English
Lit Essay Writing Tips
- Use Succinct Point In Topic Sentence: Don't confuse the point or ramble, keep it short, concise and use your strongest point in the topic sentence. See if it makes sense on its own, outside of the essay.
- Refer to 'Narrator' not Rossetti: Or use 'Rossetti's 1st person persona'.
- Integrate Quotes: Integrate them into your sentences then link to language analysis and EFFECTS!
E.g: '...her secret “today” because “it
froze”...'
- Always Prove Your Interpretation: Back up your personal interpretation with examples and quotes for every point. Don't make a point you cannot back-up.
- Use Specifics! When referring to any poem.
- Refer To 'Narrator's Attitudes': How does the narrator feel?
- Show Understanding Of Narrative/Plot.
- Exploratory Language, Not Explanatory: E.g: 'Possibly', 'perhaps'.
- CONTEXT!!!!!
- Don't Use Brackets.
- Write Poem's Title Exactly How It's Written In The Poem.
- Use Complex Interpretation & Vocabulary.
- Don't Use Colloquial Language.
- Use sets of 2 or 3 Descriptive/Similar Words In Topic Sentence.
- Don't Define Words.
- Don't Patronise.
- Connotations: If all else fails for language analysis, refer to connotations.
- Don't Generalise Context: E.g: Instead of saying 'not likely for a woman of the Victorian era' use 'not the stereotype' etc.
- Don't Make Too Many Different Points In The Same Paragraph.
- Don't Use Very Long Quotes.
- Avoid 'Positive' and 'Negative'.
- Avoid Repetition.
- Write About Complex Poetic Issues: Such as metre, rhyme and explain their effects. Why has the poet used them, link rhyme/metre to context and the question.
- Explore Both The Literal & Allegorical Meanings.
- ANSWER THE ESSAY QUESTION!!!!!!!
