1. CRITICAL ESSAY HELP

2. Introductions

3. “Unlocking” A Critical Essay Question to write an introduction

4. A critical essay question has two parts
Choose a prose text in which there is an interesting character.
The first sentence only guides you towards an appropriate text
Show how the writer’s presentation of the subject makes an impact on you, and helps you to understand the central concern of the novel in more depth.
The second sentence – the more important sentence - establishes the response that you are expected to offer.

5. Choose a prose text in which there is an interesting character.
Show how the writer’s presentation of the subject makes an impact on you, and helps you to understand the central concern of the novel in more depth.
Formula

6. Choose a prose text in which there is an interesting character.
Show how the writer’s presentation of the subject makes an impact on you, and helps you to understand the central concern of the novel in more depth.
Atticus Finch
As a compassionate and moral figure – a fair and tolerant father – a prominent and respected lawyer whose views contrast with those of his community who are often portrayed as hypocritical and deeply racist.
Encourages the reader to consider how important it is to have integrity and to follow your own mind and not the wrong headed views of a crowd
Harper Lee leads us to understand the theme of prejudice in more depth because…

7. Choose a prose text in which there is an interesting character.
Show how the writer’s presentation of the subject makes an impact on you, and helps you to understand the central concern of the novel in more depth.
A novel in which there is an interesting character is ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee.
This essay will explore how Atticus Finch is portrayed a compassionate and moral figure – a fair and tolerant father – a prominent and respected lawyer whose views contrast with those of his community who are often portrayed as hypocritical and deeply racist. The way Atticus is characterised makes an impact on the reader because Lee Encourages us to consider how important it is to have integrity and to follow your own mind and not the wrong headed views of a crowd. Atticus as a character helps the reader to understand the central concern of prejudice in more depth because he is presented as someone who respects and is tolerant of others despite their differences.

8. PEAR Main body paragraphs should follow a PEAR structure
POINT

9. Write a point: technique, evaluative word, theme/task
Creating a PEA paragraph 1. POINT
Write a point: technique, evaluative word, theme/task
Who?
USES
technique
How well? TO
Link to theme/task
Harper Lee OR Lee
Reveal/present/portray/describe Atticus as an interesting character (and reveal the theme of prejudice)
characterisation
effectively
The writer
dialogue
skilfully
The novelist
setting
cleverly
expertly

10. To write a Point use the table. Remember to try to vary the order.
Examples (from simple to more sophisticated)
Harper Lee uses characterization skillfully to portray Atticus as an interesting character.
Setting is used effectively by Lee in order to present Atticus as an interesting character while also revealing the theme of prejudice.
Atticus is shown to be an interesting character through the novelist’s clever use of dialogue.
Expert characterization is further used by the writer to encourage us to consider the theme of prejudice and to reveal Atticus as a character who is interesting to us.

11. PEAR Main body paragraphs should follow a PEAR structure
EVIDENCE

12. Evidence
When stating evidence try to give some context to introduce it instead of putting it in immediately after the point in a sentence of its own. This can look unstylish.
Example
Chapter 9 (p82) – During the conversation between Uncle Jack and Atticus that Scout overhears Atticus says, ‘…
Chapter 10 (p98) – When Tim Johnson the mad dog has to be shot we see that ‘…..
P ) – At end of the court case when Atticus removes his jacket, which is shocking to his children, and gives his last statement to the court he says, ‘…..
P260 – After Tom Robinson is shot…
P296 When Atticus and Heck Tate discuss Bob Ewell’s character after Heck reveals Ewell was the one who attacked Jem and Scout Atticus says, ‘….but Heck Tate opposes him saying…’

13. PEAR Main body paragraphs should follow a PEAR structure
ANALYSIS

14. 3. analysis
This is the part where you discuss the impact of the techniques used by the writer – it should be the longest and most in-depth part of the pea paragraph.
You can begin ANALYSIS sentences and join them together using the words and phrases below. Try to really pull your piece of evidence apart.
‘BRONZE’ PHRASES
‘SILVER’ PHRASES
‘GOLD’ PHRASES
This shows…
Here the writer implies…
This highlights the idea that…
This means…
Here the writer reveals…
This emphasises the writer’s
This suggests
Here the writer helps the reader to understand…
Here the writer encourages us to see the importance of…

15. PEAR Main body paragraphs should follow a PEAR structure
RESPONSE

16. 4. response The reader thinks In the reader’s opinion
This is the part where you explain your own personal opinion about the topic (how Harper Lee presents Atticus as interesting character). Try to mention the themes of prejudice (tolerance, hypocrisy, moral goodness and racism)
The reader thinks
In the reader’s opinion
Here the reader feels
Here the reader believes
The reader considers
In the minds of the reader it can be said..
To the reader it seems
The proves to the reader…
The reader concur..

17. Conclusions

18. Remind the reader of the character’s significance:
Show how important your character is to the novel using the rest of your essay to help you.
Echoing the introduction: Echoing your introduction can be a good strategy if it is meant to bring the reader full-circle.
Then go beyond them – say something profound and important and personal about the impact the character and their actions had on you.

19. Formula Below. Use comments in Yellow box to help you with the personal lasting impression part.
Atticus demonstrates that he is fair, compassionate, and courageous throughout the novel.
He teaches the reader that people should not think anything less of other people just because of the colour of their skin.
In the 1930s, racism was prevalent, and no one would have taken a black man’s side over a white man’s.
Even though Atticus knew he was not going to win the case, he still defended Tom Robinson, which showed what a good person he really was.
If he did not make an impression on every person in Maycomb through his actions, he certainly taught his children what it means to love and respect people of all races.
He showed the reader that it does not matter what is on the outside; on the inside is what counts.
Having closely examined this short story it is clear that (insert what the question is asking of you -part one of question). Throughout the story (author) has (refer to second part of question) by (now summarise each of your paragraphs). In doing so Harper Lee has effectively expressed her views of the negative treatment of black people during the 1930s, who damaging prejudice is and the importance of having tolerance. This novel, and the characterisation of Atticus in particular, has had lasting impression on me because…