Writing the Critical EssayWriting the Critical Essay

Identifying the Key wordsIdentifying the Key words

To pass, your understanding must be show To pass, your understanding must be show to be appropriate to the task setto be appropriate to the task set

This means that you must apply your This means that you must apply your knowledge and carry out the task exactly as knowledge and carry out the task exactly as it is asked in the questionit is asked in the question

A strategy to help with this is to identify A strategy to help with this is to identify clearly the key words.clearly the key words.

The key words are those that provide details The key words are those that provide details of the taskof the task

They will appear in both the first and second They will appear in both the first and second sentences of the question.sentences of the question.

Highlight or underline them and then repeat Highlight or underline them and then repeat them throughout your essay.them throughout your essay.

ExampleExample

Choose a play in which a Choose a play in which a charactercharacter feels feels increasingly increasingly isolatedisolated from the community in from the community in which he or she lives.which he or she lives.

Show how the dramatist makes you aware Show how the dramatist makes you aware of the character’s of the character’s increasing isolationincreasing isolation and and discuss how this affects your discuss how this affects your attitude attitude towards the charactertowards the character

Because you will be repeating these words Because you will be repeating these words throughout your essay, it is a good idea to throughout your essay, it is a good idea to jot down some synonyms for the key words jot down some synonyms for the key words so that you can vary your languageso that you can vary your language

E.G. Isolated – alienated, separate, E.G. Isolated – alienated, separate, separated, set apart, cut off, etcseparated, set apart, cut off, etc

Task 1Task 1

Breaking down the taskBreaking down the task

It is essential that you focus on your task It is essential that you focus on your task from the planning stage if you are to gain a from the planning stage if you are to gain a good mark.good mark.

Having identified your key words, you Having identified your key words, you should then try to break down the task into should then try to break down the task into the various elements that it involvesthe various elements that it involves

ExampleExample

Choose a poem that deals with a Choose a poem that deals with a childhood childhood experienceexperience. Discuss to what extent the . Discuss to what extent the poet’s poet’s description of the experiencedescription of the experience leads leads you to a clear you to a clear understanding understanding of the poet’s of the poet’s theme.theme.

Once you have highlighted the key words of Once you have highlighted the key words of the task you now bullet-point the strands the task you now bullet-point the strands you must include in your discussionyou must include in your discussion

Identify a childhood experienceIdentify a childhood experience Analyse how the poet describes the Analyse how the poet describes the

experienceexperience Relate your understanding of the theme to Relate your understanding of the theme to

the description of the experiencethe description of the experience

Once you have done this you would relate Once you have done this you would relate each bullet-point to your own text.each bullet-point to your own text.

E.G. Lockhead’s poem ‘Revelation’E.G. Lockhead’s poem ‘Revelation’ Experience: being shown the farm’s bullExperience: being shown the farm’s bull Description: use of sense – colour, smell, Description: use of sense – colour, smell,

shape, sound; contrasts with hensshape, sound; contrasts with hens Relation to theme: awareness of dark side Relation to theme: awareness of dark side

of life, sexuality, danger leading to loss of of life, sexuality, danger leading to loss of childhood innocence.childhood innocence.

Task 2Task 2

Writing the Introduction –Don’tsWriting the Introduction –Don’ts

Start by talking about the life of the author.Start by talking about the life of the author. Give a detailed account of the plot.Give a detailed account of the plot. Go into detailed discussion about the Go into detailed discussion about the

characters, themes, etc.characters, themes, etc. Include quotations or examples.Include quotations or examples. Try to be amusing or dramatic.Try to be amusing or dramatic.

The 5 step formula.The 5 step formula.

1. Identify the text and author1. Identify the text and author2. Use words from the beginning of the question and 2. Use words from the beginning of the question and

explain why the chosen text is suitable for the explain why the chosen text is suitable for the question.question.

3. A sentence or two summarising the text – but no 3. A sentence or two summarising the text – but no more.more.

4. Refer to the words that set the task in the second 4. Refer to the words that set the task in the second sentence of the question.sentence of the question.

5. Give an idea of how the rest of the essay is going 5. Give an idea of how the rest of the essay is going to develop.to develop.

Sample Introductions – task 3Sample Introductions – task 3

In pairs/small groups read over the introductions In pairs/small groups read over the introductions and check the 5 steps then complete the table on and check the 5 steps then complete the table on strengths and weaknesses within each intro.strengths and weaknesses within each intro.

The question is ‘ Choose a play which you feel has The question is ‘ Choose a play which you feel has a memorable opening section. a memorable opening section.

Show how the content or atmosphere of the scene Show how the content or atmosphere of the scene or section provides an effective starting point for or section provides an effective starting point for the development of the characters and the theme the development of the characters and the theme of the play.of the play.

Task 4Task 4

Individually – write an introduction for ‘Death Individually – write an introduction for ‘Death of a Salesman’ using the same question.of a Salesman’ using the same question.

You have 5 minutes.You have 5 minutes. Pass your introduction to the person next to Pass your introduction to the person next to

you and they should assess it against the 5 you and they should assess it against the 5 steps.steps.

Plot summary – yes or no?Plot summary – yes or no? Do not do a outline of the plot paragraph. Do not do a outline of the plot paragraph.

You just need to remember that new ideas You just need to remember that new ideas should be put in context when they are first should be put in context when they are first introduced.introduced.– When a character is mentioned for the first time When a character is mentioned for the first time

he or she should be introduced briefly.he or she should be introduced briefly.– The setting of the story should be explained, if The setting of the story should be explained, if

relevant.relevant.– If an event is mentioned it needs to be placed in If an event is mentioned it needs to be placed in

context, e.g. where does it fit into the sequence context, e.g. where does it fit into the sequence of events?of events?

Structure PointsStructure Points

SStatement – topic sentencetatement – topic sentence

EEvidence – quotationvidence – quotation

AAnalysis – explanation of quote and detailed nalysis – explanation of quote and detailed commentcomment

LLink – use words from the question to link ink – use words from the question to link back to the main idea.back to the main idea.

STATEMENTSTATEMENT

The topic sentence will make a general point The topic sentence will make a general point and not detailed one.and not detailed one.

It should refer to words from the question.It should refer to words from the question. Think of it as a signpost – indicates the Think of it as a signpost – indicates the

direction which the rest of the paragraph is direction which the rest of the paragraph is going to travel.going to travel.

Task 5 – Look at the examples of topic Task 5 – Look at the examples of topic sentences and discuss how effective each sentences and discuss how effective each one is.one is.

EvidenceEvidence

A statement must be backed up by A statement must be backed up by evidence. This might be:evidence. This might be:– A direct quotation – the actual words from the A direct quotation – the actual words from the

text.text.– An indirect reference to something that happens An indirect reference to something that happens

in the text e.g. a summary of the incident in in the text e.g. a summary of the incident in Howard Wagner’s office with the wire recorder Howard Wagner’s office with the wire recorder to show Willy’s inability to cope with the modern to show Willy’s inability to cope with the modern world.world.

A quotation needs to be put in context- A quotation needs to be put in context- introduce it properly by making it clear who introduce it properly by making it clear who spoke the words, where it came in the text, spoke the words, where it came in the text, etc.etc.

NEVER introduce a quotation by saying NEVER introduce a quotation by saying ‘The quote shows…’‘The quote shows…’

For exampleFor example

‘‘We’ve got to decide if this is an island’ We’ve got to decide if this is an island’ Ralph takes command and tells the others Ralph takes command and tells the others what to do. – what to do. – INCORRECT – Don’t begin a INCORRECT – Don’t begin a paragraph with a quotation, always have the paragraph with a quotation, always have the statement first.statement first.

In ‘Lord of the Flies’, Ralph is a character In ‘Lord of the Flies’, Ralph is a character who exhibits strong leadership qualities, who exhibits strong leadership qualities, ‘We’ve got to decide if this is an island.’ ‘We’ve got to decide if this is an island.’ INCORRECT – Quotation is not in context.INCORRECT – Quotation is not in context.

For Example – For Example – Correct wayCorrect way

In ‘Lord of the Flies’, Ralph is a character In ‘Lord of the Flies’, Ralph is a character who exhibits strong qualities of leadership. who exhibits strong qualities of leadership. For example, at the first meeting of the For example, at the first meeting of the surviving boys it is he who stresses, ‘We’ve surviving boys it is he who stresses, ‘We’ve got to decide if this is an island’. –got to decide if this is an island’. –Statement Statement is followed by a quotation that is placed in is followed by a quotation that is placed in context.context.

Explanation and LinkExplanation and Link

Follow the quotation with a comment e.g. Follow the quotation with a comment e.g. What does is show about the What does is show about the character/theme/setting...character/theme/setting...

Always link points back to the main idea of Always link points back to the main idea of the essay – the simplest way to do this is to the essay – the simplest way to do this is to use key words from question.use key words from question.

Example paragraph point – Example paragraph point – task 6 task 6

Willy's sons illustrate other significant areas of this central Willy's sons illustrate other significant areas of this central theme of failure: Biff opts out of the competitive world theme of failure: Biff opts out of the competitive world which his father wants for him. And it is Biff who finally which his father wants for him. And it is Biff who finally analyses the root cause of their domestic friction when he analyses the root cause of their domestic friction when he says: 'We never told the truth for ten minutes.' It is Biff who says: 'We never told the truth for ten minutes.' It is Biff who finally blames his father for his own failure because: 'We've finally blames his father for his own failure because: 'We've been walking in a dream for fifteen years', 'I never got been walking in a dream for fifteen years', 'I never got anywhere because you blew me so full of hot air.' The anywhere because you blew me so full of hot air.' The playwright presents us with a dramatic turning point when playwright presents us with a dramatic turning point when Biff comes to understand that he has been blinded by false Biff comes to understand that he has been blinded by false values, unable to honestly address who he is or where he values, unable to honestly address who he is or where he belongs in life. belongs in life.

The ‘so what?’ testThe ‘so what?’ test

Don’t include quotations or comments for Don’t include quotations or comments for their own sake. For each quotation used or their own sake. For each quotation used or point made ask yourself ‘so what?’point made ask yourself ‘so what?’

If the quotation doesn’t tell you anything If the quotation doesn’t tell you anything about theme/character/etc or the point about theme/character/etc or the point doesn’t add anything to your essay then it doesn’t add anything to your essay then it should be removed.should be removed.

Paragraph planParagraph plan

PARA 1 – INTRODUCTIONPARA 1 – INTRODUCTION

Use the 5 step guide to write an introduction Use the 5 step guide to write an introduction relevant to the question. The direction of relevant to the question. The direction of the whole essay should be clear from this the whole essay should be clear from this point onwards.point onwards.

Paragraph 2Paragraph 2 Start with a topic sentence that picks up one Start with a topic sentence that picks up one

of the points mentioned in the introduction of the points mentioned in the introduction and develop it using the SEAL pattern. and develop it using the SEAL pattern. There may be several SEALs in each There may be several SEALs in each paragraph but they must all link logically to paragraph but they must all link logically to the original topic sentence.the original topic sentence.

Paragraph 3/4/5 onwardsParagraph 3/4/5 onwards Develop these paragraphs in a similar Develop these paragraphs in a similar

pattern. Each should start with a linking pattern. Each should start with a linking word/phrase to give your essay coherence word/phrase to give your essay coherence and should develop a new point.and should develop a new point.

ConclusionConclusion

The final paragraph should sum up each of The final paragraph should sum up each of the main points that have been covered in the main points that have been covered in the essay and relate your answer to the the essay and relate your answer to the question.question.

The linking word/phraseThe linking word/phrase

Paragraphs should begin with a linking and Paragraphs should begin with a linking and topic sentence so that your essay has topic sentence so that your essay has coherence. coherence.

Examine the following Topic sentence and Examine the following Topic sentence and discuss why it is a good linking sentence.discuss why it is a good linking sentence.

In addition to his depressing physical In addition to his depressing physical surroundings, Tom Curdie’s family surroundings, Tom Curdie’s family background contributes to his difficulties.background contributes to his difficulties.

In addition to his depressing physical surroundings, Tom Curdie’s family background contributes to his difficulties.

Linking phrase, indicating that a second point is to follow

This has been examined in the previous paragraph.

How his family background contributes will be the topic of this paragraph.

The pattern of these sentences is:The pattern of these sentences is:– Linking expression at the start of the sentenceLinking expression at the start of the sentence– Reference back to the topic of the previous Reference back to the topic of the previous

paragraphparagraph– Reference forward to the topic of the next Reference forward to the topic of the next

paragraph.paragraph.

– Hand out – Linking words sheet.Hand out – Linking words sheet.

Now it’s your turn!Now it’s your turn!

Choose a play in which the opening Choose a play in which the opening provides us with a clear idea of what is to provides us with a clear idea of what is to come. Discuss the various ways in which come. Discuss the various ways in which the opening 'sets the scene' and introduces the opening 'sets the scene' and introduces us to the main themes and concerns of the us to the main themes and concerns of the play.play.

1. Identify the key words.1. Identify the key words.

Choose a play in which the Choose a play in which the openingopening provides us provides us with a with a clear idea clear idea of what is to of what is to come. come. DiscussDiscuss the the various ways various ways in which in which the opening the opening 'sets the scene'sets the scene' and ' and introduces introduces us us to the to the main themes main themes and and concerns concerns of the of the play.play.

Now break this up into the different Now break this up into the different elementselements

1. Identify the elements of the opening that 1. Identify the elements of the opening that provide a clear idea of what is to come.provide a clear idea of what is to come.

2. Discuss the ways Miller has set the scene 2. Discuss the ways Miller has set the scene (techniques)(techniques)

3. Relate the opening of the play to the main 3. Relate the opening of the play to the main themes/concerns.themes/concerns.

It is up to you to now plan and write the It is up to you to now plan and write the essay.essay.