Topic Ten (0.10): The Perfect Essay – Breaking It Down

Introduction

In this topic, you will work through the key stages of breaking down, planning, writing and editing a high-scoring essay. This will draw together everything you have learnt in this module so far to illustrate the process in action.

This is a lot of information to take on board in one go, so read it now, but also be sure to return to this guidance frequently as you prepare for each new assignment. The specific examples included will make more sense as you work through the set texts in more detail.

Tasks

  • The following document guides you through the key stages of writing a high-scoring essay which satisfies all of the assessment criteria. This is much easier to understand when applied to specific examples, so the advice included relates to either AS questions on unseen texts or to your set texts for both AS and AL.
  • You will have already seen this guidance at AS but be aware that you now need to consider including critical views as part of the process. We also update this guidance regularly to reflect the set texts on each course, so please do revisit the examples included in the document below.
  • If you did not study AS with Wolsey Hall, please make sure you print this out and read it very carefully.

Download PRINT OUT & READ – Writing the Perfect English Literature Essay

  • Remember that Mastering English Literature also contains tips on essay-writing skills on pages xxix to xxxi.