Writing a Critical Essay

Intermediate Two English

Always read the question carefully, considering both parts.

Underline key words from it that you will use from the beginning of your essay right through to the end.

The starting point of your essay should focus on the question, not the text you have studied.

Reading the Question

Plan your essay at the top of your page or on a spare bit of paper.

It’s a good idea to write down key points you want to make, key quotations, a structure and anything else you find helps you.

Tip!

Planning helps you avoid: Remembering a point later on that you wish

you had included Mentioning everything you know first then

having nothing to write – space it out! Stating in your introduction that you are

going to follow a certain line of thought but then your discussion gradually moves away from this

Tip!

Focus on the question straightaway

Refer to key words in the question Give an outline of your intention in the essay (what will you be focusing on/what will your line of thought will be)

Mention title and author Avoid including detail or examples but simply take a general overview of the question

Writing an Introduction

If you feel you do need summarise a part of the story, then do so in your introduction.

DO NOT take a new paragraph and begin to tell me all about the story/poem/play.

NO SUMMARY!!

Use PEAR If you have more than one quote in a paragraph, then make sure you structure it like this:

Topic sentence (point)Quote 1 + AnalysisQuote 2 + analysisRelate to question at the end of the paragraph

Main Paragraphs

Remember:At the start of every paragraph, refer back to the intro to check you’re still on course and you haven’t went off in another direction

Do not begin paragraphs with detailed points but instead general topic sentences.

Main Paragraphs

Example‘In chapter one we realise Old Major is in charge of the farm.’

INSTEAD

‘We are aware of the power structures on the farm in the first chapter.’

Main Paragraphs

We are aware of power structures on the farm in the first chapter. It is evident that a hierarchy between the animals exists, with Old Major sitting on a ‘raised platform’ and the dogs and pigs sitting immediately in front of him in the barn. By describing the animals sitting in this way, Orwell signals the way in which, despite efforts at equality, the pigs and dogs will later assume the dominant roles on the farm.

Example of a main paragraph

Topic Sentence

Quote (Evidence)

Analysis

Return to your introduction and summarise what you have proved over the course of your essay.

While you will be referring back to your original points, try to vary your word choice so it doesn’t sound too repetitive.

Conclusion

Check your spelling is correct Particularly make sure you have spelled

the author’s name correctly, the title correctly and the characters/settings.

Check your punctuation is correct Make sure you haven’t allowed two

sentences to run into each other using a comma where you should have used a full stop.

Read your sentences back – if you run out of breath, it’s too long!

Checking your essay

Using linking words and phrases help your writing flow

There are essentially four kinds.

Linking words and phrases

1. Adding on a similar point

FurthermoreMoreoverIn addition to this…Similarly

Linking words and phrases

2. Making a different point

HoweverNeverthelessOn the other handIn contrast to this

Linking words and phrases

3. Placing ideas in order of importance

In particularMore importantlyOf greatest significanceAbove all

Linking words and phrases

4. Drawing a conclusion

ThusThereforeAs a result of thisConsequently

Linking words and phrases

Use a colon : to introduce them No longer than one or two lines They should illustrate a point not simply

repeat it Example:‘It is clear she had no money: ‘Katie was heavy skint.’

MAKE SURE YOUR QUOTATIONS ARE WORTHWHILE!

Have you used quotations properly?

Try to avoid using ‘I’, ‘my’ etc. Do not write in an informal tone = no slang expressions

Do not use shortened forms (don’t, won’t, can’t = do not, will not, cannot)

Do not use abbreviations (such as e.g. and etc. )

Do not write out the number 1, always use ‘one’.

Suitable tone?

Try to refer to some critical terminology to boost your mark:

Imagery Symbolism Tone Conflict Themes Climax Narrative viewpoint Dialect Structure

Finally…