Film Studies

Essay Writing
Essay writing is a difficult skill to grasp, and sometimes people get bogged down in learning a
formula and try to produce a perfect essay regardless of what the question is.
Plan Plan Plan

Bullet point your main points;

number those bullet points;

associate them with pieces of evidence from your case studies or film/TV texts;

Essential features of a good essay

A logical argument; once you have decided what the answer is, you need to prove your
answer in relation to a question or statement.
A clear structure where the reader can follow you through the essay if you plan
(numbering your points), you can ensure that each point is linked and will flow to create a
smooth transition between your points.
An argument based on close textual reading. All of your ideas should stem from the case
studies from class and your own wider reading/viewing; this will ensure that your comments
are relevant, if they closely link back to a relevant piece of evidence.
An awareness of texts as constructs the creation of resources based on a series of
deliberate choices.
Equally you need to consider context; how contemporary audiences and producers differ
from those in the past.

The Five Stage Essay Structure

Stage 1 : The Introduction
A paragraph which concisely and effectively establishes your broader understanding of the topic
you are writing about. The introduction should furnish the reader with a sense that you understand
the statement or question given, and can also indicate an individuals own ideas also.

Stage 2 : Argument
At this point, outline your initial response to the question. In other words, you are going to describe
the argument that you are going to present in the rest of the essay. You need to outline consisely
your ideas about the question and what you believe to be your answer. In How far... style
questions, this will involve some comment on exactly how far you agree with the title proposition
and other elements you want to explore in relation to the question.

Stage 3 : Body Paragraphs

In each of the body paragraphs, you lead your reader through a series of points that support your
perspective. Each point would be supported with evidence from the stimuli and then comments
about how this material is relevant to your point and perspective. Additionally, you should have
relevant case study evidence which further supporters your perspective.
Point: Introduce the topic of the paragraph.
Evidence: Quotation, description, paraphrasing, summarising your evidence from your case
studies.
Explanation: A commentary which explores the evidence from your case studies and relates it to
your point.
Reference to question: Ensure you have linked this back to the essay question and have
answered it.
Connective word or phrase: Additionally. In support of this. In addition. To further confirm this.
Evidence: Quotation, description, paraphrasing, summarises the case study/independent
evidence and relates it to your point.
Explanation: A commentary which explores the case study/independent evidence and relates it to
your point.
Reference to question: Ensure you have linked this back to the essay question and have
answered it.

Stage 4 : Re-visit the question

Having discussed each point in detail in the body paragraphs you then return to the exam
question. Re-state what you wanted to prove, and outline/summarise/condense those paragraphs
to say how they have supported the question and your response to it. This should be a developed
commentary and what you have shown in the essay with regards to the question.
Stage 5 Conclusion
This should not be a reworking of your entire essay. It should complete your argument/essay. It is

an opportunity to bring together your perspective and what theorists, evidence and case studies
you have brought together to construct your perspective and can be a moment where you
speculate, from your own intellectual, individual and emotional engagement on something further.
Can you possibly speculate about what the future holds for audiences/producers?