HOW TO WRITE AN ESSAY /WIN THE HSC

INTRODUCTION

Is this important? You better believe it is! Your marker will judge your whole essay based on your intro and first body paragraph Three parts to the introduction

INTRODUCTION

Thesis Your answer to the question.

This

should not just be a restatement of the question. Give an insightful answer unless youre not insightful. Try to include your themes here.

Introduce your texts

Ensure

this includes authors name and text

name Shorten long text names, but do not using acronyms Underline text names except for poems quotation marks are acceptable for poems
This is clear in Damion McLindons Jack and Lily (Herein Jack) and Peter Skrzyneckis Poems Immigrant Hostel (herein Hostel) and Feliks Skryznecki (herein Feliks). The word herein isnt necessary, it just sounds cool
E.g.

INTRODUCTION

Signpost your main arguments

Direct

the reader to what you will be arguing Explain your main themes/ideas that will be used as topic sentences

AN EXAMPLE

Explain how representations of peoples experiences in the texts you have studied have given you insight into the concept of belonging.
An individuals interactions in the world will allow their sense of belonging to develop through the identity they create and experiences they share with others. This is clear in and Peter Skrzyneckis Poems Immigrant Hostel (herein Hostel) and Feliks Skryznecki (herein Feliks) and Damion McLindons Tropfest short film Jack and Lily (Herein Jack) . These texts illuminate the way those with congruent identities will inherently find a sense of belonging together. They further emphasise that peoples experiences, when shared with others, will create a sense of connectedness.

TOPIC SENTENCES

Topic Sentences
Your

topic sentences at the start of a paragraph need to identify the theme youre talking about A theme is an idea in the text Topic sentences do no need to include author or title of the text

You will have four topic sentences.

BELONGING TOPIC SENTENCES

When coming up with arguments/topic sentences, think about the syllabus Belonging to

People Places Groups/Communities The larger world Identity Shared experience Understanding/acceptance Relationships

Notions of

You are not limited to these themes, but they are easy ideas to use.

STRUCTURING YOUR ESSAY

Essay structure isnt important said no one ever! A good structure allows you to answer the question For effective structure, pick TWO points/arguments. You can use three, but two is better. The use of 2 points for 4 body paragraphs allows us to compare texts.

STRUCTURE
Ideally, our essay should have 6 paragraphs in total. Introduction Point One
Text

One (First poem) Text Two (Related text)

Point Two
Text

One (Second poem) Text Two (Related text)

Conclusion

EXAMPLE OF STRUCTURE

Introduction Individuals experiences ultimately expose them to others with similar identities. These parallels in identity act as an insight into why they are able to effectively find a sense of belonging. [Analysis of poem 1] A similar importance of experiencing analogous identities is seen in Jack and Lily. [Analysis of related text] Often several people will have been through the same experience. This shared experience engenders an understanding that allows a connection to be formed. [Analysis of poem 2] A similar shared experience is present in Jack and Lily. [Analysis of related text] Conclusion

BODY PARAGRAPHS

Lets go back to the basics of TEE You should repeat TEE 3-4 times each paragraph
Technique: Metaphors, symbols, repetitions. A description of WHAT the composer is doing. Evidence: You need a quote where this technique is shown. The only exception is for visual techniques. Explanation: This is where most students are too brief. Your explanation needs to be detailed and clear. Try to include

What that technique shows us What we understand about the topic sentence/thesis

Hence if explanation is only half a sentence, it is most likely too brief.

Dont expect your marker to infer what you are saying. You have to clearly explain everything, or they will not take it the way you want them to!

THE SYNTHESIS

The synthesis is used at the end of a paragraph to link back to the topic sentence and thesis It is essential to answering the question Using the above structure, it is best to do a synthesis at the end of each POINT, not PARAGRAPH. A basic example: In comparing Migrant Hostel and Jack and Lily, we can clearly see the effect of ones experiences in developing identity. Characters in both texts develop identities similar to those around them. These comparable identities link individuals together through what they share and the result is a sense of belonging. Thus both texts allow a responder to understand the importance of identity to belonging.

LANGUAGE

Language in an essay needs to be FORMAL and FLUID. FORMAL

No contractions (cant, wont, doesnt etc) No colloquialism (kids, stuff, pretty wicked sick technique Shakespeare!) No quotations (Sykznecki was not cool at school) idk why but students do this No starting sentences with and or but or because Always use full

FLUID
Be

afraid of commas! More than one comma and your sentence will be too long and unclear. Generally keep sentences under 30 words. Try to vary sentence length a bit. Avoid superfluous/unnecessary words and saying the same thing twice (e.g. the composer uses this to show the frustrating and difficult conditions just say frustrating!)

LENGTH

Aim for 900-1000 words. Less than this will be too brief.

THE QUESTION

THE QUESTION IS KING Everything above means nothing if you do not answer the question Your thesis, topic sentences, and synthesises are where you can best answer the question. UNDERLINE KEY WORDS

PRACTICE IS KEY

Send essays to your teacher AND your tutor Have them marked and rewrite them and you receive feedback