Expert Essays

Expert Essays

Essay writing in the GCSE English Literature exam is an element that students often find daunting. However, success is easily achievable if you take the correct approach and have a solid understanding of what examiners look for.

What Are Examiners Looking For?

Examiners do not simply look for good ideas; they assess how well those ideas are communicated. For English Literature essays, marks are awarded based on Assessment Objectives (AOs):

• AO1: Clear, relevant arguments supported by evidence from the text.
• AO2: Analysis of language, form, and structure.
• AO3: Understanding of context and its influence on the text.
• AO4: Accurate use of spelling, punctuation, and grammar

Step 1: Understanding the question

The first thing to do when starting your essay is to read the question carefully. It may seem simple (and obvious), but misinterpreting the question is a common mistake, so making sure to read it several times will ensure you understand it completely.

Identify Key Words:

Highlight the themes, ideas, or characters the question is asking you to explore. For example, if the question is ‘Starting with this speech, explain how far you think Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth as a powerful woman’ (AQA). In this instance, the focus is on how power is portrayed by Lady Macbeth in the extract and the whole play. You will need to track through the play to find quotations that support or refute the proposition posed by the question.

On the other hand, if the question asks you to ‘Write about Tybalt and how he is presented at different points in Romeo and Juliet’ (Eduqas), you know that you need to think of any key scenes that involve Tybalt and his actions throughout the play.

Focus on the Specific Question: avoid drifting into related themes that aren’t directly relevant, as this will lose you marks.

 Step 2: Plan Your Essay
Never underestimate the importance of planning! A well-structured essay is easier to write and makes awarding marks far easier for the marker. Take five minutes before starting to summarise your initial thoughts. It is often helpful to create a mind map which can be great for visualising ideas and how they connect.

Different teachers and schools follow varying versions of PEA/PEAL/PEE. A good technique to use when planning is PEEL: Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link.

 Step 3: Write a Strong (but succinct) Introduction
Set the tone by clearly stating your argument and outlining your main points. For example:
‘In Macbeth, Shakespeare explores the corrupting influence of power through the characters of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, and the witches.’

This short introduction sentence sets the outline of your essay. Remember – don’t spend too much time on your introduction so you can avoid repeating points in the body of the essay. It needs to be succinct and linked to what you will be writing.

Step 4: Develop Your Ideas in Paragraphs
Each paragraph should focus on one idea, supported by evidence from the text. Avoid unsubstantiated statements; instead, delve into the why and how. For instance:

 Point: Lady Macbeth’s ambition reflects the destructive nature of power.

Evidence: ‘Unsex me here, / And fill me from the crown to the toe topful / Of direst cruelty.’

Explanation: In this quote, Lady Macbeth rejects traditional gender roles, showing her willingness to sacrifice morality for power. Shakespeare’s use of imperatives ‘Unsex me’ and ‘fill me’ highlights her determination to succeed and her forceful nature towards the spirits. It also highlights the relationship between masculinity and violence, as she wants to rid herself of her feminine qualities to become stronger.

Step 5: Conclude Effectively
Your conclusion should be a short summary of your main points and should restate your argument. Avoid introducing new ideas here.

Practice Makes Perfect
Try to complete papers under timed conditions. Set a timer on your phone (perhaps put it in another room if you get easily distracted) and work through an essay question.

Not only will this help you to practice structuring essays, but it will also build confidence and time-management skills. You will start to recognise your timings which, in turn, will enable you to revisit specific sections of the exam to ensure you speed up/slow down in each section.

Teacher Feedback
Feedback is invaluable, ask your teacher or tutor for feedback. Justin Craig can help with 1-1 tutors or our group courses, where teachers give timely feedback to help you understand and address any issues.

Writing essays for GCSE English Literature does not have to be an intimidating task. With careful preparation, consistent practice, and the right support, you can excel. Remember, essays are an opportunity to express opinions and ideas and showcase your understanding of the text!