English literature A level essay help

Irin2007

Hi guys I’m studying AQA English literature at A level. And I’m currently struggling, I study the texts (king Lear, Richard II Shakespeare, the great gatsby, atonement and the murder of Roger ackroyd) I am currently struggling with 2 months left of school to get revising for all of these, I just find the texts so plain and I cannot seem to understand them especially the Shakespeare texts. I also cannot essay write to save my life! Does anyone have any tips for essay writing? I can never link what I’m saying back to the question, whenever I input quotes into my answer it doesn’t flow, it seems like everyone else’s writing is flowing and mine makes no sense! Has anyone got any tips?? Please let me know

Reply 1

nikiiiiiii

7

Original post by Irin2007

Hi guys I’m studying AQA English literature at A level. And I’m currently struggling, I study the texts (king Lear, Richard II Shakespeare, the great gatsby, atonement and the murder of Roger ackroyd) I am currently struggling with 2 months left of school to get revising for all of these, I just find the texts so plain and I cannot seem to understand them especially the Shakespeare texts. I also cannot essay write to save my life! Does anyone have any tips for essay writing? I can never link what I’m saying back to the question, whenever I input quotes into my answer it doesn’t flow, it seems like everyone else’s writing is flowing and mine makes no sense! Has anyone got any tips?? Please let me know

Hey! I got an A for A-level aqa English lit so maybe I can help.
For linking back to the question, I'd say to just use the words in the question and synonyms often in your essay to show that you are keeping the question in mind all throughout the essay. especially at the end of each paragraph clearly show how the paragraph links to your larger point.
For general structure advice, working through a text chronologically with each point progressing along with the narrative often works well (though there are certain questions where this won't make sense to do) and helped me to not overthink structuring the essay. This is more difficult to do for the comparison questions, but I'd always just focus on having one text chronological and adding points from the other text however they worked best.
Another general structure thing that I was taught for Shakespeare (although we did Othello) was to use a slalom structure. you pick one side of the argument that will be your conclusion and you make 2 points to prove that argument and have these points as the 1st and 3rd paragraphs. Then you do a counterargument for your 2nd paragraph.
As for making your writing flow better I really feel like that comes with practise but one tip that I have is to completely forget about the PEAZ/PEEL etc structure. this was the first thing we were taught as trying to stick to a specific structure really limits you from developing your own style. Just write however feels natural.
For embedding quotations I have 4 tips 1. just try to make them part of your sentences, like if you took the quotation marks out it would still make sense as a sentence. This makes the writing flow as it's not taking you out of your analysis to introduce a quote
2. if the quote is dialogue, use different verbs +nouns instead of "said". For example: "Gatsby's assertion that ... "" Tom insists that..."
3. Instead of writing "the author writes

Reply 2

nikiiiiiii

7

(continuation cause it got cut off for some reason)

1.

instead of writing "the author writes" I'd write "the authors use of the image/metaphor/simile/etc of

shows..."

2.

If the specific wording of the quote doesn't fit your sentence change it using square brackets. for example: "as Gatsby "watch[es] over nothing" he....." or "Gatsby insists that Daisy "tell [Tom] the truth" ,which shows...."

I hope this helps!

Reply 3

OP

Reply 4

Original post by Irin2007

Hi guys I’m studying AQA English literature at A level. And I’m currently struggling, I study the texts (king Lear, Richard II Shakespeare, the great gatsby, atonement and the murder of Roger ackroyd) I am currently struggling with 2 months left of school to get revising for all of these, I just find the texts so plain and I cannot seem to understand them especially the Shakespeare texts. I also cannot essay write to save my life! Does anyone have any tips for essay writing? I can never link what I’m saying back to the question, whenever I input quotes into my answer it doesn’t flow, it seems like everyone else’s writing is flowing and mine makes no sense! Has anyone got any tips?? Please let me know

Hey, I’m doing English Lit for CCEA but we’re also doing King Lear. The study books e.g. york notes are good and making notes of key quotes on key scenes e.g. at the heath. Hope this helps!

Reply 5

Irin2007

OP

5

[quote="nikiiiiiii;100376137"](continuation cause it got cut off for some reason)

1.

instead of writing "the author writes" I'd write "the authors use of the image/metaphor/simile/etc of

shows..."

2.

If the specific wording of the quote doesn't fit your sentence change it using square brackets. for example: "as Gatsby "watch[es] over nothing" he....." or "Gatsby insists that Daisy "tell [Tom] the truth" ,which shows...."
I hope this helps!

This makes a lot of sense, I was trying to inbed my quotes like this but I actually didn’t know we were able to add brackets in. Wow thank you again this actually makes life so much easier in essays.

Reply 6

Irin2007

OP

5

Original post by Sophieshep123

Hey, I’m doing English Lit for CCEA but we’re also doing King Lear. The study books e.g. york notes are good and making notes of key quotes on key scenes e.g. at the heath. Hope this helps!

Hi Sophie I will have a look at York notes thank you so much for your time and help!!! And good luck :smile:

Reply 7

nikiiiiiii

7

[quote="Irin2007;100376147"]

Original post by nikiiiiiii

(continuation cause it got cut off for some reason)

[*]instead of writing "the author writes" I'd write "the authors use of the image/metaphor/simile/etc of
This makes a lot of sense, I was trying to inbed my quotes like this but I actually didn’t know we were able to add brackets in. Wow thank you again this actually makes life so much easier in essays.

yeah no one told me about the brackets thing , I just started doing it and teachers said it was fine. it'd be helpful if they actually taught us to do that

Reply 8

katiew54321

2

Hi,
I totally get how overwhelming A-Level English Lit can feel, especially with Shakespeare! Here are some quick, practical tips to help:
1️⃣ Understanding Shakespeare
Watch performances (YouTube, RSC, National Theatre) – It’s meant to be seen, not just read!
Use No Fear Shakespeare for modern translations.
Summarize each act in your own words to stay engaged.
2️⃣ Essay Writing & Linking to the Question
Use PEE/PEEL: Point → Evidence (quote) → Explain → Link back to the question.
Embed quotes naturally (e.g., "Lear’s cry ‘O, reason not the need!’ highlights his tragic downfall…") instead of dropping them in.
Use signpost words (“This suggests…”, “Furthermore…”, “This reinforces…”) to improve flow.
3️⃣ Quick Revision Plan (2 Months Left!)
✅ Prioritize key themes & characters for each text.
✅ Mind maps & past papers – Focus on exam-style questions.
✅ Write one practice paragraph a day – Even short writing boosts confidence.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you need specific essay examples or further breakdowns—happy to help! 📚😊
You’ve got this! 🚀

Reply 9

MillieeM2

12

Exemplars can be really helpful or reading examiner feedback/reports or reading critics because they can give you an idea of what to use for your analysis

English literature A level essay help

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