Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-you-cant-revise-for-gcse-english/2-1-2-essay-introductions-for-novels-and-plays

[Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [Teacher CPD](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd.md) › [CPD: You Can't Revise for GCSE English!](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-you-cant-revise-for-gcse-english.md) › Essay Introductions for Novels & Plays

# Essay Introductions for Novels & Plays

CPD: You Can't Revise for GCSE English! (by Mark Roberts), topic 2.1.2

## Why are Introductions Such an Important Part of Revision for Students?

Mark usually finds that students who struggle to write an effective introduction haven’t planned out what they are going to write about. For this reason, their introductions are usually full of waffle.

![](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/ba0efdcb-4816-46d6-aa4f-bc6af0760e66/WAN-Wired-Area-Connection-City-Lights-Night-.jpg)

- They understand the key ideas and the bigger picture.

![](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2020-07/f5723a8d-15a3-4952-ae03-cc4ba65ac0ee/empty-theatre-seats-.jpg)

- They understand that writers create characters, not real people.

![](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-05/05d46920-9395-4392-96bf-9b14e6277178/books-.jpg)

- They know what the writer was trying to say when they wrote the text.

![](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-05/20e99025-922a-48f6-ac50-a8969ec33a77/crazy-words-.jpg)

- They can make complex points in a few sentences in their intruduction.

## Test yourself on Essay Introductions for Novels & Plays

- When using Mark's method of adapting prepared responses, what must students do to avoid losing marks?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/2a490036-5dba-4476-9e65-c50bab554d21/section/501ee453-7074-45a8-b339-11f00b64951a/session)

- Previous topic: [2.1.1 How to Revise for the Component Parts of an Essay](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-you-cant-revise-for-gcse-english/2-1-1-how-to-revise-for-the-component-parts-of-an-essay.md)
- Next topic: [2.1.3 Essay Introductions for Poetry](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-you-cant-revise-for-gcse-english/2-1-3-essay-introductions-for-poetry.md)

## CPD: You Can't Revise for GCSE English! (by Mark Roberts) contents

### 1 Using Context Successfully
- 1.1 Using Context Successfully
  - [1.1.1 What is Context & Why is it Important?](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-you-cant-revise-for-gcse-english/1-1-1-what-is-context-and-why-is-it-important.md)
  - [1.1.2 Common Mistakes with Context 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-you-cant-revise-for-gcse-english/1-1-2-common-mistakes-with-context-1.md)
  - [1.1.3 Common Mistakes with Context 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-you-cant-revise-for-gcse-english/1-1-3-common-mistakes-with-context-2.md)
  - [1.1.4 Key Points for Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-you-cant-revise-for-gcse-english/1-1-4-key-points-for-context.md)

### 2 Improving Practice Essays
- 2.1 Improving Practice Essays
  - [2.1.1 How to Revise for the Component Parts of an Essay](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-you-cant-revise-for-gcse-english/2-1-1-how-to-revise-for-the-component-parts-of-an-essay.md)
  - [2.1.2 Essay Introductions for Novels & Plays](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-you-cant-revise-for-gcse-english/2-1-2-essay-introductions-for-novels-and-plays.md)
  - [2.1.3 Essay Introductions for Poetry](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-you-cant-revise-for-gcse-english/2-1-3-essay-introductions-for-poetry.md)
  - [2.1.4 Main Body of the Essay](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-you-cant-revise-for-gcse-english/2-1-4-main-body-of-the-essay.md)
  - [2.1.5 Key Points for Writing Practise Essays](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-you-cant-revise-for-gcse-english/2-1-5-key-points-for-writing-practise-essays.md)