A good essay is; Planned There are essentially three parts to an essay; Answers the question Introduction; Has

clear, logically Main Body; and ordered content Conclusion. Uses examples to back up points. INTRODUCTION Has an introduction, The introduction is a paragraph within itself and needs to consist of about 3-4 sentences. body and main It sets the scene for the essay. conclusion. - Aim to have a catchy opening; first sentence should be significant / impressive. - Uses topic sentences to It needs to introduce the essay topic; rephrase question, clarify any terms / definitions. begin each It needs to indicate what the essay will explore and the perspective it is taking (maps answer, indicates what will be explored and in what order = SIGNPOSTNG). A literary essay should mention the book title and author in the introduction. MAIN BODY The main body of an essay consists of a number of logically sequenced paragraphs. - Each paragraph must consist of at least 3 4 sentences. Each paragraph discusses only one thing related to the essay question. - Each paragraph must tie to the essay question, usually by using words (and synonyms) from the essay topic. - Each paragraph is like an essay in itself. It has an introductory sentence (topic sentence) that shows what the paragraph will talk about. It has a main body discussing the topic of the paragraph. It ends with a concluding sentence to sum up the point of the paragraph which links back to the essay topic and / or onto the next paragraph. THE FORMULA FOR A PARAGRAPH IS TEEL: Topic sentence. Example / evidence to support. (including quotes) Explanation (explain evidence and how it proves a point about the essay topic) Linking / concluding sentence. Note that in more sophisticated essays Paragraphs should be ordered logically, flowing from one idea to the next. CONCLUSION The conclusion is also a paragraph within itself and should consist of 3 4 sentences. The conclusion sums up the points made in the main body of the essay and makes a final clarification of the writers position on the essay topic in light of the comments made throughout the essay. A conclusion must not introduce any new information or opinions. It needs to tie back to the essay question. - It needs to be written convincingly, enforcing the writers overall perspective on the essay topic or clearly showing how the essay question has been answered. Needs to be powerful! Go for impact! Leave the reader convinced of the point that has been made. - Should have a lot in common with the introduction but not be the same. SOME RULES ABOUT ESSAY WRITING - Make sure you understand what the question is asking you to do (discuss, explain, describe, compare) and highlight key words in the essay topic so you know exactly what you need to write about. DONT say In this essay DONT say This essay is about or In conclusion DONT use I, me, we, you, us (first and second person). ESSAYS MUST BE WRITTEN IN THIRD PERSON. - DONT use contractions e.g. cant must be written as cannot, shouldve as should have, its as it is. - DONT use abbreviations, write for example not e.g., write and so on not etc. DONT use meaningless terms like things, good, nice, got. DONT waffle! Get to the point and make it quickly and clearly! - Where a book, story or film title is used it must be underlined when handwriting (italicised if being word processed) Make sure the essay question is referred to throughout the essay. Indent paragraphs if handwriting, block paragraph if typing. Take care with spelling and punctuation (especially apostrophes). Check that you havent used similar words too close together and that you dont have too many ands in one sentence. Make sure you write in full sentences. Make sure you have answered the question in each paragraph and overall.

Tips On Essay Writing

Use quotes and examples. Remember that quotes must be contextualized they cannot be sentences in their own right. Vary topic sentences. Literary essays must be written using present tense.