ESSAY WRITING TIPS

STATEMENT --> EVEIDENCE/EXAMPLES --> ELABORATION

The most common way of responding to literature is through an essay in which you may be asked to 'Discuss...','Compare...','Give a personal response...' etc.

Essays like this are called literary criticism, and you need to be able to analyse the text and justify and personalize your response. There are certain basic techniques for writing in this way.

Techniques of Literary Criticism

(i) Answer the question with a statement

(ii) Support your answer with evidence.

(iii) Elaborate or explicate your statement

(i). Answer the question

Imagine you were asked one of these typical questions:
• Comment on the role of X in helping the audience understand the play.
• Compare and contrast the characters X and Y.

In order to answer the question successfully you need to be absolutely clear about what you are being asked to do. The question will definitely not ask you to retell the storyline. This is the biggest mistake students make - retelling the storyline rather than answering the question.

1. Start by underlining or writing out key words from the questions, and then make notes; plan your essay. In your notes you should be writing down the key points you will make in your essay.
2. Write in substantial paragraphs, usually two, three or four to a side of A4. •
3. Use an introduction if you need to define the title, or explain your approach to the questions. Otherwise, dive straight into your first point.
4. Use cohesive devises to add variety and clarity to your writing: however, although, therefore, then, at first, later...and so on.
5. Show that you are answering the question by echoing its phrasing at the start of a new paragraph. (Linking back to the demands of the question)
6. Avoid sounding like you are having a chat with your best friend

(ii) Support your answer with evidence

1. Select and mention the most relevant evidence to subtantiate your point first. Leave the less substantial evidence or example to the end of your paragraph / argument.
2. Evidence chosen must show clearly how it supports the stand that you are trying to make.
3. Evidence must support your statement and answer the requirements of the question.

(iii) Elaborate or explicate your statement

1. One of the most important techniques when writing literature essays is to use quotations to support your ideas. There are two ways of using quotations:

• Place long quotations (more than one sentence) in a separate paragraph
• Embed short quotations into your own sentences.

Finally there is no substitute for detailed knowledge and understanding of the text. Students who demonstrate they are extremely familiar with the characters, action and background of a text generally score better in the exams.

Take time to reread each book, play or poem studied.