How to write and plan a top mark essay

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1. Highlight and annotate the text

2. Write your plan

Spend 5 minutes doing this so that you don't repeat points and make a clear link between paragraphs

Construct a plan from annotations

What to include in the plan

Jot down a main point to focus on throughout the essay

Can't think of one - jot down main ideas

Jot down at least 3 topic sentences

These start off your paragraphs (include your argument)

Make clear what you're going to speak about and where in the text it is

Under each topic sentence jot down relevant contextual factors and relevant quotes and scenes

Think about key analysis and subject terminology whilst doing this

Topic Sentences

Make sure they link

e.g. "as well as..." "this also shows..."

Writing an intro

Should briefly outline what you're going to write about in the main body paragraphs

Make argument strong but not too complex

Main argument must be proven throughout essay

Write about writer's purpose

If you can include an alternate argument

Make a link between main argument and context

Use the wording of the question to make it clear what you're talking about

Main body paragraphs

Prove the main argument stated in intro

Need

Topic sentence about where in play and what the argument is

Quotes

Contextual factors

Analysis of language and/or structure

Subj terminology

Alternative interpretations that aren't forced

Consideration of events before and after part talking about and how it has impacted the current

Conclusion

Should summarise the essay as a whole alongside the writer's main purpose but not repeat the thesis word for word

Should include

Summary of everything spoken about

Relevant contextual factor to support

Maybe writer's overall purpose

"To conclude", "Overall", "As a whole"

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Grade boosters

Avoid generalising

e.g. "all Elizabethan women"

Only use relevant context

Avoid irrelevant terms

Short relevant quotes

Development of ideas

at the start it is shown as...

however as it progresses...

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Essay Structure Template

Intro

Introduce the topic of essay as stated in question

Describe what you're arguing

Back up argument w context

How does the writer communicate what you're arguing

Main body

At least 3 paragraphs

What you could explore:

Relationships between characters

Examine a specific character

Compare two contrasting characters

Paragraph structure:

Introduce the point and how it links to the question

The technique used to do this

Evidence to support

The effect the technique has

Why has the writer done this?

How has this related to the question?

Conclusion

What has this essay shown?

Summary of each para. (sentence each)

Context

Try to link the question to a wider social question