CRITICAL ESSAY QUESTION SAMPLE

Choose a play in which an important character is in conflict with another character or characters
in the play, or with herself or himself.
Describe the conflict and then, by referring to appropriate techniques, go on to explain why the
conflict is important to the development of the play as a whole.

Choose a play where the playwright explores a theme or issue or concern which you feel is
important.
By referring to appropriate techniques, show how effectively the playwright establishes and
explores the theme or issue or concern.

Choose a play in which there is a character who is important in relation to the theme of the play.
Referring to appropriate techniques, explain how this character affects our understanding of this
theme.

Choose a play in which there is a key scene. Briefly describe what happens in this scene then, by
referring to dramatic techniques, go on to explain why the scene is important to the play as a
whole.

Choose a play which you feel has a turning point. Describe briefly what happens at this turning
point an then, by referring to appropriate techniques, go on explain how it makes an impact on
the play as a whole.

Choose a play in which the playwright presents a flawed character who you feel is mother
worthy of our sympathy than criticism. By referring to appropriate techniques, show how the
character’s flawed nature is revealed, then explain how, despite this, we are led to feel
sympathy for her/him.

Choose a novel or short story in which the writer creates a realistic or convincing character.
By referring to appropriate techniques, show how the writer creates this character, and say why
you find him or her to be realistic or convincing.

Choose a novel or short story or a work of non–fiction which explores a theme which you find
interesting.
By referring to appropriate techniques, show how the writer explores this theme.

Choose a novel or short story or work of non-fiction which has a key incident.
Give a brief account of the incident, and by referring to appropriate techniques, show how this
incident is important to the text as a whole.

Choose a novel or short story in which there is a character involved in some form of conflict.
By referring to appropriate techniques, show how the character comes to be involved in this
conflict and how the conflict develops throughout the text.

Choose a novel or short story which explores an important theme.
By referring to appropriate techniques, show how the author has explored this theme.

Choose a novel or short story in which the author creates a fascinating character.
By referring to appropriate techniques, show how the author has created this character and why
you found him/her so fascinating.

Choose a poem in which setting is an important feature.
By referring to poetic techniques, show how setting contributes to your appreciation of the
poem as a whole.

Choose a poem which makes you think more deeply about an aspect of life.
By referring to poetic techniques, show how the poet explores this aspect of life.

Choose a poem which you find particularly thought-provoking.
By referring to poetic techniques, explain how the poet makes this poem so thought-provoking.

Choose a poem which deals with human experience.
By referring to poetic techniques, show how the poet makes this experience come alive and
helps you appreciate the poem as a whole.

Choose a poem which made a lasting impression on you.
Explain briefly what the poem is about, then, by referring to appropriate techniques, show how
the poem has made a lasting impression.
Choose a poem which features an encounter or incident.
By referring to appropriate techniques, show how the poet’s development of the encounter or
incident leads you to a deeper understanding of the poem’s central concerns.

Choose a scene or sequence from a film or television drama which creates a particular feeling or
emotion.
By referring to appropriate techniques, explain how the director leads you to feel this way.

Choose a film or television drama which has a character who is admirable and/or unpleasant.
By referring to appropriate techniques, explain how the character is presented in the
film/television drama* as a whole. * “television drama” includes a single play, a series or a serial.

Choose the opening or closing scene or sequence from a film or television drama.
By referring to appropriate techniques, explain why you find it an effective opening or closing
scene or sequence.

Choose a film or television drama which has a character who either supports or threatens the
main character.
By referring to appropriate techniques, explain how this character plays an important role in the
film/television drama as a whole.

Choose a film or television drama which has an impact on you.
Briefly describe the events which led to this scene or sequence, then, by referring to appropriate
techniques, go on to show how this impact was created.