write quotes down on a flashcard and highlight the specific words or phrases that you will be analysing later in the paragraph. Test yourself on the highlighted phrases, then progress to the whole quote. This way, if you have a mind blank of the full quote in the exam, you will still likely remember the small quotes to analyse!
Read the information out loud. Try and recite it from memory once you are more confident.
Grab a friend and talk them through your essay or essay plan, and get them to tell you if you miss out any key points. This is especially useful if both you and your friend are studying the same topic!
Write each of the topic or subheading titles on a small piece of paper, fold it up and put all the pieces of paper in a box. Set a timer for 5 or 10 minutes (or however long you would have in a test situation), then pick one topic from the box and write as much as possible about the topic from memory. Once the time is up, check what you have written. You will be surprised at how much you are able to remember!
Make sure you know which historians, critics etc. you will be referencing to in each essay. To be able to learn the quotes, you first must know the name of the person you’re quoting!
Flashcards are your best friend for memorising! Separate these by topic rather than having a big pile of flashcards as it makes revision much easier.
Thin out your hefty lever arch folder into an A4 ‘revision folder’ This should include the final copy of the essays you’ve written, a list of all the dates, acts and quotations you’re using, questions from past papers and any other handouts you find particularly useful! This makes it much easier to find the specific things you need rather than raking through millions of irrelevant worksheets!
In the run up to the exam, practice essays under exam conditions (including timing!) Print out essay prompts on small pieces of paper and choose one, then write that essay as if it came up in the exam.
Train your hand to write fast but semi-legibly. Unfortunately pretty handwriting is not something that is achievable in essay based subjects!
Unless it really helps you, rewriting notes is not the most effective way of revising essay writing!
Choose quotes that can be used in multiple essays so you don’t have as much to learn!
An introduction for an essay discussing a novel, film etc. usually follows the TAGLS structure. This is Title, Author, Genre, Link to essay question and Summary of the plot.
A basic introduction for a subject like history usually has a basic structure of Context, Line of Argument and Factors you will be arguing.
Your summary of the plot or background context should not retell the story! I usually limit this to under 5 sentences!
Generally, don’t say “In this essay I will…”
A basic English structure is: Topic Sentence, Evidence, Evaluation and Link back to Question.
It is not always necessary to have a quotation 100% accurate, the examiner wants to see your ability to analyse the novel, not your ability to memorise quotes!
Short quotations are usually included in a sentence and marked by quotation marks, whereas long quotations are indented into the paragraph.
Always unpack your evidence! There is no point in knowing the quote and just leaving it hanging at the end of a sentence. Do this in a way that concisely puts your argument across by commenting on the technique or what the point shows, and mention connotations of words and images.
Link back your evidence to the essay question throughout!
For history essays I usually structure my paragraphs with a few sentences of knowledge (where I mention any acts or dates) Analysis of why the point was good, and then argue the other side. Usually counter-analysis starts with a historian’s viewpoint and then develops into a “this shows that” point.
Sum up the basic points of your essay! Usually I write one sentence to sum up each paragraph.
Sometimes it is OK to start with “in conclusion”, but try to think of more inventive ways to word it!
End the essay with a punchy sentence! (AKA a mic drop moment)
Note down any websites you reference as you go! This makes your life wayyyy easier.
Keep a post-it note on or near your computer with the referencing structure on it!
Print out a copy of your essay and mark it yourself according to the marking guide before turning it in. It’s easier to proofread when it is on paper in front of you rather than a screen!
Essay based subjects can be very overwhelming, especially if you are expected to memorise multiple essays (SQA Higher History I’m looking at you) but try not to let this get to you!
Starting well in advance makes it much easier when it comes to the exam!
If you receive a question that you really don’t know how to answer, don’t panic!Take a breath and see if you could change the wording question to suit you. It’s better to write a basic essay than nothing at all!
Don’t be afraid to take a night or so off from essay based revision! It is very intense and your brain needs time to process!
Good luck to everyone in their essay-based subjects this school year! Essay subjects require hard work and dedication but don’t push yourself too much! If you put in the effort you will achieve great things!
