Struggling to know what a Band 6 Essay for English Advanced should contain? Here's a list of everything you need to include. 

Introduction

  •       Thesis - directly answering the question
  •      Introduce your text - author’s name, text, form + context key words, year published
  •       Elaborate on your thesis statement and link to themes
  •       Finish with an audience impact statement that links to the question and rubric

NOTE: The thesis statement and audience impact statement should link back to specific module rubric. For example, an audience impact statement for the common module should aim to develop on one of the following, “see the world differently, to challenge assumptions, ignite new ideas or reflect personally.”

Body Paragraphs

  •   Topic sentence that relates the thesis to the theme of the paragraph (and also relates to the purpose of the module)

NOTE: Linking back to the purpose of the module (rubric) is really important.

For example, here how I would summarise the purpose if each module:

Common Module: representation of human experiences in the text; storytelling to reflect lives and cultures; portraying the complexity of human behaviours and emotions.

Module A: The comparison of similarities and differences between two texts as a result of changing context, values and authorial purpose; how the study of one text reveals new ideas about the other; form as a manifestation of changing values of audiences.

Module B: The text’s ability to reach both contextual and contemporary audiences as a result of innovation in form and coherence between concepts, language and form.

  • Introduce a new point of view and back up with textual analysis X 3 (aim for minimum three quotes, for Module A and B, you may even want to use 4 quotes)
  • Textual Analysis: QTEL

NOTE: There are many acronyms out there that you can use, but my personal favourite is QTEL, which stands for Quote, Technique, Effect (of the technique) and Link (back to the question and/or syllabus).

NOTE: Your analysis and link back to the question will be specific to the module, as discussed above. Also, don’t forget that especially for Module B - your link back to the construction (form) and reception of the text (contemporary and contextual audiences) must be consistent. 

  Finish off the paragraph with an audience impact statement that links back to the thesis and rubric focus.

Conclusion

  •   Reiterate your thesis statement
  •   Briefly link back to the main ideas of each paragraph
  •   Comment on audience impact - link to rubric focus

NOTE: A conclusion is essential for a Band 6 Essay as without it, your essay won't be considered sustained. So, even if you are running out of time, prioritise jotting down a quick conclusion.