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The Critical Essay
Quick questions on Structuring a critical essay: introduction, body and conclusion - SQA National 5 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 are build relevant body paragraphs?Show answer
Each body paragraph makes one point that answers the question, supports it with a reference (a quotation or close detail), analyses the technique, and links explicitly back to the question. This is often taught as point, evidence, analysis, link. Three or four developed paragraphs are usually stronger than five thin ones. The discriminating skill is keeping every paragraph on the question rather than drifting into plot.
What is conclude by answering the question?Show answer
The conclusion draws your points together into an overall answer to the question. It should not simply repeat the introduction or introduce new evidence; it should state what your analysis has shown about the question's key words. A conclusion that explicitly answers the question leaves the marker with a clear sense of your argument.
What is q1?Show answer
Why must your critical essay be on a different genre from your Scottish set text? [1 mark]
What is q2?Show answer
What four moves should each body paragraph make? [2 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
Why does a plot retelling score in a low band? [2 marks]
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