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The Critical Essay
Quick questions on Structuring a critical essay: introduction, line of thought and paragraphs - SQA Higher English
5short 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 open with a relevant introduction?Show answer
A strong introduction names the text and writer and states your line of thought in response to the specific question. Avoid a memorised, all-purpose opening; the marker is checking from the first sentence that you are engaging with this question, not the one you hoped for. Naming the central concern the question raises, and your stance on it, signals relevance immediately.
What is build paragraphs that argue?Show answer
Each body paragraph should make one point that answers the question, support it with a short quotation, analyse the technique in that quotation, and link the point back to the question. This topic-sentence-evidence-analysis-link shape keeps every paragraph doing argumentative work rather than narrating the plot. The link sentence is what sustains the line of thought, so never omit it.
What is q1?Show answer
What must the introduction do besides naming the text and writer? [2 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
What single quality acts as the gatekeeper to the upper bands, and why? [2 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
Describe the four moves a strong body paragraph makes. [2 marks]
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