To make sure you reach the top level in essays, it is important to include a range of phrases and tenses, as well as use a clear and appropriate structure. It is useful to create a checklist of go-to phrases that you can use in any essay. It is also important to express your opinion, for example the phrase 'je ne pense pas que...' is very useful as it also triggers the subjunctive which will help to reach top marks. In terms of structure, make sure that with each new paragraph you are presenting a new point, and then go on to evidence the point and explain what this means in terms of the set question.