Answering Essay Questions in English Paper 3
How to Answer Essay Based Questions in English
English paper 3 question 3 a, b and c are essay-based questions which require the learner to write a discursive composition on a given statement or assertion. The learner, in writing such a composition, is expected to expose their points in prose form.
Essay Structure
KCSE essays should have four to five body paragraphs. Each paragraph should start with a topic sentence that introduces the point you want to discuss. Provide relevant evidence from the text and explanation after the topic sentence. Names of characters should be accurate to avoid losing points for textual errors.
Your goal should be to argue and illustrate your point. A common mistake that students make in body paragraphs is to narrate events from the text instead of showing how the events support their point. Such paragraphs are described as “thin” by KCSE examiners, and they do not score full points.
Remember you should be arguing and supporting your topic sentence therefore avoid narrating the text. As you conclude the paragraph make sure you have a clincher sentence- a statement that ties your paragraph to the question. So be sure to have about 9 lines of evidence and explanation in each body paragraph to score full points.
A good essay should have three basic parts:
i. An Introduction (an introductory paragraph).
ii. A body.
iii. A conclusion (a concluding paragraph).
The Introduction
This is usually a short paragraph that begins an essay. The introduction can either bea general or contextualized statement or a combination of both. In the general
introduction, the learner should give a general comment drawn from the society.
In the contextualized introduction, the learner should give a comment that focuses onthe society depicted in the particular text and not the general society. At times, the
learner can write an introductory paragraph that combines both a general and acontextualized statement.
The Body
The body is the most important part of an essay. The learner should ensure that theydivide the body of their essay into distinct, well-structured and well- developed
paragraphs. A single point or idea should be exposed and developed in a single
paragraph.
Each paragraph should have at least three parts: a topic sentence/statement (the
first sentence of the paragraph which gives a general idea on the subject of the
paragraph), an explanation on the idea given in the topic sentence, then an
illustration(s) for the idea/point under discussion/exposition from the given text.
Conclusion
A good essay should have a conclusion (a concluding paragraph). This is usuallya short paragraph at the end of the essay which could be a statement that shows
the justification or validity of what the learner has written or a summary of the
main points (points raised in the body).
Other KCSE tips
Remember to use simple language in your essay. Proofread your essay to check forspelling, grammar, and textual errors. We will be posting more sample essays to
illustrate the kind of essays that KCSE examiners expect to see.