1 Composition (Personal Writing)

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English Study Resources

What does it take to get a h1 in higher level english.

Ciara Georgina Walker & Kathy McGrath, past students from The Institute of Education who achieved a H1 in their Leaving Cert higher level English exam, share their top revision tips.

Ciara Georgina Walker | How I Achieved My H1

Be concise!

I think the single, most important thing I’ve learnt when writing is to be concise. I never seemed to write as much as everybody else in essays. While that initially worried me, I came to realise that shorter, to-the-point essays were probably much appreciated by the people marking them!

Practice all sorts of essays

I found that a good way to do this is to compile a list of essay titles from past papers and get someone to randomly choose one for you to write. Try and do this at least one a week and don’t avoid essay titles that you don’t like.

Know your text inside out and back to front!

I found that my best tool for Paper 2 was to read the set works until I knew them backwards. I started by familiarising myself with the plots and poems, then wrote notes in the margins and made links within and between works. For poetry, I learnt off the shorter poems so that I had a larger repertoire of quotes. Make sure you learn enough poets to have at least one, but preferably two on the day of the exam. When it comes to Shakespeare, I found that translating the text into modern English was a really good way of understanding it.

Read the questions carefully

In the exam, read through the paper with a highlighter in hand and pick out important words in the questions. Choose the ones which you have an opinion on. Remember that you do not have agree, especially if you are asked to discuss a statement. If you think that the author or director in question does a poor job of exploring a certain issue, you can say so as long as you can back up your argument.

Kathy McGrath | How I Achieved My H1

Timing is crucial

Timing was always an issue for me, so I trained until I got better at it. As the year went on, I would give myself less and less time to get essays done. In the run up to the exam, I would practice under exam conditions.

Be active and write!

Have an hour to do some English study? Do a reading comprehension. Most of your study should involve actively writing – it’s the only way you’ll improve.

Feed your mind and develop ideas

In Paper 1, I would sometimes struggle to think of what to write. To help with this I collected ideas about different topics throughout the year. I read the newspaper whenever I got the chance, particularly the opinion pieces. Watching TED talks was a revelation – inspiration condensed into video format!

Know your texts

Steer clear of falling into the panicked trap of learning off pre-prepared answers. The chances of you being able to slot one of those into a question asked in the exam are slim to none. Understand your texts, know your quotes and you’ll be able to deal with anything.

Answer the question asked

Focus on key phrases in the question and structure your response in a way that answers every element of the question. You won’t get marks for waffle, no matter how eloquent it might be!

Be yourself and have opinions

Let your personality permeate what you write. Be different. Have an unorthodox opinion about a character? As long as you can back it up, include it! If you can show that you can form your own original thoughts and ideas about something, you’re on to a winner.

Reaction to 2023 English Exam Paper 2

Each year, our exceptional teachers give their take on the Leaving Certificate higher level exam papers.

See what Clodagh Havel, English teacher at The Institute of Education, had to say about the 2023 Paper 2  in this short video.

To view reactions to previous year’s English exam papers check out the videos below or visit our YouTube channel .

Sample Notes

Students who attend The Institute of Education are provided with exclusive, exam-focussed study notes to support their home study and revision. Below are a sample of the high-quality English notes they receive.

“If I was to give students one piece of advice before the English Leaving Cert it would be to understand the marking scheme.”

A clear understanding of the PCLM marking scheme (Purpose; Cohesiveness; Language; Mechanics) is crucial if students want to get top marks in the higher level English exam.

In this short video, Cian Hogan, English teacher at The Institute of Education explains why it is so important.

Looking for some help with Paper 2?

In these two short videos, Martin Kelly and Cian Hogan, English teachers at The Institute of Education, step through the marking scheme of Seen Poetry and Comparative and explain how to get top marks in each section.

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  • Jan 11, 2023

Writing a Personal Essay for the Leaving Cert: Tips and Strategies

Updated: Feb 17

Introduction to the Personal Essay

As a Leaving Cert student, you may be required to write a personal essay as part of your exams or coursework. A personal essay is a piece of writing that explores a personal experience, opinion, or belief. It allows you to express your thoughts and feelings about a particular topic and can be a powerful way to convey your personality and values to readers.

leaving cert english personal essay notes

Choosing a Topic for Your Personal Essay

One of the key steps in writing a personal essay is choosing a topic that is meaningful and engaging for you. The best personal essay topics are often personal experiences or events that have had a significant impact on your life or beliefs.

They may also be issues or ideas that you are passionate about and want to explore in more depth.

When choosing a topic, it's important to consider your audience and the purpose of your essay. If you're writing a personal essay for a college application, for example, you may want to choose a topic that showcases your unique qualities and experiences and aligns with the values and mission of the college.

It's also a good idea to choose a topic that you feel comfortable and confident writing about. Avoid choosing a topic that is too broad or abstract, or that you don't have enough personal experience with to write about with depth and insight.

leaving cert english personal essay notes

Tips for Structuring Your Personal Essay

Once you've chosen a topic, the next step is to organize your thoughts and ideas into a clear and cohesive structure. A typical personal essay will have an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

The introduction should introduce your topic and provide some context for your essay. You might also want to include a thesis statement, which is a sentence that states your main argument or point of view.

The body paragraphs should support your thesis and provide specific examples and details to illustrate your points. Each paragraph should focus on a specific aspect of your topic and have a clear topic sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph.

The conclusion should summarize your main points and restate your thesis, and may also include a call to action or a reflection on the significance of your topic.

Tips for Writing a Strong Personal Essay

To write a strong personal essay, there are a few key tips to keep in mind:

Use concrete details and specific examples to illustrate your points: Rather than just stating your beliefs or opinions, use specific examples and details to bring your essay to life and make it more persuasive.

Use a clear and engaging writing style: Avoid using jargon or overly complex language, and aim for a clear and engaging writing style that is easy for readers to follow.

Use transitions to connect your ideas: Use transitional words and phrases to help your essay flow smoothly and logically from one idea to the next.

Edit and proofread your essay carefully: Make sure to revise and proofread your essay carefully to catch any mistakes or awkward phrasing. It can be helpful to read your essay aloud or have someone else read it to catch any errors.

Seek feedback and guidance: Don't be afraid to ask for feedback from a teacher or peer on your essay. They can provide valuable insights and suggestions for improvement.

In conclusion, the personal essay is a valuable opportunity for Leaving Cert students to express their thoughts and feelings about a personal experience.

Are you a Leaving Certificate student looking to improve your grades and reach your full potential?

Look no further! Our grinds service offers personalized tutoring from experienced and qualified teachers. Our tailored approach ensures that you receive the support and guidance you need to excel in your exams and achieve your goals.

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leaving cert english personal essay notes

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Leaving Cert Notes and Sample Answers

Complete Guide: H1 Leaving Cert English 202 4

Leaving Cert English 2024 notes, sample essays, text analysis, examiners’ advice, video – it’s all in there. Contents:

Essentials Paper I

Section I Section II Quotations in essays Speech/Talk/The Language of Persuasion Article / Opinion piece / Discursive Essay / Language of argument Report/The language of information Personal essay Letter – Letter to the Editor – Personal letter Descriptive essay Short story

Introduction Themes Style Detailed breakdown of essay on revenge Sample essays “Revenge and justice are finely balanced themes in the play, Hamlet.” Discuss this statement, supporting your answer with suitable reference to the text. “Hamlet’s madness, whether genuine or not, adds to the fascination of this character for the audience.” Discuss this statement, supporting your answer with suitable reference to the play, Hamlet. ”Cladius can be seen as both a heartless villain and a character with some redeeming qualities in the play, Hamlet.” Discuss both aspects of this statement supporting your answer with suitable reference to the text. “The portrayal of Hamlet as an outsider allows Shakespeare to critique the values of society.” “Uncertainty, which features constantly in Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, adds significantly to the dramatic impact of the play”. Discuss how Shakespeare makes effective use, for a variety of purposes, of the contradictions and inconsistencies evident in Hamlet’s character. Develop your discussion with reference to Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet. Short notes on 2017 questions “Shakespeare’s play Hamlet has been described as “a disturbing psychological thriller.” “Shakespeare makes effective use of both Laertes and Horatio to fulfil a variety of dramatic functions in his play, Hamlet.”

Frankenstein

Themes Style Quotations Characters Key question Sample essay: “The consequences of Victor Frankenstein’s passion for scientific knowledge and experimentation in Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, are both fascinating and disturbing.” (2022) Sample essay: “Is the Creature a child? Discuss the idea of parenthood and childhood in relation to Frankenstein.” Sample essay: Discuss the role of Robert Walton in Frankenstein. Consider Walton’s contribution to the themes and style of the novel. Sample essay: Discuss the importance of companionship in shaping the reader’s understanding of the characters and the events of Frankenstein. Sample essay: Discuss the narrative purposes served by Mary Shelley’s inclusion of letters between various characters throughout her novel, Frankenstein. (2022) Sample essay: Discuss how the use of imagery and symbolism plays an important part in the themes of Frankenstein.

Comparative

General guidance Individual texts Link words Cultural Context Theme or Issue Literary Genre Comparisons: making a table (examples Educated, Never Let Me Go , Ladybird , Frankenstein, Rebecca, The Shawshank Redemption, Pride and Prejudice, Knives Out, Where the Crawdads Sing, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Macbeth, Room , Casablanca)

Unseen poetry

General guidance Sample answer

Prescribed poetry

General guidance

Emily Dickinson

Introduction Detailed analysis of each poem individually “Hope” is the thing with feathers There’s a certain Slant of light I felt a Funeral, in my Brain A Bird came down the Walk I heard a Fly buzz – when I died The Soul has Bandaged moments I could bring You Jewels – had I a mind to A narrow Fellow in the Grass I taste a liquor never brewed After great pain, a formal feeling comes Sample essay : “Dickinson’s use of an innovative style to explore intense experiences can both intrigue and confuse.” Discuss this statement, supporting your answer with reference to the poetry of Emily Dickinson on your course.

Introduction Detailed analysis of each poem individually The Sunne Rising Song: Go, and catch a falling star The Anniversarie Song: Sweetest love, I do not goe The Dreame (Deare love, for nothing less than thee. ..) A Valediction Forbidding Mourning The Flea Batter my heart At the round earth’s imagined corners Thou hast made me Sample essay: “John Donne uses startling imagery and wit in his exploration of relationships.” Give your response to the poetry of John Donne in the light of this statement. Support your points with the aid of suitable reference to the poems you have studied.

Seamus Heaney

Introduction Detailed analysis of each poem individually The Forge Bogland The Tollund Man Mossbawn: Two Poems in Dedication (1) Sunlight A Constable Calls The Skunk The Harvest Bow The Underground Postscript A Call Tate’s Avenue The Pitchfork Lightenings VIII. (The annals say…) Sample essay: “Heaney’s poetry explores ordinary life and people through language that is anything but ordinary.” Support your points with reference to the poetry on your course.

Gerard Manley Hopkins

Introduction Detailed analysis of each poem individually God’s Grandeur Spring As kingfishers catch fire, dragonflies draw flame The Windhover Pied Beauty Felix Randal Inversnaid I wake and feel the fell of dark, not day No worst there is none. Pitched past pitch of grief Thou art indeed just, Lord, if I contend Sample essay: “Hopkins’ innovative style displays his struggle with what he believes to be fundamental truths.” In your opinion, is this a fair assessment of his poetry? Support your answer with suitable reference to the poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins on your course. (2013)

Paula Meehan

Introduction Detailed analysis of each poem individually Buying Winkles The Pattern The Statue of Virgin Mary at Granard Speaks Cora, Auntie The Exact Moment I Became a Poet My Father Perceived as a Vision of St. Francis Prayer for the Children of Longing Death of a Field Them Ducks Died for Ireland Sample essay: “Meehan’s poetry communicates powerful feelings through thought-provoking images and symbols.” Write your response to this statement with reference to the poems by Paula Meehan on your course.

Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin

Introduction Detailed analysis of each poem individually Lucina Schynning in Silence of the Nicht The Second Voyage Deaths and Engines Street Fireman’s Lift All for You Following Kilcash Translation The Bend in the Road On Lacking the Killer Instinct To Niall Woods and Xenya Ostrovskaia, married in Dublin on 9 September 2009 Sample essay: “Ní Chuilleanáin’s demanding subject matter and formidable style can prove challenging.” Discuss this statement, supporting your answer with reference to the poetry of Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin on your course.

Sylvia Plath

Introduction Detailed analysis of each poem individually Black Rook in Rainy Weather The Times are Tidy Morning Song Finisterre Mirror Pheasant Elm Poppies in July The Arrival of the Bee Box Child Sample essay : “Plath makes effective use of language to explore her personal experiences of suffering and to provide occasional glimpses of the redemptive power of love.” Discuss this statement, supporting your answer with reference to both the themes and language found in the poetry of Sylvia Plath on your course.

Introduction Detailed analysis of each poem individually The Wild Swans at Coole The Lake Isle of Innisfree Sailing to Byzantium September 1913 An Irish Airman Foresees His Death Easter 1916 Stare’s Nest by My Window The Second Coming In Memory of Eva Gore-Booth and Con Markiewicz Swift’s Epitaph An Acre of Grass from Under Ben Bulben: V and VI Politics Sample essay : “Yeats uses evocative language to create poetry that includes both personal reflection and public commentary.” Discuss this statement, supporting your answer with reference to both the themes and language found in the poetry of W. B. Yeats on your course.

This guide aims to replace a revision course for 2024. Everything is in one place. We know how hard it can be, and it is our passion to make it easier for the students who come after us. Our team, composed of people who got 625+ points, distilled our own best notes, past paper answers and tips on each part of the course – so that you don’t have to fight these battles on your own or reinvent the wheel. Whether you want 625 points, or to simply maximise your points, the Leaving Cert English 2024 guide will – guaranteed – have useful insights to make your life easier.

This Leaving Cert English 2024 guide is especially useful if:

✔ you are stuck at a given grade despite all your effort

✔ your teacher’s approach isn’t perfect for you

✔ you don’t know what to do to improve

✔ you are counting English for points

You will get:

✔access to the key Leaving Cert English skills video

✔access to 625Lab: we will give you feedback on one typed up essay corrected. Use the 625Lab submission form

✔priority access for Leaving Cert study advice. Email [email protected] with your query

✔notes as detailed above (424 pages, or 130 thousand words)

What does the guide  not  cover ?

The guide has a wealth of useful information. As the syllabus required each student to choose from over 40 individual texts and over 50 poems it was neither required, nor feasible to cover everything. 

Does it come in the post? It’s a download, so there’s no need to wait for the postman. You automatically get a download link straight into your email inbox. If you run into any problems with the download, we will sort you out – simply reply to the email you get from us.

Can I print it?

Yes. All notes are printable.

625 points leaving cert notes review

  • Junior Cert
  • Elizabeth Bishop
  • Emily Dickinson
  • Seamus Heaney
  • Thomas Kinsella
  • Derek Mahon
  • All 2014 guides on CD
  • Sylvia Plath
  • Eavan Boland (LC 2012)
  • Patrick Kavanagh (LC 2012)
  • Adrienne Rich (LC 2013)
  • Gerard Manley Hopkins (LC 2013)
  • Cancelled Order
  • Thank You for your order

PAPER ONE CHECKLIST

yes I’m clickable or use the links below:

Comprehensions (Question A)

  • Language Genres
  • Categorising formats
  • Summary of information/argument/persuasion/description…
  • Language of information
  • Language of argument
  • Language of persuasion
  • Argupersuasionment
  • Language of narration / description
  • Advice on answering comprehensions
  • Comprehending texts (Written Word 2015)
  • Types of comprehension
  • Comprehension answers
  • Answering style questions
  • Comprehending and Responding
  • Vivid Feckin’ Imagery
  • Features of Effective Speech-Writing
  • Visual texts
  • Sample visual text answer
  • Sample visual text answer 2 (from Written Word Supplement 2014)
  • Visual imagery – sample answer 3 (from Written Word 2015)
  • The Art of Photography (guest post)
  • Book covers
  • Book covers sample answer
  • Describe a personality
  • Facial expressions
  • Mood & Atmosphere
  • Comedy – what makes something funny?
  • Rant vs well constructed argument

Writing task  (Question B)

  • Question B advice
  • Question B trends
  • Letter / Presentation (may be based on the text)
  • Radio talk / speech
  • Diary entries (may be based on the text)
  • News report
  • Article for a newspaper / magazine / website (blog)
  • Report / memo
  • Leaflet / guidelines
  • Advertisement
  • Guerrilla Advertising
  • Introduction to a book
  • Less common Question Bs

Composing (the essay)

  • Paper 1 essay – Inspiration?
  • Writing from the tree of life
  • Six rules of essay writing
  • Essay topics
  • “Appropriate” topics
  • Trust your voice
  • Originality vs. Cliche
  • From word to paragraph
  • Originality – Freshness – Energy – Style
  • Short stories
  • Sample short story 1
  • Sample short story 2
  • Collaborative Storytelling
  • Descriptive Essays
  • Sample descriptive essay
  • Sample descriptive essay 2  (by a student)
  • Descriptive Writing Tip 1 & Tip 2  & Tip 3 & Tip 4
  • Types of Descriptive Essay
  • Personal essay
  • Tone (personal essay)
  • Sample personal essay 1
  • Sample personal essay 2
  • Sample personal essay 3 (by a student)
  • Personal Essay Practice
  • Random personal essay titles
  • Let it flow
  • Article vs Speech
  • Sample newspaper article
  • Feature Article on Mindfulness (2015)
  • Speech on Mindfulness (2015)
  • Differences between article and speech (above)
  • Broadsheets vs. Tabloids
  • Celebrity “News”
  • Speech/Debate
  • Write a speech Ted!
  • Sample speech
  • Debate topics

Shakespeare: Hamlet

  • Hamlet plot & some other downloads
  • Hamlet character quotes
  • Claudius character quotes
  • Gertrude character quotes
  • Ophelia character quotes
  • Typical questions
  • Tragic hero?
  • Revenge podcasts
  • Appearance v’s Reality podcasts
  • Loyalty and Betrayal
  • Hamlet: Insane in the membrane?
  • Delay or procrastination?
  • Answer the question!
  • Hamlet’s soliloquies
  • Hamlet lecture
  • Hamlet comedy sketch
  • Tips for Hamlet
  • Hamlet in Howth podcasts 

Shakespeare: King Lear

  • King Lear sample questions
  • King Lear plot chronology
  • King Lear Quotes (in translation)
  • Lear’s journey
  • Some themes in King Lear
  • Justice in King Lear (how to construct an answer)

Shakespeare: Macbeth

  • Macbeth quotes  (podcast)
  • Macbeth plot jigsaw
  • Macbeth questions
  • Macbeth introductions and conclusions
  • 10 Questions – Macbeth
  • Macbeth soliloquies
  • Macbeth in the Globe – review
  • Macbeth post-show discussions
  • Online Macbeth resources
  • Macbeth in Monaghan
  • The Macbeths’ Marriage
  • Lady Macbeth jigsaw
  • Kingship: Duncan
  • Kingship: Malcolm
  • Kingship: Macbeth
  • Answer the Question! (Kingship)
  • Factors influencing Macbeth 1
  • Factors influencing Macbeth 2
  • Factors influencing Macbeth 3
  • Factors influencing Macbeth 4
  • Factors influencing Macbeth 5
  • Compelling Drama 1
  • Compelling Drama 2
  • Compelling Drama 3
  • Relevance to a Modern Audience
  • Macbeth in Performance

Shakespeare: Othello

  • Othello – the Plot
  • Othello: Exam Questions
  • Essay Writing: Othello
  • Conclusions – essay on Iago
  • Othello: Temptation Scene
  • Othello – virtues & flaws
  • Iago – flaws & virtues?
  • Iago’s motivation
  • Desdemona – virtue, virtue, virtue?
  • Compelling drama lesson plan 
  • Reading Shakespeare (Othello)

Comparative Studies

  • Comparative Modes
  • Comparative essay structure
  • Linking phrases
  • Cracking the comparative 
  • Comparative crisps
  • Comparative 30/40 mark split
  • Sample comparative link
  • What the heck is GV&V?
  • General Vision & Viewpoint Questions
  • Literary Genre Questions
  • Cultural Context Questions
  • Theme or Issue Questions
  • Tackling Themes
  • Openings & Endings
  • Passive vs Active voice
  • Personal Response – a brief history
  • Tackling the comparative (Written Word 2015)
  • Poetic techniques & terminology
  • Writing Poetry
  • Writing about poetry
  • Sample poetry paragraph
  • Poetry essays
  • Studied poets – audio study guides
  • Studied poetry questions
  • Introductions and conclusions
  • Studied poetry – common mistakes
  • Unseen poetry
  • Unseen poetry mistakes
  • Adventures in unseen poetry
  • Sample unseen poem
  • Sample answer unseen poem
  • Poetry vs. Song lyrics
  • Poetry grid
  • Film: A Gateway to Poetry

Discussions:

  • Teen Culture
  • Being Irish
  • Walled Gardens
  • Filter Bubbles
  • Achievement Log
  • Microblogging
  • Fragments from a Lost Weekend
  • /two roads diverged

Miscellaneous:

  • How much to write
  • Perfect Paragraph Project
  • Why introductions matter
  • Last minute advice
  • Chief Examiner’s Report (how to do better in the exam!)
  • Why study English?
  • How to study English
  • What’s wrong with the Leaving Cert?
  • Satirical article on the Leaving Cert – read this! 
  • Hello Leaving Certs (from way back when the site began!)
  • Parts of Speech
  • Games for Learning
  • Game Based Learning (Written Word 2015)
  • Book Recommendations
  • Directing a scene
  • Single Text Options 2015
  • Hello Fellow Teachers
  • Teacher of the Year
  • Digital Bootcamp
  • ICT in Education conference
  • INOTE notes
  • INOTE conference
  • Virtual collaboration
  • Cyberbullying
  • CESI 2013 (new Junior Cycle)
  • Connecting Teachers
  • Story Spine
  • Story Spine 2
  • Apple Distinguished Educator 2013
  • Draft Specification for Junior Cycle English
  • JC Consultation Conference
  • An Open Letter to Ruairi Quinn
  • Féilte – World Teachers Day Celebration
  • Reflections on Féilte
  • @BeoIreland songwriting competition
  • ASTI members: Rock the Vote
  • Edublog nominations & Edublog awards
  • New Junior Cycle English
  • CPD – some thoughts…
  • Global Teacher Prize
  • Chief Examiner’s Report
  • Blog Awards Ireland: Best Education Blog
  • Junior Cert English: 10 things I hate about you!
  • Teachable moments: Embracing the Now
  • The Old Warrior and Me
  • Teaching the Syllabus 1
  • Teaching the Syllabus 2

Recent Posts

  • A long slow goodbye…
  • Some themes in Lear…
  • King Lear – Plot Chronology
  • King Lear quotes (in translation!)
  • Justice in King Lear – how to construct an answer…
  • Single text options…
  • Tackling the Comparative
  • Game Based Learning
  • Discussions
  • Comprehensions
  • Comparative
  • Studied poetry
  • Media Studies
  • Uncategorized

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IMAGES

  1. English leaving cert comprehension Free Essay Example

    leaving cert english personal essay notes

  2. Student Submitted Essay Sylvia Plath

    leaving cert english personal essay notes

  3. Comparative Essay Leaving Cert Sample

    leaving cert english personal essay notes

  4. Leaving Certificate English Paper 1 Composition

    leaving cert english personal essay notes

  5. H1 Example of a Personal Essay

    leaving cert english personal essay notes

  6. Leaving Cert notes on Tumblr

    leaving cert english personal essay notes

COMMENTS

  1. Personal essay Archives

    Personal Essay: Uncertain about what you want for Leaving Cert English #625Lab. Write a personal essay in which you reflect on an occasion in your life when you felt uncertain about what you wanted. #625Lab. Wonderfully reflective, revelatory personal essay dealing with loss.….

  2. 1 Composition (Personal Writing)

    Solutions and Sample Answers (28) H1 Sample Answer | Composition - 2020. Sample Answer. H1 Sample Answer | Composition - Personal Essay - 2018 (Q3) Find out what a state examiner is looking for in a H1 essay. Sample Answer. H1 Sample Answer | Composition - 2018. Sample Answer.

  3. Personal Essay

    A personal essay is a series of related ideas (or anecdotes) which reveal your personality, opinions, memories & feelings. The style of writing is up to you - you can use descriptive writing in one paragraph, rhetorical questions & lists in another, humour and exaggeration in another. Each paragraph uses ONE core idea.

  4. PDF SUBJECT: ENGLISH

    How to write a personal essay for the Leaving Certificate English exam? In this pdf, Paul McCormack, a renowned English teacher and author, shares his insights and tips on how to craft a compelling and coherent personal essay based on the 2017 exam paper. Learn from his examples and advice on how to express your own moments of revelation and insight.

  5. English Study Resources

    Below are a sample of the high-quality English notes they receive. Paula Meehan Poetry. Paper 1. Personal Essay. King Lear. Eavan Boland. Gerald Manley Hopkins "If I was to give students one piece of advice before the English Leaving Cert it would be to understand the marking scheme." ...

  6. PDF Essay Writiing

    Write a personal essay about your clothes, what they mean to you and what they say about you. (2011 Theme: Mystery) '…It was terrific theatre…' Write a personal essay about your experience (as a performer and/or audience member of the dramatic arts: plays, musicals, concerts, comedy etc.) (2010 Theme: Decisions)

  7. Writing a Personal Essay for the Leaving Cert: Tips and Strategies

    To write a strong personal essay, there are a few key tips to keep in mind: Use concrete details and specific examples to illustrate your points: Rather than just stating your beliefs or opinions, use specific examples and details to bring your essay to life and make it more persuasive. Use a clear and engaging writing style: Avoid using jargon ...

  8. Personal Essay

    You cannot be a sheep for a personal essay. You will (and should) use descriptive writing but you will also use quotes from your favourite bands and anecdotes from your childhood or family and offer your thoughts and opinions and attitudes and beliefs and feelings. You may use rhetorical questions and lists and statistics.

  9. Sample Personal Essay

    Sample Personal Essay. This is a personal essay (I found it in an old foolscap a few years ago) from when I was in Leaving Cert. It's not terribly original and the ending just kind of tails off pathetically but rather than fix it up I decided to leave it as I had written it at 17. It should give you a strong sense that there is a real ...

  10. Leaving Cert English Composition

    Composition - Aoife O'Driscoll - Personal and Discursive Essays. Comprehension B and Composition Slidesshow - Aoife O'Driscoll. Debate Speech Layout - Slideshow. Essays 2014. How to Write A Feature Article. Quotes for use in compositions. Speech writing. Revision Notes for Leaving Certificate English Students.

  11. Personal Essay: Moments of Insight and Revelation for Leaving Cert

    This is a good attempt at a personal essay showing a lot of promise, but it will need a few tweaks before it can get a H1. ... Complete Guide to Leaving Cert English ... (This paragraph ends on a reflective note, but otherwise, albeit well-written, it doesn't quite fit into the brief of the personal essay. With personal essays, err on the ...

  12. Leaving Cert English

    Full Example Essay - https://crazam.ie/questions/ques_D8ODRXk/0Looking for a full lesson for Leaving Cert English? Our English teacher JP has provided a full...

  13. Personal Essays

    Sample personal essay: Where I Belong (OL) Sample personal essay: Overcoming obstacles in my life (OL) A Year with No Social Media: Personal Essay (OL) The Importance of Family, Friends and School (OL) ... Junior and Leaving Cert English Notes

  14. Leaving Cert English Personal Essay: Pretence and Unvarnished Truth

    "Let's stop all this pretence and tell each other the unvarnished truth for a change." Write a personal essay in response to this statement. (2006) This is an essay from a current Leaving Cert student published under our #625Lab section that reviews of strengths and weaknesses of a student's essay rather than a model […]

  15. sample personal essays

    Have a look at this beautiful personal essay - but be warned: (1) It will make you cry. and. (2) You could never write this. You are not a thirty-something-yr-old widower with a toddler and a dead wife. You are a 17 or 18yr old Irish leaving cert student and this is the perspective you MUST write from when you write a personal essay in the ...

  16. Unlock Your Academic Potential with Our Tutor-Created Notes

    Revolutionising Learning for Your Leaving Cert 2024. Leaving Cert English Google Drive. €10.00 ... Paper One: Speech; Diary Entry; Magazine Articles; Discursive Essay; Persuasive Essay; Personal Essay; Paper Two: MacBeth; Lady Bird; A Doll's House; Room; Adrienne Rich; ... English, Biology and Geography Notes. Samples : Geography - Geoecology ...

  17. Leaving Cert English Personal Essay: one or more moments of uncertainty

    Write a personal essay about one or more moments of uncertainty you have experienced. Themes: social disadvantage, divorce, homelessness Note: this is a personal essay, but it has a plot and great descriptive language. With some more plot development, it could be evolved into a short story. See a more strictly personal essay under the […]

  18. personal essay

    Tagged ireland, leaving cert english, personal essay, sample personal essays, tone. Personal Essay Titles. Posted on April 17, ... Their job was to figure out who the writer was, a variation on the game of guess who where you have a post it note stuck to your forehead and you have to figure out what famous person's name is written on it.

  19. PDF Layout and Timing Leaving Cert English

    Layout and Timing - Leaving Cert English Paper 1 Language Paper Total marks: 200 Time allowed: 2 hours and 50 minutes Question Marks Time Length Comp. Question A 50 40/45 minutes 3 pages Comp. Question B 50 40/45 minutes 1 ½ /2 pages Composition (Essay) 100 75/80 minutes 4 pages Paper 2 Literature Paper Total marks: 200

  20. Personal Essay

    Write a personal essay where you give your opinion on the importance of family, friends and school. There are many important things in my life but to me there is nothing more important than family, friends and school. My family consists of me, my older brother Tom, my younger sister Niamh and my mum and dad. We all live in Ballyville and while ...

  21. Complete Guide: H1 Leaving Cert English 2024

    Leaving Cert English 2024 notes, sample essays, text analysis, examiners' advice, video - it's all in there. Contents: Essentials Paper I. Section I Section II Quotations in essays Speech/Talk/The Language of Persuasion Article / Opinion piece / Discursive Essay / Language of argument Report/The language of information Personal essay Letter

  22. Enda's English Notes

    Advertisements. Junior Cycle Notes Leaving Cert Notes Key Skills in English Should you need to contact the page, please email: [email protected].

  23. Index

    Personal essay; Tone (personal essay) Sample personal essay 1; ... Satirical article on the Leaving Cert - read this! ... Junior Cert English: 10 things I hate about you! Teachable moments: Embracing the Now; The Old Warrior and Me; Teaching the Syllabus 1; Teaching the Syllabus 2 . Recent Posts.