1. YEAR 10 RESPONSE TO TEXT ESSAY WRITING
Short Story

2. Planning
Step 1: Look at the questions. Choose the best one for your text. underline the keywords.
Step 2: Brainstorm for the main ideas from the text you will write about in your essay. Try to come up with THREE main points. For each MAIN point think of ONE explanation and ONE example.

3. Step 3: Write your essay using the following structure
INTRODUCTION
Rephrase the question and answer it.
Name the title of the text and the author, spelt correctly.
Outline your approach to the question and introduce your three main points.
If the question asks you to describe something, you should do so here OR in a separate paragraph straight after your introduction

4. Step 3: Write your essay using the following structure
THREE BODY PARAGRAPHS
For each point begin a new paragraph.
Each of your three paragraphs should be set out as follows:
S.E.X.Y
S Statement
A sentence which expresses the main idea of the paragraph, using the KEYWORDS (or synonyms) from the question.
E Explanation
An explanation of your statement.

5. Step 3: Write your essay using the following structure
X eXample
Refer to an example from the text, which supports what you have said. You must produce evidence to prove the comments you make about characters, relationships, themes, style etc. This may be a quote and it should have quotation marks: “Quotequote.”
You should also explain how this example/ quote supports your point.
Y Your comment/ judgement
Discuss how this particular idea from the text influenced your understanding of the text or how the issues relate to the wider world. Link to the themes of the text.

6. Step 3: Write your essay using the following structure
CONCLUSION
This should summarise and bring together your key points. Make it strong and convincing and refer to your introduction.

7. Step 4: Editing
Re-read your essay and ensure that it is error free and makes sense.