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How to answer English Lit and Lang Questions

I do get how to revise it, just flashcards for Lit and Practice Papers for Lit and Lang. But I don't get how you structure your answers. I know that "there's no right way to answer the question" but surely there has to be something you do to your answers that make them good. I attend an English tutor and he gives me advice that's different to my English teacher's. This is my current plan of how to answer the questions and I dunno if it's good or not

For English Lit Modern Texts, Shakespeare, and 19th Century Novels: I write a thesis that has my what how and why, a Point-Intention-Analysis paragraph based on the extract, a Point-Intention-Analysis paragraph that's based on somewhere else, then conclusion where I just sum up everything I've said. For Poetry Anthology: I write a thesis that says what each poem is about and how they present the thing, 2 Point-Quote-Context/Intention paragraphs that each feature both poems (1 is about the opening quotes and the other is about the Imagery), then conclusion where I say which poem is better. For Unseen Poetry: I write 1 paragraph about the opening and last quotes, then another paragraph about the Imagery presented

For English Lang P1 Q1 it's just denoting. For Q2 I just write 1 paragraph that's Point and Analysis. For Q3 I just waffle about the beginning middle and end of the extract and how it impacts us. For Q4 I write a thesis that says how much I agree then 2 short Point-Analysis-Intention paragraphs, then a conclusion where I argue my point. For Q5 even tho I've been taught how to write the description, I want to write a story that's just a simple Beginning, Build up, Problem, Problem Solved, Conclusion. P2 Q1 is just denoting. For Q2 I write 1 Point and Analysis paragraph that's about Source A, and another that's about Source B and how it differs from Source A. For Q3 I write 1 short Point-Intention-Analysis paragraph. For Q4 I write 1 short Point-Intention-Analysis about Source A, and another about Source B and how it differs. For Q5 I write a backstory that supports my point of view, my point of view, tell the reader what to do, Waffle a bit more about the backstory

My Tutor said that for everything in Lit I have to make 3 points and stuff instead of 2 and even tho it might give me more marks, it takes too long and I might not have enough time.

Reply 1

i agree with your tutor that 3 points would be better as i feel like you can't really develop your argument well in just two points. Perhaps the paragraphs you're writing are too long and could be better split into multiple points? Also, i'm not sure how long your introductions are but they don't have to be long - i'd usually write 3 sentences for each introduction. I also wouldn't worry too much about not having enough time for lit - obviously you should aim to finish all the questions fully but personally i often left out conclusions or wrote very quick conclusions as i ran out of time for them and still got a 9.
For the structures of your paragraphs for lit, it seems like maybe its too specific and may limit what you can write - sometimes the opening quote isn't that good or relevant and there are other elements that may work better for your argument. Also, for poetry, the point isn't which poem is better its how they present ideas differently/similarly.
i can't really give advice for language as i wasn't great at it, but hopefully the lit advice helped.

Reply 2

Original post by nikiiiiiii
i agree with your tutor that 3 points would be better as i feel like you can't really develop your argument well in just two points. Perhaps the paragraphs you're writing are too long and could be better split into multiple points? Also, i'm not sure how long your introductions are but they don't have to be long - i'd usually write 3 sentences for each introduction. I also wouldn't worry too much about not having enough time for lit - obviously you should aim to finish all the questions fully but personally i often left out conclusions or wrote very quick conclusions as i ran out of time for them and still got a 9.
For the structures of your paragraphs for lit, it seems like maybe its too specific and may limit what you can write - sometimes the opening quote isn't that good or relevant and there are other elements that may work better for your argument. Also, for poetry, the point isn't which poem is better its how they present ideas differently/similarly.
i can't really give advice for language as i wasn't great at it, but hopefully the lit advice helped.

Thank you

Reply 3

For language try to remember good key words form yt videos that show them analysing a quote thats how i got an 8 in my mocks but im still struggling on literature. Mr everything english is amazing

Reply 4

Original post by tracking-bounty
For language try to remember good key words form yt videos that show them analysing a quote thats how i got an 8 in my mocks but im still struggling on literature. Mr everything english is amazing
Thank

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