Essay Writing For The Exam

 

A. Prose / drama questions mainly ask about:

1. A character
2. Theme
3. Structure – either a turning point in the story, the ending, or sometimes even the beginning.

For prose / drama questions:

• Use three points in the story– the beginning, an important turning point, the climax
• Use three quotes – one from each of these points
• Use one theme
• Use one main character
• Use one important relationship that this main character has

Be prepared to explain what you think the most important outcome of the story was.

For example: if you are writing about Othello, make sure you at least try to explain why Iago ‘wins’ and tricks Othello into killing Desdemona.

 

B. Poetry questions mainly ask about:

1. A person / speaker
2. Theme
3. Structure – the ending, a turning point, or the beginning of a poem.

For poetry questions:

• Divide the poem into about three main sections – this is easier if it is three stanzas long. Answer the sections out of order, e.g. middle, then start, then end.
• Use three main quotes, although you should remember a few words and details.
• Use one theme.
• Show if there is a point where the poem changes – the mood or the argument.

 

C. Each paragraph of a Higher essay should contain:

• Topic sentence (what the paragraph is about)
• Where the quote takes place / who said it
• What was written / said – the actual quote
• Analysis of the quote – show why it is interesting or important to the work as a whole
• Recap sentence which mentions the essay question you are answering
• Link sentence which prepares the reader for your next paragraph

 

D. Examples

Download one of the examples from misterking.co.uk.

• The essay should give you an idea of what the markers are looking for.
• The essay plan is an example of what you should have memorized.

As well as the facts about a novel, play or poem – the plot, characters, key scenes etc – you should have a rough idea of an essay structure when you go into an exam.

You should also know the quotes you will be using; where they occur; and why they are important.

For these reasons, you should create an A4 sheet for each essay, with an essay structure and the quotes.