How to Plan a Perfect Literature Essay Every Time!

Summary

This video script provides a step-by-step guide on how to write a top-grade essay. The key to success lies in crafting a strong thesis statement, identifying key societal issues within the text, and analyzing the author's purpose. By focusing on significant events, especially the beginning and ending, and linking everything back to the thesis, students can create a coherent argument. The script stresses the importance of conceptualization, convincing evidence, and coherence in every paragraph. It also emphasizes preparation before exams, offering strategies to score top marks with a structured and thoughtful approach.

Takeaways

• 😀 A strong thesis is essential for a top-grade essay, ideally incorporating 2 to 3 main ideas.
• 😀 Use words like 'society' and 'era' to focus on social issues and the historical context of the text.
• 😀 Address the social issues in the text (e.g., poverty, sexism, class) as part of your thesis.
• 😀 Start by analyzing the introduction of the text, as it often sets up the key themes and issues.
• 😀 Plan to analyze key events in the text, typically beginning, middle, and end, with a focus on 4 central moments.
• 😀 The ending of the text is critical for tying together the author's themes and offering a final perspective.
• 😀 Every paragraph in your essay should link back to the thesis and the author's purpose.
• 😀 A well-structured argument that connects key moments from the text will guarantee at least a grade eight.
• 😀 In your conclusion, revisit the keywords and suggest potential new perspectives the author might be introducing.
• 😀 You can plan your thesis and paragraphs in advance, even before knowing the exact exam question, based on key events.
• 😀 To score top marks, ensure that your argument is conceptualized, convincing, and coherent by linking ideas and showing their development throughout the text.

Q & A

What is the first step to writing a top-grade essay according to the speaker?

The first step is to develop a thesis statement. This thesis should focus on the key ideas from the text, typically around two or three, related to societal issues during the time the author wrote the text.

Why is it important to use specific words like 'society' or 'era' in the thesis?

Using words like 'society' or 'era' helps frame the essay within the context of the time period, encouraging the writer to consider societal issues such as poverty, sexism, or class in relation to the author's work.

What does the speaker suggest about the number of ideas a top student should include in their thesis?

The speaker suggests that two to three ideas are ideal for a top-grade essay. Three ideas will ensure a comprehensive approach, but two can be sufficient as well.

What is the importance of the first impression of the author’s work?

The first impression is crucial because it is where the author introduces key issues and themes, which will be explored throughout the text. The writer should focus on how these issues are presented at the start.

How many key events should a student focus on when analyzing a text for an essay?

The speaker suggests focusing on six key events: the beginning, the ending, and four key events in the middle of the text. These events should align with the author’s key ideas.

Why is the ending of a text particularly important in writing a top-grade essay?

The ending is important because it ties together the issues raised earlier in the text and resolves them, offering the author's final perspective on the themes explored throughout the work.

What should be included in the conclusion of the essay?

In the conclusion, the student should revisit key concepts like society, era, and issues discussed in the thesis and suggest how the author might be introducing new ideas or perspectives.

What are the three key factors that ensure a top-grade essay?

The three factors are: conceptualization (linking back to the author’s ideas throughout), convincingness (showing how themes and characters develop), and coherence (maintaining a clear, logical argument from start to finish).

How does the speaker suggest handling extract-based essay questions in exams?

The speaker suggests that the extract will likely match one of the key events in the text. If not, the student should find the closest match and adjust their analysis accordingly.

What is the speaker’s advice regarding exam preparation and revision?

The speaker advises preparing in advance, ideally during revision or mock exams, rather than leaving it until just before the actual exam. Planning the thesis and key events in advance is key to securing top marks.