Kids Corner: How to write the perfect English essay answer

To perfect your answers in English literature exams and coursework, use this easy method to structure each paragraph of your writing.

• 1.       Make a statement.

• 2.       Quote a part of the text that demonstrates your statement.

• 3.       Describe how your quote demonstrates that statement.

• 4.       Say what you think this means / what affect this has on the reader.

• 5.       Make sure you offer different interpretations, or use “could” or “may” to show this is only one interpretation of many possible interpretations.

Here is a made-up example for you to see the structure in use:

Humblebink Jumblethor often describes Mrs Flappbuckket’s bodily movements in a threatening manner in chapter three. “Mrs Flappbuckket clicked and creeped across the landing, grasping eagerly at the bannister as she started slowly but surely toward Jessica”. Jumblethor describes Mrs Flappbuckket’s movements using the words “creeped” and “clicked”, saying she moved “slowly but surely”. This gives the reader the impression that Mrs Flappbuckket is somehow unnatural, threatening, and inevitable in her movements toward Jessica. The reader is likely to perceive that Mrs Flappbuckket is potentially enjoying threatening Jessica, as she is also described as “grasping eagerly” as she moves toward her. This could show that her grasping of the banister is not only for balance, but also demonstrating her excitement as she closes in on Jessica

This is only a nonsense example to show you how you can go through each part of text analysis. Keep your options open as you analyse literature as many interpretations are possible, and are equally valid.

Good luck with your coursework! I hope your teacher isn’t called Humblebink Jumblethor.