National 5 essay writing

What the marker is looking for? Your answer should be relevant to the task- all points, quotes and analysis should be an answer to the second part of the essay question. Analysis of quotations and what it helps the reader/audience understand- you must discuss techniques: word choice, character, setting, camera angle, costume etc. A logical structure- introduction, 4 or 5 PEER paragraphs, conclusion. You should write in chronological order of the text.

Introductions Say what the name of the story/film is and who wrote or directed it. Give a brief summary of what the story/film is about. Put in a link to the essay question you have chosen. Helpful hints: NEVER say “In this essay…” Don’t write everything that happens in your summary of the plot. If you can, when writing your summary, try to talk about the elements of the plot that are relevant to the question. Remember to put “ “ around the title of the text.

Main Paragraph PEER structure. Point - a sentence or two which answer the essay question in some way. This part will also explain what you are about to talk about in the paragraph. Evidence - an example of what you’ve talked about in the point. This could be a quote or reference to a particular aspect of the scene. Explanation - Mention which techniques have been used (characterisation, costume, lighting, camera shots/angles) and the effect they have on the audience. Reference to question - link your explanation back to what the essay question is asking.

Conclusions Re-state the title and writer/director of the text. Summarise the main points you have made about what the essay question asked. End the paragraph with one final sentence which refers to the essay question in some way and gives your opinion on the text.

Relevance to the task The questions are usually made up of two sentences. The first sentence lets you know whether your text is suitable. The second sentence is the one you answer.

Example Choose an opening sequence from a film which effectively holds your interest and makes you want to watch the rest of the film. By referring to appropriate techniques, show how the elements of the opening sequence have this effect, and how they relate to the film as a whole.

The opening sequence of shots creates a tense and eerie atmosphere The opening sequence of shots creates a tense and eerie atmosphere. In the beginning there’s a close-up of one dinosaur egg cracking, and a claw appears. This suggests that scientists have created something deadly and highly intelligent. There’s a panning camera movement combined with a two shot. This suggests there are two siblings but only one survives and becomes unstoppable. At the very end of the sequence, there’s an extreme close-up of the new born dinosaur’s eye. This leaves the viewers questioning what type of breed the dinosaur is. The opening sequence of shots also indicate the major themes, which are shown in other scenes as well throughout the film, of good vs evil and the abuse of nature. As an audience member this scenes camera angles keep me interested because they’re to the point of how the new born dinosaur will create major problems for Jurassic world in the long run.

Why this example was chosen It is on task and uses words from the question in their response. Has a clear structure: Point, Evidence, Explanation, Reference to task Talks about techniques/features: camera angle and theme Analyses the techniques/features and their effect on them as an audience member. Focuses on one aspect- camera angles Discusses the film as whole, even though they are only talking about aspects of the opening.

The lighting is used effectively to leave the audience asking questions about the location of the film and what events are still yet to occur, after the opening scene. The set has strip lighting with very bright figures in the background, which suggests that the eggs are being hatched in a laboratory and not natural habitats e.g. forest/jungle. A prime example of the theme: abuse of nature which is explored throughout the film. At the end of the opening scene we’re startled by a bright light and white screen shot, leaving viewers feeling mystified and excited to see what’s going to happen next. This implies that the baby dinosaur is already causing problems and it isn’t even grown to full potential.

Why this example was chosen It is on task and uses words from the question in their response. Has a clear structure: Point, Evidence, Explanation, Reference to task Talks about techniques/features: lighting and theme Analyses the techniques/features and their effect on them as an audience member. Focuses on one aspect- lighting Discusses the film as whole, even though they are only talking about aspects of the opening.

The use of sound creates a feeling of excitement in the opening scene The use of sound creates a feeling of excitement in the opening scene. The first sound we hear in the scene is the non-diegetic noise of a heartbeat coming from whatever is inside the egg which creates excitement because it is telling us that something in that egg is alive and well. Also we hear the diegetic noise of the egg cracking which suggests that the living thing in the egg is ready to appear into the world. The last sound we hear in the scene is a diegetic roar which suggests the living thing that has been born is very dangerous and out to cause mayhem and trouble. This helps engage with the film because it creates a cliff hanger due to the viewers not knowing what is inside that egg and what happens later on with this specific creature in the film.

Why this example was chosen It is on task and uses words from the question in their response. Has a clear structure: Point, Evidence, Explanation, Reference to task Talks about techniques/features: sound Analyses the techniques/features and their effect on them as an audience member. Focuses on one aspect- sound Discusses the film as whole, even though they are only talking about aspects of the opening.

Example Choose a short story in which the writer creates a realistic or convincing character. By referring to appropriate techniques, show how the writer creates this character, and say why you find him or her to be realistic of convincing.

O’Flaherty has chosen Dublin as his setting to highlight the dangers the Sniper faces on a daily basis. Ireland has a turbulent history and is known for its long periods of conflict. The writer has expertly described the city in the following way: “Dublin lay enveloped in darkness” This metaphor successfully alerts the reader to the danger that lurks all around the city for the Sniper. Just as an envelope encloses its content until the recipient opens it, so it is that Dublin is cloaked in darkness, adding tension to an already fractious atmosphere. O’Flaherty has expertly chosen this setting to emphasise the peril that the Sniper puts himself in night after night for his cause. Thus allowing the reader to witness his passion first hand for the Republican side.

Why this example was chosen It is on task and uses words from the question in their response. Has a clear structure: Point, Evidence, Explanation, Reference to task Talks about techniques/features: setting and character Analyses the techniques/features and their effect on them as a reader.

Practice essay questions - Jurassic World Choose film with a scene which had an impact on you. Briefly describe the events which led to this scene, then by referring to appropriate techniques, go on to show how that impact was created. Choose a film which belongs to a particular genre (e.g. adventure, romance, thriller…) By referring to appropriate techniques, explain how the film makes have used features of this genre effectively.

Practice essay questions - The Sniper Choose a short story in which you feel sympathy with one of the main characters because of the difficulties or injustice or hardships she or he has to face. Describe the problems the character faces, and by referring to appropriate techniques, show how you are made to feel sympathy for her or him.   Choose a short story which describes a person’s experience. By referring to appropriate techniques, explain how the description of the experience makes the short story more interesting.