There are loads of ways you can approach writing an essay, but the two I favour are detailed below.

The key thing to remember is that an essay should focus on the three AOs:

AO1: Plot and character development;
AO2: Language and technique;
AO3: Context

Strategy 1: Extract / Rest of play

The first strategy basically splits the essay into 3 paragraphs.

The first paragraph focuses on the extract, the second focuses on the rest of the play, the third focuses on context. Essentially, it's one AO per paragraph, for a really neatly organised essay.

Strategy 2: A structured essay with an argument

This strategy allows you to get a much higher marks as it's structured to form an argument about the whole text. Although you might think that's harder - and it's probably going to score more highly - I'd argue that it's actually easier to master. Mainly because you do most of the work before the day of the exam.

To see some examples of these, click on the links below:

Lady Macbeth as a powerful woman

Macbeth as a heroic character

The key to this style is remembering this: You're going to get a question about a theme, and the extract will DEFINITELY relate to the theme.

The strategy here is planning out your essays BEFORE the exam, knowing that the extract will fit into them somehow.

Below are some structured essays I've put together.

Macbeth and gender