GENERAL
WHAT ARE THE KEY FEATURES OF A SUCCESSFUL ESSAY?
o Answers the Question
o Well-Structured - Develops a clear line of Argument
o Uses Textual Evidence effectively
o Includes close analysis of Language
o Well-Expressed & accurately Written
o Uses a Range of Contexts effectively
o Interesting for the Reader
o Strong Introduction & Conclusion
o Demonstrates Independent Thought, Personal Engagement & some Originality
o Engages in Critical Debate
o Uses an Advanced Critical Vocabulary
o Fulfils the Assessment Objectives
WHAT ARE SOME HANDY TECHNIQUES?
o PEE (Point | Evidence | Explanation)
o PEA (Point | Evidence | Analysis)
o PEAL (Point | Evidence | Analysis | Link)
o PETER (Point | Evidence | Technique | Explanation | Reflection / Reader's Response)
o PEECEE (Point | Evidence | Explanation | Comparison | Evidence | Explanation)
~ word of warning ~
Although all of these structures include all the required components of a good essay paragraph, over-reliance upon them can cause issues. First of all they pave the way for an over-use of discourse markers which can make an essay seem boring despite providing structure. The use of 'Firstly, Secondly, Lastly' can seem a childish approach to essay writing as it removes the spontaneity and creativity of expression by making the essay seem clunky and mechanical!
~ my advice ~
1) ALWAYS plan an essay before you start writing it - I will do another post on planning, explaining the most efficient way (in my opinion) to do this and link it here
- always bear in mind that you will not have access to materials such as critics & context unless they are in the clean copies of texts provide - for example the introduction of Othello - and even then, you only have an hour to write your essay!
2) Do NOT waffle - always lay out your hypothesis and ask yourself 'is this relevant?' when developing a line of argument
- GOLDEN RULE: BE SPECIFIC
3) Do NOT use meaningless words of praise such as 'amazing' - this just shows invalidated opinion and cannot positively contribute to your essay unless it is backed up with evaluation or said by a critic (you can then agree / disagree with them using your own analysed textual examples!)
4) Do NOT introduce a critical point without developing it - AO1 without AO2 is practically meaningless
5) ALWAYS try and use either context (AO3) or critical interpretation (A05) in each main point, on top of textual evidence, as this develops layers of meaning which allow for a better understanding of the prescribed texts to be shown to the examiner
- try to make a point meaningful to context rather than adding context onto a point
6) NEVER forget to include terminology!
7) NEVER assume a position where you seem to be putting your own opinion above the playwrights' / authors' / poets' - disagreement with critics is allowed and even encouraged but you must show respect towards the sources of your prescribed texts
8) ALWAYS present both sides of the argument no matter how unbalanced
9) FOCUS on pointing out links throughout the structure of your essay
- DON'T analyse one novel and then switch to the other
10) MAKE SURE you include textual examples from throughout the narrative to ensure a full covering of the literary texts' potential
WHAT ARE THE KEY FEATURES OF A SUCCESSFUL ESSAY?
o Answers the Question
o Well-Structured - Develops a clear line of Argument
o Uses Textual Evidence effectively
o Includes close analysis of Language
o Well-Expressed & accurately Written
o Uses a Range of Contexts effectively
o Interesting for the Reader
o Strong Introduction & Conclusion
o Demonstrates Independent Thought, Personal Engagement & some Originality
o Engages in Critical Debate
o Uses an Advanced Critical Vocabulary
o Fulfils the Assessment Objectives
WHAT ARE SOME HANDY TECHNIQUES?
o PEE (Point | Evidence | Explanation)
o PEA (Point | Evidence | Analysis)
o PEAL (Point | Evidence | Analysis | Link)
o PETER (Point | Evidence | Technique | Explanation | Reflection / Reader's Response)
o PEECEE (Point | Evidence | Explanation | Comparison | Evidence | Explanation)
~ word of warning ~
Although all of these structures include all the required components of a good essay paragraph, over-reliance upon them can cause issues. First of all they pave the way for an over-use of discourse markers which can make an essay seem boring despite providing structure. The use of 'Firstly, Secondly, Lastly' can seem a childish approach to essay writing as it removes the spontaneity and creativity of expression by making the essay seem clunky and mechanical!
~ my advice ~
1) ALWAYS plan an essay before you start writing it - I will do another post on planning, explaining the most efficient way (in my opinion) to do this and link it here
- always bear in mind that you will not have access to materials such as critics & context unless they are in the clean copies of texts provide - for example the introduction of Othello - and even then, you only have an hour to write your essay!
2) Do NOT waffle - always lay out your hypothesis and ask yourself 'is this relevant?' when developing a line of argument
- GOLDEN RULE: BE SPECIFIC
3) Do NOT use meaningless words of praise such as 'amazing' - this just shows invalidated opinion and cannot positively contribute to your essay unless it is backed up with evaluation or said by a critic (you can then agree / disagree with them using your own analysed textual examples!)
4) Do NOT introduce a critical point without developing it - AO1 without AO2 is practically meaningless
5) ALWAYS try and use either context (AO3) or critical interpretation (A05) in each main point, on top of textual evidence, as this develops layers of meaning which allow for a better understanding of the prescribed texts to be shown to the examiner
- try to make a point meaningful to context rather than adding context onto a point
6) NEVER forget to include terminology!
7) NEVER assume a position where you seem to be putting your own opinion above the playwrights' / authors' / poets' - disagreement with critics is allowed and even encouraged but you must show respect towards the sources of your prescribed texts
8) ALWAYS present both sides of the argument no matter how unbalanced
9) FOCUS on pointing out links throughout the structure of your essay
- DON'T analyse one novel and then switch to the other
10) MAKE SURE you include textual examples from throughout the narrative to ensure a full covering of the literary texts' potential
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