Structuring the Essay for Eng Lit

Keywords

The specific themes, ideas or characters that the examiners want you to focus on in an essay question.

Thesis Statement

A brief summary of the main point or claim your essay is making, including your interpretation of the prompt.

Assessment Objectives

Criteria set by examiners to evaluate essays, typically including analysis, contextual understanding, and argument clarity.

Integrated Approach

A writing method where analysis of the extract and the whole play are woven together in the same paragraphs.

Contextual Factors

Background information, historical or cultural context, that provides insight into Shakespeare’s themes and methods.

Topic Sentence

The opening sentence of a paragraph that outlines the focus and relevance to the essay question.

Critically Evaluate

To analyze and assess the significance, implications, or themes presented in a text.

Foreshadowing

A literary device used by Shakespeare to give an indication or hint of what is to come later in the story.

Dramatic Irony

A situation where the audience knows more about the events of the play than the characters, adding tension.

Conclusion

The closing part of an essay that summarizes the key points made and reinforces the thesis.