Introduction
There is a lot of pressure to perform well in ATAR English tests. If you want to get the highest possible grade, then you will need to follow these steps carefully:
Steps to complete any English essay
If you’re not sure how to structure your essay, read the steps below. If you follow these steps, your exam will be much easier to manage:
- Choose a topic/question and feature novel/film that interests you
- Brainstorm ideas and make a list of points
- Structurally plan out your essay using the 5 paragraph method.
- Provide sufficient examples and evidence to support your argument/s in your body paragraphs. This makes it easier for the marker to follow your thought process. Do not be repetitive in your examples.
Planned Paragraphs for Perfection
It’s important that your paragraphs are logically connected. You should make sure that each of your ideas has evidence to support it, and that the evidence you use is relevant to each idea. The best way to do this is by having a plan for how you want to write your paragraphs.
It helps if you start with the most essential idea first – in this case, “Mice and Men present the author’s interpretation of the hollowness of following the Great American Dream. ” Make sure everything else follows from this idea!
You should also make sure that your paragraphs are logically connected. You should make sure that each of your ideas has evidence to support it, and that the evidence you use is relevant to each idea. The best way to do this is by having a plan for how you want to write your paragraphs. You can use a diagram like this one:
Create a winning thesis statement
A thesis statement is a one-sentence summary of your essay. You should be able to express your position on the topic in a single sentence, and this sentence should work as a complete thought. It needs to be specific and concise, but it also needs to relate directly to the question given in the exam prompt. A great way to do this is by using “because” or “for example”.
“The novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is an allegorical tale of friendship.”
Because you can use this type of language when constructing your thesis statement, I would say that it’s essential for students not only to have an opinion about their chosen text but also to know how they’re going to explain why they hold that opinion.
Use your introduction to hook the reader in and give them a taste of what they can expect from your essay.
English Teachers expect students to use their introduction to hook the reader in and give them a taste of what they can expect from your essay. The best introductions accomplish this by being specific about the question and what you will write about, using one or more quotes or an anecdote from personal experience that relates directly to the question, summarising your argument, and using a catchy opening sentence that grabs the attention of your reader. Be creative but not crazy!
Each body paragraph should have a topic sentence that tells the reader in brief what ideas are explored in this part of the essay.
A good topic sentence has three main characteristics:
- It should be a clear statement of the main idea of the paragraph.
- It should link to the question.
- Be written in the first person and should not be repeated.
Writing captivating conclusions
In your conclusion, summarise what you have said about your topic so far. Restate or extend an idea introduced earlier in the essay—this helps ensure everything makes sense when read out loud by someone else. You can also provide your final thoughts or comments here. This is where people get lazy because they think their work is done! However, remember that this section serves as both an opportunity to summarise what I have covered and provide new insight into its meaning – don’t waste it!
Proofread and edit the rubric
Check for repetition – try not to use words like “I” or “am” too much in an essay, as we consider these very basic words that aren’t usually required when writing an English exam paper! Instead of repeating yourself repeatedly, try using synonyms, such as “preventative measures” instead of just saying “preventative measures” throughout your sentence/paragraph/essay!
Conclusion
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of taking an ATAR English exam, don’t worry. We got you!
There are many strategies that can help you master the material and prepare yourself for success on test day. However, it all comes down to how much time you invest in preparation beforehand. If you want to score well, then there’s no substitute for time spent studying and practising these skills over time. So get cracking on those practice questions!