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A Criterion-Based Approach to Essay Writing.

No matter how good you are or how sensitive your work, if you do not attempt to meet the examination criteria, you cannot expect a good grade.

So: when writing an essay plan or an essay itself, CHECK the following issues to ensure that you are meeting the criteria. (Note: you may find that every exercise does not offer you the opportunity of showing knowledge of all the criteria).

Note: if you wish to learn more about the criteria, check out the Syllabus criteria section on this web site.

The examination criteria.

i) An ability to respond with understanding to texts of different types and periods.

ii) An understanding of the ways writers' use of form, structure and language shapes meanings.

iii) Show knowledge of the contexts in which literary works are written and understood.

iv) Show an ability to discuss your own and other peoples' interpretations of texts.

v) Show an ability to produce informed, independent opinions and judgments.

vi) Show an ability to communicate clearly the knowledge, understanding and insight appropriate to literary study.

CHECK THE FOLLOWING:

1) Do you refer to an historical element in the text or to the circumstances/ideas/background that may have influenced the author?

2) Do you recognise what makes this text typical of its period?

3) Do you refer to the language used (use of figurative language; use of dialogue; diction, etc)?

4) Do you refer to the author's techniques?

5) Do you deal with the structure of the text ( in theme; plot; use of settings; patterns of language, etc)?

6) Do you refer to alternative interpretations?

7) Do you offer "freshly personal" judgments?

8) Is your analysis 'informed', that is, do you base your judgments on sound evidence and good general knowledge? (For instance, the use of the word 'romantic' should be based on a clear understanding of what it means in the literary tradition).

9) Is it clear that you know the text in detail?

10) Do you use a critical vocabulary?

11) Do you explore the specific question and show 'insight'?

12) Do you write in good, formal English and communicate clearly?

TICK "I did it!" or CROSS "I didn't do it."

Decide why you didn't do certain things.

If you did everything possible, Wow! Expect a good grade, or know why!

PRESS ME if you'd like to see an example of a criterion-based essay.