THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN WRITING AN ESSAY ON A TEXT.
Text in this context means either a prose or a drama as a genre of Literature.
One should be extra-careful when writing about such in an exam or test, inorder to pass the Literature-in-English exam.
Though it will be a dividend to be able to solve any problem with these guiding steps, however our primary concern here is how to answer questions on these (drama and prose) on your West African Senior Schools Certificate Examination (WASSCE)
WHAT ARE THE KEY THINGS TO CONSIDER?
1. CONSIDER THE OPENING PARAGRAPH
The first thing to consider is whether your opening paragraph addresses the topic of the question and says something specific about it, indicating the kind of ground that will be covered on the reminder of the essay. This is apparently true! Your opening paragraph should tell the examiner that you know what you are talking about and are able to give enough evidence for the point you have raisen. For instance, if you are asked to comment on a character, start by telling the examiner who the character is, what is his role, how is he presented in the play etc. By doing this you have already told the examiner that you know who you're writing about. From there you begin to gain points.
2. DOES IT AVOID EMPTY WAFFLE?
Most of us, if given an essay, write trash and presume that we have written enough on the question. Don't summarize when you are asked to comment. It simply means that you are writing nonsense! Don't write irrelevant words and present it, you can't get any mark whatever.
3. DOES YOUR ESSAY HAS A KEY SENTENCE?
Your essay should have at least one key sentence. Some people call it a topic sentence. For instance, if you are asked to comment (remember, your essay should be in paragraphs), you primary focus should be on the theme (central idea ). You focus only on this and nothing else. Present one theme at a time and make sure you give enough evidence to support your claim. In Literature, nobody is right! You write what you observe and access with evidence very convincing from the prose or drama text. Your quotations or references should be a relevant one. Do quote every travail quotation that comes in mind. Be mindful! Why it is important to write present references from the text is to serve as a strong backup which ascends and produces your essay a mature one. That only you cannot do easily until you read the text yourself. Please make a time to read the text.
4. THE FINAL SENTENCE AND FINAL PARAGRAPH
Does the final sentence of each paragraph serve as a summarizing sentence for that paragraph and wards towards the next point? Keeping this into consideration, one is able to produce each paragraph that links to the other, and sustain the flow or continuity of ideas running in their essays. You are allowed to use linking phrases like: however, also, furthermore etc. so do yourself a favour and make it work.
Now the final paragraph is the last goal you score inorder to get your points. You have to be very cunning in presenting the beauty of words here. Present it very catchy. The points and the beauty of expression produces more marks.
It's your fight to succeed, do this and you will reap the benefit.
Thanks
Comments
Post a Comment