How should I approach the critical essay? (Higher)

The key to this portion of the paper is to know your studied texts in depth. This is not to say that you should be able to recite 200 different lines from Anthony and Cleopatra. It is a case of understanding the key themes, imagery, and core concepts of the piece. This will allow you to approach any question without much trouble. Prepare essay plans in advance for typical question prompts and see which pieces of evidence overlap- these are the lines you should focus on understanding and memorising. Practice analysing these portions of the text as they will become the foundation of your essay. With as few as 5 good quotations you will be able to produce a strong argument. Remember, whilst being able to quote portions of the text is important as part of your evidence, it is your analysis of these ideas and being able to relate these back to the question that is critical. In the exam, write a short plan (this is where your preparation comes in handy). This will help you stay focussed when writing and enable you to produce a more effective essay. Keep your introduction and conclusion concise. These portions of the essay do not need to be extensive in order to gain good marks, and you can in fact miss out on marks by not being direct enough. Focus your time on the body of the text and always reiterate how your points link not only to the question, but also to your argument. Strategic knowledge of the content, preparedness, and effective time management will ensure success in this portion of the exam