sample descriptive essay leaving cert

Descriptive essay: the beauty of the natural world for Leaving Cert English #625Lab

• Post author: Martina
• Post published: June 22, 2023
• Post category: #625Lab / Descriptive Essay / English

Write a descriptive essay in which you capture the beauty of the natural world (Mock exam 2023) Feedback: It is excellent, H1, very good length and interesting structure. I think…

Descriptive essay: dawn and dusk

• Post published: November 30, 2019
• Post category: Descriptive Essay / English

Write a descriptive essay which captures a sense of the difference between dawn and dusk and celebrates both the beginning and the end of the day (2019) Ever wonder what…

Descriptive essay: how the landscape reflects the transition of the seasons for Leaving Cert English #625Lab

• Post published: October 4, 2018

Write a descriptive essay in which you capture how the landscape reflects the transition of the seasons. You may choose to include some or all of the seasons in your essay. (2018)…

Descriptive Essay: Journey through a barren landscape for Leaving Cert English #625Lab

• Post published: May 24, 2018

Write a descriptive essay in which you take your readers on a journey through a barren landscape (urban or rural) that you have experienced. #625Lab. An excellent way to write…

Descriptive Essay: After the Storm for Leaving Cert English #625Lab

• Post published: May 16, 2018

‘An ice storm blew in from nowhere.’ Write a descriptive essay entitled ‘After the Storm’. #625Lab. Below is beautifully descriptive essay that is also personal, relatable - and very cozy! What makes it…

A short story / descriptive essay about loss for Leaving Cert English #625Lab

• Post published: February 4, 2018
• Post category: #625Lab / Descriptive Essay / English / Short Story

This is one of the finest examples of descriptive language I have seen in a long time. Spectacular use of symbolism. (Well done L.!) This was sent into #625Lab as a…

Descriptive essay: Urban Journey for Leaving Cert English #625Lab

• Post published: December 29, 2017

“Write a descriptive essay in which you take your readers on an urban journey.” (Composition, 2016)   This is one of the best submissions I've ever read for #625Lab. It seems…

Leaving Cert English Descriptive Essay: Night Scene

• Post published: October 15, 2017

Write a descriptive essay entitled Night Scene. (2017) #625Lab  You may also like: Complete Guide to Leaving Cert English (€) Essay 1 Essay 2 Essay 3 Essay 4 Essay 1 The…

Leaving Cert English: Write a descriptive essay based on a variety of glimpsed moments

• Post published: June 5, 2017

Write a descriptive essay based on a variety of glimpsed moments.You may also like: What is a descriptive essay?In an instant the playful breeze had metamorphosed, blowing brisk and blustery.…

Descriptive Essays for Leaving Cert

• Post published: April 4, 2017

What is a descriptive essay?     In more familiar terms, a descriptive essay is a mix of    - aesthetic (vivid, elaborate, flowery) language like you would find in…

1 Composition (Personal Writing)

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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.

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Top tips for your leaving cert english paper 1 exam 2021

It’s coming up to exam time so here are a few tips for Paper 1…

The comprehension section (QA OR QB) of Paper 1 is worth 40marks , which is 14% of your total mark for English. In this section you will be given three texts on various aspects of a specific theme (always written on the front of the paper in capital letters) such as young writers, challenges, influences, mystery or relationships. Normally, you are given three comprehensions, one of which may be a picture text (visual literacy). The texts will be extracts from books, articles from newspapers or magazines, speeches and the picture text a set of photographs, covers of books or some other visual material.

When choosing your QA OR QB, bear in mind the following points:

(1) Each text is followed by a QA and a QB. QA contains a number of questions relating directly to the text. You are expected here to show a good grasp of its content and to give your own response to it. Question B poses a writing task arising out of the text. You might be asked, for example, to write in the style of a newspaper article, a letter, a short story, a diary entry, or an interview script.

(2) When deciding on QA, make sure that you familiarise yourself with each text and with the questions which follow it before you decide which questions to attempt. Spend 5 minutes reading through them carefully. What might initially look like a favourable option may not always contain favourable questions. Remember your understanding of the questions is crucial, so much so that I often advise my students to choose their QA on their familiarity with the questions that come up.

(3) QB is the other option that students have over QA this year of your Paper 1. It holds the same marks as Comprehension (14%) . QB is a test of concise writing or condensed writing. The most commonly asked QB are letters, short speech/talk/article, interview, blog and diary entry. However, they may also ask a QB that you have never encountered such as writing an election leaflet, a competition entry or a script of dialogue. You shouldn’t shy away from such choices if you like the task as they usually don’t demand a specific structure or format. Write 2-2.5 pages for QB. Any more suggests an inability to write in a concise manner. Try to be original with your points (or if appropriate, use humour-an amused examiner is a generous examiner!) as QBs often lack originality and can be quite mundane. PLEASE NOTE that there is usually 2-3 tasks within the Q so label each one carefully and aim to do a paragraph on each. You can use your Point, Support, Explain method for each paragraph.

(3) Start with your QA or QB. This year, due to the amendments, you have more time than every before to spend on this section – I would recommend 60 minutes for QA or 50 minutes for QB. For QA, write approximately 3 pages. For a 15mQ, write 3 points/ 3 paragraphs and for a 20mQ, write 4 points/4 paragraphs. For QB, make sure you follow the set tasks of the Q – in recent years, there have been 3 distinctive tasks set out within the Q.

(4) Do your Paper 1 essay next – remember at 36%, this is worth over a third of your marks this year!! Options for Paper 1 essay include speeches, articles, personal essay, descriptive essays and short stories. For most essays (except for short stories) an introduction, 5-6 points/paragraphs and a conclusion should suffice. It is essential that you do a detailed plan for this Q as you must know what you are going to write and the examples that you are going to use to support your points. Spend 20-25 minutes on your plan and 85 minutes on writing. Make sure you know your language genres (persuasion, argument, information, narration and aesthetic) as you must use these features when writing the different types of essay. For e.g. speech writing demands features of persuasive and argumentative language genres, articles need to have informative language features while short stories must contain narrative and aesthetic language features. Make sure you write a complete essay- an unfinished Paper 1 essay is like walking out of your French oral exam half way through it!

(5) It is always a nice boost to do a good Paper1 as it gets the exams off to a good start but please don’t dwell on any negatives when you come out of the exam. Put it behind you and move on!

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• Leaving Cert. English (Higher) 2014: 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%)
• When you write a ghost story, atmosphere is crucial so take some time to establish an eerIe atmosphere at the beginning. This requires descriptive skill. Your description will come to life if you appeal to the senses, e.g. sight, sound, smell, taste, touch. Don’t copy or repeat a ghost story that you have already read, no matter how good it is, as your story will seem unoriginal and ‘fake’.
• Show, don’t tell; you can suggest or hint at a ghostly presence.
• Often what is NOT said is more powerful than what IS said.  
• Read the question very carefully. You must write a passionate speech ; this mean you must use the language of persuasion. Appeal to people’s emotions; use dramatic statements, rhetorical questions and vivid imagery.
• Always think of your audience. You are speaking to an international group on a world stage. This should be reflected in your language register.
• You must write in favour of the motion. This means you may NOT argue against the title. You must only show one side of the argument.
• As this is a personal essay, try to draw on personal experience in your answer. Think about characters that have made an impact on you. Could you make this into an entertaining essay?
• You may, on the other hand, write a fictional account of characters but an authentic personal piece often makes more impact on the reader.
• Employ descriptive skill to portray the ‘interesting or unusual people’.
• Explain WHY or HOW these people made an impact on you.
• Employ descriptive skill; appeal to the senses — sight, sound, taste, smell, touch.
• You are allowed to be totally subjective in this essay; the focus is on what YOU find beautiful or exotic in everyday life. This may be something simple that is special to you. It may also be abstract, e.g. kindness, nature.
• Pay attention to the genre — it’s a feature article, not a news report or private essay. You need to consider your audience — who will be reading your article?
• Tone — you may be light-hearted or serious. The choice is yours.
• Consider all the possible reasons why Irish people are obsessed with weather. Consider the effect that weather has on our mood, behaviour, work, lifestyle, etc.
• This essay is based on personal experience but you are free to invent a fictional experience if you can’t think of a  ‘real’ life experience. Remember, however, that the truth can be very compelling so the best writing may come from lived experience.
•  Write in the first person (I).
• ‘One or more moments…’ means you may write exclusively about one moment if you have a lot to say about it, or you may write about a few different experiences in life.     
• Use your descriptive skill to convey the experience. How did you feel physically as well as mentally at times of uncertainty? Create images from the moment/moments as if you can vividly recall them.         
• Reflect on why you still remember these moments or why they were important. Reflect on their impact on you now.  
• Arrive at a conclusion; perhaps you could comment on the role of uncertainty in life and on whether you consider it a good or a bad aspect of life. You might even end with some advice for your reader.
• Consider your genre: Science Fiction (Sci-Fi), short story. You should be familiar with the conventions of this genre if you are going to write in this genre. Do not attempt this answer if you have never read Science Fiction.
• Elements of Sci-Fi may include: - Very imaginative writing - Futuristic settings - Dystopian worlds - Parallel universes - Space travel - Time travel - Science - Technology
• Your story should be inspired by the quotation in the question. It may form a plot element or it may be used as an idea or motif.
• Help us make e-xamit better - e-mail support if you spot any errors!
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Really Useful Links for Writers: Leaving Cert Essay Writing

Paul FitzSimons

• 29 May 2014

I have good news – the weather will be beautiful next Wednesday. The sun will shine, the skies will be clear, the temperature will be in the twenties. How do I know that? Because it’s the first day of the Leaving Cert Exams.

Besides being the unofficial start of summer, Day 1 of the Leaving is also English Paper 1, the culmination of two years’ work for around fifty thousand English language students.

The Leaving Cert English exam is divided into two papers – Paper 1, which is all about comprehension and composition and Paper 2, which covers The Single Text , The Comparative Study and Poetry. Like the other two-part exams Maths and Irish, English 1 and 2 happen on two different days – the first Wednesday and Thursday mornings of the schedule. Maybe this is to give brains and hands a chance to recover from a hectic morning of essay-writing.

Besides having the aptitude to tell a good story, writing essays at Leaving Cert level requires certain acquired skills, most of which we learn over the years of study prior to the exam. However, there are some aspects of writing the perfect essay that we don’t necessarily pick up or, with the deluge of knowledge that we’re trying to take in, have slipped from our memories. Thankfully, there are plenty of online resources that will fill in those gaps and also offer some additional advice on writing, organisational and time-saving that will prove invaluable on the day.

On the ever useful website LeavingCertEnglish.net – seriously, I wish this had been around in my day – we are given an invaluable guide to preparing for and then sitting down to English Paper 1. Their pages include advice on approaching each essay, what needs to be covered to achieve a passing mark and what flourishes will help to get that all-important A.

After sitting his Leaving Cert in 2011, student and blogger Aidan Curran decided to take the lessons he learned during that traumatic year and share them on his website. His post How To Get An A In English Essay Writing takes us through everything we need to remember coming up to and during the exam. He reminds us that, as essay-writing is not something we can memorize, it makes it both the easiest and most difficult part of the exam.

Most of the above applies to Paper 1 of the exam. Of course, there are also some essays to be written for Paper 2, which deals with curriculum’s prescribed texts, such as the play, novels and poetry. The Clevernotes website offers us some invaluable advice on tackling the second English paper compositions, suggesting that, in order to form a cogent and coherent response to the question asked, an essay must always contain an introduction, a number of well-focused body paragraphs and a conclusion.

For some slightly more tongue-in-cheek advice on essay writing, we can watch video blogger Clisare’s video on Entertainment.ie. She takes us through her unique thoughts on writing both English and Irish essays. She does offer some interesting insight but the fact that she advises us to remind the teacher that ‘Irish is a dead language’ suggests that we should probably take most of her tips with a grán salainn.

If you feel an online tutor will be able to help, check out TutorHunt .

“The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.” – Sydney J. Harris

A Whole Website Dedicated To It.

LeavingCertEnglish.net has all the advice, information and sample exams we need to tackle the Paper 1 essay.

“”Stick to the topic. Have plenty of ideas. Identify problems but also offer solutions.”

http://leavingcertenglish.net/2012/03/inspiration/ .

Them’s The Rules.

LeavingCertEnglish.net takes us through six important rules for writing the perfect essay.

“It’s really important to grab the reader’s attention. Use a quote, or a series of rhetorical questions, a list, or a vivid description.”

http://leavingcertenglish.net/2011/05/six-rules-of-essay-writing/

From The Horse’s Mouth.

Recent Leaving Cert student Aidan Curran takes us his advice on Essay-writing, based on his own experience.

“Obviously, when you get the essay titles first you say “That’s it, I’m screwed, we’ll call it a day”. But if you just look at them, you’ll realise that they can be changed to your strengths.”

http://aidancurran.com/how-to-get-an-a1-in-english-essay-writing-aidan-curran/

It’s Not All About Paper 1, You Know.

English Paper 2, which deals with the subject’s prescribed texts and poetry, also involves some essay writing. Clevernotes tells us how to tackle it.

“The most basic principal of essay writing is that it should be structured. Your essay must form a cogent and coherent response to the question asked.”

https://www.clevernotes.ie/english/hl/leaving-cert/how-to-write-a-paper-two-essay/

And Lastly, Some Proper Serious Advice (Or Maybe Not)

Vlogger Clisare gives us her unique take on Essay Writing.

“Always end English Language essays with ‘…and then I woke up.’ Teachers love that.”

http://entertainment.ie/wtf/WATCH-How-to-write-a-leaving-cert-essay/191520.htm

(c) Paul FitzSimons

About the author

Paul FitzSimons is a screenwriter and novelist and has written the novel ‘Burning Matches’ and a number of scripts for film and TV. He has worked as a storyline writer on RTE’s ‘Fair City’. His short stories are published in ‘Who Brought The Biscuits’ by The Naas Harbour Writers. Paul likes crime thrillers, good coffee and Cadbury’s chocolate. He doesn’t like country-and-western music or people who don’t indicate on roundabouts.

Paul also runs the  Script Editing service Paul | The | Editor .  paulfitzsimons.com

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• Feb 15, 2023

Mastering Leaving Cert History: A Guide to Writing Sample Essays

Updated: Feb 17

Leaving Cert History is one of the most challenging subjects for Irish students, especially when it comes to writing essays. The exam requires students to write two essays on topics chosen from a list of options. These essays carry a significant amount of marks and can make or break a student's chances of securing a good grade. However, with the right approach, mastering Leaving Cert History essays is possible. In this blog, we will provide tips and insights on how to write sample essays for Leaving Cert History.

1. Understanding the Essay Structure

The first step to writing a great essay is to understand its structure. An essay has three parts: introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction should grab the reader's attention and provide background information on the topic. The body should include the main argument, supported by evidence and examples. The conclusion should summarise the main points and restate the thesis.

2. Choosing the Right Topic

Choosing the right topic is crucial for a successful essay. The Leaving Cert History syllabus provides a list of options for essays. It is essential to choose a topic that interests you and that you are familiar with. The topic should be narrow enough to provide a focused argument but broad enough to allow for enough research and analysis.

3. Research and Analysis

Research and analysis are crucial for a well-written essay. Start by reading through relevant texts and taking notes. Use primary sources, such as diaries, letters, and speeches, to support your argument. It is also essential to analyze the information and present a clear argument, using evidence to support your claims.

4. Writing Style and Grammar

Writing style and grammar are essential for a good essay. Use clear and concise language, avoiding slang and colloquialisms. Avoid long and complex sentences that can be difficult to understand. Make sure to proofread your work to avoid spelling and grammatical errors.

5. Time Management

Time management is crucial during the Leaving Cert exam. Make sure to allocate enough time to each section of the exam, including essay writing. Plan your essay before you start writing, including a clear thesis statement, main argument, and supporting evidence. Leave enough time for proofreading and editing.

In conclusion, writing a Leaving Cert History essay can be challenging, but with the right approach, it is possible to master it. Understanding the essay structure, choosing the right topic, research and analysis, writing style and grammar, and time management are all essential components of a successful essay. Practice writing sample essays, and seek feedback from your teachers to improve your writing skills. With these tips and insights, you will be well on your way to writing successful Leaving Cert History essays. Good luck!

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Personal Essay

• A short story has a plot, setting and fictional characters!
• The style of writing is DESCRIPTIVE
• A short story could be ONE EPISODE of a TV show.
• A personal essay is a series of related ideas (or anecdotes) which reveal your personality, opinions, memories & feelings.
• The style of writing is up to you – you can use descriptive writing in one paragraph, rhetorical questions & lists in another, humour and exaggeration in another.
• Each paragraph uses ONE core idea.
• A personal essay COULD NOT be made into a TV show.

When writing a personal essay your personality must take centre stage – your attitudes, feelings, hopes, desires and beliefs are revealed. The quirkier the better – the last thing you want is to come across as the same as everyone else!

Follow the six rules of essay writing. Plan in advance, organise your ideas. Use some of the following techniques:

• Quotes from bands/singers, writers, philospohers, friends, calendars!
• Anecdotes from your past. Of course you can always describe an event that happened to someone else and pretend it happened to you.
• Descriptive style so the reader is drawn into the experiences you evoke.
• Reflection on your experiences/beliefs/attitudes – show an awareness of how you have become the person you are.
• Imagination – you are free to wander off on a tangent, letting your thoughts flow naturally…as long as you eventually return to the point.
• Humour – be as funny, sarcastic and brutally honest as you are in real life. It’s so refreshing because students tend to be puh puh puh puh puh puh puh puh pokerfaced and overly serious in the exam. (Then you meet them in real life and they’re a total scream but didn’t manage to get this across in their writing. So sad ;-(
• Hyperbole – take the truth & exagerate it. Make your writing dramatic.
• Observations about life, love, lucozade and lemonade. Here is your chance to muse about everything.
• Identify problems & offer solutions . Don’t be a Moaning Myrtle!

Here’a another discussion of the personal essay for a different perspective on it:

http://litreactor.com/columns/up-close-and-personal-a-personality-expose-of-the-personal-essay

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