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Answering essay, short questions
Starting your essay, for example, you need to write a clear and punchy introduction to your answer — no waffling is allowed. Start with a good introduction. In your introduction, you should introduce the overall point that your essay is making — and making it clear.
The introduction gives a brief answer to the question. The rest of the essay expands on your answer and gives evidence for it. It is clearly important to keep these two things in mind when you are writing introductions of your own.
In the examination, it is easy to forget to use paragraphs to the annoyance of examiners, but you have to use them if you are after a good grade. Your first paragraph should be an introduction. Have an imaginative beginning to interest the reader.
Paragraphs make your writing clearer. Remember, a paragraph is a group of sentences. These sentences are about the same thing or follow on from each other. All of the sentences in a paragraph are related to each other.
You need to start a new paragraph every time something new is introduced. Paragraphs do more than you think.
They give structure to your work and break it into separate points, so it is easier to read. You can also use them creatively to make your work a bit more interesting for the reader.
There are different reasons for starting a new paragraph — here are a few of them. Start a new paragraph every time something changes: Each time a new person speaks. When you start writing about a different time. When you start writing about a new place. When you talk about a new person and when you start writing about a new topic.
Changing paragraphs — any time, any place . . . Remember, start a new paragraph when you bring in something new — a different person speaking, a new character or a change in place or time. Or if you are making a point.
Sadly, knowing when to start a new paragraph is not enough — you need to make the paragraphs flow. They need to be linked. You have to link up every paragraph with the one before and the one after. Many students find it difficult to implement this suggestion.
Use words and phrases like these to make the link clear: therefore, however, again, for the same reason, on the other hand, and many others that have been proffered on these pages before. These words relate the paragraphs to the previous paragraph’s meaning.
Sometimes, it is a good idea to refer back to the previous paragraph too.
You will get more marks if your paragraphs flow smoothly from one to the next. Paragraphs should follow a clear order. Order your paragraphs so that there is clear progression. It is up to you how you do it . . . just make sure it makes sense.
Some ideas as well: Put your paragraphs in order of importance. For example, give paragraphs for an argument then paragraphs against.
Order your paragraphs chronologically (in time order). Try to vary the style of your paragraphs. You do not want to make all of your paragraphs exactly the same. That would be dead boring.
Paragraphs make your work easier to read and understand . . . Next time you are reading a book or a magazine, have a look at how the writer uses paragraphs. The more you pay attention to this kind of thing, the better you will get at using them yourself.
Reading the question — In English Language and other subjects, you have to answer short questions not necessarily essays every time. Your main task is to answer the question, so pay attention. You get marks for showing that you have understood the question, especially on non-fiction texts or essays.
Show that you have thought about the writer’s ideas and viewpoint. Explain how the writer has used language and presentational devices to influence the reader. Be sure to read the question.
Look at the question before you start reading the text — it will tell you exactly what to look out for. Having an idea of what you are looking out for will help focus your reading. What students should realise is that the expectations on literature questions are the same as language requirements.
English Language and Literature in English are the same and that is why we find the same vocabulary in both subjects. Literature students should read what is said about English language as the same vocabulary is used. English Language runs across the curriculum.
Think about how much the question is worth. The questions are worth different marks. Make sure you know the total number of marks. Basically, you need to spend less time on the questions that are worth fewer marks.
There is no excuse for not reading the question carefully. Why should you read the question before you read the text? Is there any point in thinking about how many marks a question is worth? Why? Why do you think that simply copying from the text does not get you marks?
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