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Writing A Single Text Introduction HL King Lear

The introduction summarizes the key elements that will be discussed in the essay, including Lear's egotistical and self-obsessed behavior that initially repels audiences, but his later remorse and madness attract sympathy. It establishes that while Lear is flawed, Shakespearean tragedies often involve noble characters facing crises. The introduction focuses on directly addressing the question about Lear's compelling mixture of contrasting traits.

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Tadhg Mccarthy
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104 views

Writing A Single Text Introduction HL King Lear

The introduction summarizes the key elements that will be discussed in the essay, including Lear's egotistical and self-obsessed behavior that initially repels audiences, but his later remorse and madness attract sympathy. It establishes that while Lear is flawed, Shakespearean tragedies often involve noble characters facing crises. The introduction focuses on directly addressing the question about Lear's compelling mixture of contrasting traits.

Uploaded by

Tadhg Mccarthy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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‘King Lear’

Writing a Single Text Essay


What the examiners are looking for….
"A sound understanding and a genuine appreciation of the features of the
writing"

"A genuine interest and perceptive analysis of the text"

"Students should engage clearly and never lose focus of the question"

"You can't beat passion and energy, allied to good knowledge of the text"

"Make a convincing and compelling argument that is well supported


with judicious quotation"
Essay Writing - Do’s and Don’ts
Do: Don’t
❖ Waffle
❖ Be clear about the purpose of every
❖ Write a scene summary. Ensure every
paragraph BEFORE you start writing.
paragraph is focused on the question
❖ Use even length paragraphs
asked.
❖ Write a clear introduction - stating what
❖ Write a quote without explaining how it
you will discuss in the main body of the
adds value to your point.
essay.
❖ Name the act or scene an incident comes
❖ Use connectives
from.
❖ Don’t explain your quote word for word -
❖ Use ‘You’ or ‘We’ - instead us ‘This’ or ‘It’
explain how it is relevant to the point you
or ‘The audience’. Using the first person is
are making.
encouraged.
❖ Remember synonyms but don’t overdo it!
❖ Include irrelevant information. Everything
Variety is the spice of life!
you include must ANSWER the
QUESTION asked.
Essay Structure
Introduction
Main Body – 6 paragraphs
Conclusion

Total = 8 paragraphs

Aim for 4-5 A4 pages or


1000 words.
Writing an Introduction
 Introductions are often the most difficult to write but they are very
important.
 Consider the introduction a map which helps to illustrate the
central points of the rest of the essay.
 It prepares the reader for the content of your essay.
 It also helps to engage and interest the reader in your work.
 Begin with a general statement about the text or even
Shakespeare, the context of the play. Then focus on the terms of
the question asked.
 Establish your argument and state your points with conviction.
 Avoid referring to specific moments from the text or using
quotation in your introduction.
Essay Title

“Lear’s character is a compelling mixture of contrasting elements which repel and


attract in equal measure.”

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view? Support your answer with
reference to the play “King Lear”.

60 marks
Writing an Introduction
 Opening sentence here is not
The play I have studied is King Lear by
William Shakespear. I agree with the engaging to read. Misspelling
statement that King Lear’s character is a Shakespeare is a crucial
compelling mixture of contrasting elements
which repel and attract in equal measure. In
error.
my answer I will discuss King Lear’s character  Answer is repeating verbatim
and I will refer to key moments to support my the question.
answer. King Lear wants to divide his kingdom
between his daughters so that he can retire.  ‘In my answer I will discuss’ –
His daughters plot against him and treat him vague and disengaging.
badly and he goes mad in a storm. Cordelia
finds him but it’s too late as she is hung by
 Introduction focuses on
Edmund. Lear dies of a broken heart. I feel summary of the play instead
sad for Lear at the end of this play.
of engaging with the question
115 words asked.
Writing an Introduction
 Opening sentence here is not engaging to
I agree with the statement that King Lear’s
character is a compelling mixture of read.
contrasting elements which repel and attract  Avoid the expression ‘I agree with the
in equal measure. In my answer I will statement’ – it does not show off your
discuss King Lear’s character and I will refer
to key moments to support my answer. King
knowledge and is not interesting to read.
Lear is an egotistical and self-obsessed  ‘In my answer I will discuss’ – vague and
King, who when challenged is quick to disengaging.
anger. However, the way his daughters treat  Second half of intro is better – it identifies
him is wrong and it is the later scenes in the
play when we see Lear realise his mistakes key points that will be addressed later in
and apologise for them. I think this attracts the essay.
the audience to Lear’s character.  Use of personal response at end of intro is
96 words
a nice touch which links back to the
question.
Writing an Introduction
Shakespeare’s tragic dramas tend to involve a
noble character who is flawed and is faced with
a major crisis. The crisis inevitably leads to a  Strong opening sentence showing
fatal conclusion. In ‘King Lear’, the titular knowledge of Shakespearean tragedy.
character wishes to abdicate his throne, while
retaining his status as King and living happily
 Strong and vibrant language throughout
with his youngest daughter, Cordelia. This self- – ‘self-entitled, self-obsessed and
entitled, self-obsessed and egotistical behaviour egotistical behaviour’ – using the triadic
repel the audience in the opening stages of the
play and for a time, it seems apparent that this
approach to create a line of argument.
would be the case throughout. However, the vile  Connective helps to link points made
behaviour of his daughters Goneril and Regan together (However, Moreover)
and Lear’s madness in a storm combine to  Strong focus on the reaction and
encourage the audience to feel empathy for the
protagonist. Moreover, Lear’s remorse, engagement of the audience as directed
reconciliation and ultimately tragic ending do by the question.
enough to attract the audience to the once  Clear and unambiguous throughout.
autocratic King.
128 words
Formal tone helps to establish argument.
How the Single Text Essay is Marked

Purpose – 30% - 18marks* Original answer.


Showing understanding of the text genre (play, film, novel)
Focus is clearly on the question asked.
Coherence – 30% - 18marks Continuity of argument.
Management of ideas.
Engagement with the text.
Language – 30% - 18marks Expression – coherence of sentences.
Clear paragraph structure.
Broad and vibrant use of language.
Mechanics – 10% - 6marks Spelling and grammar.

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