Key Idea: A Paper 1 response has three parts: an introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion. Each part has a fixed shape you can learn and repeat.
Writing the introduction
- Identify: text type, purpose and audience in one sentence.
- Thesis: your one-line answer to the focus.
- Signpost: preview your 2–3 main points.
- Keep it to 3–4 sentences. No plot summary, no 'throughout history' opening.
Writing body paragraphs
- Topic sentence — States this paragraph's sub-point of the thesis.
- Quote and evaluate — Short embedded quotes; technique, effect, and how well it works.
- Link back — Tie the point to your thesis, then start the next paragraph.
Writing the conclusion
- Reword the thesis in fresh words; do not copy the introduction.
- Show how your points add up to one argument.
- End on the overall effect: answer 'so what?'.
- Two or three sentences, with no new points or quotes.
Same shape every paragraph, new sub-point each time.
What is the single most important line of the introduction? The thesis.
How should you quote? A few words woven into your own sentence.
How does each body paragraph end? With a link to the thesis.
Can the conclusion bring in a new quote? No. It steps back to the whole text.
What question does the conclusion answer? 'So what?': the text's overall effect on the reader.