Romeo and Juliet

its the same with every academic excersise you need to focus on the question rather than just regurgitating knowledge. I good way is simply read the question through again and again and make yourself fully conversant with the nuts and bolts of it, blessed be

When answering the question, if you are mentioning plot, it will help to restrict yourself to discussing the important features in key scenes - rather than telling the whole story. For example, focus on the key scenes eg our first impression of Romeo, R+J's 1st meeting, the balcony soliloquy, R killing Tybalt and the final tomb scene. For the plot of Sunset Song, write about how the stages in Chris' life are emphasised by the structure of the book - remember to mention the 3 Chrisses!!!!

Here are some general pointers about writing a Critical Essay:

As with any critical essay you're aiming at a basic 3-part structure:

* an introduction (Show that you have understood the key terms in the question; state which character(s)/ scene(s)/ theme(s)/ incidents/ etc you are going to discuss – depending on what the question has asked; show briefly how the character(s)/theme(s)/incidents/scene(s) is/are related to the question.)
* a middle section - this is where you should answer the question and provide evidence from the text, and
* a conclusion where you show how the evidence you've provided has answered the question - and where you say something evaluative about the text as a whole.

As mentioned, your opening paragraph should do three things:

1. Show that you have understood the key terms in the question
2. State which character(s)/scene(s)/theme(s)/incidents/etc you are going to discuss – depending on what the question has asked you. (If, for example, the question asks about a powerful character, identify the character you are going to concentrate on; or if the question is about a theme of contemporary interest, identify the theme you are going to discuss…)
3. Show briefly how the character(s)/theme(s)/incident(s)/scene(s) is/are related to the question. (For example, that you are going to show that the powerful character does have a real influence on the outcome of the play - if that was what the question asked…)

Writing strong critical essays - a few general points.

* know your quotes.
Make sure you are armed with a range of accurately remembered quotations and/or points of evidence (eg plot events/comments on narrative point of view). Correctly remembered quotes will help you remember the important themes more easily!

* know your stuff.
What are the themes and important messages of the texts you are looking at?
What techniques used by the writer are easiest and most profitable to comment on?!

* know your question.
Be very careful to pick out the key terms from the question and mention them (sometimes rephrased) throughout your essay.!

* know your structure.
Go for a three part introduction; followed by the body of the essay which contains the answer to the question; and a conclusion
Introduction (key terms of question; identification of selected character/incident/theme/structure; the brief statement of the relationship between what you have identified and the question.
Middle - this is where you would answer the question (and in the process show your ability to understand and appreciate the effectiveness of the text)
Conclusion where you show how the evidence you've provided has answered the question - and where you say something evaluative about the text as a whole.

* know what your best essay is - and do it first!

* know the time - keep an eye on the clock, allowing time to write a very quick plan for each essay!