What makes a good English Literature essay?

Essay writing is never easy to get right, so here are several points (in my mind indispensible) to help you sail over those grade boundaries!

1) READ THE QUESTION CAREFULLY

It is very, very important that you understand completely what the question is asking you to argue around, so look for the all important 'key' words that will help you deconstruct the story and generate an argument. To take as an example, imagine you were given the question: 'The story of Little Red Riding Hood portrays isolation as a danger. Discuss.' The key words here are 'isolation', 'danger' and 'discuss'. Now, 'Discuss' implies that the statement has two sides that can be debated, so look for things that confirm and contradict the statement. As to 'isolation' and 'danger' try and think how these words may link in different ways: what makes isolation a danger? What makes isolation not a danger, but a safety? This can then help you get stuck into creating an argument.

2) A GOOD INTRODUCTION AND A CLEAR ESSAY STRUCTURE

As in life, as in essays: first impressions always count. Your introduction is your shop window for your argument, so make it look good for the examiner! In this case, brevity is the soul of success: clear, concise sentences covering a general idea, one for each paragraph of your argument. To return to Red, your introduction could be: '1) The story could be considered an appeal against travelling or living alone, as harm befalls two characters who are isolated and unable to get help. 2) However, the fact that these two characters are saved by another lone character, the Huntsman, suggests there can be a beneficial quality to isolation. 3) However the story's minimalist plot and two-dimensional characters suggests that isolation is not a main moral point in the story, but merely a signature of the fairy-tale genre.'

Using these three sentences you can form three paragraphs as the body of your argument. It is ESSENTIAL that you begin each one with a short sentence outlining the idea of the paragraph (a 'topic sentence' - it can be similar to your introduction sentences). A good conclusion directly answers the question set using what you have worked out within the essay.

3) CLARITY OF THOUGHT

One of the best ways to clearly put across your argument is to trim away the verbal weeds: Do Not Waffle. Get directly to your point and how it relates to your argument. As long as you have put across your argument entirely, thats all that matters - the length takes second place (remember, you're trying to write an analysis of the novel, not a sequal to it). 

Within each paragraph, remember - PQE. Point. Quotation. Explanation. Write down your idea, support it directly from the text, and then explain how the quote equals your point, and then how it can be linked to the bigger argument. Example: '[Point] Red Riding Hood's nievety suggests two-dimensionality rather than childish innocence. [Quotation] 'Grandma, what big teeth you have!' [Explanation] This statement suggests that the girl knows humans do not have big sharp teeth and thus finds it unusual enough to comment on, but still comes to the conclusion that this is her human grandmother. Such a contradiction in thought could not come from a girl who has been raised all her life to beware of wolves, meaning that the story contains certain characters who lack naturalism or depth.' 

Also, try not to generalise! So from the example above we have only proved that ONE character is two-dimensional, rather than all of them. Examiners love candidates who are able to make highly specific points and don't come to 'broad-brush' conclusions.

4) THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX 

You can always get higher marks by making original comments - it shows you have a deep understanding of the text, and examiners dote on that. Irony is an especially good thing to include in an answer, as is meta-textuality!

5) THE SMALL DETAILS AND THE BIG PICTURE

Don't be afraid to get really detailed with your analysis of quotes in order to prove your point. I once had a teacher who copied my essay from homework and sent it all round the class simply because I had started showing how the increase of stressed syllables in Shakespeare's 'Winter's Tale' is evidence of Leontes's mind being overthrown by chaos. Think of onomatapoeia, alliteration, assonance, all the things that you learnt about at GCSE! But don't forget that all this detail should be related back to the big thing: your argument. Keep relating back to it and never lose sight of it.

6) PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Try to write as many essays as you can under times conditions. This will definitely hone your essay skills, give you the ability to think quickly about a question and write well, saving precious time. Believe me, it can add a substantial number of marks to your final result if you are well practiced! 

I hope this helps, good luck, and keep writing!!