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SingaporeEnglish LiteratureQuick questions
Structuring the Literature Essay
Quick questions on Planning under exam conditions explained: O-Level Literature in English
8short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is plan first?Show answer
Many students fear that planning wastes precious minutes. The opposite is true. A few minutes spent planning prevent the two great time-wasters: drifting off the question (and having to recover) and stopping mid-essay to wonder what comes next. With a plan, you write continuously toward a known structure.
What is step three?Show answer
Jot three or four paragraph points, each proving part of the thesis, and note a piece of evidence beside each. This skeleton, a thesis and three or four evidenced points, is enough to guide a whole essay and fits in the margin. It guarantees the essay has a balanced shape, that every paragraph has a job, and that you will not forget a key point or run dry. Spread your points and evidence so the answer is balanced, not lopsided.
What is manage your time across the paper?Show answer
Divide your time by the marks, giving each essay its fair share, and within each essay reserve a few minutes to plan and a minute to check. Note when you must move on, and move on at that time even if an answer is unfinished, because the first marks in a fresh answer come faster than the last marks in a polished one. If time runs short on the final answer, write the thesis and remaining points briefly, even in note form, so your argument and evidence are visible. Completeness and balance protect marks.
What is not decoding the question?Show answer
Missing the command word ("to what extent" needs a judgement) or the exact focus, so the essay answers the wrong thing.
What is no time discipline?Show answer
Over-writing early answers and leaving the last essay unfinished, losing easy marks; divide time by the marks and move on.
What is q1?Show answer
Why does planning save time rather than waste it? [2 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
What does it mean to "decode" an essay question, and why does it matter? [2 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
What should you do if you are running short of time on your final essay? [3 marks]