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The three moves of a Paper 1 intro?
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All Flashcards in Topic 3.5
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3.5.110 cards
The three moves of a Paper 1 intro?
Identify the text, state your thesis, signpost your argument.
How long should the intro be?
Three or four sentences.
What does ‘identify the text’ mean?
Name its type, purpose and audience.
What is the thesis?
Your one-sentence answer to the focus, which the essay proves.
What does ‘signpost’ mean?
Preview your 2–3 main points so the structure is clear.
Two things to AVOID in an intro?
Plot summary and grand ‘throughout history’ openings.
Which criteria does a good intro set up?
C (organisation) and A (understanding) from the first line.
Most important single sentence?
The thesis.
Should you retell the text?
No — identify it, don't summarise it.
Why signpost?
So the examiner sees your line of argument coming.
3.5.210 cards
What does each body paragraph make?
One sub-point of your thesis.
The body-paragraph shape?
Topic sentence → embedded quote → evaluated analysis → link to thesis.
How should you quote in Paper 1?
Short and embedded — a few words, never long blocks.
What must the analysis do (Criterion B)?
Analyse AND evaluate — technique → effect → how well it works.
How should each paragraph end?
With a link back to your thesis.
Why keep the same paragraph shape?
So you never freeze — you always know the next move.
One point or many per paragraph?
One — a single sub-point of the thesis.
What proves Criterion C in the body?
Each paragraph linking back to the thesis.
Common mistake?
Drifting across unrelated points or quoting long chunks.
A topic sentence is…
The opening mini-claim that states the paragraph's sub-point.
3.5.310 cards
The three moves of a conclusion?
Reword the thesis, combine your points, land on the overall effect.
Should a conclusion add new analysis?
No — no new points or quotes.
What question does a conclusion answer?
‘So what?’ — the overall effect on the reader.
Reword or repeat the thesis?
Reword — same idea in fresh words, not copy-paste.
How long should a conclusion be?
Two or three sentences.
What does ‘combine your points’ mean?
Show how your 2–3 sub-points add up to one argument.
Which criteria does the conclusion serve?
C (one coherent argument) and B (an evaluative overview).
Common weak conclusion?
Just re-listing the devices, or copying the intro.
Should you apologise for time?
No — never apologise in the essay.
How do you end?
On the overall effect — then stop.
Topic 3.5 study notes
Full notes & explanations for Writing an excellent response
English A Lang & Lit exam skills
Paper structures, command terms & tips
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