Tips on writing essays in the IB and IGCSE
TLDRThis video script offers a concise guide to essay writing, particularly for English literature. It emphasizes the importance of a brief introduction, a clear thesis statement, and structured body paragraphs using the P-E-E (Point-Evidence-Explain) method. It advises against using 'I' statements and suggests incorporating literary devices to support claims. The script also stresses the significance of a strong conclusion that ties back to the thesis, and the value of integrating research to enrich the essay. The advice is aimed at creating a coherent, professional, and analytically sound essay.
Takeaways
- 📝 Start with a concise introduction that includes the title, author, and a brief summary of the text without revealing the entire story.
- 🎯 Create a clear thesis statement that answers the essay question or presents your main argument, and consistently refer back to it throughout the essay.
- 🔗 Maintain a professional tone by avoiding first-person pronouns and focusing on the text's analysis rather than personal opinions.
- 📚 Use the P-E-E structure (Point, Evidence, Explanation) in body paragraphs to develop your argument, with each paragraph focusing on a single idea.
- 📘 Incorporate literary devices to support your claims, such as metaphors, allusions, or symbolism, to add depth to your analysis.
- 📌 Ensure each body paragraph is concise and focused, avoiding the inclusion of multiple literary devices or themes in a single paragraph.
- 🔍 Choose relevant evidence from the text and explain how it supports your argument, creating a clear connection between the text and your thesis.
- 🔚 The conclusion should not just summarize but revisit and synthesize the main points, providing a closing to the thesis statement.
- 💡 Plan your essay structure before writing, mapping out the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion to ensure a coherent flow of ideas.
- 🔑 Use research to enrich your essay, adding depth by referencing other works or theories that relate to your thesis statement.
- 📈 When stuck, use the 'so what' tactic to reflect on the significance of your points and ensure they contribute to the overall argument.
Q & A
What is the main purpose of an essay introduction in English literature?
-The main purpose of an essay introduction is to provide a brief overview of the text, mentioning the title, the author, and a concise summary of the text's general theme or storyline without going into too much detail.
What is a thesis statement and why is it important in an essay?
-A thesis statement is a one-sentence summary of the main argument or focus of the essay. It is important because it serves as the 'soul' of the essay, guiding the reader and reminding the writer to stay on topic throughout the essay.
How should the body paragraphs of an essay be structured?
-The body paragraphs should each focus on one main idea that supports the thesis statement. They should include a point (interpretation), evidence (a quote from the text), and an explanation of how the quote supports the claim made in relation to the thesis.
What is the significance of using literary devices in an essay?
-Literary devices are significant in an essay because they help to prove claims and add depth to the analysis. They can provide a more nuanced understanding of the text, such as using color symbolism to discuss human emotions or struggles.
Why is it advised to avoid using 'I' or 'my' in an academic essay?
-Using 'I' or 'my' is advised against because it moves the perspective to a personal one, which is less professional and objective. Academic essays should maintain a professional, outsider perspective to enhance credibility.
What does the acronym P-E-E stand for and how is it used in essay writing?
-P-E-E stands for Point, Evidence, and Explanation. It is a method used in essay writing to structure body paragraphs effectively, ensuring each paragraph presents an interpretation (point), supports it with a quote from the text (evidence), and explains how the evidence supports the claim (explanation).
How should the conclusion of an essay differ from a summary of the body paragraphs?
-The conclusion should not simply summarize the body paragraphs but rather return to the thesis statement and provide closure by synthesizing the main points into a concluding statement. It should be a strong and brief reiteration of the essay's argument, showing how the thesis has been proven or disproven.
What is the 'so what' tactic and how can it be used in essay writing?
-The 'so what' tactic involves asking oneself 'so what' when faced with writer's block or when unsure if the conclusion is strong enough. By repeatedly answering this question, the writer can identify the significance of their points and ensure the conclusion effectively communicates the importance of the essay's argument.
Why is it beneficial to include research in an essay, and how should it be integrated?
-Including research in an essay is beneficial because it expands the writer's knowledge on the subject and adds credibility to the argument. It should be integrated by relating the research to the thesis statement and using it to support an idea in one of the body paragraphs, ensuring proper referencing.
What is the recommended approach to planning an essay before writing?
-The recommended approach is to plan the essay by outlining the introduction, each body paragraph with its main idea, evidence, and literary device, and the conclusion. This ensures a clear structure and helps the writer to know exactly what to say in each part of the essay.
Outlines
📝 Basic Essay Writing Structure
This paragraph introduces the fundamentals of essay writing, particularly for English literature. It emphasizes the importance of a concise introduction that includes the title, author, and a brief summary of the text. The paragraph also highlights the significance of a thesis statement, which is the core argument or focus of the essay. The speaker advises against using personal pronouns and maintaining a professional tone throughout the essay. The body paragraphs should follow a P-E-E (Point-Evidence-Explanation) structure, where each paragraph focuses on a single idea supported by a quote from the text and an explanation of how it supports the thesis. Literary devices are encouraged to strengthen claims.
🔍 Enhancing Essays with Research and Analysis
The second paragraph discusses strategies to improve essay quality, such as incorporating research to expand on the thesis statement. It suggests including a poll in the introduction and referencing other works in the body paragraphs to enrich the essay's content. The paragraph also stresses the importance of a strong conclusion that revisits the thesis statement and synthesizes the main points. The 'so what' tactic is introduced as a method to overcome writer's block and ensure the conclusion is impactful. The speaker reminds the audience to avoid common pitfalls in conclusions and to always tie back to the thesis statement.
📚 Incorporating Research for Depth and Credibility
In this paragraph, the speaker encourages including research in essays to demonstrate a deeper understanding of the subject matter. They suggest starting with a poll related to the essay's topic and integrating findings from other philosophers or researchers in the body paragraphs. Proper referencing is emphasized to avoid plagiarism and to lend credibility to the essay. The paragraph concludes with a reminder to keep the essay structured and to use clear language, rather than overly complex vocabulary, to effectively convey analysis and support the thesis.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Essay Writing
💡Introduction
💡Thesis Statement
💡Body Paragraphs
💡Literary Devices
💡Point, Evidence, Explain (PEE)
💡Conclusion
💡Research
💡Synthesis
💡Professional Perspective
💡Quality over Quantity
Highlights
Basic essay writing skills for English literature
Useful for writing commentary or analysis essays
Structure your essays with a brief introduction mentioning the title, author, and general summary of the text
Include a thesis statement that is the main argument or focus of the essay
The thesis statement should be one concise sentence
Always refer back to the thesis statement throughout the essay
Write from a professional, outsider perspective, avoiding personal pronouns like 'I'
Use the P-E-E method in body paragraphs: Point (interpretation), Evidence (quote from text), Explain (how it supports the claim)
Incorporate literary devices like metaphors to strengthen claims
Focus on one idea per paragraph, avoiding mixing multiple literary devices
Keep paragraphs concise, prioritizing quality over quantity
In the conclusion, return to the introduction and thesis statement, avoiding mere summarization
The conclusion should be strong, brief, and synthesize the main points
Plan the essay structure before writing, knowing what to include in each paragraph
Use the 'so what' tactic to overcome writer's block and ensure the conclusion adds value
A strong conclusion is essential, summarizing and concluding the ideas presented
For assignments without time limits, include relevant research to enrich the essay
Remember the importance of a clear structure, precise ideas, and evidence-based analysis
Transcripts
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