EXCELLENT - ESSAY - WRITING

EXCELLENT ESSAY WRITING

A good literary essay will present a serious of logically ordered points, each substantiated with close textual reference and/or quotation, each clearly linked to the essay question or topic. By the end of the essay, it will draw to a general conclusion. However, there is a gear shift between a good literary essay and an excellent one.

An excellent essay will present a conceptualised argument. Instead of drawing towards some conclusions through the process of discussing relevant points, the excellent essay will present a clear case right from the start. It will start with the key concept or idea that study of the text(s) has generated and then ‘prove’ this with close analysis of textual evidence. Its conclusion is likely to move beyond the individual text(s) to draw out the wider issues of significance.

In this sense, the excellent essay is perhaps more like a legal argument than a straightforward presentation. This requires careful critical thinking about the relationships between ideas. Exploring this kind of structure will help you understand how to produce a more sophisticated essay, as well as giving you important practice in the critical analysis of argument that will help you with the synoptic unit and with secondary sources you read during your study of the set texts.

When an essay is ordered effectively, it will present a logical, conceptualised argument, starting with the overarching proposition from which the argument will be constructed, sequencing the supporting premises logically, and ending with a conclusion.

Analysis of Structure

? What is the overarching concept or proposition?

? On what logical basis are the ideas sequenced? To answer this, consider which logical connectors from the following table best make the connections between each of the points.

Accumulation also, and, as well, furthermore, in addition, moreover, plus, too Chronology afterwards, finally, firstly, initially, later, next, now, soon, subsequently, then, ultimately Comparison equally, just as, likewise, similarly Consequence accordingly, as a result, because, consequently, hence, since, so, therefore, thus Contrast although, and yet, but, conversely, despite, except, however, instead, nevertheless, on the contrary, on the other hand, though, whereas

? What is the conclusion? What is the point of wider significance that is made?

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