Every paragraph should begin by telling the examiner exactly what you're going to argue. This is called your topic sentence. 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲: ❌ Shakespeare presents Macbeth through lots of language techniques. ✅ Shakespeare presents Macbeth as increasingly consumed by ambition, leading him towards his tragic downfall. The examiner immediately understands your argument. 🎯 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 Write a topic sentence for this question: How does Priestley present responsibility in An Inspector Calls? Keep it to one sentence. I would love to hear your ideas and I’ll mark it as I do with the exams in the summer. Show me what you have got! 🙂

One of the biggest mistakes students make is beginning with the quotation instead of answering the question. Instead, follow this structure: ✅ Make your point. ✅ Choose your quotation. ✅ Analyse it. 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 Question: How does Dickens present Scrooge as an isolated character? ❌ "Solitary as an oyster" shows Scrooge is lonely... ✅ Dickens presents Scrooge as a deeply isolated character who has rejected human companionship. This is evident when he describes him as "solitary as an oyster." Notice how the second example answers the question immediately. 🎯 Weekly Challenge Rewrite this sentence so it answers the question before introducing the quotation: "Vaulting ambition" shows Macbeth is ambitious. Comment your improved version below and I’ll provide some feedback like an examiner 😊

Post a GCSE-style essay question and ask members to write a short introduction or one paragraph. Encourage them to share it for feedback. Goal: Increase student participation and writing practice.