This document provides instructions on how to write a critical essay. It explains that the essay should begin with an introduction that includes the author, title, summary of the text, and specific techniques used. Each body paragraph should have a topic sentence, point about the text, relevant text evidence, and explanation of techniques. The conclusion should restate the question and topic sentences and describe how understanding has changed.

1. How to Write a Critical
Essay 2013

2. What To Do First
• Read the question CAREFULLY!
• Underline the key parts of the question.
• Write this question down and decide which lines would
you underline? You should explain your reasons.
Choose a novel or short story which has a turning
point or moment of realisation for at least one of the
characters.
Briefly describe what has led up to the turning point or
moment. Go on to show what impact this had on the
character and how it effects the outcome of the
novel or story.
(This second paragraph tells you what you’re going to
do)

3. • Now create Topic Sentences that will
allow you to answer the question in
stages. You do this by thinking of as many
points that relate to the question as you
can. These points should then be made
into statements (we looked at these types
of sentences when planning our discursive
essays) Let’s try this task in groups using
the question I have given you.

4. Introduction
You should always have the following in
your introduction:
•The author
•Title of text
•Summary of what the texts is about
•Mention specific techniques used to
create a specific affect/feeling that is
mentioned in the question.

5. Here is an example:
In the novel “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”,
Ken Kesey writes about the complex lives of
several characters who reach a dramatic turning
point. What makes the novel captivating is Kesey’s
skilful use of characterisation, imagery and plot
and how it allows the reader to fully understand the
thoughts and feelings of key characters, like Nurse
Ratched/Chief Bromden/R.P. McMurphy, and the
effect they ultimately have on the outcome of the
novel.

6. Another Question
Choose a novel or short story which
features a relationship between two
characters which is confrontational or
corrosive.
Describe how the relationship is portrayed
and discuss to what extent the nature of the
relationship influences your understanding
of the text as a whole.

7. Example Introduction:
A novel in which a confrontational relationship
between two characters is featured is “One Flew
Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” by Ken Kesey. The
conflict between the protagonists, R.P. McMurphy
and Nurse Ratched, arises from the fundamental
and unavoidable fact that they believe in and
represent opposing moral views. This conflict is
key to Kesey’s development of characters and, in
turn, the novel’s main themes which attack
society’s ideas of Madness, Freedom and Power.

8. Each Paragraph Must Have A
Structure
• Each Paragraph Must Have A Structure
• Start with a Topic Sentence
• Contain a point about the text that is relevant to your
topic sentence.
• Explain the section of the text that is relevant (this
means that the reader will better understand why you
have chosen your quote)
• Quote to back up your point (use quotes that show
the author’s techniques)
• Explain the quote, commenting on the Techniques the
author has used.

9. Example Paragraph
For an example paragraph look at the hand-
out I’ve given you.

10. Your Conclusion does the
following:
• Leaves the reader in no doubt that you have
answered the question;
• Starts with a closing sentence e.g. ‘In conclusion…’
• Goes on to re-use the words of the question e.g. ‘In
conclusion, “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck,
has a crucial turning point for the characters George
and Lennie and in turn this has a devastating impact
on the outcome of the novel.
• State again each of your topic sentences;
• Describe how the poem has changed your view or left
you with a particular feeling – BE POSITIVE