Okay, i'm in yr. 12 now, so i'm just going on my experience so far... this is what i reckon...okay your essays have to be long, in an exam its good to write more than anyone, it help if its good stuff too! Hmmm...if you try spliting up your essay so that its like- 1/3 context, 1/3 quotes and 1/3 actual argument/detail thats a good start but make sure its synthesised and coherent. Also chuck some big words in, teachers like that....In my opinion there is not 'best' way to study but if you keep reading, re-reading info it gets stuck in your brain. If you practise writing all your ideas down and forming an essay out of them, you have something to go on during an exam...even if the question asks you to write a script, you know the detail and its arranged logically in you mind....and hopefully it pays off...