Exam Essay Checklist

Throughout this check sheet the phrase ‘the issue’ refers to the ideas that the question wants you to write about.

	J	K	L
Introduction · does it avoid starting with phrases like ‘In this essay I will be writing about …’? · does it instead jump straight in to a direct statement about the issue in the texts being discussed? · does it perhaps use a quotation that sums up the issue / answers the question? · does it clearly mention the names of the text(s) and writer(s) being discussed? · does it mention the text and writer names almost as an ‘aside’ while talking about the issue? · does it grab your attention or sound like it’s going to make an interesting point? · does it avoid repeating the question without answering it? · does it avoid vague phrases – e.g. phrases like ‘various literary features’ or ‘numerous feelings’
Main Body - Structure · does it have topic sentences at the start of each paragraph to make clear what the Point is? · does it use linking phrases (simple connectives and longer sentences) to join ideas together? · does it save its two strongest points for use at the start and end of the essay? · does the order of points flow logically / make sense? · does each paragraph clearly relate to the question? · does it avoid repetition – are all related points grouped clearly together? · does it avoid repetitive phrases like: ‘which again demonstrates …’
Main Body - Quality of Ideas · how well has the writer grasped the ideas/ themes/ moods/ attitudes / issues in the poems? · does it remain focussed on the issue? · does it identify clear points or comparisons (contrasts, similarities, progressions) if necessary? · does it identify interesting, insightful, clever or original points or comparisons? · does it develop ideas in depth – are the paragraphs relatively long and detailed? · does it persuade you? · does it sound like the writer believes what they are saying and aren’t just repeating other ideas?
Main Body – Use of Evidence · does it use quotations from the text to support every point? · does it use more than one piece of evidence to support most points? · does it use short quotations which pick out the key words / sounds / literary feature? · does it smoothly embed quotations into the sentences most of the time?
Main Body - Appreciation of Literary Features · does it examine connotations of words in detail and the effect they have on the reader? · does it examine a wide range of literary features such as sounds, images, personification, etc...? · does it examine at least some of the hard features such as structure, rhyme or rhythm? · does it make references to any absences, such as absence of rhyme, rhythm, dialogue, people? · does it examine the use of tone / humour / satire? · does it examine the symbolism / significance of the historical, geographical or cultural setting?
Main Body - Additional Features for Novels & Plays · does it examine methods of characterisation, e.g. direct speech, description, actions, thoughts? · does it examine narrative style: description, direct speech, narrator intervention, foreshadowing? · does it examine narrative technique e.g. first / third person, differing points of view, speech, etc?
Main Body - Language · does it frequently refer to the author / poet / playwright by surname? · does it use the words ‘emphasises’ and ‘reinforces’ at least once? · does it use technical vocabulary – such as symbolism, alliteration, paralinguistic, etc? · does it put a comma after every connective – i.e. ‘However,’ · does it use the word quotation instead of quote?
Conclusion · does it clearly relate back to / answer the question without repeating it? · does it sum up the flavour of the essay rather than just recap the points already made earlier? · does it end with a most effective / most powerful point? · does it end with a snappy quotation / question / statement that leaves the reader thinking?