F.

2 Literature in English

Novel: Skellig Essay Writing

HEEP YUNN SCHOOL

Essay Topic:
How does the writer present the theme of transformation? Make reference to one of the
main characters, Skellig, by considering the following:

his relationships with the other main characters (conflicts & rising actions)

his health condition (turning points/ climax/ resolution)

Draft/ Outline:
Notes:

Introduction
author; title
plot summary (a brief review of the most
significant events related to the topic)
evidence (HOW you will prove the claim
and what content you will use to provide it)
claim/ thesis statement (WHAT you believe
is the meaning the writer wants to convey
about the theme/ subject)

David Almond; Skellig

Michael finds strange man in garage weak
& hostile care and love + Mina move him
to old house man grows stronger & braver
conflicts/ problems; encounters with the

other main characters; his improved health

love & faith transformation: (i) physical

and (ii) mental/ spiritual

Body Paragraph (1): Skellig's relationship more social connection think positively
with Michael
e.g. Skelligs problems: attitudes towards
topic sentence
relationship and life; health: arthritic, weak
examples (at least TWO)
e.g. support & care from Michael
concluding sentence
gaining strength, showing +ve outlook
Body Paragraph (2): Skellig's relationship relationship building -> value of trust
e.g. impatient and mean to Mina at first
with Mina
topic sentence
e.g. touched; attitude changed
examples (at least TWO)
e.g. opening up - revealing identity
concluding sentence
put faith and love in relationship
Body Paragraph (3): Skellig's health condition
topic sentence
examples (at least TWO)
concluding sentence

love and faith - improved health

e.g. lack of care - feeble & immobile
e.g. feeding by others - growing stronger
e.g. physical strength - capable of flight
concern & nurture - powerful/

independent

Conclusion
topic sentence restating the claim/ thesis
statement
summarise the plot elements used by the
writer to present the theme
conclude by suggesting the deeper meaning
of the theme
1

love & faith transformation: (i) physical

and (ii) mental/ spiritual

problems of/ faced by the character

encounters with the characters - changes
implication: healing power of love & key

element in relationship belief/ trust

Quotations
(key phrase in sentence)

Put in your own words

(paraphrase)

How it supports the claim

(interpretation)

Body
Paragraph (1)
Example 1
Body
Paragraph (1)
Example 2
Body
Paragraph (2)
Example 1
Body
Paragraph (2)
Example 2
Body
Paragraph (3)
Example 1

"Who are you?" Mina whispered.

"Mr. Had Enough of You."/
"Nobody."

Skellig appears impatient and mean

when responding to Mina's question(s)

His contempt over connect with others

reflecting his strong sense of insecurity

Body
Paragraph (3)
Example 2
Collecting and evaluating evidence (examples)

F.2 Literature in English

Novel: Skellig Essay Writing

HEEP YUNN SCHOOL

Writing a Body Paragraph

write a topic sentence that connects 2-3 events/details from across the text that support the claim;
look for moments that show how the character changes or the story shifts
use exact words from the text (life a key phrase or sentence)
determine the relationship of the examples (comparison/contrast or cause/effect); use transitional
words to connect the examples and/or indicate the sequence of the words
briefly summarise the context for each moment in the sequence of the story
explain (interpret) how the line(s) connect to each other and support the claim
repeat key words from the topic sentence to connect and explain the important moment

Example body paragraph:

Claim/Thesis statement: The power of love and faith can bring positive changes to both
physical and mental well-being.
Argument: Changes in Skelligs relationship with Michael induce his positive
transformation (mental)
From the time Skellig first rejects Michaels help, to the end, where

Topic sentence: Skelligs

he is empowered and liberated by the childs care, Skellig has

relationship with Michael

transformed mentally. At first, he is rude and cold towards this new

E.g. (1): first encounter -

young neighbour. His repeated question, What do you want? has

interpretation + quotation +

intimidated Michael to the degree that the child has a nightmare.

effect

Besides, he refuses to communicate or connect with Michael by

E.g. (2): distant relationship -

asking him to go away, and ignores Michaels constant reminders

quotation + paraphrasing

of the derelict state of the garage he stays in. However, Michaels

Transition: contrast

unremitting concern and kindness, bringing Skellig food and

Interpretation: changed

remedies along with helping him move away from danger, have

attitude

touched him. For instance, Michael saves the Chinese takeaways

E.g. (3): feeding & nurturing

for him and brings him aspirin and cod oil. In addition, Skellig is

E.g. (4): protection

removed from the dangerous garage to a safe house. By the end

of the story, he and Michael are no longer strangers but good

Summarise relationship

friends. With Michaels support and love, Skellig has become

Concluding sentence: friends

spirited and compassionate.

love changes Skellig

Note:
Transitional phrases for organisation of ideas
Direct quotes

F.2 Literature in English

Novel: Skellig Essay Writing

HEEP YUNN SCHOOL

Practice: Modelling the body paragraph

Write a body paragraph by modeling the structure of the example. Form your argument by
discussing Skelligs relationship with another character, for example, Mina.
(Topic sentence) Skelligs consideration and sincerity are the results of the
kindness and faith Mina
has given him.
(Example 1) In the story, his initial unwelcoming response to Michaels

introduction of his new

neighbour, Mina, shows his lack of trust towards people. Not only has he been
impolite to Michael,
he also appears impatient and mean, addressing himself as Mr. Had Enough of
You and Nobody,
and expresses reluctance when offered help, giving no response to Mina. His
contempt over
connecting with others reflects his strong sense of insecurity.
(Example 2) However, his attitude changes when he is moved by Minas

determination and sincerity.

While assisting Michael in lifting Skellig, Minas persistence is shown by
repeating, You have to
come and encouraging him by saying Please, kissing his cheek and
reassuring him of taking
[him] to safety". As a result, Skellig learns to trust this stranger who helps
him unconditionally by
giving himself up to the children and even revealing his real name/
identity.
(Example 3) After settling in Minas grandfathers house, Skellig even allows his

deepest secret to be
exposed to Mina. When Mina wants to remove Skelligs jacket, his refusal
is dismissed by her
saying, Trust me. The secret of bearing wings at his back is thus
another step of his genuine sharing with this new companion/ friend.
(Summarise relationship) By the end of the story, Mina is no longer a stranger

F.2 Literature in English

Novel: Skellig Essay Writing

HEEP YUNN SCHOOL

to him but a good friend or companion.

(Concluding sentence) For the genuine friendship/relationship Mina first

initiated, Skellig has

changed to put faith and love on others.

F.2 Literature in English

Novel: Skellig Essay Writing

HEEP YUNN SCHOOL

Model Essay:
David Almonds Skellig1 describes the journey of a young boy
whose encounter with a strange creature changes him and his
life. Michael, the main character, meets the creature in the
garage of his new house, which is later known as Skellig.
Together, they have undergone transformation in different
ways.2 At the beginning, Skelligs pessimism and indifference
shut Michael away.3 But with the help of his new neighbor and
friend, Mina, Michael shows his love and care. Being moved
from the crumbling garage to a boarded house4, as well as
nurtured by the children, Skellig gradually becomes stronger
and braver.5 He proves that the power of love and faith can
bring positive changes to both physical and mental well-being
of an individual.6

Introduction
1 author; title
2 plot summary

*Evidence:
3 *conflicts + rising
actions
4 *turning points
5 *ending/resolution
6 thesis statement/ claim

Body Paragraph (1)

From the time Skellig first rejects Michaels help, to the end,
where he is empowered and liberated by the childs care, Skellig
has transformed mentally. At first, he is rude and cold towards
this new young neighbour. His repeated question, What do you
want? has intimidated Michael to the degree that the child has a
nightmare. Besides, he refuses to communicate or connect with
Michael by asking him to go away, and ignores Michaels
constant reminders of the derelict state of the garage he stays in.
However, Michaels unremitting concern and kindness, bringing
him food and remedies along with helping him move away from
danger, have touched Skellig. For instance, Michael saves the
Chinese takeaways for him and brings him aspirin and cod oil. In
addition, Skellig is removed from the dangerous garage to a safe
house. By the end of the story, he and Michael are no longer
strangers but good friends. With Michaels support and love,
Skellig has become spirited and compassionate.
Body Paragraph (2)
[Body Paragraph 2 - refer to p.4]

F.2 Literature in English

Novel: Skellig Essay Writing

HEEP YUNN SCHOOL

Body Paragraph (3)

When the story progresses, the improvements in Skelligs health
condition highlight the healing power of love and faith. In
particular, he has transformed from a ghostly figure in a
feeble state without mobility to a strong man capable of
flight. At the beginning of the story, Skellig appears to be a
dying, or even a dead man. For instance, Michael describes
him as filthy and pale and dried out who is lying in the
dust and dirt. In addition, he always moans with pain and
says he has no strength. His worrying health condition is
due to arthritis as Michael later discovers how his fingers are
twisted and stunted while his knuckles [are] swollen.
Initially fed by Michael with his favourite food and ale,
alongside aspirin and cod liver oil, Skellig is gaining more
physical strength when later being able to eat by himself.
After the continuous nurturing and care, Skellig
demonstrates his power by dancing in the air with the
children, flying out of the house and raising the baby in the
hospital. In the end, his departure shows clearly his full
recovery with the magical power of the angels, Mina and
Michael, probably their love.
Skellig proves that love and faith can bring about
transformation of an individual, both physical and emotional,
in a positive manner.1 The author has created the main character,
Skellig, who was first troubled by his frailty and pessimism and
has been helped by the kind and courageous children, by
describing his journey of development. Mina and Michaels
unceasing effort has borne fruit as Skellig becomes stronger
and learns to return love.2 His changed personality and
attitudes have facilitated the reader to realise the healing power
of love and the significance of belief and trust in building a
relationship.3

Conclusion
1 Restating the claim/
thesis statement
2 Summarising how the
writer presents the
theme

3 Concluding by
suggesting the deeper
meaning of the theme