Yr 8 Essay Structure RLAG

Learning Goal
Write an analytical essay using

correct structure.
Success criteria (WILF):

• I understand the components of an essay.
• I can write strong introductions and conclusions.
• I can plan an essay using GROT TEEL GLOW.
Key Term Definition
Prompt
Track with me / Read with me
The question or statement you

are trying to answer or
address.
Key Term Definition
Core concept
an idea or convention
technique
device
feature
element
Key Term Definition
Thesis statement
Something you will prove or

show in your essay.
Write an analytical essay using correct structure.
Content Development
Analytical Essay Structure

An essay is structured into 5 parts:
Introduction
Body Paragraph 1
Body Paragraph 2
Body Paragraph 3
Conclusion
ESSAY STRUCTURE: GROT TEEL GLOW

Content Development
The introduction establishes what the focus of

your essay will be. A strong introduction
shows:
• your understanding of the core concepts
• the text you will use
• your understanding of the prompt
• your understanding of how the core
concepts, the prompt and the text relate to
each other.
Content Development
Things an analytical introduction should

NOT have include:
• Evidence/examples from the text
• Ideas/concepts/conventions NOT related

to the prompt/question
• Rhetorical questions (we are not writing a
persuasive essay!)
Content Development
BEFORE we write an essay, we must always

complete two prior steps:
1. Deconstruct the prompt
so we understand what we are
being asked to do/focus on in the
essay.
2. Plan, plan, plan

to sketch out our ideas to create a
direction.
1. How has one or more characters in your feature film is/are used to reflect
important ideas?
2. How has the director used film conventions to encourage a certain

audience response to a character or issue in the feature film?
3. How has at least one theme in your feature film been constructed
through film or narrative conventions, and why are these themes relevant
for the target audience?
Content Development
An introduction follows this structure:

General statement (hook)
Reference the text (nutshell)
Outline key points
Thesis statement Check for Understanding
What is a thesis
statement?
Make the Connection

Thesis and outline are
interchangeable. You
can swap them around.
Content Development
Writing a general statement (a hook).
Purpose: to engage our readers and signal

what core concepts the essay will be about.
Rules:
1. It can be a definition
2. It can be a statement of importance
3. It can be a statement of effect
Skill Development with Guided Practice
Rules: a general statement can be

1. It can be a definition
3. It can be a statement of purpose and/or
effect
Example of a definition:
Feature films are visual texts that deliver a narrative.
It is a definition because it defines the key concept.

Make the Connection
Rules: a general statement can be A statement of
importance is often
1. It can be a definition closely linked to
‘purpose’.
Example of a statement of importance:
It is not only important that films make us laugh and cry, they
must also explore interesting, relevant themes.
It is a statement of importance because it shows that themes

are an important part of the film-making process.
Make the Connection
Rules: a general statement can be A statement of

importance is often
1. It can be a definition closely linked to
‘relationships’ between
2. It can be a statement of importance other concepts or the
audience.
Example of a statement of purpose and/or effect:
Feature films are more than an escape with popcorn in the

dark, they explore relatable themes through characters that
we often find interesting.
It is a statement of effect because it states that themes have

a particular effect.
Daily Review
Reviewing what we know

Key Term Definition
GROT (introduction structure)

GROT
General statement
Reference the text
Outline key points
Thesis statement
Content Development
Writing a Reference to the text.
Purpose: to provide context about which text/s you

will be using to draw evidence from.
Rules:
1. It must have the title, director/author and
year published/released
2. It should have a brief summary of the text.
3. It should be 1-2 sentences. Hints
Your 1-2 sentences
should we properly
punctuated and well
structured to be strong.
Lesson Closure
Rules: referencing a text

1. It must have the title, director/author and year
published/released
2. It should a brief summary of the text.
3. It should be 1-2 sentences.
_______________________________________________________________
Write a reference to the text using your text information:
Title: Ride Like a Girl
Director: Rachel Griffiths
Year published: 2019
Summary: An autobiographical sports drama about the first
woman ever to make history by winning the prestigious Melbourne
Cup race. In her journey to ride professionally, Michelle must over
come loss, tragedy and a hostile racing industry.
Daily Review

Recite
Rules: referencing a text
1. It must have the title, director/author

and year published/released
2. It should a brief summary of the text.
3. It should be 1-2 sentences.
Content Development
How to outline your key points.
Purpose: to identify what your key points of

discussion will be.
Rules:
1. Must have 3 different key points related
to the prompt
2. Must not include evidence
3. Must use the metalanguage
Rules: outlining your key points

1. Must have 3 different key points related
to the prompt
Example:
Paddy and Michelle experience the most character growth in
the film due to the conflicts they face. Paddy becomes less
antagonistic in the audience’s eyes and Michelle physically
changes in the aftermath of her fall before eventually
becoming more assertive.
Daily Review

Recite
Rules: outlining your key points
1. Must have 3 different key points

related to the prompt
Content Development
Your thesis statement is the MOST IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR

INTRODUCTION, and in some respects, your WHOLE ESSAY.
A strong essay needs a strong thesis because it will help

keep your writing and ideas focused.
If you don’t include the idea or concept in your thesis (and

your introduction) it should not be in your body paragraphs.
Remember, your thesis statement will always depend on the

prompt/question you are responding to.
Write an analytical essay using correct structure. Make the Connection
Content Development Thesis statement -
something you will
How to write a thesis statement. prove or show in your

essay.
Purpose: to state what your essay is going to

focus on in relation to the prompt/question.
Rules: writing a thesis statement

1. Must include the WHAT (concept/idea)
2. Must state the HOW (techniques)

Prompt:
Characters change because of the conflicts they face. Discuss this
statement with reference to the feature film that you have studied. Use film
conventions to support your ideas.
Example:
As such, conflict creates change in both protagonists which is
reflected through their dialogue, technical conventions (camera
angles) and symbolism.
Check for Understanding
Sample Intro (prompt 1): Can you identify the

parts that are GROT?
Characters are perhaps the most important element of a story,

especially as audiences enjoy watching their journeys. Ride Like
a Girl (Griffiths, 2019) is an autobiographical sports drama about
Michelle Payne – the first woman ever to make history by
winning the prestigious Melbourne Cup race. Due to the many
trials faced throughout her journey, both Michelle and Paddy
(her father) experience the most character growth. Paddy
becomes less antagonistic in the audience’s eyes and Michelle
physically changes in the aftermath of her fall before eventually
becoming more assertive. As such, conflict creates change in
both protagonists which is reflected through their dialogue,
technical conventions (camera angles) and symbolism.
Daily Review

Recite

Daily Review

Key Term Definition
TEEL (paragraph structure)

TEEL
Topic sentence
Evidence/example
Explain
Linking sentence
Write an analytical essay using correct structure. Check for Understanding
What is a thesis
Content Development statement?
A conclusion follows this structure:

General statement
Link to thesis
Outline key points
Why?
Content Development
Almost there!
Your conclusion:
• comes at the end of your essay
• summarises key points (does not analyse
or explain your key points)
• offers no new evidence/examples
A conclusion offers:
• a final statement
• aims to answer the SO WHAT? A link to a ‘bigger picture’ about the
concept
• shows your deeper understanding of what you’ve learned and how
you’ve applied it to the world (‘the big picture’)
Content Development
A great tip to remember about writing a conclusion is that it

is just your introduction, only BACKWARDS and reworded,
and your topic sentences (reworded)
About 90% of your conclusion YOU HAVE ALREADY WRITTEN!

Content Development
When we write a conclusion we use:
General statement – 1 sentence Make the Connection

Re-write your thesis
Link to thesis – 1 sentence Make the Connection

Wider context =
personal life, Australia,
whole world
Outline key points – 2-3 sentences
Make the Connection
Why – 1-2 sentences End with a ‘Zing!’ –
leave the marker with
a thought-provoking
statement.
Content Development
How to write a conclusion.
Purpose: to summarise your essay and

demonstrate your understanding.
Rules: writing a conclusion

1. Must summarise, not analyse
2. No new evidence/examples
3. Link to the big picture
Content Development
General statement (concept)
How to write a General Statement for a conclusion:
STEP 1: Reword your GS from the introduction

OR
STEP 1: write a different GS Make the Connection
If you wrote a statement
of effect in the
introduction, write a
statement of importance
in the conclusion, and
vice versa.
Content Development Check for Understanding
What type of statement is
General statement (concept) this GS?
If you used this type in
the introduction, what
other two types of GS
EXAMPLE: could you also use?
INTRODUCTION GS –
Characters are perhaps the most important element of a

story, especially as audiences enjoy watching their
journeys.
REWORDED FOR CONCLUSION:

Characters are created for the audience to connect with,
and they achieve this through the conflicts they face and
the changes they experience.
Link to thesis (what did you prove?) What type of statement is

this GS?
If you used this type in
the introduction, what
EXAMPLE: other two types of GS
could you also use?
Original thesis
As such, conflict creates change in both protagonists which
is reflected through their dialogue, technical conventions
(camera angles) and symbolism.

Griffiths’ use of filmic conventions such as dialogue,
camera angles and symbolism show the audience how
both Paddy and Michelle overcome the conflicts they face
to change for the better.
Content Development
Link to thesis (what did you prove?)
How to write a Link to thesis for a conclusion:
STEP 1: Look at your thesis statement

STEP 2: Reword it
Top tip: try re-writing your original thesis backwards!

Link to thesis (what did you prove?) How can you tell I’ve
written it backwards?
EXAMPLE:
Original thesis –
As such, conflict creates change in both protagonists which
is reflected through their dialogue, technical conventions
(camera angles) and symbolism.

Griffiths’ use of filmic conventions such as dialogue, camera
angles and symbolism show the audience how both Paddy
and Michelle overcome the conflicts they face to change for
the better.
Content Development
Outline key points (summary)
How to summarise your key points for a conclusion:
STEP 1: Look at your body paragraphs linking

sentences
STEP 2: Combine/summarise them into 1-2 sentences
STEP 3: Repeat for the other body paragraphs
Make the Connection
You don’t need to focus
on the techniques (your
thesis highlights these) so
you should focus on the
effect.
Outline key points (summary)
EXAMPLE:
Original linking sentence –
Ultimately, Paddy becomes more vulnerable in the aftermath of
Michelle’s fall, showing how coming so close to the loss of a loved
one can force you to reflect on the important things, which in his
instance is family and faith.

In overcoming his external conflict, Paddy Hints
encourages us to consider the power of faith and Choose the most
important parts! Use
forgiveness as he becomes a more vulnerable synonyms where
father. appropriate.
Content Development
Why? (Why does it matter?)
How to make your final ‘so what’ statement:
STEP 1: Think about and answer the following:

- Why is the concept/idea important?
- Why/how might the concept/idea impact
wider society/certain audiences?
- Why does it matter?
STEP 2: Write 1-2 sentences

Content Development
Remember, you DON’T have to answer all three questions.
They are just to help get you thinking.
Answering all three and putting them into your conclusion

can in fact make it TOO LONG!
Answering 1-2 is perfectly acceptable!

Write an analytical essay using correct structure. Hints
Use transitional phrases to signal that
Skill Development with Guided Practice you are writing your conclusion!
What transitional phrase have I used
Why? (so what? Why does it matter?) here? What are some others we could
also use?
EXAMPLE
Overall, the best characters are the ones that are flawed and
complex; they are the ones who meet challenges head on and
grow as a result of this. In overcoming both internal and external
conflicts, these characters show us how we too can grow if only
we don’t let life’s challenges break us.
So, how did I get there?

STEP 1: Think about how the ‘so what’ questions apply to your
essay/prompt and answer them:
• Why is the concept/idea important?

Becomes: why is character change important?
• Answer:
Overall, the best characters who are the ones that are flawed
and complex; they are the ones who capture our hearts.
STEP 1: Think about how the ‘so what’ questions apply to your
essay/prompt and answer them:
• How might the concept impact wider society?

Becomes: how is character change important to the audience?
• Answer:
In overcoming both internal and external conflicts, these
characters show us how we too can grow if only we don’t let
life’s challenges break us.
Sample conclusion (prompt 1):
Check for Understanding
Can you identify the
parts that are GLOW?
Characters are created for the audience to connect with, and they
achieve this through the conflicts they face and the changes they
experience. Griffiths’ use of filmic conventions such as dialogue, camera
angles and symbolism show the audience how both Paddy and Michelle
overcome the conflicts they face to change for the better. In
overcoming his internal conflict, Paddy encourages us to consider the
power of faith and forgiveness as he becomes a more vulnerable father.
Michelle’s own conflict depict that it is possible to overcome injury and
beat a misogynistic system. Overall, the best characters are the ones that
are flawed and complex; they are the ones who meet challenges head
on and grow as a result of this. In overcoming both internal and external
conflicts, these characters show us how we too can grow if only we don’t
let life’s challenges break us.
Review: how to structure an essay.
Content Development
ATAR structure: RIP (because your essay has slayed!)
Return to your thesis Bring the reader back to your central argument,
statement but avoid repeating your thesis. Rephrase it in an
interesting way.
Identify your key ideas Revise the key ideas you discussed. Connect these
to the aspect of the prompt you explored in each
of your paragraphs. Don’t repeat – rephrase.
Point to a purpose Point out the purpose or significance of exploring

this text/concept within the context of the prompt.
Draw some insightful conclusions – make it a ‘mic
drop’ moment.

Yr 8 Essay Structure RLAG

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Learning Goal

Write an analytical essay using

Success criteria (WILF):

The question or statement you

Something you will prove or

Analytical Essay Structure

ESSAY STRUCTURE: GROT TEEL GLOW

The introduction establishes what the focus of

Things an analytical introduction should

• Ideas/concepts/conventions NOT related

BEFORE we write an essay, we must always

2. Plan, plan, plan

2. How has the director used film conventions to encourage a certain

An introduction follows this structure:

Make the Connection

Writing a general statement (a hook).

Purpose: to engage our readers and signal

Rules: a general statement can be

Feature films are visual texts that deliver a narrative.

It is a definition because it defines the key concept.

Example of a statement of importance:

It is a statement of importance because it shows that themes

Rules: a general statement can be A statement of

Example of a statement of purpose and/or effect:

Feature films are more than an escape with popcorn in the

It is a statement of effect because it states that themes have

Reviewing what we know

GROT (introduction structure)

Writing a Reference to the text.

Purpose: to provide context about which text/s you

Rules: referencing a text

Reviewing what we know

Rules: referencing a text

1. It must have the title, director/author

How to outline your key points.

Purpose: to identify what your key points of

Rules: outlining your key points

Reviewing what we know

Rules: outlining your key points

1. Must have 3 different key points

Your thesis statement is the MOST IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR

A strong essay needs a strong thesis because it will help

If you don’t include the idea or concept in your thesis (and

Remember, your thesis statement will always depend on the

How to write a thesis statement. prove or show in your

Purpose: to state what your essay is going to

Rules: writing a thesis statement

Rules: writing a thesis statement

Sample Intro (prompt 1): Can you identify the

Characters are perhaps the most important element of a story,

Reviewing what we know

Rules: writing a thesis statement

1. Must include the WHAT (concept/idea)

Reviewing what we know

TEEL (paragraph structure)

A conclusion follows this structure:

A great tip to remember about writing a conclusion is that it

About 90% of your conclusion YOU HAVE ALREADY WRITTEN!

When we write a conclusion we use:

General statement – 1 sentence Make the Connection

Link to thesis – 1 sentence Make the Connection

How to write a conclusion.

Purpose: to summarise your essay and