Your Goal: To write a sophisticated essay that analyses how a writer achieves a specific effect (in this case,
creating sympathy).
You are marked on two skills:
1. AO1: Your understanding of the text and your use of evidence. (12 marks)
2. AO2: Your analysis of the writer's language and structural methods. (18 marks)
Step 1: Deconstruct the Question (The 5-Minute Plan)
● Box the Key Word: What is the key thing you have to do? (e.g., create sympathy). Every part of
your answer must link back to this.
● Underline the Bullet Points: These are your essay checklist. You must cover all of them.
○ How the soldier feels
○ How he is treated (before vs. after)
○ Use of language and structure
● Brainstorm Quickly: Scribble down 4-5 key ideas for each bullet point, with a few short quotes.
Use the poem to find your evidence.
Step 2: Structure Your Answer
Use a simple essay structure to stay organised and ensure you cover everything.
Introduction (3-4 sentences)
● What: Name the text and the author.
● How: Briefly state the main ways the writer creates sympathy (e.g., through contrast, powerful
imagery, and emotional language).
● Why: Offer a one-sentence insight into the writer's overall purpose.
● Example: In his poem "Disabled," Wilfred Owen creates overwhelming sympathy for a wounded
soldier. He achieves this through stark contrasts between the soldier's past and present, the cruel
way he is treated by society, and the deliberate use of poetic devices to highlight his pain and
isolation, ultimately exposing the devastating true cost of war.
Main Body Paragraphs (Aim for 3-4 paragraphs)
Use a PEAZAL structure for each paragraph to hit all the assessment objectives.
● P - Point: Make a clear point that answers the question.
○ e.g., Owen immediately creates sympathy by highlighting the soldier's physical isolation and
helplessness.
● E - Evidence: Provide a short, relevant quotation to prove your point.
○ e.g., This is clear from the opening line where he is described as sitting in a "wheeled chair,
waiting for dark".
● A - Analysis (AO2): This is the most important part! Analyse the language or structure.
creating sympathy).
You are marked on two skills:
1. AO1: Your understanding of the text and your use of evidence. (12 marks)
2. AO2: Your analysis of the writer's language and structural methods. (18 marks)
Step 1: Deconstruct the Question (The 5-Minute Plan)
● Box the Key Word: What is the key thing you have to do? (e.g., create sympathy). Every part of
your answer must link back to this.
● Underline the Bullet Points: These are your essay checklist. You must cover all of them.
○ How the soldier feels
○ How he is treated (before vs. after)
○ Use of language and structure
● Brainstorm Quickly: Scribble down 4-5 key ideas for each bullet point, with a few short quotes.
Use the poem to find your evidence.
Step 2: Structure Your Answer
Use a simple essay structure to stay organised and ensure you cover everything.
Introduction (3-4 sentences)
● What: Name the text and the author.
● How: Briefly state the main ways the writer creates sympathy (e.g., through contrast, powerful
imagery, and emotional language).
● Why: Offer a one-sentence insight into the writer's overall purpose.
● Example: In his poem "Disabled," Wilfred Owen creates overwhelming sympathy for a wounded
soldier. He achieves this through stark contrasts between the soldier's past and present, the cruel
way he is treated by society, and the deliberate use of poetic devices to highlight his pain and
isolation, ultimately exposing the devastating true cost of war.
Main Body Paragraphs (Aim for 3-4 paragraphs)
Use a PEAZAL structure for each paragraph to hit all the assessment objectives.
● P - Point: Make a clear point that answers the question.
○ e.g., Owen immediately creates sympathy by highlighting the soldier's physical isolation and
helplessness.
● E - Evidence: Provide a short, relevant quotation to prove your point.
○ e.g., This is clear from the opening line where he is described as sitting in a "wheeled chair,
waiting for dark".
● A - Analysis (AO2): This is the most important part! Analyse the language or structure.
