INTRODUCTION TO HIGHER ENGLISH
CRITICAL ESSAY
• The Critical Essay part of the Higher English course involves writing an extended essay in response to a question / task about literature you have studied in class.
• It is done under timed exam conditions, normally a period in class and 45 minutes for each of the two essays you will do in the final exam (1½hrs).
• It allows you to demonstrate your understanding of the central concerns of the text; your analysis of the writer’s technique, style, language and structure etc.; and evaluation of the effectiveness of these various techniques in relation to the issues within the task.
• Your essay must be technically accurate (i.e. no errors), relevant to the question, and develop an argument in which you will use evidence from the text to justify your points in answering the question.
TASK
• The task may be set by the teacher in class practices. Normally you will choose from a list of tasks from different sections, as in the final exam.
• Choose a task which is the appropriate genre to your text (i.e. poetry, prose, drama), as well as one which is relevant to your text in terms of the form and content being addressed.
• Your starting point is always the task, not the text.
• Problem-solve the question:
o What is it asking you to do?
o What are the key words in the question?
o What different ideas can you gather from these key words that will allow you to pursue different points in your argument?
o What techniques will you deal with?
PLANNING THE ESSAY
• Your essay must develop an argument in the main paragraphs, as well as having an introduction and conclusion.
• Be clear in your mind before you start writing what direction you will take, by planning your paragraphs in a simple mindmap if required.
• There are a number approaches candidates take in structuring their essay, however the best is to take a thematic approach. This is where your paragraphs each deal with different aspects in the line of your argument. Answering chronologically (working from the start of the text till the end) is not recommended, as this often results in the candidate re-telling the story and trying to ‘fit’ analysis in somehow as they go along.
INTRODUCTION
• In your first sentence refer to the author and title of the text, and recapitulate the key words of the task.
• Briefly outline the main concerns of the text (i.e. what it is about) and how it relates to the task.
• Indicate the techniques you will refer to in your argument and briefly outline the main points to be raised in the main body of your essay.
MAIN PARAGRAPHS
• As indicated, your writing should be well thought-out and develop and argument or case in response to the question set.
• Ensure that you keep the focus of the task foremost in your mind and tie all your points to the key issues and overall objective within the question.
• Ensure your paragraphs are well structured, with a topic sentence introducing the main point of the paragraph and how it links into the task.
• A good structure to follow thereafter is:
• Point γ Example from the Text γ Explanation / Analysis
• Your example from the text might be a simple reference to an event, paraphrasing or a direct quotation.
• When paraphrasing, no quotation marks are needed.
• When making a direct quotation, this must blend into your sentence and fit with the grammar.
• When quoting a word or a line or less, the quotation can be built into your sentence and simply needs quotation marks (‘ ’). When quoting more than a line of text, you must make a break in your paragraph, make an indent and do not put inverted commas around the quotation.
• Remember – a quotation cannot stand alone. It must be linked into your point or analysis.
CONCLUSION
• Summarise the points covered in your argument
• Make final comments of evaluating the text in relation to the task
STANDARD OF WRITING
• Your writing must be technically accurate – i.e. no spelling, punctuation or grammatical errors.
• It must be complete, well structured and linked together.
• You should show good critical and analytical vocabulary.
• You should aim to show your own personal understanding, but be careful not to refer to yourself or show personal involvement in the essay.
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