I have had a lot of you asking for tips on writing essays, so here is a post that I hope answers all you questions :)
ANSWER THE QUESTION:
There are so many cases where people write essays that don’t actually answer the question posed to them. Here are a few tips to make sure you fully understand what the question is asking:
Highlight any key words in the question and look up any words you aren’t familiar with
Identify the command words in the title - such as compare, explain etc. as these tell you what skills you should be using when writing
Establish if there’s any limits or specifics set on what the essay explores e.g. characters or certain chapters of the novel
PLANNING:
It is incredibly important to plan your essay before you start writing, even more in exam situations when you are time pressured - you want to know exactly what you will write.
Start to think about and develop a statement/thesis which answers and responds to all parts of the original question
Order your points/argument in a logical order - depending on the subject this could be: chronologically through the novel, pros and cons, structured by theme or character, alternative points on two texts being compared etc.
Make sure each paragraph/point you plan is relevant and contributes to answering the question
This is the first thing the reader will read so it must be engaging, and ‘hook’ the reader straight from the begging.
Introduce your thesis and state what you will be discussing/arguing in the body of the essay.
Make sure you name the texts to be discussed if there are any.
This is the main section of the essay, in which you expand on the points you outlined in the introduction.
Make sure every point has a new paragraph and that you begin each paragraph with a linking word (moreover, however, furthermore etc.) and a sentence that refers back to the question.
If it required make sure you use evidence (quotes/stats) to back up you points, and if it literature based, that you explain the quotes effect on the reader. At the end of paragraphs always link back to the question.
Many people use the PEEL (Point-Evidence-Explain-Link) paragraphs as a guide when writing essays
Summarise the points you have put forward
State and reinforce your point of view on the argument (if appropriate)
Never introduce a new argument - but it can be effective to add in a though-provoking comment or a new expression
End on a powerful note - ensuring the reader finishes knowing exactly where you stand/your main point of view
EDIT/DRAFT:
In an exam situation there’s really only time to read through once/twice and check for spelling mistakes. In different situations it is very important to go through your essay multiple times in detail:
Check for spelling, punctuation and grammar mistakes
Ensure you have varied your use of vocabulary - especially when starting new paragraphs (words like however and in addition can’t be overused)
Get other people to read it and gives their criticisms and suggestions
If there’s a word limit I always think it’s easier to go over it with an extra point and then condense and cut out words if you need to, rather than struggling to add in phrases here and there at the end
Do any extra reading or research around the essay subject that may help you when writing the essay
Remember to put any references in the footnotes or in a bibliography at the end of the essay
Make sure you always hand them in on time and in a freshly written/printed version (no little annotations, corrections or crumpled paper)
titsay
jacobvanloon
yousharknotpass
gummygunk
izzy806
turnnoffyourmind
areudirty
