Paper 1 Essay

General Notes

• It is possible to reword the guiding question into your thesis statement.
• Every single one of your points should be rooted in your guided question or in your identified thematic concerns.
• The tone of the text should be illustrated throughout your paragraphs in your analysis of language.
• Usage of quotes:
  • Use short, specific quotes.
  • Integrate them into your analysis
• Purposes
  • Persuade
  • Entertain
  • Inform
  • Instructing
  • Call to action
• One technique for constructing points is PEEL.
  1. Point
  2. Evidence
  3. Explanation
  4. Link
• Your answer should address all of the below (MAPSS)
  1. Meaning
  2. Audience
  3. Purpose
  4. Structure
  5. Style

Stages of an essay

1. Introduction
   • identify the text type
   • identify the temporal and spacial context
   • identify the author and purpose
   • Write three striking devices/conventions.
   • identify predominant techniques and provide thesis statement (statement of intent)
2. Second stage
   • Audience
   • Primary & Secondary Audience
   • Textual evidence
   • Identify audience and purpose
   • Provide examples and textual references
3. Third stage
   • Statement on the content of the text
   • Context of interpretation
   • How It was relevant contemporarily, and how it is relevant today
   • Identify thematic concerns
4. Fourth stage
   • Purpose
   • Context of composition
5. Fifth paragraph
   • Content and theme
   • How is the message/theme reaching the audience?
   • Differentiate theme from the content
6. Sixth paragraph
   • Structure of the text
   • Also consider punctuation, sentence structure
7. Seventh paragraph onwards
8. Additional paragraph
   • Comment on images present, if any
   • If the image plays a large role in anchoring the text, it should be analysed earlier in the essay.
9. Conclusion
   • Comment on the overall effectiveness of the text
   • Personal response - could include critiques