Rather than worrying about an essay for weeks, suggest to your child to read through these 10 points, get

in some early preparation and have the self-belief that they can do it.

1. Read the essay question carefully

Highlight key words. Use the dictionary to check the meaning of any unfamiliar words. dentify the task words that indicate what needs to be done, eg !discuss", !e#plain", !compare". dentify the topic words that indicate the particular sub$ect of the essay, eg the character of !%uliet" in &hakespeare"s Romeo and Juliet, the !causes" of 'orld 'ar 1. dentify any limiting words that restrict the discussion to a particular area, eg in !(hapters 1-)", during the !nineteenth century".

2. *inish any necessary reading or research as background to the essay

+e selective, use sources which are relevant and accessible. 'rite notes in your own words. 'rite down -uotations that may be particularly useful, but ensure the source of these -uotes is acknowledged if they"re used. .ake note of sources so they can be provided in footnotes and the bibliography.

3. Brainstorm ideas in response to the question

%ot down any relevant points. /ake note of any relevant evidence or -uotes that come to mind. Use a mind map to help stimulate lateral thinking.

4. Develop a thesis (idea/argument) that encapsulates the response to the question

.he thesis should be a statement that strongly e#presses the overall response to the -uestion. 0void a thesis that"s too simplistic 1 show thought has been put into some of the comple#ities behind the -uestion. .he thesis is the backbone of the essay 1 it will be stated in the introduction. t also needs to be referred to several times in the essay before restating it and demonstrating how it has been proven in the conclusion.

. !rite a plan for the response

2rder ideas in a logical se-uence. /ake sure every point in the plan is relevant to the -uestion. 0fter the plan has been written it should be clear where the essay is going.

". !rite the introduction

2pen up the discussion. ntroduce the thesis. ndicate how the -uestions will be answered. 3ame any te#ts to be discussed, if appropriate. 4ngage the reader.

#. !rite the main $ody of the essay

4nsure each point is given a new paragraph. Use words or phrases at the start of each paragraph that will indicate to the reader how it relates to the previous paragraph, eg, "however", !in addition", !nevertheless", !moreover". &tart each paragraph with a topic sentence that clearly links the paragraph to the rest of the essay, eg 50 striking e#ample of 6ary (rew"s use of light and darkness imagery to suggest notions of knowledge and ignorance occurs in the scene on the $etty5. 7rovide supporting evidence for each point that you make. Revisit the thesis, and e#press it in different ways if possible, to emphasise how the -uestion is being addressed.

%. !rite the essay conclusion

&ummarise the main ideas. 8emonstrate how you have proven your thesis. *inish with an interesting or thought-provoking, but relevant, comment.

&. 'dit the draft

(heck for spelling, punctuation and grammar. 8elete any sections that are not particularly relevant. (hange vocabulary to improve e#pression. &eek feedback from peers or a teacher before writing the final copy.

1(. !rite the final copy

0dd any footnotes or bibliography if re-uired. 7resent a clean, neat copy. &ubmit on time.