Need help with English Lit A-Level

I’m studying English Lit for A-Level in Nothern Ireland. We use the CCEA exam board and I actually think I’m cooked. My other subjects are completely fine but I need minimum a C in English, which I’m sitting on from As, but I can’t manage this year. I’m doing John Donne for poetry and The Taming of the Shrew for Shakespeare. It doesn’t help that my teachers never mark work and the rare time they do (after ages) they always say it’s never good. I just can’t wrap my head around the essays despite doing all work and they’re not helping. I really need advice from anyone doing or who’s done these courses. How did you manage and how do you structure an essay?

Reply 1

bumblebee24xx

Hi, im currently studying english a level and predicted A* and my go to when structuring an essay is:

•

Thesis

•

3x what how why paragraphs

•

Conclusion

Its a super easy but concise structure which examiners love
I hope that helps and also lit charts which you can find on google are really helpful for stuff like poetry!!!

Reply 2

username7541205

Original post by bumblebee24xx

Hi, im currently studying english a level and predicted A* and my go to when structuring an essay is:

•

Thesis

•

3x what how why paragraphs

•

Conclusion

Its a super easy but concise structure which examiners love
I hope that helps and also lit charts which you can find on google are really helpful for stuff like poetry!!!

Thank you 🙏 Lit charts seems really helpful (and like the notes my teachers aren’t giving lol. Appreciate that

Reply 3

Kingston Eve

Official Rep

Original post by Username2006!

Hey @Username2006!

Are you using the PEEL technique for your essay paragraphs?

P (Point) - make your point/argument in relation to the question.
E (Evidence) - provide a quote or a piece of supporting textual evidence.
E (Explanation) - explain the relationship between your evidence and your initial point.
L (Link) - link back to the question.

I studied CCEA A-Level English Literature, and was taught to structure my essays with an introduction, five or six PEEL paragraphs and then a conclusion. You can include more or less PEEL paragraphs depending on how quickly you write/how in-depth you choose to be with each one of your points, but ultimately the technique helps keep your answer on the right track.

Hope this was helpful and best of luck with all of your exams!
Eve (Kingston Rep).