PLANNING AND WRITING YOUR ASSESSED ESSAY

The Tempest is primarily a play about the lengths to which men will go to secure power for themselves.

By exploring Shakespeare’s presentation of power, evaluate this view of The Tempest.

In other words, your AO2 (analysis) and AO1 (argument) are the most important factors. However, you still need to make regular and

pertinent links to AO5 (different interpretations) and AO3 (contexts).

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO GET A TOP BAND?

AO1: (30%)

• Excellent and consistently detailed understanding of text and question.

• Consistently fluent and accurate writing in appropriate register.

• Critical concepts and terminology used accurately and consistently.

• Well structured, coherent and detailed argument consistently developed.

Detailed/developed

ArgumentAccurate

YOUR INTRODUCTION: HOW DO YOU PUSH THE AO1 FROM THE FIRST FEW SENTENCES?

• Re-phrase the question/ use words from the question to show that you have understood it (and are answering it)!

• Make your argument clear and focused with key words that you will keep coming back to.

• Keep your sentences short and precise. No long, ‘clever’ sentences.

• If you can, refer to context immediately/cite a critic who supports your argument/ embed a quotation.

EXAMPLE: EXPLORE THE THEMES OF CONTROL AND MANIPULATION IN ‘THE

TEMPEST’What is good about this introduction?

Could anything be better?

NOW…

• In no more than 50 words, write the introduction to your essay.

AO1 IN THE REST OF YOUR ESSAY:

• Use topic sentences to start each point. Keep these clear, simple and short (again, no long sentences).

• Develop all of your points. You should probably be making no more than 3-4 detailed points in your essay. If you make more than this it is likely that your ideas will be underdeveloped.

• Keep coming back to the key words/ ideas in your introduction. Underline them, if this helps.

• Keep your paragraphs to less than half a side. Slightly new point/idea = new paragraph.

• Proof-read. Read every paragraph back to yourself to check that it makes sense.

• Conclude your essay, reiterating what your argument is and using words from the question to prove that you have answered it!

TOPIC SENTENCES: EXAMPLES:

• Caliban is shown to be one of the characters most oppressed by Prospero.

• Alternatively, the relationship between Caliban and Prospero can be perceived as that of a colonist overlord and a slave.

• Prospero’s manipulation and control is shown to be extended to Miranda is order to further his own social status.

Are these sufficiently clear

and simple?

Is it obvious what each

paragraph is going to be

about?

Does each answer the question?

AO2: (40%)

• Well developed and consistently detailed discussion of effects (including dramatic effects) of language, form and structure.

• • Excellent and consistently effective use of analytical methods.

• • Consistently effective use of quotations and references to text, critically addressed, blended into discussion.

•

Well chosen, embedded quotations.

Analysis of language and form (stagecraft)

and structure

EXAMPLE: EXPLORE THE THEMES OF CONTROL AND MANIPULATION IN ‘THE

TEMPEST’• ‘Caliban’s position can be likened

to Native Americans who, like Caliban, ‘showed the qualities of the role’ and did ‘love thee.’ This emotive response to the invaders or Prospero shows a benevolent innocence and trusting nature which could be perceived as Shakespeare representing Caliban as a noble savage.’

What is good about this?

How could it be improved?

NOW…

• Choose one of the quotations from your plan and annotate it/ write analysis of its language and/or form and/or structure, ensuring that you keep referring back to the question/ your argument.

AO3: (10%)

• Consistently developed and consistently detailed understanding of the significance and influence of the contexts in which literary texts are written and received, as appropriate to the question.

What social, cultural and historical factors

influenced the writing of the play in 1610/11?

How was the play received by people in the

17th century?

How has the play been received by

people in the 18th – 21st centuries?

EXAMPLE: EXPLORE THE THEMES OF CONTROL AND MANIPULATION IN ‘THE

TEMPEST’

• ‘Indeed, at the time of writing, the Bermuda trafficking was a topic of great interest and controversy and the storm which wrecked one of the slave ships was said to be of significance when influencing Shakespeare to write ‘The Tempest.’ Therefore, Prospero’s relentless physical and degrading abuse can be said to merely his control and manipulation of others.’

NOW…

• See if you can add contextual detail(s) to one of your points.

• You can either write about the social/historical/cultural conditions of the 17th century or how the text has been received by audiences in the 18th, 19th, 20th or 21st centuries (the latter is you) and why (in what conditions)?

AO5: (20%)

• Judgement consistently informed by exploration of different interpretations of the text.

• Judgement consistently informed by changing critical views of the text over time.

Using a range of critical interpretations to support your

argument.

Giving evidence that your interpretation has been

informed by others’ critical interpretations.

• ‘Caliban is presented to be one of the most oppressed characters as Prospero threatens violence and torture on him. Indeed, in the 2006 production by The Royal Shakespeare Company we see Prospero haul Caliban round on a leash and spit in his food. This treatment of Caliban as an animal highlights the control that Prospero has over his ‘creatures.’’

EXAMPLE: EXPLORE THE THEMES OF CONTROL AND MANIPULATION IN ‘THE

TEMPEST’

• ‘Prospero’s references to Caliban as ‘worm,’ ‘dog’ and, in relation to his birth, ‘whelp’ and ‘litter’ suggests that Prospero’s abuse is not only on a physical level but also on a psychological one. This view is corroborated by critic Jan Sewell who states that the marginalisation of Caliban is achieved by the linguistic manipulation of Prospero in order to lower Caliban to a sub-human level.’

EXAMPLE: EXPLORE THE THEMES OF CONTROL AND MANIPULATION IN ‘THE

TEMPEST’

NOW…

•Use one of the critics in your plan as a springboard for your own argument. Suggest whether or not you agree and why, giving evidence from the text.

WRITING YOUR ESSAY

• The most important thing you must remember when writing in an essay is to explore ideas in detail and develop points and arguments.

• What else have you learnt today that you will use when writing your first assessed essay?