Higher English: The Critical Essay aims to prepare pupils for the Critical Essay paper of Higher English (which comprises 50% of marks in the final examination) by explaining (a) how to prepare a literature text effectively and (b) how to construct a critical essay in accordance with guidelines from the Scottish Qualifications Authority. Including worked examples and sample essays, the book addresses common problems, such as limited knowledge of chosen texts, failure to be selective, lack of a clear structure in essays, over-reliance on narrative, insufficient back-up evidence, inappropriate use of quotations and poor style and expression. Improvement strategies include explanations followed by a series of €~for practice' exercises, peer assessment activities, 'mini-essay' practice, thematic approaches to texts to avoid plot-based answers, and checklists of points to remember when constructing a good critical essay.