Essay Structure for A Christmas Carol, Romeo & Juliet and
An Inspector Calls
Introduction:
Sentence 1: Take the key word from the question and define it or give your interpretation of
it, linking to the text.
_____ can be defined as…
Sentence 2: Come up with a big idea that the writer is presenting us with. Think: what is the
writer saying or showing about the key word from the question?
Author wants us to think about…
Main paragraphs x3:
Topic sentence: In the extract / beginning / middle / end of the novella / play the author
cleverly / intentionally / successfully present (key word) as ___________. The author
presents the character ________ as _________.
Evidence 1: For example…
Analysis: This implies… The word “______” suggests…
Evidence 2: This is further reinforced when…
Analysis: This implies… The author skilfully / purposefully uses the word “____” to portray…
Writer’s Attitude linked to context: Perhaps the author is condemning / criticising /
promoting / encouraging how in the Elizabethan / Victorian / Edwardian era…
Effect on reader: This makes the reader feel / understand / imagine / realise…
Conclusion:
Sentence 1: Evaluating what the writer was trying achieve.
The author successfully presents the idea that key word is…
Sentence 2: Explain what the writer could be warning against.
The author may be trying to warn us that…
Essay Structure for Power & Conflict
Introduction:
Sentence 1: Take the key word from the question and define it or give your interpretation of
it, linking to the text.
Example: It is crucial for those with power to consider the effects of their authority and
control on those at the bottom of the hierarchy.
Sentence 2: What question does the author want us to consider linked to the key word?
Make sure you name both poems here!
Example: In Ozymandias and My Last Duchess the reader is invited to consider the impact of
powerful, but corrupt individuals.
Main paragraphs x2:
Topic sentence: Come up with a point of comparison about the two poems linked to the key
word – what is similar or different about the ideas they present about it?
Both poems show that…
On the one hand, in Poem A we can see ______, whereas in Poem B, the poet presents the
idea that ______.
Evidence Poem A: We can see this in ______ when the poet describes “________”
Analysis Poem A: This implies… The word “______” suggests… It makes the reader…
Link: This is similar / contrasts with Poem B, in which…
Evidence Poem B: We can see this in ______ when the poet describes “________”
Analysis Poem B: This implies… The word “______” suggests… It makes the reader…
Conclusion:
Sentence 1: Evaluate (make a judgement) about what the writer was trying to achieve (their
purpose/intention). Is it convincing?
Example: Ultimately, both individuals are convincingly shown to be cruel megalomaniacs,
with devastating consequences for the innocent.
Sentence 2: Explain what the writers are warning against.
Example: Perhaps both poets are warning that abuse of power will be punished in the end,
as the Duke and Ozymandias are both left with nothing.
Essay Structure for Unseen Poetry
Part A – single poem:
Introduction:
Sentence 1: Explain your understanding of what the poem is about (most likely the
speaker’s feelings about something).
In Poem, the poet explores how the speaker feels ____, _____ and ____ about…
Sentence 2: Is there a ‘big idea’ that the poet wanted to get across that is relevant to all of
us?
Perhaps the poet is trying to convey the idea that…
Main paragraphs x3:
Topic sentence: What feeling is being shown in the poem?
The poet effectively presents the speaker as being…
Evidence & Method 1: The poet successfully conveys this through the use of…
Analysis: This cleverly implies… The poet’s choice of the word “____” effectively
demonstrates… The reader questions / understands / imagines / feels…
Evidence & Method 2: Furthermore, this is also conveyed through the deliberate use of…
Analysis: This successfully implies… The poet’s judicious choice of the word “____”
suggests… The reader questions / understands / imagines / feels…
Conclusion:
Sentence 1: Evaluate (make a judgement) about what the poet was trying to achieve (their
purpose/intention). Is it convincing?
Overall, the poet successfully shows…
Sentence 2: Explain what the writers are warning against.
Perhaps the poet is warning us that…
Part B – comparison of methods and effects:
Topic sentence to compare: Both speakers feel that… In Poem A, the speaker feels ____,
whereas in Poem B, the speaker _____.
Evidence & Method Poem A: In Poem A, the speaker uses _____
Effect Poem A: This creates a sense of… It could also suggest…
Evidence & Method Poem B: However, / Similarly, in Poem B, the speaker uses _____
Effect Poem A: This emphasises… It makes the reader…