BREAKING DOWN THE TOPIC
THE TOPIC
List the key words
in the topic
Create a list of
synonyms for the
key words
Rewrite the topic
in your own words
‘It is better to have known love, even if it ends painfully, than to
have never experienced it at all.’ Discuss this statement in
relation to The Ghost’s Child.
PLANNING MAIN IDEAS
THE TOPIC
‘It is better to have known love, even if it ends painfully, than to
have never experienced it at all.’ Discuss this statement in
relation to The Ghost’s Child.
MAIN IDEA 1
MAIN IDEAS
MAIN IDEA 2
MAIN IDEA 3
MAIN IDEA 4
THE INTRODUCTION
YOUR ESSAY’S INTRODUCTION SHOULD CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING
INTERNAL STRUCTURE
• Introduce writer and text.
• Sum up main ideas of the text.
• Answer the topic directly, referring to key words from the topic
using synonyms, to state a firm position.
• Give an idea of the direction your response will take – signpost!
• Outline the main arguments/points you will make.
• Give some hint as to the organisation of your essay.
• Include a concluding sentence relating back to the topic.
• Remember the importance of key words.
INTRODUCTION EXAMPLE
THE TOPIC
‘It is better to have known love, even if it ends painfully, than to
have never experienced it at all.’ Discuss this statement in
relation to The Ghost’s Child.
Love and beauty are explored extensively in Sonya
Hartnett’s fantastical novel The Ghost’s Child through
the life of the protagonist, Matilda.
Though loss or lack of love seem to dominate the
narrative, there is arguably much to suggest that a life
without love, however it turns out, is a life which is
lacking. It is clear that Matilda’s evolving relationship
with her father, her ability to come to terms with the
loss of Feather and the fay, and the resultant
independence which sees her traversing the world
and facing its challenges alone, have brought Maddy
comfort, self-knowledge and growth.
Even in her darkest moment , when she learns that
though we may give love there is no guarantee it will be
returned, Hartnett demonstrates that Matilda has the
strength to overcome the sadness and create a worthwhile
life.
Introduce writer and text.
Give a general intro that sums up main
ideas of the text.
Answer the topic directly.
Use key words from the topic.
State a firm opinion.
Give an idea of the direction your response
will take.
Outline the main arguments/points you will
make.
Give some hint as to the organisation of
your essay – signpost!
Concluding sentence relating back to the
topic.
Remember the importance of key words.
THE BODY
EACH PARAGRAPH IN YOUR ESSAY’S BODY SHOULD CONTAIN THE
FOLLOWING INTERNAL STRUCTURE
MINI INTRODUCTION
MINI BODY
Topic sentence – this is the main idea of
what you will be discussing in the
paragraph.
Develop/explain/illustrate the idea of the
topic sentence.
Provide supporting detail and examples.
Include 2– 3 embedded quotations.
MINI CONCLUSION
Concluding sentence relating back to the
topic. Remember the importance of key
words.
BODY EXAMPLE:
THE TOPIC
‘It is better to have known love, even if it ends painfully, than to
have never experienced it at all.’ Discuss this statement in
relation to The Ghost’s Child.
Matilda’s relationship with her father exemplifies how love may not
always be obvious, though it unquestionably exists.
The interactions between all three members of Matilda’s family seem
forced and controlled, with Matilda feeling “she wasn’t necessary…but
she did belong”. As a child, she was generally frightened and wary of
both of her parents, in particular the man she nicknamed the “Iron Man”
until he took her on a world quest to find “the world’s most beautiful
thing.” This was a life changing experience for Matilda, for not only did
she learn about the vast beauty of the world but also about “her
adventurous papa” who she would “hold inside the prison of her heart”
forevermore. Their time together confirmed to her that though he could
be two very different people, “she would never [again] doubt his love for
her.” This was affirmed when he handed her the mirror at the end of
their trip to show her that, to him, she was “the most beautiful thing in
the world.” Though their relationship was never quite as close again after
the trip, Matilda learned to accept this. She knew unequivocally that her
father would always love her, and do his best to support her, such as
respecting her choice to live with Feather and reminding her “Don’t
forget that I am here” when he suspected she needed to hear it.
From this, Matilda came to understand that people love in different
ways. Although it was hard for her to understand as a child, as an adult
she learned to value the love her father offered for what it was, not what
she wanted it to be.
Topic sentence – this is the
main idea of what you will be
discussing in the paragraph.
Develop/explain/illustrate the
idea of the topic sentence.
Provide supporting detail and
examples.
Include 2 – 3 quotations.
Concluding sentence relating
back to the topic. Remember
the importance of key words.
THE CONCLUSION
YOUR ESSAY’S CONCLUSION SHOULD CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING
INTERNAL STRUCTURE
•
Summing-up statement about the text and main idea of ideas you have covered.
•
Summarise/draw together the content of the body of your essay, drawing
together main points.
•
Give a final evaluation of issues/point of view.
•
Have links back to the introduction – key words are important.
•
Strong terminating sentence. Consider what the key message or moral of the
novel is in relation to the topic.
CONCLUSION EXAMPLE
THE TOPIC
‘It is better to have known love, even if it ends
painfully, than to have never experienced it at
all.’ Discuss this statement in relation to The Ghost’s
Child.
Experiencing love and finding ways to deal a with
its loss are shown to be a fundamental aspects of
life in The Ghost’s Child.
‘It is better to have known love, even if it ends painfully, than to have never experienced it at all.’ Discuss this statement in relation to The Ghost’s Child.
In her relationships with her father, Feather and
the fay, it seemed Maddy would sometimes be
consumed by her grief and sense loss. As an old
woman reflecting on her journey, though, she
was able to see that her life had been worthwhile
despite losing the people she loved so much.
‘It is better to have known love, even if it ends painfully, than to have never experienced it at all.’ Discuss this statement in relation to The Ghost’s Child.
Maddy’s journey demonstrates that there are no
guarantees in love or life but that we can find
strength within ourselves to endure the difficult
times and grow because of them.
Summing-up statement about the text and
main idea of ideas you have covered.
Summarise/draw together the content of
the body of your essay, drawing together
main points.
Give a final evaluation of issues/point of
view.
Have links back to the intro – key words
are important.
Strong terminating sentence. Consider
what the key message or moral of the novel
is in relation to the topic.
DON’T FORGET TO…
Proofread
Check
grammar
and
spelling
Check written
expression –
read your
work out loud
Check
vocabulary