English Literature Essays

INTRODUCTION
This must be about the topic – do not start writing about names and dates and miscellaneous facts – this is padding, and immediately causes the reader to assume that you don’t know very much about the topic.

1. If the topic is one based in fact, mention the basic facts in the introduction, then you can expand them, one at a time, in subsequent paragraphs.
2. If the topic requires your opinion, state the premises on which you intend to base your argument. If you are not yet sure what you think, don’t offer an " I think" opinion – this immediately detracts from the forcefulness of any argument you may put forward in the rest of the essay.

By the time you have finished the essay it should be obvious to you, and you can state it confidently in your conclusion.
BODY OF THE ESSAY
Your introduction points should now be developed, one per paragraph, referring specifically to the book or books about which you are writing – do not deviate from the requirements of the question, as it wastes time and effort and succeeds only in distracting the reader’s attention from the main thread of your essay.

Do not introduce points which do not support your argument, unless the question specifically asks you to consider them – remember, you are trying to convince, not sow seeds of doubt!
CONCLUSION

1. If your essay has been based in fact, merely sum up, and round off with a confident-sounding sentence.
   
   
2. If the essay was developing in an opinion, read it through to discover what opinion you have in fact expressed, and then state it confidently, as if it were indisputable fact – don’t apologise for it.
   If your essay has been well organised, the reader will be convinced; if not, s/he will not be persuaded by a weak, apologetic ending!

PLANS

1. Novel essay
Theme, plot, setting, characters, style; fair divisions for any essay. Order and emphasis will depend on bias of question.
eg. If the question is about theme, talk about it in the introduction, then discuss, one per paragraph, how the other aspects contribute to it, and conclude by talking about the success or otherwise of the author in communicating his/her theme.
2- Drama essay
Theme, plot, setting, characters, technique.
eg. If the question is about technique, talk about how it affects the others-one per paragraph.
3- Poetry essay
Theme, style, technique (include such aspects as alliteration, assonance, versification, rhyme, rhythm, where appropriate).