1. Essay Planning
Higher

2. Practice essay questions
Choose a play in which a central character is in conflict with or rejects another character. Briefly explain the circumstances of the conflict or rejection and go on to discuss the consequences of this conflict or rejection for the play as a whole.

3. Initial thoughts
Mindmap or bullet point anything that you think you could use to answer this question
You do not need to look things up in your notes just write your first ideas.

4. Structure
Introduction
Main body (PEE paragraphs x 5)
Conclusion

5. Introduction Bullet point this information Name of play Playwright
Summary
What will your essay be discussing/techniques?

6. Introductions Name the play and playwright.
Give a summary of the play.
Link to the essay question.
Helpful hints:
NEVER say “In this essay…”
Don’t write everything that happens in your summary of the plot.
Remember to put “ “ around the title of the text.

7. Example Question
Choose a play in which a central character is in conflict with or rejects another character. Briefly explain the circumstances of the conflict or rejection and go on to discuss the consequences of this conflict or rejection for the play as a whole.

8. Example Introduction
A play that has a central character that is in conflict with another is 'The Crucible’ by Arthur Miller. ‘The Crucible’ is how a town becomes obsessed with witch trials as one girl tries to get revenge on the man who left her. In order to analyse how Miller creates this conflict between John Proctor and Abigail the techniques of characterisation and plot will be examined.

9. Example Introduction
A play that has a central character that is in conflict with another is 'The……………..…………..' by …………………………… ‘The Crucible’ is about ……………………………………………………………………………. .…………………………………………………………………………… In order to analyse how Miller creates this conflict between John Proctor and ………………………. the techniques of ………………… will be examined.

10. Main Paragraph PEER structure.
Point - a sentence or two which answer the essay question in some way. This part will also explain what you are about to talk about in the paragraph.
Evidence - an example of what you’ve talked about in the point. This could be a quote or reference to a particular aspect of the scene.
Explanation - Mention which techniques have been used (characterisation, costume, lighting, camera shots/angles) and the effect they have on the audience.
Reference to question - link your explanation back to what the essay question is asking.

11. Main body Point: what is one specific idea that answers the question?
Evidence: what quotation/technique backs up your point?
Explain: What does your quotation/technique tell us? What does it mean? How does this link back to the question/task?

12. Main Body
One way that Miller creates conflict is through John Proctor’s confession about his affair.
Who does he confess to?
Find a quotation to show this.
What does this quotation show? What techniques are used to create conflict for this character
How does this quotation make the audience feel about John Proctor and his relationship with Abigail?

13. Main Body Example
One way that Miller creates conflict is through John Proctor’s confession about his affair. This is shown when the John announces to the court officials: “It is a whore.” This phrase means that believes that Abigail is no better than a prostitute. The use of the word “whore” highlights that he has a negative view of her and what has once been lust between then has become replaced by anger and aggression. The use of short sentences further emphasise the conflict between these characters as John is not trying to soften the blow of his condemnation of her character. Instead he is fighting back against her actions and is prepared to hurt her the way she has hurt his family and ensure that everyone knows the truth about her. Therefore Miller is able to create conflict between John and Abigail as they begin a battle to discredit the other’s character in front of the leaders of the town. .

14. Main Body Another way Miller illustrates conflict is when ………… Quote
Explain/analyse your quote
Link back to the question

15. Conclusion Bullet point this information Name of the play
Name of playwright
Your opinions about the text
How did you fulfil the demands of the task? What was your answer?

16. Conclusions Re-state the title and writer/director of the text.
Summarise the main points you have made about what the essay question asked.
End the paragraph with one final sentence which refers to the essay question in some way and gives your opinion on the text.

17. Conclusion
In conclusion in “ The Crucible” by Arthur Miller it is clear that the audience experiences the conflict between John Proctor and Abigail Williams as John insults her in public, Abigail tries to destroy his family and encourages Mary Warren to condemn him. Miller’s use of characterisation and language effectively creates this conflict as he builds up the tension that exists within this relationship. Therefore it is clear that as the play progresses the lust that John felt for Abigail is replaced with anger and hatred and a desire to destroy her.

18. Conclusion
In conclusion in “ ……………………………………” by ………………………………………..it is clear that the audience experiences ………………………………………… as John insults her in public, …………………………… and ……………………………….. ………………………………………………. Miller’s use of characterisation and …………………………………. effectively creates this conflict as he builds up the tension that exists within this relationship. Therefore it is clear that as the play progresses the lust that John felt for Abigail is replaced with anger and hatred and a desire to destroy her.

19. Start writing
Put this information into full sentences. Make sure everything is well explained and detailed.