The aim of this lesson is to give you a greater understanding of the following, in relation to Intermediate 2 Critical essay writing:  The Performance Criteria.  Reading and understanding the questions.  Planning and structuring the essay.

In your Critical Essay you are required to show:  Understanding of the main ideas and themes in the text.  The ability to evaluate the text in terms of techniques, themes and style.  The ability to analyse the text in detail.  The ability to express yourself competently.

It is crucial that you read the question carefully before you attempt your answer. One of the most common errors is to write a response that is not relevant to the question. Remember, there are two parts to the question. The first sentence tells you what the focus is, but the second sentence is crucial as it explains how you should approach your response. You must then decide which features of the text you will discuss.

Choose a play in which one of the main concerns is love or jealousy or betrayal or reconciliation. THEN Explain what the concern is, and show how it is explored throughout the play.

Some of the most commonly asked are:  An important aspect of the text,e.g. A key scene/incident/ending/setting etc  Characterisation Questions  Technique Questions  Thematic Questions

 Planning your essay is vital, a plan will help you stay focussed on the question and will save you time in the long run.  It may include paragraph headings, quotations, topic sentences, ideas for analysis and linking phrases.

KEY POINTS  Introductions should be short and stylish, text, author and question should be included.  All paragraphs must be relevant o the question.  Include precise textual references.  Use topic sentences that refer directly to the question.  Use effective quotations.

This is your first chance to impress the marker so you should attempt to write a stylish, polished but concise opening. Your introduction should focus on the question while outlining the argument you intend to make in your main body. Avoid phrases such as ‘in this essay’, ‘This essay will show’ or ‘I will show how...’ AT ALL COSTS

These should be structured in the following way. POINT – Make a relevant point about the text EVIDENCE – Back this up with an appropriate example. EXPLAIN – Say what this evidence reveals about your point. Do not restrict yourself to one example for each paragraph.

It is essential that you demonstrate your knowledge of the text by using quotations and referring to the text; however, it is important that this is done in the correct manner.  Short quotations may be included in the relevant sentence.  Longer quotations should be placed on a separate line  All quotations should be placed in quotation marks.  Try to incorporate quotations in a stylish, seamless manner. Do not use clumsy phrases such as ‘This quote shows...’ or ‘A quote which proves this...’

Topic sentences are normally placed at the beginning of a paragraph to introduce the idea or topic of the paragraph. These should refer to the question. You should attempt to make your topic sentences varied and interesting. For example:  Begin with the author’s name: “Orwell cleverly creates a bleak and depressing setting at the outset of the novel.”  Begin in a personal way: “I thought the imagery of the poem was...”  Begin by identifying a technique or aspect of the text: “Irony is successfully employed by...”  Many essays suffer by having monotonous or unimaginative topic sentences:  “A technique the writer used was...”  “Another technique the writer used was...” DO NOT DO THIS!!!!!!!

Use linking words and phrases to connect the threads of your argument in a stylish manner.  Adding a similar point: furthermore, moreover, in addition to this, similarly  Making a different point from the previous one: however, nevertheless, in contrast to, however.  Placing ideas in order of importance: In particular, more importantly, above all.  Drawing a conclusion: Thus, in this way, therefore, consequently