How do I write an A*/ A grade essay?

Answering any examination style question may appear to be a daunting task, however if you take time to carefully plan an essay before beginning to write, you will immediately notice that you are producing more organised and coherent ideas within your argumentation. Therefore, before writing I would recommend spending at least five minutes jotting down how you plan on answering the question, the main points you wish to cover within your argument and the quotations from the text you will be using as supporting evidence. This will ensure that your body of work will be clear and structured. It is also important to take time to ensure that you understand what the question is asking you to consider in order to guarantee that your answer correctly addresses the task at hand in a concise and relevant manner. The best essays articulate informed, creative and personal responses to a text, this can be achieved through the simple "PQE" structure where each argument consists of a 'point', 'quote' and an 'explanation' in relation to the question. You should aim to write a short and clear introduction which outlines your argument and the points you will be making within the essay. Within the main body of the essay, each paragraph should be clearly signposted with your argument or 'point' in order to explicitly highlight to examiners what you are discussing in relation to the theme of the question. Each argument / 'point' you propose must be supported by evidence / 'quotes' from the text. It is important to identify and closely analyse the language within your chosen quotes, as this demonstrates your knowledge of literary techniques and adds depth to your discussion. Any points made regarding the impact of these techniques must be related back to the question in order to present a focused and thoughtful piece of work. Finally, you must 'explain' how your presented opinions address the question to produce a strong case to an examiner. Don't be afraid to be original! As long as you provide evidence to support your theories, there can be no wrong answer. It can often help to consider and work alternative interpretations of a piece into your writing even if they do challenge your own opinions, as this adds depth and colour to your reasoning. In your conclusion, be sure to sum up the views you have just presented, adding any relevant last thoughts to finish your essay.