How to really push for the Grade 9 in English?

1. Refer to the writers ideas and motives in presenting a specific character/theme, rather than just discussing that characters portrayal. Use context from the time period and writers life to reference this throughout, but subtly. Don't go too overboard.
2. Use sophisticated writing. I know it sounds obvious but it helps hugely.
For example:
The use of the interjection "-No!" shows Marley's fright of the situation.
Improved version: X's powerful embedding of the interjection "-No!" encapsulates the pure distress and anxiety of Marley in this troubling situation.
3. Plan your argument (I do mine in my head) so that it leads up to your conclusion. Make the points more and more relevant throughout the essay, and build them up to a final conclusion. You should make this conclusion much more evaluative by linking the theme of your essay to a judgement on the society at the time, the writers life/motives, or the treatment/attitudes of the character throughout the book.

I hope this helped

my teacher told me making unique interpretations about a quote or point you are making gives the marks. Also The structure that is 'the best' is this :

Point
Evidence (embed the quotes in your writing, examiners like that, instead of a long quote just there sitting)
Analysis -

At least 2 interpretations, so what this quote shows the reader/audience.

Why has the author/writer included this?

What is the effect on the reader? You need to talk about the Language and Structure here, you need to make sure you mention literary devices like metaphors, similes and structural devices like a flashback if they are present.

Context - talk about the time this book/novel/play was written in and what were the ideas and beliefs at the time. Or the ideas of the writer for example in An Inspector Calls the writer J.B.Priestley was a socialist who believe in equality for labour workers.. etc

LINK LINK LINK - I only got a high Grade 7 in my mock because at times my analysis would go off course and wouldn't be answering the main question. So at the end make sure you link all your analysis back to the question.


If you follow this plan for each of your paragraphs you should get a Grade 8 or 9 depending on the way you demonstrate your answer and your use of subject terminology.