources in your final dissertation and can be used to support your
argument or be something that you argue against.

Important

Not including theme, you should restrict yourself to comparing and contrasting two further literary
techniques in your dissertation. Keep your focus narrow and precise.

e.g. Theme plus narrative style and setting.

e.g. Theme plus character and plot.

Literary criticism

It is important to include literary criticism to your dissertation as this adds weight and depth to your
argument.

Literary criticism is when experts in the field of literature write critically and analytically about particular
texts and authors.

Revealing an awareness of what experts have said about your chosen texts will show your marker that you
have researched your topic in depth and detail. It can also be used to support your own arguments.
However, it is also completely fine if you disagree with the experts- this shows your marker that you are
thinking critically.

It is important to remember that literary criticism is your secondary source of information and should not
be overused in your dissertation. Your own ideas, opinions and arguments about your chosen texts are the
most important thing. When you give the views of critics, state your own opinion on them: this shows that
you are engaging in academic dialogue.

Literary Theories

Remember that you must be examining your chosen texts from the perspectives of different literary
theories, where appropriate. For example,
 feminist theory
 post-colonialist theory
 New Historicist theory

Refer to your literary glossary, or conduct your own research, for further information about these
theories. There may be other theories that you wish to consider.

1. How to organise and structure your essay

Your introduction
Include the following information (in any order):
 The title of your two texts
 The names of the authors of your two texts
 A reminder of your topic/proposal
 An indication of the areas that you will focus on in your dissertation

Your main body paragraphs

 Each paragraph should focus on a specific idea or argument
 Each paragraph must discuss the similarities and/or differences between both texts
 Each paragraph must include quotes from both texts to support your ideas and arguments. Quotes
must be contextualised appropriately.
 Each paragraph must have a clear topic sentence which includes a linking word, refers to the task
and indicates the focus of the paragraph
 Make it clear to the marker when you are moving on to discuss a different text
 Include a sentence at the end of each paragraph which sums up the main idea that you have been
focusing on in your paragraph

Your conclusion
 Sum up the main ideas and arguments of your dissertation

2. The content of your essay

 You must show a comprehensive and thorough knowledge and understanding of your two texts in
your ideas and arguments
 You must include extensive and precise evidence from your texts to support your ideas and
arguments
 You must show detailed analysis and evaluation of the literary and/or language features used in
your texts
 Your ideas and arguments must be insightful and sophisticated and you must go into great depth
and detail
 Your essay must have a clear and well-developed line of thought from beginning to end
 Refer to relevant literary theory and literary criticism where appropriate to develop your ideas and
arguments
 Everything that you write must be relevant and related to your topic/proposal

3. The style of your essay

 Accurate spelling
 Accurate and varied punctuation
 Accurate and clear expression
 Very high standard of English
 Wide and varied vocabulary
 Use of appropriate critical terminology throughout
 Use of appropriate linking words and phrases throughout
4. The layout and format of your essay
1. You must include at the end of your essay:
 Word count
 Bibliography

2. You must include footnotes at the bottom of each page

3. You must include page numbers at the bottom of each page (including title page)
4. Use black ink
5. Use 12 point Times New Roman
6. Justify your paragraphs
7. Use 1.0 line spacing
8. Whenever you write the title of your texts you should use italics. You do not need inverted commas
9. Include your Scottish Candidate Number on each page
10. Short quotes should be embedded into a sentence within the paragraph.
11. For long quotes:
 Take a new line
 Indent
 Leave a double-spaced line before and after the quote

12. You should include a title page with the following information:
 your candidate number
 your full proposal

I would strongly recommend that you use the example dissertations that we
have discussed to help you with regards to the structure, content, style and
layout of your dissertation.