Where to start? A step-by-step guide to answering an essay question

1. How to answer an essay question
Or… how to write an analytical essay

2. The essay question… broken into parts.
Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible employs effective
dramatic and literary devices* to develop complex
relationships between multifaceted characters.
The audience is challenged to lay blame on specific
characters.
But, who (if anyone) is really to blame for the
tragic events which unfold?

3. STEP 1… UNPACK the essay question:
Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible employs effective dramatic and
literary devices* to develop complex relationships between
multifaceted characters.
The audience is challenged to lay blame on specific characters.
But, who (if anyone) is really to blame for the tragic events
which unfold?

4. STEP 1 – UNPACK THE QUESTION (Cont.)
• HOW = what language/dramatic forms and features
– DEVELOP COMPLEX RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN
MULTIFACETED CHARACTERS = Characterisation
• PERSPECTIVE = viewpoint / view / evaluation /
opinion / side
• IS CHALLENGED = an individual who is
________________________________
• BLAME= _______________________________
_______________________________________
• TRAGIC = literary theory of tragedy, ie: implication
there is a “tragic hero”

5. STEP 2 – REWRITE THE QUESTION IN THE FULL…
PLAIN-ENGLISH… VERSION:
Miller uses literary device of characterisation to create
complex characters and relationships.
The audience is manipulated (by the characterisation) to
dislike and find fault with Abigail, Parris and Danforth.
Is anyone to blame for the events that unfold? Does Miller
develop a specific tragic hero (theory of Tragedy)?

6. STEP 3 – WRITE THE THESIS STATEMENT

7. STEP 3 = write a thesis statement

8. THESIS STATEMENT

9. How do you start your thesis statement? Where
do you start?
You go back to the question!
Use the words in the actual essay question and –
use these words to write your answer to the
question.
STEP 3 = write a thesis statement

10. STEP 3 – WRITE THE THESIS STATEMENT
Using the vocabulary and sentence structure of the
original question….
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
__________________________________________.

11. STEP 4. Check your thesis statement to make sure it “matches” the
marking criteria! Then… write a minimum of 4 “supporting statements”
which back-up and prove your thesis statement
Essay Question – Marking Criteria:
_______________________________________
In your answer, you will be assessed on how well you:
• Compose a clear and concise thesis statement
• Develop a convincing argument, in which you
provide specific supporting statements clearly
• Support all your arguments/discussion with a
methodical analysis of evidence and quotations
from the play
_________________________________________

12. • The Supporting Statements which you choose will
be listed in your essay introduction
• Each Supporting Statement is the basis of each
Topic Sentence of the essay ‘body paragraphs’
(analytic paragraphs)
• Your Thesis Statement (in your introduction) is
the basis of each Link Sentence (final conclusive
sentence) which ends each ‘body paragraph.
• Your conclusion is composed of your Link
Sentences and a final re-statement of your thesis.
STEP 5. Write a minimum of 4 “supporting statements” which
back-up and prove your thesis statement