How should I structure my exam essay?

Structure is actually the most important part of your English essay; if your thoughts are not presented clearly, then the examiner will not follow your argument. Here are some guidelines to make sure that you stay on the right track!

Firstly, READ THE QUESTION CAREFULLY, and then write out a quick plan. All this needs to say is:

Intro: (Your argument/ topic of discussion in one line.)

Point 1: (Theme of paragraph and notes of anything you really want to remember for it.)

Point 2:

Point 3:

Conclusion: (What you plan to conclude.)

When you start writing, your introduction should be concise and to the point: possibly a quick bit of context regarding the texts and then one line outlining the trajectory of your essay. For instance: 'I shall be exploring how marriage is presented as a social contruct that subjugates women in Pride and Prejudice'. THIS IS YOUR THESIS! Everything you write should tie back to this- forget that interesting fact about a horse that you learnt yesterday, it will not help with your argument!

For your main points, follow the tried and tested principle, PEE: Point - Evidence (quote) - Explain. For example: 'In Pride and Prejudice, when women marry, they become possessions of their husbands (P). This is illustrated from the very first line: "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." (E). This positions the man as the subject, whilst the woman is merely an object, who becomes 'a wife' when she is married and as such, loses her individuality and identity' (E). Make sure to properly analyse the quotes, and tie the end of each paragraph back to the thesis.

Keep the conclusion short, and do not introduce any new material. Summarise your main points in support of your position, and voila! A well structured English essay!