There are some notable patterns in the feedback I am giving you during our 1-1s:
- Make sure that each section / paragraph starts with a topic sentence, which links back to the previous section (probably through a comparative phrase) and makes its relevance to your thesis clear. Here's an example from Tolu's essay, who is doing the 'hopes/dreams/reality/suffering' question:
'Like Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman, Pecola's dream means that she is forced to chase the inachievable, which in her case is her impractical desire to have blue eyes.'
So the link is made (red) first, then the new topic set up with clear reference to the question through 'dream', 'inachievable' & 'impractical desire'.
- Avoid using the words 'positive' or 'negative' in your essay: there are always better words you can use
- Don't allow your sentences to go on for too long, and make sure that you are not using commas where a full stop (or semi-colon) is needed
- Make sure that you remember to quote from your texts, and that you use punctuation to introduce the quote
- Have you written, in detail, about at least 3 Larkin poems?
- Are you modifying your arguments with words or phrases like 'Perhaps', 'It could be suggested that ...', 'Arguably', to make it clear that you are offering an interpretation rather than the truth?
- Don't just include secondary critics, use them - comment on them or use them to introduce a counterargument or new angle
- Remember that you can take on the question. You don't have to agree with it!
I suggest you watch the video on this blog which compares all three texts for context to make sure that you are covering all the bases which are relevant to your essay
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