Essay-writing tips: Language techniques
(a) With reference to the ways Priestley presents Mr Birling, show how far you agree that Mr Birling acts inconsiderately towards his children.
Before you start writing your essay, you should spend five minutes planning what you will write. Think about how you can break down your answer into logical paragraphs.
A good approach to begin with is to highlight any key terms which stand out for you.
In sample question (a) the key term you must think about is ‘Mr Birling acts inconsiderately towards his children’.
Make sure you use the key term frequently throughout your essay. This helps to keep your answer focused as you create your argument.
The structure of your planning - and your essay - should provide evidence that Mr Birling does act inconsiderately towards his children and evidence that Mr Birling does not act inconsiderately towards his children.
It is also important to include comments on the effects of how Priestly uses language and techniques to show that Mr Birling does or does not act inconsiderately towards his children.
Language and stylistic devices / dramatic techniques could include some of the following:
- division into acts and scenes
- stage directions
- use of some technical terms eg expositionThe part of a narrative that sets the scene for the audience, for example giving the backstory of the characters or information about the setting., protagonistThe chief character in a novel, film or play., hero, minor character, denouement The final part of a narrative in which the strands of the plot are drawn together and matters are explained or resolved.
- cohesiveFitting together well to form a united whole. elements eg repetition of words or ideas, climax, sequentialHappening in a logical order. ordering
- disjunctiveLacking any clear connection or consistency. elements eg use of curtain, flashback, or anticipation of events
- asides, soliloquyA dramatic device where a character in a play speaks his or her thoughts out loud. This allows the audience to know their true thoughts and feelings. None of the other characters are present., dramatic monologueA speech delivered by one character in a drama. The character may be speaking to the audience or to other characters., use of narrator, chorusA group of characters who comment on the action of the play.
- tonal features eg emphasis, exclamation
- interaction through dialogue and movement
- use of punctuation to indicate delivery of lines eg interruption, hesitation, turn-taking, listening
- reportageA dramatic technique where a character brings new information to the play’s other characters – and sometimes to the audience too.
- vocabulary choices
- staging, set, lighting, use of properties
- costume and music effects
You should use short quotations to support your ideas. You will also be given marks for paraphraseRestating the meaning of a piece of text in your own words. parts of the book and referring to specific events, as this shows your knowledge of the text.