1 Use a simple straightforward argument to structure your essay around. State this clearly as part of your introduction.
2 Each paragraph should contribute to the argument in your introduction. For example if you are writing about the poem Wind. Break down the argument that Hughes presents nature as violent and dangerous by writing about a) the landscape – powerful, b) wildlife - destructive, c) people – threatening. You will create structure, coherence and flow by doing this.
3 Try and create development and structure in your essay by linking paragraphs together by bridge or connecting words such as, ‘However,’ or phrases such as, ‘Another way Hughes…..’
4 Make your first sentence of a paragraph a topic sentence. A topic sentence picks up on a feature of the overall argument presented in your introduction.
5 Making references to literary terms and there effects. These should be embedded within a paragraph rather than forming a topic sentence.
6 You are reminded that you must write on up to 40 lines of a Hughes poem. You do not need to write about the whole poem. Write a lot about a little quotation.
7 Select quotations really carefully and write everything relevant to the essay that is in the quotation. For example write about key words – meanings, symbols and connotations, word classes phrases – phonology or imagery, rhythm, rhyme.
8 Make sure you make references to at least two other poems we have studied in this anthology. You should show how they are similar and or different.
9 Use the appropriate academic lexis and formal register.
10 Make sure you write no more than 1000 word excluding quotations.
