THE TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT OF THE LITERATURE ESSAY
[Prepared by Mrs. J. Singh – SES: English Home Language, Pinetown District]
1.
THE ESSAY QUESTION

At Home Language level the essay question has two components:
-
a comment or quotation that deals with issues present in the
prescribed text
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an instruction which connects the comment/quotation to the text
Some essay questions also include ‘scaffolding’ which aims to assist the
learner by providing points that the learner could use in the discussion of the
essay
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2.
The essay question focuses on the main characters or important issues.
HOW TO TEACH THE WRITING OF A LITERATURE ESSAY
2.1.
Revise structure of the Literary Essay (taught in Grade 10):

Introduction:
o Critical comment on the issues raised in the essay
question
o Bring in characters involved in these issues
o No issue is to be discussed in the introduction

Body:
o Topic sentence in each paragraph introduces ONE
issue raised in the question
o Developing/supporting sentences develop the
discussion/argument after each topic sentence
o Sometimes more than one paragraph may be required
to discuss one issue

Conclusion:
o Round off the essay by referring to issues raised in the
question and mentioned in the introduction.
o Nothing new is discussed in the conclusion
2.2.
A step-by-step lesson for weak learners:

Planning:
o Ring the key words in the essay question.
o Number each key issue (this informs one about the
number of paragraphs there will be in the body of the
essay.
o Draw an arrow to the place above the first issue you
have ringed and jot down incidents or characters that
illustrate this issue.
o Do this for each issue you have ringed.

Introduction
o 1st sentence: A general/personal comment on the
message implied in the essay question.
o 2nd sentence: examine the first issue ringed – do you
agree or disagree with the idea suggested in the issue?
Write down your response to this idea/issue that you
have ringed. In this sentence you may mention the
character involved.
o 3rd, 4th, etc sentences: Note: the number of issues
determine the number of sentences in the introduction.
o There is to be no discussion of the text in the
introduction

Body:
o Topic sentence per paragraph: write the first sentence
in the first paragraph in the body of your essay.
Ensure that you incorporate the first issue on which
you commented in the introduction. [This forms the
beginning of your critical discussion and ensures
that you sustain your argument throughout the
essay]. Do not bring in another issue – this will be
done in the next paragraph.
o Developing/supporting sentences per paragraph: 1.
Support the comment you made in the topic sentence
by referring to incidents and/or characters from the
text.
2. Give you personal viewpoint somewhere in the
developing sentences [This makes your essay a
critical discussion]

Conclusion:
o Ist sentence: Begin your paragraph with words like
‘Thus one can see why/how ……
o 2nd 3rd etc sentences: Round off the essay by referring
to issues raised in the question and mentioned in the
introduction.
o Do not discuss a new issue in the conclusion
3.
HOW TO MARK THE ESSAY QUESTION
EVALUATING ESSAYS – GENERAL GUIDELINES
In assessing the essay, the following should be considered:
1.
Perceptive interpretation of the question and a systematic and a logical development
of the argument should be presented. The essay must be well-structured in terms of
the basic requirements of the literary essay – clear focus on the rubric, introduction,
lucid argument sequentially developed, coherence and a conclusion that unites the
argument into a whole.
2.
Reference to the text to substantiate an argument: references and quotations
must be used judiciously and must show relevance. References to the text in the
form of quotations and content must be for substantiation of a point and not
as a substitute for an argument.
3.
The essay must demonstrate an insightful study of the text. Mere paraphrasing
or narration will not be given much credit. A critical approach to the question is
advised.
The tone and register of the essay must be appropriate.
NOTE:
TREAT EACH ESSAY ON ITS OWN MERIT JUDGING ITS WORTH BY THE
WAY IN WHICH CANDIDATES USE THE TEXT TO SUPPORT THEIR
ARGUMENTS
Be careful to differentiate between a narrative essay and a plot-driven essay: a plot-driven
essay [that which employs the action of the novel, the cause and effect of the events to clarify
the argument] earns fairly good marks whereas a narrative essay [a mere retelling
of the story] is usually evaluated at below 40%.
Be on the lookout for planned essays which candidates may use to 'weave' into the question.
Exercise great care when awarding a mark of 80% and above. In this regard, be guided by
the following:
●
The A-candidate will present his/her ideas in a structured essay in which the
introduction and conclusion reveal the candidate’s understanding of the focus of the
question.
●
However, particular care must be taken when placing a candidate in the following
3 categories:
20 – 22 marks:
Candidates will discuss with great proficiency the viewpoint that they have
adopted. It will be convincing, focused, insightful, thought-provoking and
substantiated by references to the text.
22 ½ – 24 marks:
Arguments presented in discussing the above [mentioned under 24-26 marks]
will be brilliant, with minor aberrations in terms of presenting a sustained argument.
25 marks:
This will be an outstanding, flawless essay in which the arguments, logic,
structure and presentation cannot be faulted.
SOME ESSAY QUESTIONS ON OTHELLO:
1. Othello is not a faultless hero. We tragically observe his gradual decline to bestial
level as his vulnerable nature yields itself to corruption and evil. In him we recognize
some of our weaknesses. Do you agree with the above statement? Discuss this
statement with reference to the play .
2. Othello is caught between the appearance of Iago’s honesty and Desdemona’s
unfaithfulness on the one hand and the reality of Iago’s wickedness and Desdemona’s
innocence and love, on the other hand. Yet he fails to see the truth. Critically discuss
how the character and actions of Othello lead to the tragic events in the play.
3. In Othello Shakespeare explores the nature of love. By the end of the play we feel
either that a woman’s love is stronger than a man’s love or that Othello and
Desdemona are a mismatched pair. Does either of these views, in your opinion,
provide a reasonable explanation of the tragic events of the play? Discuss.
4. Othello and Iago are more alike than most people imagine. If it were not so, Iago
would not be able to manipulate Othello into becoming a bloodthirsty killer, obsessed
with revenge.
5. take a noble man. Put him in a situation where, despite his nobility, he fails to make
the right decision or choice. See his gradual decay and downfall. Feel horror at the
sight of his collapse. This is the tragedy of Othello. Taking the above view into
consideration, critically discuss the character and actions of Othello. In your answer
you may consider some or all of the following aspects:
 Othello at the start of the play
 Othello’s decline: jealousy and gullibility
 Othello’s unwise decisions under the influence of Iago
 Othello’s final decision: the tragedy completed.
6. Desdemona is an innocent. She is a wife and woman caught up in a world of
deception and lies. Critically discuss this view of Desdemona. In your answer you
may consider some or all of the following:
 Desdemona’s actions and reaction
 Iago’s manipulations
 Othello’s role
 Desdemona’s fate
4.
THE POETRY ESSAY
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In a critical essay one discusses the issues raised in the question by
examining contents of the poem and poetic devices present in the poem
A literary/critical essay is not a paraphrase (the meaning of each line) of
the poem.
In a literary essay one has to discuss how the issues raised in the question
are conveyed by the poetic or literary devices such as figures of speech,
imagery, diction (choice of words), tone and rhythm.
In a critical essay the discussion will include specific references to the
poem itself.
Consider the following suggested guide to writing essays on poetry:
Introductory paragraph:
A brief outline of the sense of the poem, from the
perspective of the issues raised in the question: generally in
one or two sentences.
Paragraphs in the body of the essay
- An analysis of the poem, from the perspective of the
issues raised in the question, focusing on the literary
devices used by the poet to convey her message.
- The division of the main body of your essay text into
paragraphs should be determined by the stanzas and
literary devices in the poem.
Concluding paragraph
- Concluding comments summarise your analysis. It is
important to emphasise in the conclusion how what
you have written has answered the literary essay
question.
TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT
OF THE LITERATURE ESSAY