Essay Techniques

Essay Techniques

1. Plan

   • Your MAIN argument/statement
   • Each paragraph must be relevant to the question
   • Don't get sidetracked by irrelevant detail
   • Plan helps to keep you focused

2. Writers intentions

3. Structure

   • 5 Paragraphs, roughly 200 - 300 words each
   • Paragraph 1: Introduction
     • Establish how you intend to answer the question
   • Paragraph 2 and 3: Demonstrate that you know what you're talking about.
     • Must establish that everything is balenced
       • Example: Argument essay; Paragraph 1 would be reasons for, and paragraph 2 would be reasons against.
   • Paragraph 4 (the "crunch): Where you establish very clearly, that perhaps the points in paragraph 2 and 3 are not points you agree with.
     • Longest paragraph
     • Express your own opinions... This is VITAL to your mark!!!!
     • Back up your facts with strong quotations
     • Present your argument in a clever, logical, ordered way.
   • Paragraph 5: Conclusion
     • DO NOT ADD NEW POINTS!!!! Conclude all the points metioned and bring your essay to a close.

4. SPAG

5. Mark scheme

6. What is an essay?

   • Presentation of ideas
   • Not only your ideas, but ideas you've aquired that prove that you understand the subject.
   • Exam Essay: 45 minutes.
     • Roughly 800 - 1500 words
   • Made up of a series of units