How to write a good essay response

Hints and suggestionsHow to write a good essay response1Your introduction should achieve two objectives:Briefly recap the text you are writing aboutState your thesis

The Introduction2Thesis StatementYour thesis statement should clearly state:What textual conventions youre discussingHow these conventions were used to tell the reader about the ideas and meanings in the text

3ExampleIn My Fathers Hands the writer has used plot, point of view and symbolism to represent the father as strong and capable, yet also weak due to his illiteracy.

The narrative conventionsHow these conventions have represented the father. Note that I have described the representation explicitly.4Thesis: Yes/No examplesYesNOThe text, My Father hands represents the main character as strong and capable, yet also weak due to his illiteracy. The text also represents illiterate people as having no voice in society. This has been achieved through the use of plot, point of view and dialogue.The text My Father hands represents the main character through the use of plot, point of view and dialogue to show what his character is represented as.5TestersExample OneExample TwoThe novel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, represents Christopher through clever use of style, point of view and characterisation. This representation is incredible moving and persuading the audience.The novel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time uses setting, style and dialogue to represent Christopher as an intelligent and determined child in spite of his autism.6Remember to construct your paragraphs around the ideas, rather than around the conventionsConstructing Paragraphs7ExampleIntro

P1. The father being represented as strong and capable, through the descriptions of the hands/setting.P2. The father being represented as weak due to his illiteracy as demonstrated by the resolution to the plot and irony.

Conclusion.8NotIntroP1. Symbolism represents the father as strong as well as weakP2. Setting shows he likes isolationP3. Dialogue shows he is weak as well.Conclusion9Your topic sentences should clearly state what idea youre discussing and which conventions have been used to show those ideas.Topic Sentences10ExampleChristopher is represented as being logical and ordered through the use of style.

THE IDEATHE NARRATIVE CONVENTIONRemember: Most of the time,wording your sentences in simple, yet effective language is better than a sentenced full of complicated words that are not clear.11Example of Complicated WordingThe use of style has contributed to the full realisation of Christopher as a character.

This statement sounds very sophisticated, however it doesnt actually say anything except style has been used to create character. 12Topic Sentences: Dos and DontDOKeep wording clear and simpleUse the correct terminology for conventionsState explicitly which ideas youre discussing

DONTUse complicated wordingLaunch into a retell of what happened in the storyGive definitions of narrative techniques13The first explanation, after your topic sentence, should give the reader a bit more information about the idea you mentioned in your topic sentence

The First ExplanationPlease DO NOT offer a definition of the narrative technique in this section. Remember the examiner already knows this information!14EXAMPLEChristopher is represented as being logical and ordered through the use of style. Christopher has autism and so most people would categorise autistic people as disabled and therefore lacking in intelligence, however this is not the case as Christophers character demonstrates.

I have explained autism a bit further.15You then need to provide a specific example or quote from the text to support your argument. It should be written down exactly as it is written in the text. You need to set out the quote in quotation marks to show that it has come from a text.Example/Quote16ExampleChristopher is represented as being logical and ordered through the use of style. Christopher has autism and so most people would categorise autistic people as disabled and therefore lacking in intelligence, however this is not the case as Christophers character demonstrates. The author, Haddon, has written the novel from the point of view of a young boy and has shown Christophers youth through the use of short sentences with simple syntax. The short sentences and simple syntax has also added to the creation of Christopher as a logical and ordered character. For example, Christopher writes, Mr Jeavons asked me whether this made me feel safe, having things always in a nice order and I said I did. Then he asked me if I didnt mind things changing. And I said I wouldnt mind things changing if I became an astronaut, for example

I lead into the quote by explaining the technique in some detailI write in my quote and use quotation marks17Please DontUse the phrase, It is quoted in the text thatOrA quote that proves this is18This should explain how your quote has demonstrated how the technique works. It is also an opportunity for you to discuss what message the reader receives or what your interpretation of the quote is.Final Explanation19ExampleChristopher is represented as being logical and ordered through the use of style. Christopher has autism and so most people would categorise autistic people as disabled and therefore lacking in intelligence, however this is not the case as Christophers character demonstrates. The author, Haddon, has written the novel from the point of view of a young boy and has shown Christophers youth through the use of short sentences with simple syntax. The short sentences and simple syntax has also added to the creation of Christopher as a logical and ordered character. For example, Christopher writes, Mr Jeavons asked me whether this made me feel safe, having things always in a nice order and I said I did. Then he asked me if I didnt mind things changing. And I said I wouldnt mind things changing if I became an astronaut, for example The repetition and short sentences creates a logical ordered tone, much like Christophers character. This is important because it highlights how autistic people operate differently to normal people. Their thinking processes differ.

Final Explanation20Here, you need to sum up what youve already said and then speculate beyond the text by offering your own opinion on the ideas presented.Conclusions21Briefly SummarizeBegin your conclusion by briefly summarizing what youve already said in your essay. Limit this section to 2-3 sentences.Example:Mark Hadden uses a range of techniques to present Christopher as a determined, intelligent boy who does not allow himself to be limited by his autism. 22Speculating Beyond the TextIn this section you could discuss any of the following:A different interpretation of the textOne particular idea that you would like to discuss in more detailWhat message you think the text sends to the readersWhether you agree/disagree with any of the ideas that have been presentedHow your own context (your own background/ideas etc) affected the way you interpreted the text.

23Example ConclusionMark Hadden uses a range of techniques to present Christopher as a determined, intelligent boy who does not allow himself to be limited by his autism. This novel is not just entertaining, it also teaches readers a valuable lesson. The portrayal of Christopher as an intelligent and endearing character opposes the way many readers would expect to see an autistic person represented. Most readers would expect to see autistic people as being represented as disabled and a burden on their family. However, in this novel Christopher is actually the person that brings his family together.

Speculating beyond the textSummarise24