STUDY SKILLS 1

Strategies to answer essay questions

Introduction:

Writing a critical analysis of a novel can be daunting to many IPG TESL Foundation Year
students. Some common problems are lack of convincing evidence, poor elaboration,
inaccurate points, and most importantly, the lack of ability to fulfil the requirements of the
question itself.

Here are some guidelines:-

i. First, read the question carefully.

ii. Then, circle or highlight the key words / phrases in the question.
iii. Brainstorm what you know about the key words / phrases you have identified.
iv. Mind map your points.
v. Structure your answer as follows:-
- State your point (answers the “What?”)
- Explain your point (answers the “What do you mean?”)
- Give convincing evidence that supports the point (answers the “What’s the
proof?”)
- Connect the evidence to your explanation of the point (answers the “So what?”).
vi. Every paragraph should follow the same structure.
vii. The concluding paragraph should sum up all the points and relate to the question.
viii. DO NOT FORGET TO CHECK FOR ERRORS:-
- Start with spelling errors
- Then, Subject-Verb agreement (singular subject, singular verb; plural subject,
plural verb)
- Next, check the tenses (are you mixing the Present and Past tenses?)

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 SECTION D
NOVEL (25 MARKS)

Question 1

Established authors captivate their readers to read their works using various strategies and
techniques. Based on the novel you have studied, elaborate with evidence from the text how
the author captivated your attention.

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Question 2

Many authors write novels that reflect some of their own backgrounds, the places, history and
even political development of certain places during certain times. Novels are used to deliver
the author’s message to their readers. Based on the novel you have studied, identify the
author’s message and elaborate how it is delivered to the readers.

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Question 3

Irony is a literary device that can effectively arouse certain emotions in the audience. Identify
the irony in the novel you have studied and elaborate how the irony is delivered. Provide
convincing evidence from the text to justify your answer.

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Question 4

When a noble man of a high social status falls due to his own folly or the folly of others, it is
tragic. Discuss this statement with convincing evidence from the novel you have studied.

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Question 5

Identify the climax in the novel you have studied. Provide reasons for your answer. Elaborate
how the plot developed until the climax and how it ended.

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Question 6

A protagonist in a novel has a goal to achieve but the antagonist hinders the protagonist’s
efforts. At the end of the novel, the protagonist may or may not achieve his goal. Based on
the novel you have studied, identify the protagonist and the antagonist. Elaborate how the
protagonist is hindered by the antagonist. Did the protagonist achieve his / her goal? Why?

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Question 7

Themes are threaded throughout the novel and can be delivered through the characters’
actions and thoughts, the setting and the society’s practices. From the novel you have
studied, identify one major theme and one minor theme. Elaborate how the themes are
developed based on the statement.

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Question 8

A novelist may write a novel to implicitly highlight certain pressing issues that plague the
society. Identify the issues that plagued the society in the novel you have studied. Are these
issues relevant today? If so, how?

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Question 9

The society plays a major role in shaping one’s personality and determines how one leads his /
her life. In the novel you have studied, discuss how the society has affected the protagonist.

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