📝 Common Essay Types and How to Handle Them
| Essay Type | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Theme-Based | Make your argument clear from the start. Stay focused on the theme throughout. |
| Character-Based | Track development. Compare to other characters. Explain their purpose. |
| Extract + Whole Text | Start with extract: zoom in. Then zoom out to the rest of the text. Link ideas. |
| Compare Two Texts | Structure each paragraph comparatively. Don’t just do one then the other. |
| Unseen Poem | Read it twice. Identify voice, mood, and imagery. Comment on title and last line. |
📖 EXAM TIPS FOR COMPREHENSION
✏️ IGCSE (English Language – Paper 1 Comprehension)
Key Focus:
Understanding and retrieving information, explaining meaning, inferring deeper ideas, and evaluating use of language.
Top Tips:
- Read the question FIRST before reading the passage — you’ll know what details to focus on.
- Annotate as you read: underline names, dates, places, emotional reactions, etc.
- Answer what is asked. If the question says “how,” include methods (language techniques), not just summary.
- Use your own words unless told to quote.
- For inference questions (e.g., “What can we infer about…”), find clues, not direct statements.
- For language analysis (e.g., “How does the writer create tension?”):
- Identify techniques (similes, metaphors, repetition).
- Explain effect on the reader.
- Time Management Tip: Don’t spend more than 1 minute per mark.