This document provides guidance on writing a text response essay. It discusses the different types of questions that may be asked, including a statement about the text followed by an instruction, a direct quote followed by a task, or a direct question. It also covers how to prepare, including identifying key words and understanding unfamiliar words. The document outlines developing a contention in response to the topic and creating an essay plan with the contention and reasons. It provides tips for writing an introduction to state the contention and main points, developing the body in paragraphs with a topic sentence, evidence, explanation, and link, and concluding by restating the contention and main points without new ideas.

1. Text Response Essay
Getting the low down…

2. Types of Questions
There are three different sorts of questions that
you might get when doing a text response essay.

3. A statement on the text followed by a
task instruction.
For example:
The Sword in the Stone shows us how ridiculous
the chivalric code is. Discuss.

4. Discuss – what does this require?
Debate, question or explain a topic, giving evidence,
reasons and explanations for and/or against the
topic.

5. A direct quote followed by a task
instruction or question.
For example:
“Only fools want to be great.” To what extent do you
agree with this statement?

6. Do you agree?
Present your own interpretation of the topic,
giving evidence, reasons and explanations etc.

7. A direct question on an aspect of the
text.
For example:
What is the authorial purpose of the Questing
Beast?
*Authorial purpose means what was the authors purpose

8. HOW? - Explain, outline or describe the ways in
which the text illustrated the topic by drawing
on textual evidence, structures and features and
metalanguage.
WHY? - Explain reasons to support the idea
represented in the topic

9. Preparation
Underline key words, phrases. Use your
dictionary to identify any words you are unsure
of.
If there is a quote identify the context. Consider
why it is significant.
Write out a list of synonyms for any key words
(Remember what we talked about in regards to
lexical cohesion)

10. Prepare Your Mind
Ask yourself: “To answer this question properly
what do I need to think and write about?”
Consider the following:
Characters (Development and relationships)
Themes or Issues
Authorial Purpose

11. Contention
A contention is your point of view, stance, position
or argument in response to a topic.
Generally there are 4 positions you can take:
Yes: Complete agreement
Yes, however… : Partial agreement, whilst
presenting other considerations in relation to the
topic
No: Complete disagreement, present other view
No, however…: Partial disagreement, present other
considerations of topic

12. Contention
Your contention should be clearly expressed in
one sentence.
If possible use different words to the topic
question.

13. Essay Plan
Jot down a quick planner. (Trust me it is time well
spent.)
- Write Contention
- Briefly outline your first reason/point.
- Evidence to support first reason
- Briefly outline your second reason/point.
- Evidence to support second reason
- Etc.

14. Introduction
Your introduction should immediately establish
your contention and then the main points of
your essay in order.
OR
Tell them what you are going to tell them!

15. Possible Features Of Your Introduction
*These might not all be appropriate for your essay
Sentence introducing author and text –
In the novel The Sword in the Stone, T.H White
explore…
A clear sentence stating your contention –
The novels central theme is…
An outline of the main points –
This is revealed through (first point). Additionally
(second point). Finally (third point) also supports
(contention)

16. Quotes
It is great to contextualise a quote within your
introduction that is relevant to the topic.
Through the character of Big Jack, T.H.White
explores the question relating to tyrannical
government that “might is right.”

17. The Body
The aim of the body is to develop your
contention from the beginning to the end.
Remember that each paragraph is based around
a new idea.
Aim for 2 or 3 good paragraphs.

18. Paragraphs (TEEL)
Topic Sentence
The first sentence of your paragraph states the
idea that you are going to be discussing. DO NOT
describe a character or scene from the text.
Evidence
Now you use your quotes, paraphrases or a brief
description.

19. Explanation
Now go into more detail about how the
evidence relates to the point of the paragraph.
Link
This is the last sentence of the paragraph and
you can link it back to the topic sentence or your
main contention.
(This sentence is contestable, a lot of people
don’t link it to anything. They just use it to
conclude their paragraph.)

20. Conclusion
This is essentially a restatement of your
contention and a summary of your main points.
Things to remember:
No new ideas!
Make sure you restate your contention!
Don’t ask rhetorical questions!

21. In a Nutshell
Intro – Tell them what you are going to tell them
Body- Tell them
Conclusion – Tell them what you told them.