How to improve my Essay skills?

[Guest]

Hei, people. I'm in need of a lot of advice about HL English essays. 

 

My mark in English is okay (low 5), but its been like that for the past 2 years of IB for me. I've gone to extra help with my teacher and asked her many times how can I improve on my skills. She explains it well, and I understand, but then when I go and write my essay, I just get a low 5 again. 

 

I've read sample essays to get an idea, those weren't much help. I've read the Course Companion book a few times and it just wasn't helpful. I even tried expanding my vocabulary to see if that would help any, but I don't think that got me anywhere.

 

For my English midterm, I had to write an essay on a poem. I used the Point, Evidence, Explanation method and I believe I had a well focussed thesis and main idea, but if I get a solid low 5 on this, I might explode. What could I possibly be going wrong.

 

She does mention that I don't present my ideas clearly, but I try to present them clear enough, how clearer can they get?

 

Are there any other suggestions that I should look in to? 

 

[Sandy]

It seems like you've done everything there is to be done. You can try organise your essay, but that's only a small part of the whole and won't increase a lot of marks. You can send me one of your essays and I can look into it if you want. I've graded a lot of essays at school, so I've kind of gotten good at it

PM me if you want me to have a look at it!

[Flow4421]

If I were you, I'd practice over and over again, and make somebody correct your work, maybe your English teacher? Take past questions, and download the markscheme as well I'm sure you have thought of that before.

You can also search the web for essay tips