features of a discursive essay leaving cert

Leaving Cert English Masterplan  by Paul McCormack

In this article, Paul McCormack takes a look at the Leaving Cert Higher Level English papers and breaks down exactly what you need to cover with tips on what to focus on and the depth required. 

Download the Masterplan in PowerPoint

If you want to be a good writer, you need to concentrate not just on what you say, but also on how you say it.

Marking Scheme - PCLM

• Purpose (30%)
• Coherence of Delivery (30%)
• Language (30%)
• Mechanics (10%)

Paper 1 -200 marks

Timing – 2hrs 50mins = 170 mins

• QA – 60 minutes
• QB – 30minutes
• Composition – 70 minutes
• 10 minutes – ‘wriggle-room’

Comprehension – QA  - 50m = 12.5%

• 3 texts – Answer on 1
• 3 Questions: 2x15m + 1x20 marks
• Expectation – 5 marks = 1 paragraph
• NO opening or closing paragraph required

Expect Q(i) to be very straightforward – often a simple character analysis task.

Based on your reading of the written element of TEXT 3, explain three insights you gain into the character of Ariadne O’Neill. Support your response with reference to the text.

Expect Q(iii) to be a style question – vital to prepare and be able to identify the key qualities of different styles of writing: a)    Argument -----> Discursive  b)    Persuasion ----> Speech / talk c)    Story / narrative d)    Description / Aesthetic e)    Personal writing

Expect Q(ii) to be the most challenging . In recent years, these questions have required candidates to be imaginative . These questions often do not require direct reference to the attached Reading Comprehension passage.  

Example: In TEXT 1, Jeanette Winterson claims that, “We go to Shakespeare to find out about ourselves now.” With reference to a Shakespearean play you have studied for your 2019 Leaving Certificate course, identify an image, moment or episode that revealed something to you about “yourselfnow”. Explain the insight(s) you gained from engaging with this image, moment or episode.

Comprehension – QB - 50m = 12.5%

• 3 tasks – Answer on 1
• Pick QB first
• Imaginative tasks – often requires candidate to adopt a persona
• Task usually involves a ‘framework’ instruction, i.e. A speech; a talk; an introduction to a collection of essays; a magazine article / blog post / article for school website; a formal letter; a Diary entry

Questions will also usually contain a list of tasks that must be addressed across the response. The key here is to be:  1)    Accurate 2)    Consistent 3)    Imaginative 4)    Concise  

Example: In TEXT 1, Jeanette Winterson extols the virtues of the arts, arguing that artistic activities are beneficial both for individuals and for society in general. She also gives her views on the relationship between art and money. Write an opinion piece, suitable for publication in a broadsheet newspaper, in which you extol the varied virtues of sport, put forward a reasoned argument to persuade readers that sport benefits both individuals and society, and give your views on the appropriate relationship between sport and money.

Composition – 100m = 25%

• The most important section of the exam
• 7 choices – select one
• Questions always genre-specific
• A personal essay
• A short story
• A discursive essay

There will also likely be an option to write: 

• A descriptive essay
• A persuasive essay
• A magazine / newspaper article

The style of writing is the most important criteria for assessment here. Tasks are genre-specific, so:

• A short story should contain obvious elements of narrative / aesthetic language
• A speech should display an understanding of persuasive and argumentative techniques
• A discursive essay should display a balanced, informed, considered approach
• A personal essay should be reflective and contain ‘individual observation’

The marking schemes very clearly lay out the expectations related to each style of essay and should be studied closely.

The quality of language and expression  will be closely examined in this task above all others. The expectation is that the candidate will display a strong understanding of the particulars of the selected genre and will write in an articulate and clear style.

Imagination and Originality are key factors in a successful composition.

Paper 2 – 200m – 200 minutes.

Time management: take one hour to write each essay, and then spend 20 minutes on Unseen Poetry at the end.

There is an expectation that all answers on Paper 2 will be:

• Substantial (anywhere between 1,000 & 1,200 words is a reasonable expectation)
• Evidence-based. Quotation is vitally important here. There is an absolute expectation of supporting quotation for answers to Single Text and Studied Poetry answers. Quotation also adds to the quality of comparative answers.
• Analytical – the expectation is that answers will contain thoughtful and considered question-facing commentary. All Paper 2 tasks are exercises in CRITICAL THINKING.
• Properly structured.  

Note: In responses to Single Text and Studied Poetry tasks, opening and closing paragraphs certainly should be written . However, they should be brief and only need to accomplish one task – state the candidate’s response to the statement proposal in the question. Every answer on Paper 2 must be written in the language of argument  so provide your THESIS and move on. Closing paragraphs should again be brief and simply re-iterate the thesis. Candidates do not need to ‘list’ points on the OP or CP.

Single Text – 60m = 15%

Five texts are prescribed for study:

• All the Light We Cannot See
• A Doll’s House
• Frankenstein
• The Picture of Dorian Gray
• There will be 2 questions on each text and candidates must answer one question.
• The question will contain multiple elements

Examples: #1 Discuss how Shakespeare makes effective use, for a variety of purposes, of the contradictions and inconsistencies evident in Othello’s character. Develop your discussion with reference to Shakespeare’s play, Othello.

#2 Discuss how Shakespeare’s use of language, including imagery, plays an important part in developing our understanding of one of the following aspects of his play, Othello: themes; characterisation; setting and atmosphere. Develop your answer with reference to the text.

Expectations:

• Answers will be question-facing.
• Answers will not ‘narrate’ the studied text.
• Answers will be thoughtful, and points and evidence will be contextualised in the light of the question.
• Between 4-6 relevant points will be presented in a logical and structured essay.

Othello – Key Topics for Revision:

• The story-arc of the main characters
• The modern appeal 
• Universal themes like corruption and deception are particularly important.

Comparative Three modes are prescribed for study:

• The cultural context
• Theme and issue
• Literary genre

CANDIDATES MUST ANSWER ON ONE MODE.

• Each mode will offer a choice between two questions.
• One choice will be a stand-alone 70-mark essay. 
• In 2021, candidates could refer to 2 texts when answering this question WITHOUT FEAR OF PENALTY.
• The other choice will be divided into Part A (30) marks and Part B (40 marks).
• Candidates are expected to be able to refer to three texts when answering this question.

Expectations: Answers will

• Be written in the comparative spirit
• Display a detailed knowledge of the selected texts
• Avoid paraphrasing / narrating the selected texts.

When writing a Comparative answer, ensure you clearly identify your selected texts before you begin to write. The list technique is a very effective way to do this.

Try to develop 3-4 points in a thoughtful and analytical style. 

Studied Poetry: Poets Prescribed for Higher Level 2022

• Expect to see at least one poet from each category on your exam. 
• 4 poets are usually examined
• In 2021, 5 poets were examined.
• Candidates have to answer on one poet.
• Questions will usually explicitly refer to  a)    The thematic content of a poet’s work b)    Aspects of the poet’s style of writing  
• Candidates should refer to between 4-6 poems in an answer.
• Candidates will focus in on 3-4 core poems and then refer to another 1-2 other poems in context.
• Candidates will not summarise the poems. 
• Candidates will be selective in choice of evidence. 
• You do not have to tell the examiner the story of the poem.  
• The questions will vary in difficulty . Decision-making is a key skill here.
• A good example if this comes from the 2020 Paper 2:

Emily Dickinson  Discuss how Dickinson’s unique approach to language, and the balance between beauty and horror in her imagery, help to relieve some of the darker aspects of her poetry. Develop your response with reference to the poems by Emily Dickinson on your course. 

Adrienne Rich Discuss how Rich makes effective use of a variety of characters, often in dramatic settings, to probe both personal issues and wider social concerns in her poems. Develop your response with reference to the poetry by Adrienne Rich on your course.

One of these questions was much easier than the other...

Finally, some comments from the Chief Examiner that are worth considering...

The Leaving Certificate English Syllabus states that, “Developing control and power over language is the most essential educational achievement for all students if they are to become confident, thoughtful and discriminating adults and citizens”, (Leaving Certificate Syllabus, English, para. 3.5). The importance of key language skills is emphasised throughout the Marking Schemes for Leaving Certificate English and candidates who exhibit competence and control in the use of language are rewarded. It should be remembered that  candidates’ language skills are continuously assessed in the marking of answers to all questions on both Papers 1 and Paper 2 of the Leaving Certificate English examination. The criteria for assessment are applied in the case of every answer at both Higher and Ordinary Levels. This means that candidates who exhibit fluency appropriate to the task are rewarded in relation to every question answered. It is worth noting that some examiners identified candidates who were able to demonstrate knowledge of a text or texts but were less able to deliver this knowledge in a lucid and coherent fashion. 

An appropriate awareness of grammatical and syntactical conventions contributed to the cohesiveness of better answers in the 2013 examination, as did the use of correct spelling and punctuation. Weaker responses tended to be characterised by an inability to organise answers in a logical and coherent fashion and a lack of clear expression. The syllabus requires that, “all students will be expected to be assiduous in their attention to paragraphing, syntax, spelling and punctuation.” 

Candidates at both Higher and Ordinary Levels benefited when they exhibited an ability to structure their writing, organise paragraphs, spell accurately and correctly employ punctuation. 

The criteria for assessment also make explicit reference to the “use of lively interesting phrasing, energy, style and fluency”. It is essential that candidates are aware of the many purposes for which language is used and the diverse forms it can take, to appropriately serve particular purposes and audiences. Creative and thoughtful users of language were rewarded.

Paul McCormack is a senior English teacher at the Institute of Education, Leeson Street, Dublin. He is the author of Bridge The Gap TY English and Uncovering History.

Copyright © Folens Publishers 2024. All rights reserved

Writing Tips for the Composing Question on the Leaving Cert

23 July 2021

7 minutes to read

• 01. How Do I Practice My Writing? Check Out Past Exam Papers
• 02. Running Out of Time? Manage your Timekeeping
• 03. How to Find your Style and Writers Voice
• 04. Focus on the Technical Side of Writing (Grammar, Spelling and Structure etc.)
• 05. Look at the Marking Scheme to Know What Is Asked of You

The composing section on English paper 1 is an opportunity to really boost up your grade and despite what some students think, you can really prepare for this question. With a whopping 100 marks for this question , it is really worth doing that preparation, and with this Superprof guide, you will find some key tips and tricks.

Unlike the paper two poetry question, for example, there isn’t a prescribed question here. You won’t know exactly what kind of essay question will come up, or what kind of writing prompts you will have to follow. This can make some students feel uneasy and they assume they will be going into the exam blind.

This is not the case! While the questions change every year, they tend to follow the same formula , and they are essentially asking you the same things! While we wouldn’t recommend learning off an essay in its entirety and shoehorning it into a question, you should certainly have an idea of the kind of essay you can write. What is your voice? Though the characters may change, and the narrative, you will still be able to go into the exam with a framework of an essay where the bulk of it is in your head, and you just need to tweak it slightly to fit the question!

Keep reading to learn some of the ways you can teach yourself to write a better English essay!

Worried about the exam in general? We help you get past this fear with our guide to preparing for the English papers!

How Do I Practice My Writing? Check Out Past Exam Papers

As we mentioned, it is possible to be very prepared when you go into the composing question, but how? Well, this comes with practice and repetition, and no matter the way to focus on these two key things than to practice real exam examples.

The Irish state examinations committee recognises how much of a benefit it is to students to have access to past years exams, so they provide all of these for free online. All you need to do is to download the PDF. The more of these you take, and even read, the more familiar you become with the English paper, and the less of a shock you’ll face when it comes to sitting the exam!

You will start to notice trends, too. While no question is the exact same throughout the years, certain trends, themes and topics keep coming up. You will notice certain storyline narratives are quite similar. This question is not as broad as it might appear at first! For example, the relationship between people, love, hope and current social events are usually seen popping up in this question.

Now, what do you do next? Well quite simply, once you have read all of the years, take notes of the questions, what are they asking of you, break it down and simplify, highlight keywords. The more you read the more you learn! Once you’ve done this, focus on actually answering the question, going as slow as you need to, and making sure you formulate a well-structured essay.

You can find these exam papers on the official state examinations website!

Get your teacher to read through some of them, or find yourself an English tutor on Superprof that can help you ace this question!

Would you rather get some help with the fiction and comparative section? Check out our guide to the fiction texts here!

Running Out of Time? Manage your Timekeeping

This is related to the above tip, is super important and can be applied across all of the exams you will sit, not just English. One of the most common problems students who sit this paper complain about is the lack of time. It can be tough, but certainly manageably when you break it down.

There is nothing worse than a student who has done the prep, and knows the question inside out, only for them to run out of time. They might have had an H1 answer in their brain just waiting to come out, but if the examiner can’t see it, it isn’t worth anything. Harsh, maybe, but true. This shows that how you write can be as important as what you know! You must be able to get your ideas out in time.

I mentioned above that you can start with these exam papers at your own pace, but you will eventually have to crank it up (don’t worry, you have plenty of time leading up to the exam) until you can finish a paper and question in the allotted time you will have on exam day.

Do as many questions as you can and time yourself. Maybe at first, you will need your notes, that’s ok! If you can finish it in time with notes, it’s a start! Keep working your way until you can take a question (preferably one you haven’t seen before) and write a great essay in time. Once you have done this, that’s half the battle. Repetition is key here!

Timekeeping is also very relevant to the poetry question, and we know this can be a difficult one for some students, so we have composed a guide to all things leaving cert poetry!

How to Find your Style and Writers Voice

This is connected to the above tip, as the more past exam papers you read, and the more essays you write out and plan, the more you will notice and sharpen your very own writing style!

Now don’t worry, everyone has their own writing style, no matter what level you are! If you are having trouble finding a style, keep writing! What comes naturally to you? Are you a comedic writer? Or one with a darker tone? Usually writing style reflects personality!

What kind of movies do you watch? What genre of books do you read? This will help you realize what kind of writing style or storytelling style appeals to you! It will be easier to write a 3 or 4-page essay on a topic you are familiar with and that you enjoy! It will also be quicker, as it leaves less room for second-guessing, and as we know, timing is very important!

Try out a few different styles too! Don’t pigeonhole yourself into one genre, as this will leave your hands tied when it comes to the question! Maybe a topic you really like comes up, but it’s in the style of a speech, and you have never written a speech!

Go through the past exam papers and look at all of the questions. Try to write an essay in all of the styles. Of course, there will be some you are naturally better at, and this is fine, you can hone these skills, but by being flexible, you will give yourself more options and more marks on exam day!

Is the comparative question stressing you out? Get back on top of it with the Superprof English comparative guide!

Focus on the Technical Side of Writing (Grammar, Spelling and Structure etc.)

Spelling, grammar, syntax etc . is where a lot of marks are lost each year by students. On the other hand, it is something that, if worked on, can give you a great basis to go on and obtain a good grade. Even if you struggle thematically, or with a narrative, if you get your spelling, grammar, and language use spot-on, you already have something to work with.

Double and triple check your work after you’ve finished. Never ever leave the exam without checking at least once, in fact, we would suggest at least twice! These are easy marks to pick up, and something you can correct yourself, before the examiner has to!

Here at Superprof, we try to break down all of the sections on the leaving cert paper, including an extensive guide to English paper one , as well as a play by play break down of English paper two , to make sure you have as much info going into the exam as possible.

Look at the Marking Scheme to Know What Is Asked of You

We mentioned before that you have access to past exam papers, but this is also true of the marking schemes, and this is something every student familiarises themselves with! It can be really helpful to sit on the other side of the exam to get some perspective.

By reading and studying the marking scheme, specifically for the composing question, you will begin to understand where marks are won and lost. The more familiar you become, the fewer marks you lose as you are actively aware of what to do and not to do!

For example, there is a big focus on language and mechanics. This includes what we discussed above, spelling, grammar etc., but also your use of the English language. Be mindful of paragraph length, not too short or too long. Keep the length of your sentences varied also! This is something that becomes much easier to do when you are mindful of this. Make sure you give the examiner what they want.

They also want to see if you are answering the question that is asked. Try not to go off on tangents and meander around the point, as you will lose marks. Even if you are a really verbose and skilled writer, resist the urge to pepper your essay with flowery language! Ask yourself, does this add anything? And if not, remove it! Again, the more familiar you are with the marking scheme, the less likely you are to fall victim to these common mistakes!

Remember, we cover all of the sections on the English leaving cert exam, including the composing question, where we help you construct a great answer over our English essay writing guide!

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How to Write a Discursive Essay: Tips to Succeed & Examples

So, you need to accomplish your discursive essay writing. The typical questions most students ask are: How do you write it? What is discursive essay?

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A discursive essay is an academic paper that involves a discussion on a particular topic. It is usually assigned to college students. You may be required to write a paper wherein you have to do one of the following:

• argue for the issue or against it;
• present your points of view on both sides;
• provide your unprejudiced opinion on that matter.

Don’t panic!

Check out the tips from  Custom-writing.org  experts below. They will assist you in discursive writing and encourage you to examine essay examples. Moreover, in this article, you’ll also learn about different types of discursive essay, and its introduction, main body, and conclusion structure.

• ❓ What Is It?
• 🏁 Main Types

Introduction

• Basic Don’Ts
• ✏️ Frequent Questions

❓ What Is a Discursive Essay?

First of all, let’s figure out what the discursive essay is.

You may think it’s similar to the argumentative essay. Yes, but there’s a difference between them in the structure and purpose of these two types of assignments:

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We will take a detailed look at how to structure a discursive essay later, and now let’s find out what are the types of this assignment.

Keep reading!

🏁 Discursive Essay: Main Types

You have to think more critically and more in-depth when reviewing all viewpoints and aspects of discursive writing. Check these three main types of essay writing:

• Opinion Essay  requires the author’s opinion on an issue which is stated in the introductory paragraph. It should be clearly presented and followed by reasons and supporting examples. Also, this essay paper should contain an opposing argument that comes before the conclusion. The writer must explain to readers why the mentioned argument is considered to be unconvincing. The writer’s opinion should be restated/summarized in the conclusion.
• For and Against Essay  provides readers with a thorough debate on the topic with the help of opposing points of view. Each point should be discussed objectively and described in details. The introductory paragraph puts the issue under consideration. The main body of this essay paper should present examples, reasons, and arguments supported by justifications. The author’s own opinion with balanced reflections on the topic should be stated only in conclusion.
• Essay Suggesting Solution to a Problem  discusses problems and finds the main solutions. The introduction paragraph explicitly declares a problem and analyses its causes and consequences. The main body of the essay should offer some suggestions for a possible solution to the problem and potential state consequences or expected results. In conclusion, author’s opinion should be distinctly summarized.

📑 How to Write a Discursive Essay

Well, it’s time to talk about the structure of a discursive essay. Like most of the assignments, a discursive paper starts with an introduction and ends with a conclusion:

The first question you may ask is how to start a discursive essay introduction. Simple!

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• Give your readers a hook – something that would sound interesting to them.
• Provide a short explanation of the problem. You may use quotations, as well as rhetorical questions.
• Show your readers both sides of the arguments and sum up.

You may be wondering…

Is there something I should avoid in my discursive essay introduction?

Yes. No stereotypes and generalizations, please!

The next step under formal essay writing you should take is to compose the body.

There are a few points you should remember:

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• First and foremost: stay unprejudiced . Assess all of the aspects of an issue. Leave your feelings behind or for another essay type.
• Second: build your argumentation . If you have several arguments for your viewpoint—provide them in separate paragraphs. This will help you to keep your essay comprehensible and distinct. Don’t forget to submit supporting evidence.
• Third: write the body of an essay in an alternate manner. What does it mean? If your first paragraph supports the paper’s argument, then in the second paragraph you should write something in the opposite of it. Such a combination of supporting and opposite paragraphs will make your essay look apparent, and well researched. Besides, it will help you to remain neutral.
• Fourth: include topic sentences and evidence . Write a summary of the argument at the beginning of the paragraph. It will allow the reader to easier understand what the paragraph is about. Provide evidence to show that you’re not making the facts up.

Well, you’ve almost finished your writing. Now you should focus on the last section. Keep reading, and you will learn how to write a conclusion for a discursive essay.

• In the last section, you should summarize your article including the main points, specified in the body paragraphs.
• You may also logically express your opinion. Remember: it should resonate with your evidence stated in the body paragraphs.
• Don’t repeat findings, just summarize them.

Keep it short. Your conclusion length should not exceed one paragraph.

👍 Do’s and Don’ts

Do you want more discursive essay writing tips? Fine! Just check them below:

Basic Do’s of a Discursive Essay

• Write in formal, impersonal style.
• Introduce each point in a separate paragraph
• Use topic sentences for each paragraph
• Write well-developed paragraphs
• Give reasons and examples for each point
• Use sequencing
• Use linking words and phrases
• Make references to other sources and make sure that you follow proper citation style
• Identify used sources

Basic Don’Ts of a Discursive Essay

• Don’t use short forms, like I’ll, don’t, they’ve
• Don’t use informal/colloquial language, for example: old as the hills, ain’t, gonna, etc.
• Don’t use very emotional language, since it might make your discursive article look prejudiced
• Don’t use over-generalizations. Extending the features of some elements from a group more than it is reasonable will lead to generous and inaccurate conclusions.
• Don’t express your personal opinion too insistently
• Don’t refer to statistics without proper referencing (check our citation guides )
• Don’t use personal examples, leave it for a personal experience essay

Well, now you know what discursive essay means, what are its main types, and how to structure it.

Discursive Essay Topics

• Discussion of risk factors that impact human health.  
• Discuss the necessity of understanding cultural heritage to provide efficient health care.  
• Analyze different opinions on withdrawing patients’ treatment. 
• Examine different views on the Civil War . 
• Discuss what hostile emotional states are and how they impact human life.  
• Discuss the meaning of metaphors used by Virgil in Aeneid . 
• Describe different opinions on telehealth in nursing homes. 
• The ethicality of stem cell technology. 
• Explore the effectiveness of motivational interviewing . 
• Discuss how people present themselves online . 
• Discuss the reasons for Coca-Cola’s marketing success.      
• Analyze the food safety issues and the ways to improve the situation.  
• Examine the essential meaning of sleep for people’s physical and mental health.  
• Explore various complications of working with groups . 
• Discussion of the modern issues with virtue ethics . 
• Describe different views on the definition of love . 
• Give the for and against arguments considering food security technologies .  
• Discuss how the concept of the American dream is presented in the film The Great Gatsby .  
• Analyze the influence of family problems on children and suggest ways to improve the situation.  
• Present the various points of view on the ethical concepts of Buddhism . 
• Examine the attitudes towards the problem of homelessness and the suggested ways of its solution.   
• Explore different opinions on the American revolution and its consequences.  
• Discuss various policies and views around the globe on abortion . 
• Discussion of the history of food foraging in different communities.  
• Multiple thoughts on civility on the Internet . 
• Analyze arguments on the effectiveness of hand sanitizers . 
• Discuss the importance of visual aids in learning. 
• Present and evaluate the theories of international development . 
• Discuss how to prevent the spread of the West Nile Virus (WNV). 
• Is embracing renewable energy sources beneficial for both environment and the global economy?    
• Examine the correctness of the statement that the ideology of pleasure is the foundation of social activism .  
• Discussion of the ethical dilemma of population control.  
• Discuss the ethics of experimental studies .  
• Analyze the topic of gun violence and gun control laws.  
• Explore the reasons for opioid crises in the US.  
• Give arguments for and against random drug testing . 
• Discuss the problem of endangered species . 
• Express your opinion on the necessity of parents to be included in children’s education . 
• Present your attitude towards working in a bureaucratic organization . 
• Discuss the issue of the nursing shortage and suggest a solution.  
• Give different viewpoints on the definition of beauty .  
• Analyze the problem of police misconduct . 
• Discuss the description of violence of African people in literature . 
• Examine the views on Gardner’s multiple intelligence theory . 
• Describe the various opinions on mysticism and express your attitude towards it.  
• Discuss the diverse standpoints on spirituality . 
• Is nature protection an urgent problem?  
• Analyze different ideas on physical privacy at work . 
• Discussion on the Jewish heritage in nursing. 
• Examine the views on the meaning of life .  

Good luck with your discussions and discursive essays! Be sure to check out the articles on our blog for more academic wisdom. By the way, on the Custom-Writing website, you may find the best essay topics for your academic writing.

And don’t forget to share your opinion in the comments below.

You might also be interested in:

• Friendship Essay: Writing Guide & Topic Ideas about Friendship
• Teamwork Essay: Quick Guide on How to Write a Good Paper
• Compare and Contrast Essay Writing Tips and Examples
• Transportation Essay: Writing Tips and Brilliant Topics

✏️ Discursive Essay FAQ

There is no one definitely correct answer to this question. Like any other essay, the text should have a clear structure with an introduction, body, and conclusion. The most important thing is that the overall book needs to be cohesive, persuasive, and exciting to read.

An example of a step by step guide is:

1. Take a closer look at the topic, think about the points to cover.

2. Choose the most relevant points and compose the Body of the essay.

3. Add an appropriate Introduction and Conclusion.

To write a good conclusion, you need to have the rest of the essay finished. Does the body of your essay present well-structured points? Great, then see what you can conclude based on that. If possible, make a connection between the introduction and the conclusion.

To ensure that your essay has a perfect structure, start with creating an outline. Based on such a plan, you can present your points step by step. Your text should have a relevant introduction, several points in the main body (with examples), and a logical conclusion.

🔗 References

• Writing an Opinion Essay: Grace Fleming, ThoughtCo
• How to Write a Good Argumentative Essay: Easy Step-by-Step Guide: Master Class
• Ending the Essay: Conclusions: Harvard College Writing Center
• Academic Writing Style: University of Southern California
• Cite Your Sources: Library Guides at University of California, Santa Cruz
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High school and college students often face challenges when crafting a compare-and-contrast essay. A well-written paper of this kind needs to be structured appropriately to earn you good grades. Knowing how to organize your ideas allows you to present your ideas in a coherent and logical manner This article by...

“If a tree falls in the forest, does it make a sound?” is one of the most debatable philosophical questions regarding observation and perception. Many tried to answer it, including the English philosopher John Locke. Do you need to explore Locke’s perspective on this question in your essay? You are on the right...

The long-standing debate surrounding abortion has many opponents and advocates. Groups known as Pro-Choice and Pro-Life argue which approach is better, with no easy solution in sight. This ethical complexity is what makes abortion a popular topic for argumentative writing. As a student, you need to tackle it appropriately. If...

What is the most important part of any essay or research paper? Of course, it’s the thesis statement—a sentence that expresses the paper’s main idea and guides the readers through your arguments. But where do you place the thesis? You’ve probably answered, “in the introduction.” However, that’s not all of...

If you’re a student, you’ve heard about a formal essay: a factual, research-based paper written in 3rd person. Most students have to produce dozens of them during their educational career.  Writing a formal essay may not be the easiest task. But fear not: our custom-writing team is here to guide...

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Summary of information, argument, persuasion etc…

NOTE: This article was originally published in the Irish Independent Written Word Supplement, March 2014.

Language Types

The way we use language changes depending on the situation. The words you use in a job interview are obviously more formal than the words you choose when chatting to your mates. If you write a fawning comment to win a competition you’ll use lots of superlatives (think ‘biggest’, ‘best’, ‘brightest’) but for a political speech on bank debt you’ll use financial terminology.

The division of Paper 1 into language categories (information, argument, persuasion, narration/description and aesthetic language) reflects the fact that we use language in different ways in different contexts. These categories aren’t absolute, in fact they often overlap, but understanding the basic rules for informing, arguing, persuading, describing and narrating will make you a more discerning reader (i.e. better at comprehensions) and a more skilled writer (i.e. better at QB & composing).

Language of Information

What is it? Writing whose main purpose is to communicate information.

Examples: Report, leaflet, instructions, travel guide, encyclopaedia.

Layout: The reader wants to glance at the page and select the information they are looking for instantly. Present the facts using a logical, easy to follow structure. Use headings, sub-headings and bullet points or numbering. However, if you are writing an informative essay, full prose paragraphs, rather than bullet point lists, will be expected.

Style: Your focus needs to be on facts and statistics. Every point you make should be backed up by a specific example. If you are giving advice, it needs to be specific – think “count your daily fruit and veg intake and try to gradually increase by one a day until you reach your target” rather than the so-vague-as-to-be-almost-completely-useless “eat more healthily”. You can make statistics up, but you’ll have to make them sound believable. One way to do this is to name the source of the statistic – researcher, title & institution e.g. “According to research carried out by Dr. Hazel Nolan, sociology professor at Harvard University, one reason for the increase in smoking amongst teenage girls is because it is perceived as a good way to control weight gain”. However, your statistic must be convincing! I once had a student write that “92% of teenage girls in Ireland are now smokers”. You only need to look around you (or sniff those around you!) to know this couldn’t possibly be true.

Your language must be appropriate to your audience. Reports commissioned by the government or by an organisation such as the Central Statistics Office (CSO) or the Economic & Social Research Institute (ESRI) adopt a very formal and professional tone and use subject-specific vocabulary. However, a leaflet offering advice to teenagers on staying safe online would need to adopt a much less formal approach, otherwise the people it’s aimed at (teenagers) would stop reading.

Language of Argument

What is it? Writing which offers personal opinions & refutes opposing views logically is argumentative.

Examples: Speeches, debates, opinion pieces, letters to the editor, election material.

Layout: The headings and bullet points you used for the language of information are generally speaking not appropriate here. You are expected to write in complete sentences, alternating between short snappy sentences and longer more complex ones. You need to build up a series of inter-connected ideas paragraph by paragraph, with each one flowing into the next. Election leaflets, however, will use headings, bullet points, etc…

Style: Argumentative language is logical, rational and convincing. Obviously there is a certain amount of overlap with the language of information, with a focus on facts, statistics and examples. However, unlike the language of information, you are not presenting all of the facts and allowing the reader to decide for themselves. Instead, you are emphasising only those facts which support your point of view and offering logical reasons why those who disagree with your viewpoint are wrong.

A strong argument uses logic and reason: 1. to arrive at a particular point of view 2. to defend this position and 3. to refute counter arguments.

Once a person stops utilising the facts to prove their point and resorts to personal insults, they are no longer arguing, they are now persuading.

Language of Persuasion

What is it? Writing which draws you in emotionally to manipulate how you feel and how you think is persuasive.

Examples: Advertisements, competition entries, sermons, inspirational speeches.

Layout: It depends on the genre. Advertisements pay close attention to layout and use a wide variety of headings and font sizes for captions, slogans, statistics etc. A persuasive speech will use a traditional essay-style layout. A competition entry or proposal will have a clear structure – introduction; details (3 – 4 paragraphs); what you expect to happen next.

Style: Rather than purely factual (information) or logical (argument), persuasion manipulates your emotions to make you feel strongly about an issue. The writer draws on personal experiences to lure the reader or viewer into feeling certain emotions – sympathy, distress, disgust, admiration, pride, anger, fear, amusement. Once you are emotionally ‘hooked’ it becomes harder to analyse, assess and accept or reject the writer’s message logically because the heart, not the head, is now in the driving seat! Asking rhetorical questions, making urgent references to time, using emphatic, superlative and emotive words, repeating a key phrase, adopting collective personal pronouns, creating vivid imagery, hyperbole, contrast and humour are all effective ways of manipulating people’s feelings. Argument & persuasion often overlap – logic and emotion is a great combination if you want to win people over. You’ll also find significant overlap between the language of persuasion and descriptive writing, which also draws people in emotionally.

Language of Description / Narration

What is it? Narrative language tells a story, descriptive language paints a picture using words.

Examples: Novels, short stories, memoirs and diary entries narrate. Travel writing, personal essays and feature articles describe.

Layout: All stories have a beginning, a middle and an end. Hemmingway’s six word short story “For sale, baby shoes, never worn” has all the ingredients of a compelling story: set the scene, rousing the reader’s curiosity (for sale) draw the reader into the action emotionally (baby shoes) finish with an unexpected development (never worn) Obviously you need a more fully developed plot, setting and characters for a 1,000 word short story. Descriptive essays are less demanding because they do not require a plot, but they too must draw the reader in emotionally to what is being described.

Style: To write descriptively, you must choose specific verbs. Rather than writing “Susan walks over and says she’s really excited ” select verbs which add energy and movement: “ Susan bounces over, squealing with excitement ”. Adjectives add details about the size, shape, texture, location etc of the noun being described. Rather than writing “ As rain fell from the sky, my daughter began to cry ” include adjectives which add vivid detail “ As heavy rain thundered from the dark grey sky, tiny tears flooded my daughter’s pale face ”. However, be careful not to overload your sentences – too many adjectives can make your writing slow and cumbersome. Evoke all five senses (sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touch) to add depth to your writing. Rather than writing “ A van pulled up and a burly man jumped out, ran into the shop, pulled out a gun and demanded that the shop assistant open the till ” instead create a multi-sensory experience for the reader: “ A shiny black van screeched to a halt and a burly man jumped out, bursting through the double doors and barrelling into the shop. Reaching for the cold metal butt of his revolver, he growled at the trembling shop assistant “open the f**king till! ”.

Aesthetic Language

What is it? Language which is crafted to create something beautiful. Only the language of information deliberately avoids trying to be beautiful & engaging, choosing instead to present the facts in a purely objective fashion. All other types – argumentative, persuasive, narrative and descriptive – aim for beauty as well as clarity.

Examples: Poetry, song lyrics, novels, plays. Any great work of art: think William Shakespeare, James Joyce, Seamus Heaney or equally Emily Bronte, Sylvia Plath, Eavan Boland.

Layout: There are no rules, there is only beauty. Emily Dickinson ignored all the ‘rules’ of grammar to create an aesthetic effect; so did James Joyce. Great writers master their craft by obeying the rules at first but they will also experiment and play with language to create something new.

Style: Similes, metaphors, personification, symbolism, contrast, alliteration, onomatopoeia, rhyme, rhythm, recurring motifs, pathetic fallacy, allusion, foreshadowing, dramatic irony, poetic justice. However, just using literary techniques won’t necessarily make your writing aesthetically pleasing and beauty is always in the eye of the beholder, so what I might consider beautiful, you might consider boring.

3 responses to “ Summary of information, argument, persuasion etc… ”

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• Leaving Cert. English (Higher) 2017: Paper 1 Section II Composing
• Back to the question >

Preparation

• Information
• Clarity of purpose (30%)
• Coherence of delivery (30%)
• Efficiency of language use (30%)
• Mechanics (10%).
• This is a discursive essay. You need to discuss the positive and negative aspects of different types of advertising. 
• Think about the different types of advertising: - Newspapers - Magazines - Posters - Billboards - Social media - Star endorsement - Brand placement.
• Consider some of the advantages of advertising: - Increased product knowledge - Increased competition - Advertisements can be entertaining. 
• Consider some of the disadvantages of advertising: - It is manipulative. - It can be misleading. - It can reinforce stereotypes. - It can put people under pressure. 
• Make sure your essay is entertaining as well as informative. Keep the reader interested.
• Your essay must be descriptive. Concentrate on creating images and atmosphere for the reader. Consider a multi-sensory approach. Aesthetic use of language would be particularly effective in this task.
• Plan this essay carefully. Try to create a fluid piece.
• Try to create a lively and engaging piece for the reader.
• You are asked to give a public speech. It is not a debate speech but it still has an audience and you must use rhetorical devices to keep the audience fully engaged. 
• Think about how democracy can be supported in the world today. Consider the following: - Free speech - Amnesty and similar organisations - The use of social media - Education - The ideas in Text two.
• Consider the following rhetorical devices: - Reaching out to and directly addressing the audience - Rhetorical questions - Humour - Vivid and contrasting imagery. 
• Ensure that you show that it is a public speech from the beginning of the task. The examiner must know that you understand the genre. 
• Thank your audience for their time and attention at the end of the speech.  
• You must write a short story. You can take a variety of approaches but generally, all short stories have a beginning, middle and end, have at least one character, and have some sense of tension, climax and resolution.
• Ask yourself questions to create ideas: - Where? - What? - Who? - Why? - When? - How?
• Beware of creating an over-long timeline. You have limited space and time. It would be impossible to cover a character’s entire life in 2-4 A4 pages.
• Try to stick with 1-3 main characters.
• You have a long time to write this essay. Re-read what you have written quickly to check it for mistakes.
• Create atmosphere and images for the reader — it will improve your writing.
• You must include a tattoo as part of the plot. If you don’t, you will lose a lot of marks. 
• Always ask yourself three questions when approaching the Composing task: - What genre should I be writing in? - Who am I writing for (the audience)? - What is my writing task?
• You are writing the script of a dialogue here. Have your characters’ names in the margin.
• It is a dramatic piece. You could include stage direction as part of your script. 
• In your dialogue you must introduce your sceptical friends and neighbours to your new invention. 
• Be creative and consider what might take place on stage.
• This title gives you the opportunity to take a number of different approaches but remember it must be a personal account. Your ideas should be at the heart of the essay.
• A personal essay should have a degree of personal reflection. You should not just tell a story or present a number of anecdotes. You must personally reflect. 
• Think about moments of insight and revelation that you have experienced. Could they be suitable for your essay? Write down your ideas and organise them for an essay.
• This is an article for a serious publication, so the tone must be serious. Have a headline for your article and possible sub-headings.
• Think about the role of the artist/writer and scientist. Which makes a greater contribution to society? Why? 
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Leaving Cert: ‘Essay the best thing I’ve ever written’

An ease among students exiting exam hall after opener, says lucan community college principal.

Lucan Community College principal Diane Birnie welcomes students on their way in to sit their Leaving Certificate English Paper 1. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times

“My personal essay was the best thing I’ve ever written,” exclaimed one enthusiastic Leaving Cert student to his friends as he exited the exam hall after English Paper 1 on Wednesday morning.

“Oh yeah? I’m sure it was,” the young man’s friend quipped back with raised eyebrows.

The response to the opening exam of this year’s Leaving Certificate was mostly positive at Lucan Community College in west Dublin where 146 students are sitting the State exams.

Among them was Niamh Sim (18), who is hoping to study nutrition, and said she was “pretty happy” with how the first paper had gone.

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“I timed my paper well. I’m a panicky person so knowing how much time I had and following that really helped,” she said.

“For Question B I did the text for a podcast which I was happy with because it was directly about what sort of music you listen to and music is one of my biggest passions and I felt like I could write about it comfortably. I just thought it was a great question for me … I found that paper really nice, I really liked it.”

The Leaving Certificate and Junior Cycle exams got under way for more than 131,000 students on Wednesday, marking the first full return to traditional written exams after two years of disruption due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ronak Pathak (18), who is hoping to study architecture or computer science, described English Paper 1 as “good” and “not as stressful as I thought it was going to be”.

“Nothing came up where I felt like, ‘oh I can’t answer that’ but there was also no question that really stood out to me that I enjoyed,” he said.

“Overall, I think it was a decent paper that everyone could manage. One thing I struggled with was the timing. Even though we had loads of time for this exam, I still spent way too much time on my Question A.

“I got it all done in the end but I definitely could have timed it better.”

Yasmin Aminou (18), who would like to study a health or science course, said “getting the first exam out of the way feels great”.

“It was just that first obstacle and now that it’s over I’m feeling ready for the next one,” she said.

“I think the paper really connected well with the youth and I think we’re seeing more of that in recent paper … the paper was talking about music, poetry, books, stuff that we all take part in. It was really nice to see that and let our own interests shine through in the paper.”

Diane Birnie, principal at Lucan Community College, said there was “an ease” among students exiting the exam hall after the opening exam.

“Most students were coming out with smiles on their faces, and whether that was because of the exam or just glad to be finished it, I don’t know, but very few students left early so we’re delighted with that,” she said.

“Overall, I think it was a good first day … The last two years were a huge ask of all the staff members and teachers who had to produce assessments for their students, that was a big change from what we would have normally done.

“It’s lovely to have had our usual run-in with sixth years where teachers are their advocate, advising them what might come up on an exam and how to use their time appropriately.

“That advice had to be cut short in previous years because the teacher had this dual roll … I think everyone is appreciating the good routines we’ve been in for so many decades in our education system and being able to get back to that after two years of upset is brilliant.”

Sarah Burns

Sarah Burns is a reporter for The Irish Times

IN THIS SECTION

Sharp rise in first-class degrees may be linked to student expectations and competition among universities, ‘fionn is fluent in irish. it would be a shame to lose it.’ the boy who can’t access a secondary gaelscoil, age checks for social media aimed at protecting primary schoolchildren are ‘broken’, says norma foley, ‘i’m overwhelmed by the number of students with anxiety issues. i worry we’re letting them down’, tus: ‘committed to addressing global and regional issues’, british side postpones james cleverly meeting with helen mcentee amid rising tensions over migration, young man dies after quadbike collides with tractor, quiet quitting: you always had workers who did 9-5 but it’s a creeping malaise, employers say, latest stories, three men set to go on trial for murder of journalist lyra mckee, media freedom ‘perilously close to breaking point’ in several eu countries, stop referring to eu as a ‘bloc’ – this is divisive linguistic rot imported from britain, a bride’s fashion decisions are no longer focused on just one day.

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The Leaving Cert personal essay is a well loved and virtually permanent feature of Paper 1 (here is some evidence ).

It belongs in the 100 marks Composition section, the single biggest chunk of the English exam.

What is the personal essay?

It calls for a confessional, introspective tone.

Do you like the sound of these questions:

• Remember those times when you did not say what you really thought or felt. Why didn’t you? How do you feel about it now?
• How would you feel about a terrible event of your past if it happened today?
• What did you learn about building family relationships based on the experience of your parents and grandparents?

You get the message – this is serious life stuff! The Leaving Cert personal essay may be one of the only times you truly get to be yourself in a standardised exam.

The marking scheme allows us to interpret the term “personal essay”’ liberally, potentially even entirely or partly as personal (first person) narratives.

How to do well in the personal essay?

Reading such an essay, you should get the feeling that you are learning someone’s deeper thoughts and reflections. It shouldn’t feel like an opinion piece in a newspaper.

Even though a certain stream of consciousness quality is usually acceptable with these essays, remember that clarity (the P of PCLM) always gets priority .

By reading the correct and H1 sample essays below, you will learn how much to write, what kind of themes come up again and again and how you may be able to differentiate yourself from the crowd.

‘To live is the rarest thing in the world, most people just exist.’ – Oscar Wilde

Personal essay: pleasures particular to you for Leaving Cert English #625Lab

• Post author: Martina
• Post published: April 18, 2019
• Post category: #625Lab / English / PCLM / Personal essay

Write a personal essay on what you perceive to be the pleasures particular to you. #625Lab. Corrected by an experienced examiner, graded as 83/100 with feedback on how to improve…

Personal essay: a time in your life in which you felt you were treated unfairly for Leaving Cert English #625Lab

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Write a personal essay on a time in your life in which you felt you were treated unfairly. #625Lab. Corrected by an experienced examiner, graded as 79/100 with feedback on…

Personal essay: moments of insight and revelation for Leaving Cert English #625Lab (Divorce)

• Post published: September 23, 2018
• Post category: #625Lab / English / Personal essay

Write a personal essay in which you reflect on moments of insight and revelation you have experienced. (2017) #625Lab. Theme: divorce. Some parts of this essay are outstanding, but it…

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• Post published: April 23, 2018

Write a personal essay in which you reflect on an occasion in your life when you felt uncertain about what you wanted. #625Lab. Wonderfully reflective, revelatory personal essay dealing with loss.…

Personal essay about significant endings for Leaving Cert English #625Lab

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Write a personal essay about your response to an ending, or endings, in your life that you consider significant. (100 marks)   Stellar stuff via #625Lab. If you want to send…

Personal Essay: Moments of Insight and Revelation for Leaving Cert English #625Lab

• Post published: February 25, 2018

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Personal Essay: Experience of Dramatic Arts for Leaving Cert English #625Lab

• Post published: November 9, 2017

Write a personal essay about your experience (as a performer and/or audience member) of the dramatic arts; plays, musicals, concerts, comedy etc. (2010) You may also like: Complete Guide to…

Leaving Cert English Personal Essay: Irishness #625Lab

• Post published: October 1, 2017
• Post category: #625Lab / English / Personal essay / Too long

“The shoes of Irishness fit me well.” Write a personal essay in which you explore your sense of what it means to be Irish. (2001) This is a good essay…

Leaving Cert English Personal Essay: Pretence and Unvarnished Truth #625Lab

• Post published: September 18, 2017

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Leaving Cert English Personal Essay: one or more moments of uncertainty you have experienced.

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Write a personal essay about one or more moments of uncertainty you have experienced. Themes: social disadvantage, divorce, homelessness Note: this is a personal essay, but it has a plot…

Write a personal essay in which you describe a place that you consider beautiful

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• Post published: October 23, 2016

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How To Improve Your Grade If Your Teacher Isn’t Giving You Feedback

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