How can I write a good essay in exam conditions?

First off- practice as much as possible! The more practice tests you do in exam conditions, the more you'll get used to writing under extreme time pressure.

Make sure you set aside a bit of time (5-10 minutes) in your exam to plan your essay - there's nothing worse than reading an essay full of good ideas, but is poorly organised. Make sure that you know how you're going to structure your essay BEFORE you start writing.

Only include points that you can fully explain. Try to avoid feature spotting and make sure you use your Point, Evidence, Explain!

Don't worry too much about quotes! You can paraphrase a quote if you can't remember it exactly. And remember not to include really long quotes, just a few words long at the most- make sure you don't just drop in quotes without explaining them. P.E.E is important here too.

ED
Answered by Emily D. English Literature tutor

5412 Views

See similar English Literature GCSE tutors

Related English Literature GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Write me a descriptive piece of writing.


Is the breakdown of individual identity presented as an inevitable outcome in Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World and Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale?


How do I write an effective introduction?


How should you approach unseen poetry?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning