Higher & Int. 2 Higher & Int. 2 EnglishEnglish

Introductions Against the Introductions Against the Clock!Clock!

IntroductionsIntroductions

• Introductions are very importantIntroductions are very important• They are your first word to the They are your first word to the

examinerexaminer• They let you demonstrate They let you demonstrate

confidence, and relevance to the confidence, and relevance to the question, straight awayquestion, straight away

What Should What Should an Introduction Include?an Introduction Include?

• Title of the text and the writer’s name

• Key words from essay question• Short summary of the text• Positive engagement with the text• Relevant features of the text

ExampleExample

‘‘Macbeth’, the world-renowned play by Macbeth’, the world-renowned play by William Shakespeare, presents a character William Shakespeare, presents a character who is in conflict with the society in which who is in conflict with the society in which he lives. The play focuses on the vaulting he lives. The play focuses on the vaulting ambition of the title character and the ambition of the title character and the consequences of this fatal flaw. consequences of this fatal flaw. Shakespeare makes us fully aware of the Shakespeare makes us fully aware of the conflict and isolation experienced by conflict and isolation experienced by Macbeth due to his ambition through adept Macbeth due to his ambition through adept use of key scenes, characterisation and use of key scenes, characterisation and soliloquy.soliloquy.

Focus on ‘Dulce et Focus on ‘Dulce et Decorum est’Decorum est’

• As we’ve just been studying ‘Dulce et As we’ve just been studying ‘Dulce et Decorum est’, it makes sense for us Decorum est’, it makes sense for us to write practice introductions to write practice introductions related to that textrelated to that text

• We are going to write these against We are going to write these against the clock in a four minute timeframe.the clock in a four minute timeframe.

• The next slide will be on screen for 4 The next slide will be on screen for 4 minutes and 15 seconds.minutes and 15 seconds.

Essay Question 1 (Int 2 Essay Question 1 (Int 2 Specimen)Specimen)

• Choose a poem which deals with a Choose a poem which deals with a frightening experience.frightening experience.

• Briefly describe the experience and Briefly describe the experience and show how the poet has show how the poet has communicated the feelings of fear by communicated the feelings of fear by the use of various poetic techniques.the use of various poetic techniques.

• How did you get on?How did you get on?• Here’s another one in 4 minutes 15.Here’s another one in 4 minutes 15.

Essay Question 2 (H ’08)Essay Question 2 (H ’08)

• Choose a poem which is strongly linked to a specific location.

• Show how the poet captures the essence of the location and exploits this to explore an important theme.

• How did you get on?How did you get on?• Do ONE of the following in 4 minutes 15.Do ONE of the following in 4 minutes 15.

Essay Questions 3 & 4 Essay Questions 3 & 4 (Int 2 ’07)(Int 2 ’07)

• Choose a poem which creates pity or sympathy in you.

• Show how the feelings of pity or sympathy are brought into focus by the use of poetic techniques.

• Choose a poem which describes a scene or incident vividly.

• Briefly state what is being described and then go on to show how the poetic techniques used make the description vivid.

• How did you get on?How did you get on?• Here’s another one in 4 minutes 15.Here’s another one in 4 minutes 15.

Essay Question 5 (Int 2 Essay Question 5 (Int 2 ’08)’08)

• Choose a poem which creates an atmosphere of sadness, pity, or loss.

• Show how the poet creates the atmosphere and what effect it has on your response to the subject matter of the poem.

• How did you get on?How did you get on?