What makes a strong exam essay? Tips for structuring essays in exams.

It can be daunting to consider how to structure your exam essay when you are sat in timed conditions, and most likely are feeling very nervous. However, it doesn't have to be as daunting as it seems. The key to having a good structured essay is by giving yourself some time to think through an argument for this question. The rest of the essay and the points will flow from this. I have previously found that when revising for exam essays, that creating different lines of arguments for different themes and characters in the play, novel or poem is very beneficial. By practising this, you will get more used to thinking up different lines of arguments, and more importantly of how to manipulate different arguments to different aspects or themes of the play. You don't have to use a previously thought up argument in your exam, but it is useful to have ideas already in your head that you can use, or that might spark a new argument in the exam. 

From here, it is good to pick 3-4 of your strongest points. It is easy to think of lots of really good examples that correlate to the same point, and write about each. However, this does not necessarily work in your favour, as it detracts time from another fresh and new point, and may come across to the examiner as repetition. It is best to try and group similar quotes or ideas when you are revising, so that in the moments you are chosing your points, you are already aware of which ones are similar and you can choose ones that strengthen your argument. Similar to practising picking a line of argument, from the themes and characters you can think about and practise which points are the strongest. Take your time to do this and practise this, as it can be invaluable in the timed conditions. You will have already different ideas, points and quotes prepared that you can again manipulate depending on your point and your line of argument. From here you can flesh out your point by linking it to the question at the start of each point, and mould your quotation, and explanations to the line of argument. It is good to link back to the title question, and your line of argument often to demonstrate that you are answering the quesiton and that you are contemplating how your points are linked and how they support your ideas and argument.