Steps to writing an English essay:

1. Look at the key words in the essay question and work out what information you will need in
order to answer the question. Task sheet
2. Brainstorm examples and evidence from the text to include in each paragraph. You need to
fill in the A3 planning page. (An example of how this should look is included in this booklet
page 2.) A3 planning page.
3. Turn your planning into paragraphs make sure that you use the appropriate language style
and that you structure each paragraph correctly. Page 3 and 4 of this booklet
4. Write your introduction and conclusion. Page 5
5. Spell check.
6. Proofread to identify missing words, awkward phrases and incomplete sentences.
7. Submit a draft.

An example of how to plan a paragraph

Theme 1: Dr Frankenstein is not evil. He has made bad choices.
The main way the author explores this theme:
Characterisation
Mary Shelley uses the character of Victor Frankenstein to explore the extent to which our choices
affect others both directly and indirectly.

Examples:

- Victor Frankenstein knows that he has made the wrong choice. It was wrong of me to
start; but it would be worse not to finish
This quote highlights that he has an understanding of what is right and wrong, but feels
obliged to continue his experiment because he has dedicated his life to it.

Another way the author explores this theme:
Betrayal (Who betrayed whom?)
Victor Frankenstein did not set out to create an evil being and now that the monster has betrayed
him.

Example:

Monster! I didnt create you to do evil why have you betrayed me?!

Youre not what I thought youd beI thought I was making an angel.
These quotes show that Frankenstein had good intentions when he started his experiment but
now realises that the monster is out of his control.













Turning Your Planning Into Paragraphs
Now that you have planned what will go in each paragraph, you need to write them up properly.

STEP 1
The first part of a paragraph is a sentence that will outline the points that will be explored in that
paragraph. This is called a topic sentence.
So, if you have a paragraph on how the author explores the idea that being an individual is
important, your topic sentence would outline this. The following example is based on the example
planning youve already looked at.
e.g. The author shows that it is important to be an individual by using a range of techniques,
including juxtaposition, irony and characterisation.

STEP 2
Once you have written a topic sentence for your paragraph, you will need to put the planning for
that paragraph into sentence form so that you create one long discussion of the ways that the
author explores the ideas. Make sure that you also include the examples that prove that you are
right.
You should connect the ways that the author explores the ideas by using connectives/linking terms.
Here are some examples for you to use:
In addition, the author also....
As well as using ....., the author also uses....
Furthermore, the author uses...
Similarly, the author uses....
Another technique that the author uses to explore........ is...
This idea is further explored by the authors use of....

STEP 3
Once you have typed up your explanation of the ways the author has explored the idea, you will
need to end your paragraph by summing up all of the main points youve made. This is called a
concluding sentence. This normally begins with a word or statement that indicates that this is the
final sentence (like: therefore, thus, in this way, through these examples it is clear that)
e.g. Thus, it is through the techniques of irony, characterisation and juxtaposition that Shelley
shows the importance of making responsible decisions.

You should now have a complete paragraph! Now, apply this to your planning for the other 2
paragraphs.
Language you should use
Here are some rules about the type of language appropriate for an essay:
1. Do not use first person this means you cannot use I, my, me, us, our, we, you, your etc
throughout your essay. For example, the following sentence is not appropriate for a formal
essay:
I think that the author uses techniques such as symbolism to show that redemption is
possible.
What you can do is this:
I think that The author uses techniques such as symbolism to show that redemption is
possible.
2. Make sure that you have not referred to the author by their first name only. You should always
use their first and last names together, their last name only, or refer to them as the author.
Also, you can use the reader or the audience for a substitute for us, we, you, etc.
e.g. Mary Shelley uses the characterisation of Victor Frankenstein to demonstrate to
the reader that while his intentions were good, there were unexpected
consequences which resulted from his choices.
3. Check that you have not referred to the text as a book, you must call it the novel or the text.
4. Check that you have put the title in italics whenever you refer to it: e.g. Frankenstein
5. Your writing should be formal, so do not use slang or contractions (such as: dont, isnt, havent,
cant, wont, etc these need to be: do not, is not, have not, cannot, will not, etc)
6. You need to use quotes and specific examples from the novel to support your claims, and must
include the page number of where you found this evidence at the end of your sentence.
e.g. Frankenstein did not envisage that his monster would commit such heinous acts.
Youre not what I thought youd beI thought I was making an angel. (pg 39)
7. You should try and vary your vocabulary. Here are some good terms to use:
To indicate more information
Furthermore
In addition
Moreover
Likewise
Similarly

To indicate an example
For example
For instance
Particularly
Specifically
Illustrated by
Demonstrate when
Describes
conveys
depicts
illustrates
presents
demonstrates
suggests
implies
expresses
explores
develops
reveals

Uses
utilises/employs
Introductions and Conclusions
Once all of your paragraphs are written, you can start writing your introduction and conclusion. You
will find it much easier to write these now that you have written your paragraphs.

Introduction
The purpose of the introduction is to introduce your response to the essay question, and outline the
points you will make throughout the essay. The reader should be able to know your whole argument
just by reading your introduction!
1. The first sentence of the introduction should refer to the author and title of the text, the
question and your answer to it.
Eg: In the play Frankenstein, Mary Shelley explores whether human nature is
inherently good or evil through the character of Victor Frankenstein.

This sentence refers to the title (Frankenstein), the author (Mary Shelley), the question
(explores whether human nature is inherently good or evil) and gives an answer (explores
them in a range of ways).
2. The following sentences in your introduction introduce the points you will make in each
paragraph. You should write at least one sentence for each point you will make. So as you
have three ideas to discuss (and thus will have 3 body paragraphs), you need to have at least
3 sentences outlining your points in your introduction 1 sentence for each of the main
ideas.

Conclusion
The purpose of the conclusion is to sum up the points you have made and restate your answer to the
essay question. You are reminding the reader that you have covered all parts of the question. This is
the last paragraph in your essay. While it is similar in content to your introduction, do not repeat the
introduction word for word. You can, however, restate these points in a new manner, with different
words.