Full list of contents
Introduction
The essay checklist
Interpretation of and response to the essay question
Different types of essay question you might encounterWriting about more than one text in a single essay
Examples of more effective analysis of the question
Structure of the essayFollowing the structure of the texts
Paragraphs
An example of ideas being organised more effectively
An example of ideas being organised less effectively
Activity
Persuasiveness and validity of interpretation
Arguing a case
Developing your ideas
Originality and quality of personal interpretation
Deciding which aspects of the text(s) to write about
An example of an effective choice of aspects of the text(s) to write about
Selecting texts to write about
An example of a more effective selection of texts to discuss in the essay
An example of a less effective selection of texts to discuss in the essay
Activity
Understanding and use of appropriate critical terms and concepts
Substantiating your interpretations through use of critical terms and concepts
An example of more effective use of critical terms and concepts
An example of less effective use of critical terms and concepts
Activity
Use of secondary critical sources
Using secondary sources to support your interpretations
Examples of more effective use of secondary sources
Activity
Understanding and use of relevant contexts
Substantiating your argument through reference to contextual information
An example of socio-historical contextual information being used in a more effective way
An example of socio-historical contextual information being used in a less effective way
An example of literary contextual information being used in a more effective way
Activity
Use of appropriate close/detailed textual referenceUsing evidence from the primary text to support your interpretations
Examples of evidence from the primary text being used more effectively to support interpretations
An example of evidence from the primary text being used less effectively to support interpretations
Activity
Technical accuracy
Referencing and bibliography
Spelling and grammar
Activity
Prose style
The introduction
An example of a more effective introduction to the essay
An example of a less effective introduction to the essay
The conclusion
An example of a more effective conclusion to the essay
Activity
Presentation
Redrafting, checking your work and avoiding basic errors in analysis
An example of a basic error in analysis
Presentation
Activity
Sample essays
Sample essay 1
"Dr. Faustus is a morality play without a moral." Discuss.Sample essay 2
"Metaphysical poetry values intellect above emotion". To what extent have you found this to be the case?Sample essay 3
"Tragedies portray societies which are caught between conflicting value systems." Discuss with reference to one or more plays.
Click here to go back to the main page
