Transcript Essay writing

Essay writing
Everything you need to know to
write ‘excellence’ essays.
Introductions
• Impress markers with an assertive argument
and mature vocabulary.
• Set up your thesis (argument) and establish
points to explore in direct response to ALL
aspects of the question.
• Display confidence with language eg: using
synonyms for keywords in the question.
• Display confidence with context, genre etc to
make wider generalisations about the text.
Paragraph Structure
• Build a TEEPEE for each paragraph.
Paragraph Structure
•
•
•
•
•
•
T = topic
E = example/quote
E = explanation
P = purpose (author/director’s purpose)
E = effect (also consider on whole text and reader)
E = evaluation (make connections, comments outside
the text)
Paragraphs
• Open each with a topic sentence which shows a clear
point of view and which relates directly to the
question.
• Support each statement with several examples which
are thoroughly explained. Use quotes and specific
details from the text.(quotations should be
embedded)
• Consider the writer/director’s purpose.
• Focus on techniques -aspects of writer’s craft. Use
correct terminology
• Incorporate relevant biographical, historical, or
contextual information that relates to your topic and
shows an appreciation of the purpose of the text,
author etc.
Paragraphs continued
• Relate the text and its ideas/characters to
contemporary society - why is it worth studying?
What does it have to ‘teach us’ today?
• Consider the effect on you/us -what do we as
readers get out of the text?
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the text and your
examples in achieving the author’s purpose
and/or in relation to the question.
• Incorporate awareness of literary criticism and
elements of genre.
• Mature vocabulary and varied sentence structure
adds elements of interest and ‘life’ to an essay.
Conclusions
• Should be about four sentences.
• Recap the main points of your argument.
• Present your personal response/evaluation to
the question of character, setting, theme…
• Level Three questions will often ask ‘to what
extent…’. You must answer this part of the
question and it is fine to state your personal
opinion and to use personal pronouns to do
that.
Examination technique and
planning
• Firstly you need to consider the questions carefully in order to
choose the best one for your text. Read ALL parts of the questions
carefully, including the instructions written below each question.
• Once you have chosen a question you need to work out what it is
that you are being asked to do: underline key words; are there
words that indicate an opinion is required eg: to what extent,
agree or disagree.
• Decide on the line of argument that you will take. Almost all level 3
questions require you to choose a clear position and maintain it
throughout the essay. Summarise your position in one sentence.
• Your planning needs to be systematic and organised. A
brainstorm/mind-map will not suffice. Follow a linear approach you should organise your notes into paragraph groups.
Essay Planning Grid
Key words
Topic
(from question)
Topic
sentences
Point 1
Point 2
Point 3
Point (4)
Examples
Purpose and Evaluation
and
effect
explanations
Quotes/
detail
Author’s
purpose,
techniques,
craft
Beyond the
text/ literary
criticism
element
Linking sentences and
paragraphs
• Build a bank of connective and introductory
phrases for each stage of TEEPEE:
• The author is fascinated by….,
• The film comments on…,
• This develops a (sinister) mood by….,
• The author/director’s use of ……..is
particularly effective….
• The writing style is striking……