Markers are looking to see that you have achieved the following:
1.A firm grasp of your texts. The whole point of writing an essay is to demonstrate your understanding of the concepts explored in your texts. How well you answer the question will be dependent on how well you have studied your play, poems, novel etc. There's no point in writing well if you don't have in depth knowledge of what you're writing about. Too many students read their texts only once, and some don't even examine their texts properly, and then head into an exam with prepared responses hoping their memorised essay will miraculously fit the exam question. Don't rely on this method!
2. A thorough understanding of the rubric. The prescribed texts have been selected for study based on their relevance to Discovery or one one of the three Modules and two Electives. Understanding the rubric will ensure that you are focussing on the right concepts by allowing you to narrow your focus. The essay question will always be based on the rubric, so don't study your texts in isolation.
3. A personal appreciation of your texts. Understanding the plot, themes, characters and techniques etc is one thing, but if you don't personally engage with your texts, it's going to show in your responses. Students who simply regurgitate quotes and techniques followed by general analysis will rarely score higher than a Band 4. Markers look for responses which offer insighful interpretations of the texts, and this will only be achieved when a student appreciates the text's significance to society and themselves.
4. A fluent, controlled and sophisticated writing style. You do not need to include elaborate or flowery language in order to be sophisticated. The most important aspect of any form of communciation is clarity. Ensure that your grammar, spelling and punctuation are accurate and utilise the metalanguage and English jargon your teachers have used with you in class. Unless you have a superior grasp of vocabulary and syntax, it is better to write succinctly and stick to language that is easy to understand. I've marked numerous essays where students have tried to come across as intelligent by including complex words and sentences which actually hinder their arguments as their points come out confusing and convoluted.