English essay Flashcards
Introduction structure [4]
Respond to the question: use key words from the question
Present your overall answer: What ‘mood’ / how is it ‘dramatic’ etc
Give context: When / where was the text written / where does the passage come in the text?
Brief road map of your essay (explain how you will answer the question)
Sentence start for paragraph about an idea
In this passage the writer dramatically conveys…
The author is trying to convey the idea that …
sentence start for paragraph about character
The character of … is important because…
The relationship between … and … is significant to the text as a whole because …
Sentence start for p about moment
This moment in the text is significant because
The writer makes this a [moving / memorable / dramatic / significant] moment in the text by
Introducing examples/quotes [5]
When the author writes …
A clear example of this is …
This can be shown by …
When considering statements / dialogue such as …
The use of …
Introducing techniques [3]
The writer uses a …
The use of the language technique of …
We see here that the writer uses a … to [illustrate / relate to / suggest] …
introducing analysis [3]
this demonstrates that the author wants the reader to [think / feel / respond / believe] … AUTHOR PURPOSE
The effect of this technique on the [reader / audience] is … READER RESPONSE
This makes the reader [consider / reflect on / evaluate / contemplate]
READER RESPONSE
introduce link to question [4]
his moment in the [novel / play / poem] helps us the understand the bigger idea of …
At this point we are encouraged to think more about the issue of …
This [memorable / significant / moving] moment helps us to understand the text as a whole more clearly because …
This relates to [human nature / society / today’s world / human relationships] because …
Conclusion structure [3]
Present your overall answer to the question again
Use key words from the question
State how this text / idea is relevant to today’s world
Big ideas about human experience [4]
Love: Romantic love, familial love, unrequited love, and self-love.
Death and Mortality: The inevitability of death, coping with loss, and the afterlife.
Identity: Self-discovery, personal growth, and the search for one’s true self.
Freedom and Oppression: The struggle for freedom, human rights, and resistance against oppression.
Existentialism: The meaning of life, individual purpose, and existential angst.
Justice and Injustice: Fairness, ethical dilemmas, and the fight against injustice.
Isolation and Connection: Loneliness, the need for connection, and the human condition.
Power and Corruption: The use and abuse of power, and its impact on individuals and societies.
Resilience and Perseverance: Overcoming obstacles, inner strength, and endurance.
War and Peace: The horrors of war, the quest for peace, and the impact of conflict.
Big ideas about nature [4]
Nature’s Beauty and Sublimity: The awe-inspiring aspects of nature, landscapes, and the sublime.
Man vs. Nature: The struggle for survival, human impact on the environment, and natural disasters.
Ecological Awareness: Environmental conservation, climate change, and the interconnectedness of all life.
Seasonal Change: The symbolism of seasons, cycles of life, and renewal.
big ideas about animals [3]
Animal Rights: The ethical treatment of animals, animal welfare, and the human-animal relationship.
Animal Symbolism: Animals as symbols for human traits, such as the lion for courage, the dove for peace.
Mythical Creatures: Dragons, unicorns, and other mythical beings as symbols and storytelling devices.
Big ideas about social and political themes [3]
Class and Society: Social hierarchy, class struggle, and economic disparity.
Revolution and Change: Social and political revolutions, transformation, and progress.
Cultural Identity: Heritage, tradition, and the impact of globalization.
Metaphysical and Spiritual big ideas [3]
Faith and Doubt: Religious belief, spiritual quest, and skepticism.
Fate vs. Free Will: Predestination, destiny, and the power of choice.
Transcendence: The quest for spiritual enlightenment and the beyond.
Relationships and Society [3]
Family Dynamics: Parent-child relationships, sibling rivalry, and family loyalty.
Friendship: The importance of friends, betrayal, and camaraderie.
Gender Roles and Equality: The exploration of gender identity, feminism, and societal roles.
