If essay structure is the answer..what's the question?

Want to get 7+ in your English Literature GCSE?

Why? Partly because the high marks are reserved for those students who present logical and considered arguments. A good structure is much more likely to highlight those considered arguments. Indeed, it's questionable whether the argument can be considered logical if the essay structure is not logical.

The second reason, and possibly the more salient in an exam situation, is that examiners are extremely short of time. They mark essays in a matter of minutes (don't blame them – they have tonnes of essays to get through, AND most examiners are also teachers juggling their normal workload). So, if the examiner has to wade through a poorly structured essay, they will miss seeing all the perceptive comments that the student is making. No guesses for what THAT means for the grade.

So, what essay structure works?

Well, that's what I'll explore in my latest module on my 'success with English GCSE course'. It's board agnostic – in other words, we're not looking at any particular text (we all study different texts), but the principle behind literature essays, what the examiner is looking for, and how to give it to them. There'll be guidance on how to revise smartly for the literature paper so that revision turns into high marks and not high cortisol levels.

For a sneak peek at the course, which covers all the skills you need to succeed in English GCSE check out the 'sneak peek' buttons.

A beautiful structure is a thing to behold. Examiners LOVE them.