7 Ways to Write a Top Grade Essay (Using Sheila in An Inspector Calls) Mr Salles

Mr Salles Teaches English・2 minutes read

Dec's essay on Priestley's morality play received a perfect score, showcasing the importance of planning and critical analysis while linking Sheila Burling's character to capitalism and societal changes from 1912 to 1945. The examiner acknowledged Dec's strengths in argument structure and language analysis but recommended further development of points, particularly regarding the explicit connections between patriarchal society and capitalism.

Insights

  • Dec's essay not only achieved a perfect score by effectively analyzing Sheila Burling's character in Priestley's morality play, but it also highlighted the connection between a patriarchal society and capitalism, suggesting that Sheila's transformation reflects broader societal critiques relevant to both 1912 and 1945.
  • The examiner's feedback underscored the importance of developing arguments further and linking ideas more explicitly, revealing that while Dec's essay demonstrated strong structure and analysis, there remained opportunities for deeper exploration of themes such as the impact of capitalism on the working class and the significance of societal changes like the suffragette movement.

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Recent questions

  • What is a morality play?

    A morality play is a genre of medieval drama that illustrates moral lessons through allegorical characters and narratives. These plays often depict the struggle between good and evil, with characters representing virtues and vices. The purpose of morality plays is to teach audiences about ethical behavior and the consequences of their choices, often culminating in a moral lesson or a call to repentance. They were popular in the late Middle Ages and served as a means of conveying religious and moral teachings to a largely illiterate population. The structure typically involves a protagonist who faces various temptations and challenges, ultimately leading to a resolution that reinforces moral values.

  • How can I improve my essay writing?

    Improving essay writing involves several key strategies that enhance clarity, structure, and argumentation. First, it is essential to plan your essay before writing; this includes outlining your main points and organizing your thoughts logically. Incorporating a clear thesis statement helps guide your argument and provides a focal point for your writing. Additionally, embedding quotations and examples from relevant texts strengthens your analysis and supports your claims. It is also important to develop your ideas fully, linking them to broader contexts or themes, which can enrich your argument. Finally, revising your work for clarity and expression, as well as seeking feedback from peers or instructors, can significantly improve the quality of your essays.

  • What are the benefits of planning an essay?

    Planning an essay offers numerous benefits that contribute to a more coherent and effective piece of writing. By outlining your main arguments and structuring your thoughts beforehand, you can ensure that your essay has a logical flow and that each point builds upon the previous one. This preparation helps prevent the inclusion of irrelevant information and keeps your writing focused on the thesis. Additionally, planning allows you to allocate time effectively, ensuring that you can develop your ideas thoroughly and avoid rushing through important sections. It also aids in identifying potential counterarguments, enabling you to address them within your essay, which can strengthen your overall argument and demonstrate critical thinking.

  • What is the significance of character development in literature?

    Character development is a crucial element in literature as it enhances the depth and relatability of characters, allowing readers to engage more fully with the narrative. Well-developed characters undergo transformations that reflect their experiences, motivations, and conflicts, making them more realistic and compelling. This evolution often serves to illustrate broader themes within the story, such as societal issues or moral dilemmas. Through character development, authors can explore complex human emotions and relationships, providing insights into the human condition. Additionally, characters that grow and change can resonate with readers, prompting them to reflect on their own lives and the choices they make, thereby enriching the reading experience.

  • What makes an essay score highly in exams?

    An essay scores highly in exams due to several key factors that demonstrate the writer's understanding and analytical skills. First, a clear and well-structured argument is essential; this includes a strong thesis statement and logically organized points that support the main argument. The use of relevant evidence, such as quotations and examples from the text, is crucial for substantiating claims and showcasing critical analysis. Additionally, essays that explore multiple ideas and contexts, particularly those that connect historical or social themes, tend to impress examiners. Clarity of expression and effective language use also play significant roles in achieving high marks, as they enhance the overall readability and persuasiveness of the essay. Finally, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of the material and engaging with it critically can elevate an essay's assessment level significantly.

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Summary

00:00

Dec's Perfect Essay on Sheila Burling

  • The video showcases an essay by a viewer named Dec, who achieved a perfect score of 30 out of 30 in 2019, demonstrating the quality of handwriting and the typical length of an exam answer, which spans three pages without crammed writing.
  • The video emphasizes the importance of planning an answer, as Dec included a plan in the question book, which is not necessary for marking but can help the examiner understand the intended argument if time runs out.
  • Dec's thesis states that in the morality play, Priestley uses Sheila Burling to illustrate the corrupt political situation of 1912, linking a patriarchal society to war and death, and suggesting that capitalism can be critiqued through Sheila's character.
  • The examiner's comments indicate that while Dec demonstrated a clear understanding of the text, he needed to develop his points further to reach higher assessment levels, particularly by linking patriarchal society to capitalism more explicitly.
  • Dec's analysis of Sheila's character includes the use of childlike imagery and pronouns like "mummy," which reflect the innocence associated with capitalism, and he connects this to the broader societal implications of capitalism's impact on the working class.
  • The essay progresses to discuss Sheila's transformation as the inspector arrives, with the stage direction symbolizing truth and challenging capitalist views, which impresses the examiner and elevates the assessment level.
  • Dec's repetition of "I" in Sheila's admission of wrongdoing is interpreted as a sign of leadership and personal growth, linking her character development to Priestley's broader critique of capitalism and its consequences.
  • The essay effectively connects the context of 1912 to Priestley's views in 1945, demonstrating how societal changes, including the suffragette movement, are reflected in Sheila's character and the potential for societal improvement.
  • The examiner notes that Dec's use of specific language, such as the shift from "mummy" to "mother," illustrates Sheila's maturation and political awareness, which is a sophisticated analysis that aligns with the assessment criteria.
  • The video concludes by outlining the seven skills examiners look for, highlighting Dec's strengths in structuring arguments, embedding quotations, and analyzing language, while also noting areas for improvement in clarity and expression.

17:45

Essay Evaluation and Improvement Insights

  • The text discusses the evaluation of an essay by an examiner, highlighting that the essay received a perfect score of 30 out of 30 despite its imperfections; it emphasizes the importance of exploring multiple ideas and contexts, particularly regarding the suffragettes and both World Wars, which the examiner appreciated; it notes that examiners assess essays based on their convincing nature and critical analysis, leading to varied marks due to differing examiner opinions, but ultimately, the student achieved a significant improvement from a grade four to a grade eight, encouraging readers to review the seven initial ideas presented and apply them in their writing for better results.
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