Text Response

Year 12 English SAC Preparation

This Boy’s Life Tobias Wolff

Essay Writing• This is how I feel about Maths, so I

understand if you feel the same way about English!!!

Let’s place it in context

Focus of questions in the past •16 – characterisation •4 – relationships •4 – narrative style/voice •2 – language •8 – values/notions •10 – boarder issues

Your study and preparation can’t just favour characters or themes. You need to analyse the ways in which the text is constructed to create meaning.

Style of Questions

• Text response questions are deceivingly simple. • Some students tend to ignore certain parts of a

question by convincing themselves it isn’t relevant. This is a no, no. The topic question is the focal point.

• It is imperative that you solve all aspects of the topic.

Propositional: a position/stance/view to be challenged

Discuss: incorrectly prompts students to talk and not form a contention

Quotation: question is focussed around a quote. The quote is essential and must be examined. Why has it be used? What is the purpose? What is the significance?

Direct: how/why/to what extend. These are often perceived as simple. It still requires a carefully and logically structured argument.

Expected Qualities

• You need to demonstrate an understanding of the implications of the topic. You need to employ an appropriate strategy to deal with it and explore its complexity.

• You need to demonstrate a close and perceptive reading.

• Read your text more than once. Each time will provide you with new insights.

• You cannot reply on one text to write on for the exam for text response and context. Every topic question/prompt is complex. If the prompt does not suit your writing there is a huge risk your response will appear generic or not address the focus at all. Many feel as though you can adapt the prompt to suit your own interpretations. This is a big no, no.

Expected Qualities

Mid-range response Upper-range response (9-10)

Demonstrates an adequate knowledge of the text.

Demonstrates a close and perceptive reading of the text, exploring complexities of its concepts and construction.

Develops a response to the topic, supported appropriately by elements of the text.

Demonstrates an understanding of the implications of the topic, using an appropriate strategy for dealing with it, and exploring its complexity from the basis of the text.

Presents a generally organised piece of writing using language which is mostly accurate andappropriate.

Develops a cogent, controlled and well-substantiated discussion using precise and expressive language.

Breaking down the question

1.Choose the one you feel most comfortable with

2.Underline the key words/phrases/terminology/concepts

3.Ensure you understand them: use a dictionary and come up with some synonyms

4.Ask yourself… what is the question asking me to write about?

5.Rephrase the topic in your own words to ensure you understand it.

6.Frame a clear contention. Do you agree or disagree?

7.Start planning your essay

Planning

• You must plan your essay. It helps you to answer the question and to assist you with the structure of your piece

• “In order to answer this topic, what do I have to think and write about?”• What are the key ideas of the question? • What are the main things you need to answer/discuss for this topic/question?

You need to aim to include the following:• Character – development/relationships• Themes relating to the question• Social/cultural/historical/political context of the text• Authorial choices (textual structures/features/conventions)• Author’s values (implied point of view/meaning(s))

Writing a planIntroduction

Paragraph One

• Topic Sentence – clear statement of main point

• Example/evidence – quotes, brief description of key events.

• Explanation – interpretation of the evidence presented in relation to the topic and the main point of the paragraph

• Link – to next point/topic question

Paragraph Two

• Topic Sentence

• Example/evidence

• Explanation

• Link

Paragraph Three

• Topic Sentence

• Example/evidence

• Explanation

• Link

Conclusion

Introduction/Paragraph 1***

1*

Paragraph 2T

E

E

L

Paragraph 3T

E

E

L 3T

E

L

Paragraph 4 T

E

E

L

E

L

ph 6Conclusion/Paragraph 6

Paragraph 5 T

E

E

L

E

E

L

QUESTION __________________________________________________________________________________________________

Text Response Essay Planner

Introduction• Address the topic in your own words

• This paragraph provides an overview of the entire essay. It is a road map that briefly discusses the main points of your essay.

• Look carefully at what you are wanting to write about in your essay. How can you briefly discuss this in your introduction? Make sure you don’t use too much detail. Make sure you have formulated your opinion.

• Your introduction sets the scene. It introduces the topic and should clearly outline your main point and reasons. Do not list the main points of your introduction.

Paragraphs• T: Each body paragraph must begin with a topic

sentence that highlights your main point. It must relate to your evidence.

• E: Explain your topic in more detail – provide an analysis.

• E: It is important that you choose the most appropriate examples to support your view.

– Don’t make a comment unless you can support it with evidence from the text

• L: Link with the previous paragraph/topic question. You are reminding your reader why this paragraph is important in relation to the topic question.

• The body paragraphs should outline your most important reasons in order of priority.

Conclusion• Think simply about the meaning of the word.

What conclusions have you come to with your discussion/arguments? What is the overall point you wish to make in response to the topic?

• You have made a ‘point’ in each paragraph- revisit these in the conclusion in a way that brings them together- the culmination of your ideas.

• Your contention should be clear. Remind the reader how the points in the paragraphs answers the main question.

• Finish strongly- make an effective lasting impression on the reader.

What makes a good essay?• The basis of a good essay is that it answers the

question• A good essay Should be written in 3rd person, not 1st.

No ‘I’, ‘my’, ‘I think’ ...• It should also develop an argument logically - so that

one point follows on from the other. • A good essay will start with your comment/idea in

response to the topic, then find a specific example to support what you are saying

• A good essay will avoid irrelevant information that distracts from the main argument and will not re-tell the story.

• Use words that you understand and are comfortable with. It is far better to say what you have to say simply than to attempt to dress up your information in flowery prose.

• Finally, a good essay is edited!

Linking words

• You can use these at the beginning of paragraphs and when adding another piece of evidence within a paragraph

• Firstly, secondly, thirdly / Finally

• In addition/additionally / Moreover / Similarly / Furthermore

• Briefly

• Nevertheless

• However / On the other hand / Whereas / In contradiction/on the contrary / Despite / Whereas / Yet / Conversely

• Therefore/thus / As a consequence/consequently

• Undoubtedly / Without a doubt

• By/in comparison

• Whilst/while

• For this reason

• In summary

Only Use Formal Language!• Following is a list of some of the main differences

between informal and formal writing:

• Informal: May use colloquial words/expressions (kids, guy, awesome, a lot)Formal: Avoid using colloquial words/expressions (substitute with children, man/boy, wonderful, many)

• Informal: May use contractions (can't, won't, shouldn't).Formal: Avoid contractions (write out full words - cannot, will not, should not).

• Informal: May use clichés (loads of, conspicuous by absence)Formal: Avoid clichés (use many, was absent)

• Informal: May use abbreviated words (photo, TV)Formal: Avoid using abbreviated words (use full versions - like photograph, television)

• Informal: May use short and simple sentences.Formal: Longer and more complex sentences are preferred (short simple sentences reflects poorly on the writer)

• Informal: Difficulty of subject may be acknowledged and empathy shown to the reader.Formal: State your points confidently and offer your argument firm support.

Using Quotes

• We see proof of this idea when…

• Evidence like, “…” implies…

• This idea is supported by...

• The incident where … suggests …

• For example

• For instance

Trying to get Wolff in there? Try these:

• The author’s point of view emerges when…

• The author views … in a positive/negative light when he/she…

• On a philosophical level, the author argues … through ….

• The character is used to express values such as …

• The character is forced to develop new values when/because…

• The author has constructed the character to represent ideas about…

Using Quotes• An embedded quote is simply a quote that flows naturally

within your own writing and is not just ‘dropped in’. When you read an embedded quote it will almost sound like part of your own sentence.

• This is an example of an INCORRECT, dropped in quote:

• Juror 8 is a character who believes in freedom of expression. He said this quote: "People have to express themselves one way or another"This is an example of an embedded quote: Juror 8 is a character who believes that, "People need to express themselves one way or another“

•Just think of embedding as weaving a quote into your own writing to create a more appealing final product.

• If a quotation does not flow fluently as part of a sentence, it should be introduced by a colon. For example:

• Mompellion’s retort to Anan reveals his increasing cynicism about the value of believing in a God: ‘Let her speak direct to God to ask for forgiveness for her conduct. But I fear she will find Him a poor listener, as many of us here have done.’

Time Management

• A guide to manage your time: 90 Minutes

• 15 minutes to plan

• 65 minutes to write

• 10 minutes to proof read

EditingQuestions to ask yourself when proofreading:

•Have I answered the question properly?•Is my essay clearly structured?•Does my argument make sense? •Are my paragraphs and arguments connected and coherent?•Are my examples and quotes relevant to and supportive of my answer?

Your cheat sheet

• To include Quotes only (full quotes are okay)

• You are not to include any notes on vocabulary, characters, essay writing, or structure of your piece.

• It must be handwritten. • It would be a good idea to divide your

quotes into the themes of the novel or characters – use highlighting to your advantage. Highlight similar ideas across your page.

• You may use a dictionary during the SAC but no thesaurus.

Over to you…

Create a detailed plan for the following topics:

‘The relationship between Jack and his mother is complicated. Discuss. And

The only person Toby can truly rely upon is his mother. Do you agree?

Before you begin, break down the question!

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Sample

• Topic: The relationship between Jack and his mother is complicated. Discuss.

• Throughout Tobias Wolff’s memoir This Boy’s Life, it is clear that Rosemary and Jack lead an unconventional relationship. The two of them depend on each other; although the roles of caretaker and child seem to be reversed, with Rosemary relying on Jack for comfort and guidance, and Jack exploiting this benevolence. Rosemary’s leniency and reluctance to punish Jack means that he is often undisciplined. However tragic their circumstances though, their unwavering dreams and unrealistic fantasies unite them and ultimately restrict them, making their relationship complicated.