From S1 to S5, pupils will write dozens (and dozens) of Critical Essays for us in English. But what skills are we looking for? How can you improve? Here are our Ten Tips for Critical Essays - click #10Tips4CriticalEssays to collect them all!

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1. Keep your introductions and summaries brief and to the point. Only mention the key information that you will use again later in your essay. Make it clear, both to the marker and to yourself, what your essay question is. This is your essay’s handshake. #10Tips4CriticalEssays

2. We recommend using a TEAR paragraph structure. This means each key point is discussed using a Topic Sentence, Evidence, Analysis and a Reference to the task. You can colour code these to check your structure. Each key paragraph should be consistent. #10Tips4CriticalEssays

3. Choose quotations from the text which have high value and good analytical range. Do they help to explore theme? Develop a character’s personality? Is the language strong? Is this a key point in the plot? Do you have lots to say about this part? #10Tips4CriticalEssays

4. Try to discuss the whole book, play or poem - choose quotations which cover the beginning, middle and end. If all of your evidence all comes from the same section, you’re not really showing a full understanding. How are moments in the story linked? #10Tips4CriticalEssays

5. Analysis is the key! Explain: What is being said? How is written? Why is this important? Think ‘WIST’ to help analyse language (word choice, imagery, sentence structure, tone). Zoom in, zoom out, expand on everything you write. #10Tips4CriticalEssays

6. If you find you don’t have much to say about a particular quotation, ask why you’ve chosen it. Is this a rich textual selection? Maybe you want to look at the text again and replace it with a more useful one. Something you can analyse in real depth. #10Tips4CriticalEssays

7. Evaluate your quotations by explaining how successful the writing is. How do we respond / react? Remember, books, poems and plays are forms of art - they are supposed to connect with the reader and the audience and make us FEEL. #10Tips4CriticalEssays

8. NEVER write “this makes the reader want to read on”. I beg you. #10Tips4CriticalEssays

9. Use you conclusion to offer some original insight into the text. What can we learn? What are the writer’s messages? Why is this text relevant or topical? Try to show your engagement here. It’s the last chance to make a good impression on the marker. #10Tips4CriticalEssays

10. Proofread! Very few pupils can write perfect essays on a first go. Re-read. Check for consistent detail of analysis. Correct potential spelling and punctuation errors. The work you hand in represents you - make sure it is your best. Impress us. #10Tips4CriticalEssays

And that’s that! We hope you find this thread useful. If you have any questions about Critical Essays, fire away. Happy to help.

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