In English in years 10 and HSC/DP, you will need to write essays.

These are usually text responses.We are going to go through the basics in

this PPT.Then I will talk more specifically about the

assessment task.

FOR THE FUTURE!

1. Read the essay question carefully and make sure you understand it.

2. Pick out the KEY WORDS in the essay question.

3. Think about whether you agree or disagree with the question – form a point of view (an

interpretation of the text) which you will write about in the essay.

4. Make a plan. What events and examples in the text can you discuss?

5. List them in dot points.

EASY AS 1, 2, 3

6. Each of these dot points will then become a paragraph.

7. Begin writing your first draft.8. Edit your work – get a friend or teacher

to check for mistakes and make improvements.

9. Write a final copy.

STEPS 6,7,8,9

1. Plan2. First Draft

3. Edit 4. Final Copy

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP IN WRITING AN ESSAY?

Introduction (background info, state your point of view)

Body (The paragraphs – what is the acronym again?)

Conclusion – summarise your main points

ESSAY STRUCTURE

Explain your understanding of the questionIntroduce your argument Provide your point of view

Provide background information Don’t use detailed examples

INTRODUCTION

One key point for each paragraphUse TEEL for each paragraph

PointEvidence

Explanation

Link

BODY

Topic – Use a topic sentence at the start of a paragraph to make it clear to readers what

the paragraph is aboutEvidence – Provide details of events using “quotes” from the text which supports your

pointExplanation – In your own words explain

why the quote is important to the point you are trying to make

Link – Make a link to the next paragraph so that it flows well and summarise the main

idea of the paragraph

TEEL

Restate your point of viewRestate in different words what your main

ideas wereThink carefully about your final sentence –

end stronglyDon’t introduce any new ideas

CONCLUSION

Use the criteria to assess your previously written essay.

Mark all the things that could be improved about the essay.

CRITERA

You can take 2 approaches:

1.An overall theme broken down into 3 sub points (the sub points can focus on a aspect of the theme OR on a

particular poetic/literary device2.An overall theme broken down into 3 texts (you will

analyse each text separately.)

WHICH IS BETTER?WHICH IS EASIER?

THE ASSESSMENT TASK

INTRODUCTION•A thesis statement (ANSWER to the QUESTION)

•Introduce your texts (at least 3)•Lead into body (mention main points)

BODY•Topic Sentence

•Expand on this in your own words•Evidence (quote)

•Explain (THIS IS MOST IMPORTANT PART)•Final – Link

CONCLUSION•Restate thesis

•Summarize main points•Evaluate – which is most effective/accurate portrayal and why?

WHAT TO INCLUDE?

“Analyzing the language techniques and stylistic devices the authors have used and

HOW these create a representation/point of view about Australian culture”

You need to show links – what kinds of links?• Links between texts

• Links between stylistic devices/language techniques

• Links between themes• Links between specific representations• Links between specific points of view

WHAT ARE YOU DOING ESSENTIALLY?

You can take in notes!

You should have an idea of: •Your PERSPECTIVE

•THEMES within your perspective •LINKS,

•STRUCTURE,•POINTS to discuss

PLAN your notes

NOW PLAN!