1. What are the components of a good essay?
2. What is the purpose of a literary essay?

Discuss your answer before comparing your ideas with the suggestion.

To respond to the stimulus provided with a well formed argument. In other words, to argue a meaningful, sophisticated point of view about the significance of the stimulus texts with continued focus on the question.

How do you create a purposeful introduction and address the question effectively?

Always start with the question and then focus on the key words within it. Remember the question will provide the skeleton for your essay but you need to put the bones together by forming arguments in response to it.

With that in mind look at the question below and ask yourself what the question is asking you to focus on.

Look at these focus words before revealing the rest of the question.

With detailed reference to two poems from the Anthology and Text B, compare and contrast how the theme of love is presented.

While reading the poem think of ideas associated with, or similar to the idea of ‘love’ in the poem. Associations aren’t necessarily just synonyms or similar ideas. You may want to explore antonyms and alternatives too. On your first reading of the poem surround the question with associated words and phrases. Examples could include: love; sadness; loss of control; disappointment; confusion; questioning; shame; doubt.
Then compare your ideas with those suggested.

Focused annotation will provide you with the key ideas needed, which will be then be explored further in your essay.

After the Lunch

On Waterloo Bridge, where we said our goodbyes,
The weather conditions bring tears to my eyes.
I wipe them away with a black woolly glove
And try not to notice I’ve fallen in love.

On Waterloo Bridge I am trying to think:
This is nothing. You’re high on the charm and the drink.
But the juke-box inside me is playing a song
That says something different. And when was it wrong?

On Waterloo Bridge with the wind in my hair
I am tempted to skip. You’re a fool. I don’t care.
The head does its best but the heart is the boss-
I admit it before I am halfway across.

Wendy Cope

After the lunch by Wendy Cope © Faber & Faber www.faber.co.uk

Key segment in the poem Corresponding Associations ‘Appearing Ideas’
Goodbyes Disappointment
Tears Sadness
Fallen in love Loss of control
Trying to think Confusion
And when was it wrong? Questioning
You’re a fool Shame/doubt
The heart is the boss Ruled by Emotions

Now use the selections from the poem in order to form an introductory paragraph with these key ideas.

Goodbyes

Tears

Fallen in love

Trying to think

And when was it wrong?

You’re a fool

The heart is the boss

Disappointment

Sadness

Loss of control

Confusion

Questioning

Shame/doubt

Ruled by Emotions