Lucy
Ask the AI Tutor
Need help with Constructing an Essay? Ask our AI Tutor!
Lucy AI Tutor - Lucy
Connecting with Tutor...
Please wait while we establish connection
Lucy
Hi! I'm Lucy, your AI tutor. How can I help you with Constructing an Essay today?
now
Constructing an Essay
In an essay, your writing should be coherent.

Constructing an Essay

Sharpen your essay skills for GCSE English. Plan a clear thesis, build PEEL paragraphs, and select quotations that prove your points.

Explore the Topic →
(quiz starts below)

Fascinating Fact:

Link back to the question at the end of each paragraph. One crisp sentence keeps your line of argument tight.

In GCSE English, strong essays present a focused thesis, clear paragraphing, and precise analysis of evidence. Use topic sentences, embed quotations, explain effects, and keep the argument tightly organised.

  • Thesis: Your central answer to the question that the whole essay supports.
  • Topic sentence: The first sentence that states the main point of a paragraph.
  • Analysis: Explaining how language, structure, or evidence proves your point.
How should I plan a GCSE English essay?

Read the question carefully, underline key words, decide a clear thesis, choose 2 to 4 main points, find short quotations, then order your points logically.

What is a PEEL paragraph in English?

PEEL stands for Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link. State one clear idea, support it with a quotation, explain its effect, then link the point back to the task.

How many quotations should I use in a paragraph?

Use 1 to 2 well-chosen short quotations. Embed them in your sentences and focus on tight analysis. Quality and relevance matter more than quantity.

1 .
You should answer the essay question in...
the footnotes
your next-to-last paragraph
your introductory paragraph
italics
You should always answer the essay question in your first paragraph - the rest of the essay builds an argument to justify your answer
2 .
An effective essay structure depends on...
thoughtful planning
the use of connectives and phrases which link paragraphs together
a logical argument
All of the above
3 .
What does it mean to support your argument?
You must annotate your essay with proof that your argument is correct
You must give the opposing view
You must provide evidence from the text and show how it upholds your argument
You must provide a list of everyone who agrees with your argument
Evidence includes quotations and other references to the text (i.e. to characters, themes, scenes, events, etc.)
4 .
Which of the following is NOT one of the advantages of planning your essay?
Planning improves the essay's structure
Planning ensures that your essay will make sense
Planning will guarantee your essay receives an A
Planning ensures you fully answer the question
Failing to plan an essay will nearly always lead to a poor piece of writing
5 .
Your writing should be coherent. What does this mean?
It should be clear and logical
It should be exciting
It should be aggressive in order to prove your point
It should sound pretentious
6 .
How many paragraphs should you plan to write?
A paragraph for each point, plus one each for the introduction and the conclusion
Seven paragraphs exactly
As few paragraphs as possible
As many paragraphs as possible
Seven paragraphs is actually a perfectly decent length for an essay, but the number of paragraphs is dictated by the number of points which you plan to make (and you wouldn't skip the planning stage, would you?)
7 .
After you finish writing an essay, you should...
proofread it
hand it in immediately
tear it up and start again
lose it
It's so easy to make mistakes when writing, probably because writers edit themselves continually. Always check for mistakes
8 .
Your answer to the question is called your...
debate
proposition
preposition
thesis
Your thesis is your main point. It must answer the essay question
9 .
Which of the following is true?
There is only one correct answer to an essay question
The answer to an essay question is always an opinion supported with evidence
The answer to an essay question is always a fact supported with evidence
There are no wrong answers to an essay question
Wrong answers do exist. Texts can support many varying interpretations, but they are not endlessly adaptable and it is possible to have an interpretation which just cannot be supported by the text
10 .
Besides reading the text, what is the first thing you should do when writing an essay?
Plan the conclusion
Make sure you understand the question
Decide what your argument will be
Write your first sentence
Always read the question carefully to make sure you have understood it correctly. It can be helpful to underline key words, too
You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Organising information and ideas

Author:  Sheri Smith (PhD English Literature, English Teacher & Quiz Writer)

© Copyright 2016-2025 - Education Quizzes
Work Innovate Ltd - Design | Development | Marketing