the critical essay. contents introduction to critical essay writing (slides 3 – 6) introduction to...

The Critical The Critical EssayEssay

CONTENTSCONTENTSIntroduction to Critical Introduction to Critical Essay writingEssay writing (slides 3 – 6) (slides 3 – 6)

A)CHOOSING AN ESSAY TO WRITE ABOUT/A)CHOOSING AN ESSAY TO WRITE ABOUT/LOOKING AT EXAM QUESTION FORMAT (slides 7 – 19)LOOKING AT EXAM QUESTION FORMAT (slides 7 – 19)

B)WRITING YOR INTRODUCTION (B)WRITING YOR INTRODUCTION ( slidesslides 20 – 26) 20 – 26)

C) C) THE SUMMARY PARAGRAPH (slides 27 – 31)THE SUMMARY PARAGRAPH (slides 27 – 31)

D) D) THE MAIN BODY OF YOUR ESSAY THE MAIN BODY OF YOUR ESSAY (slides 32 – 41)(slides 32 – 41)

E)E) STRUCTURING THE PARAGRAPHS IN THE MAIN BODY OF YOUR ESSAY STRUCTURING THE PARAGRAPHS IN THE MAIN BODY OF YOUR ESSAY (slides 42 – (slides 42 – 48)48)

F)F) WRITING ABOUT THE TECHNIQUES IN YOUR CHOSEN TEXT WRITING ABOUT THE TECHNIQUES IN YOUR CHOSEN TEXT (slides 49 – 60)(slides 49 – 60)

G)G) THE CONCLUSION THE CONCLUSION (slides 61 – 68)(slides 61 – 68)

GENERAL EXAM ADVISE (slide 69)GENERAL EXAM ADVISE (slide 69)

IntroductionIntroduction In Critical Essays you have to show your In Critical Essays you have to show your

knowledge and understanding of a text knowledge and understanding of a text that you have studied. that you have studied.

You should also be able to explain some You should also be able to explain some of the ways in which the author achieved of the ways in which the author achieved what he or she wanted to with that text. what he or she wanted to with that text.

Remember…Remember…

In the exam you have to write two In the exam you have to write two essays in 90 minutes. essays in 90 minutes.

That’s just 45 minutes each! That’s just 45 minutes each!

What am I being examined on?What am I being examined on? Why do the examiners want you to write an essay? What do Why do the examiners want you to write an essay? What do

they want you to prove about your skills?they want you to prove about your skills?

They are actually looking at They are actually looking at four differentfour different areas of your areas of your essay-writing skill: essay-writing skill:

A) UnderstandingA) Understanding means how well you understand and means how well you understand and know the text you have studiedknow the text you have studied

B) AnalysisB) Analysis means being able to examine the way the means being able to examine the way the writer writes and the techniques he or she useswriter writes and the techniques he or she uses

C) EvaluationC) Evaluation means having a personal response to and a means having a personal response to and a personal opinion about what you have read.personal opinion about what you have read.

D) ExpressionD) Expression is how well you use the English language in is how well you use the English language in your writing. This includes your spelling, grammar and your writing. This includes your spelling, grammar and punctuation. It also means that your essay has to be well punctuation. It also means that your essay has to be well linked together, and that the language you use should be linked together, and that the language you use should be formal.formal.

What will the critical essay What will the critical essay paper look like?paper look like?

As you work through this Powerpoint you will learn to produce As you work through this Powerpoint you will learn to produce essays that display all these skills.essays that display all these skills.

Let’s start by looking at Let’s start by looking at how the Critical Essay exam paper is how the Critical Essay exam paper is organised.organised.

It comes in the form of a four-page booklet.It comes in the form of a four-page booklet.

• • The front pageThe front page has the name and date of the exam, and tells has the name and date of the exam, and tells you the start and finish times. It will also remind you to, you the start and finish times. It will also remind you to, ‘Answer ‘Answer two questions’two questions’, and tells you that each is worth up to 25 marks., and tells you that each is worth up to 25 marks.

• • The middle pagesThe middle pages contain the essay choices most pupils are contain the essay choices most pupils are most likely to choose from.most likely to choose from.

• • The back pageThe back page contains essay choices in two categories that contains essay choices in two categories that not so many pupils study.not so many pupils study.

A) Choosing an essay A) Choosing an essay to write about/Looking to write about/Looking

and exam question and exam question formatformat

Choosing an essayChoosing an essay The wording of the exam paper changed from the year 2006 The wording of the exam paper changed from the year 2006

onwards, and is a little different from some of the past papers you onwards, and is a little different from some of the past papers you may see. may see.

At the top of the second page you’ll find a general instruction like At the top of the second page you’ll find a general instruction like this:this:

The following will be assessed:The following will be assessed:

• • the relevance of your essay to the question you have chosenthe relevance of your essay to the question you have chosen

• • your knowledge and understanding of key elements, central your knowledge and understanding of key elements, central concerns and significant detailsconcerns and significant details

of chosen textsof chosen texts

• • your explanation of ways in which aspects of your explanation of ways in which aspects of structure/style/language contribute to thestructure/style/language contribute to the

meaning/effect/impact of the chosen textsmeaning/effect/impact of the chosen texts

• • your evaluation of the effectiveness of the chosen texts, your evaluation of the effectiveness of the chosen texts, supported by detailed and relevant evidencesupported by detailed and relevant evidence

• • the quality and technical accuracy of your writingthe quality and technical accuracy of your writing

Format of paperFormat of paper This is all just another way of telling you about the skills that This is all just another way of telling you about the skills that

the examiners are assessing.the examiners are assessing.

The essay choices are divided into five sections from A to E like The essay choices are divided into five sections from A to E like this:this:

Section A — DramaSection A — Drama Section B — ProseSection B — Prose Section C — PoetrySection C — Poetry Section D — Film And TV Section D — Film And TV Drama Section E — LanguageDrama Section E — Language

Under each of the Under each of the five headingsfive headings you will see three essay you will see three essay choices. choices.

This means that if you have studied one play, one piece of This means that if you have studied one play, one piece of prose and one poem then there will be nine possible essays for prose and one poem then there will be nine possible essays for you to pick from. you to pick from.

But remember, you only have to write two. But remember, you only have to write two.

The two essays you choose must come from different The two essays you choose must come from different sections of the exam paper.sections of the exam paper.

So how are you going to make So how are you going to make your choice?your choice?

Wording Of QuestionsWording Of Questions To begin to work this out, we need to look To begin to work this out, we need to look

at the way the individual questions are at the way the individual questions are worded.worded.

All the essays tasks follow the same All the essays tasks follow the same pattern. They are set out in two paragraphs. pattern. They are set out in two paragraphs.

Here’s an Here’s an essay taskessay task from a recent exam: from a recent exam: ‘‘Choose a novel or a short story in which Choose a novel or a short story in which

there is an obvious climax or turning point.there is an obvious climax or turning point. Show how the writer leads up to this turning Show how the writer leads up to this turning

point or climax, and say what is its point or climax, and say what is its significance for the rest of the story.’significance for the rest of the story.’

Paragraph 1 Of Paragraph 1 Of QuestionQuestion


To choose which essay to write To choose which essay to write you’re going to look at just the you’re going to look at just the first paragraphfirst paragraph of the essay of the essay topic.topic.

As soon as you see these words, As soon as you see these words, you need to run through a you need to run through a quick quick mental checklist.mental checklist. Let’s assume Let’s assume you go into the exam knowing all you go into the exam knowing all the stories and poems in this the stories and poems in this book. book.

You can ask yourself:You can ask yourself: Have I studied a novel?Have I studied a novel? to which the answer would be:to which the answer would be: No.No. That doesn’t mean you have to rule out trying this That doesn’t mean you have to rule out trying this

essay. The next thing you need to ask yourself is:essay. The next thing you need to ask yourself is: Have I studied any short stories?Have I studied any short stories? This time the answer is:This time the answer is: Yes, three of them: ‘The Test’, ‘Death of a Spinster’ and Yes, three of them: ‘The Test’, ‘Death of a Spinster’ and

‘If I Quench Thee’.‘If I Quench Thee’.

So you So you mightmight be able to write this essay. be able to write this essay. Now it’s time to focus in even tighter on that first Now it’s time to focus in even tighter on that first

paragraph and look at paragraph and look at what kind of short storywhat kind of short story the the examiners want you to write about.examiners want you to write about.

So now you need to ask yourself:So now you need to ask yourself:

Is there a climax in any of these stories, or a turning Is there a climax in any of these stories, or a turning point where things change for at least one of the point where things change for at least one of the characters?characters?

This essay question turns out to be quite a This essay question turns out to be quite a good one, because you get three quite good one, because you get three quite

positive answers:positive answers:

In ‘The Test’ the climax comes when Marian In ‘The Test’ the climax comes when Marian finally loses her patience and snaps at the finally loses her patience and snaps at the driving inspector, giving him the excuse to fail driving inspector, giving him the excuse to fail her.her.

In ‘Death of a Spinster’ the climax comes when In ‘Death of a Spinster’ the climax comes when the unscheduled car kills the main character.the unscheduled car kills the main character.

In ‘If I Quench Thee’ the climax is when Stern In ‘If I Quench Thee’ the climax is when Stern murders Tod. This is also a turning point because murders Tod. This is also a turning point because Stern goes quickly from being in control of the Stern goes quickly from being in control of the situation to being arrested for murder.situation to being arrested for murder.


It’s time to narrow down your choice. It’s time to narrow down your choice.

To help you do this, take another look at the To help you do this, take another look at the words in the words in the second paragraphsecond paragraph of the task. of the task.

This paragraph is where the examiners tell you This paragraph is where the examiners tell you how they actually want you to tackle the essay.how they actually want you to tackle the essay.

The words of the second paragraph give you The words of the second paragraph give you instructions that you must follow.instructions that you must follow.

If you don’t obey the instructions in paragraph If you don’t obey the instructions in paragraph two of the task, you aren’t answering the essay two of the task, you aren’t answering the essay question and question and you will certainly not passyou will certainly not pass..

For this essay, For this essay, these wordsthese words in paragraph 2 are in paragraph 2 are important!!!important!!!

Wording Of Paragraph Wording Of Paragraph 22 Now you can narrow down your options by asking yourself:Now you can narrow down your options by asking yourself:

Are there any of the stories that don’t really build up to the climax or Are there any of the stories that don’t really build up to the climax or turning point?turning point?

In fact you could still write about two of the stories. In fact you could still write about two of the stories.

In both of them the climax you have identified comes near, though In both of them the climax you have identified comes near, though not quite at, the end. not quite at, the end.

In In ‘The Test’ and ‘If I Quench Thee’‘The Test’ and ‘If I Quench Thee’ the events of the story lead the events of the story lead up to and create the climax. up to and create the climax.

In In ‘Death of a Spinster’‘Death of a Spinster’, however, the climax comes as a surprise , however, the climax comes as a surprise after the carefully described details of the woman’s dull life. after the carefully described details of the woman’s dull life.

This makes it not such a good story to write this essay about.This makes it not such a good story to write this essay about.

At this stage you can choose which essay to write by asking yourself:At this stage you can choose which essay to write by asking yourself: Which story do I know better?Which story do I know better? Which one have I revised more carefully?Which one have I revised more carefully? Which one do I think I could write about better?Which one do I think I could write about better?

Or you could carry on looking through the relevant sections of the Or you could carry on looking through the relevant sections of the exam paper until you find a different essay that appeals to you even exam paper until you find a different essay that appeals to you even more.more.

NOW TRY THIS…NOW TRY THIS…

TASK 1 – EXAM QUESTION TASK 1 – EXAM QUESTION EXAMPLESEXAMPLES

B) Writing your B) Writing your introductionintroduction

Writing your Writing your introductionintroduction The The first paragraphfirst paragraph you write in the essay will be your you write in the essay will be your

introduction. Whenever you write a literature essay, introduction. Whenever you write a literature essay, the same three thingsthe same three things should appear in the should appear in the introduction:introduction:

1 1 the titlethe title of the text you read of the text you read 2 the 2 the name of the authorname of the author 3 a clear indication of 3 a clear indication of whatwhat you will be writing about. you will be writing about.

As we’ve already seen, the first paragraph of the essay As we’ve already seen, the first paragraph of the essay task helps you to choose which task you are going to task helps you to choose which task you are going to do. do.

Once you have chosen an essay to tackle, that same Once you have chosen an essay to tackle, that same first paragraph of the task instructions is also useful for first paragraph of the task instructions is also useful for something else. something else.

It helps you to It helps you to write the introductionwrite the introduction to your essay. to your essay.

To do this, you are going to To do this, you are going to recyclerecycle many of the words many of the words from that paragraph.from that paragraph.

Recycling the question Recycling the question in your introductionin your introduction

Recycling the question in Recycling the question in your introductionyour introduction

Let’s assume that you have chosen to do the Let’s assume that you have chosen to do the essay task we looked at in detail earlier, and essay task we looked at in detail earlier, and that you are going to write about that you are going to write about ‘The Test’.‘The Test’.

Here’s the first paragraph from the essay task Here’s the first paragraph from the essay task we saw earlier on. Look at the words printed in we saw earlier on. Look at the words printed in bold typebold type..

You can recycleYou can recycle all of those words in the all of those words in the introduction of your essay. introduction of your essay.

Those words help you Those words help you to give a clear to give a clear indicationindication of what you will be writing about. of what you will be writing about.

For Example…For Example… You still need to add the title and author You still need to add the title and author

to these to have a complete introduction, to these to have a complete introduction, which would end up looking like this:which would end up looking like this:

— — A short story in which there is an A short story in which there is an obvious climax is ‘The Test’ by obvious climax is ‘The Test’ by Angelica Gibb.Angelica Gibb.

Can you see the words that have been Can you see the words that have been recycled from the task instructions?recycled from the task instructions?

Now…Now… Now go back and look at the long list of opening Now go back and look at the long list of opening

paragraphs of essay tasks printed on the previous page. paragraphs of essay tasks printed on the previous page. As it happens, the first paragraph on that list can also lead As it happens, the first paragraph on that list can also lead

you into writing an essay about ‘The Test’. That paragraph you into writing an essay about ‘The Test’. That paragraph said this:said this:

Choose a novel or a short story in which you feel great Choose a novel or a short story in which you feel great sympathy for, or intense dislike of, one of the characters.sympathy for, or intense dislike of, one of the characters.

So your introduction this time would look like this:So your introduction this time would look like this:

— ‘— ‘One short story in which I feel great sympathy for One short story in which I feel great sympathy for one of the characters is ‘The Test’ by Angelica Gibb, one of the characters is ‘The Test’ by Angelica Gibb, in which I sympathise with the main character, in which I sympathise with the main character, Marian.’Marian.’

Again, look for Again, look for the wordsthe words that have been that have been recycled from recycled from the taskthe task instructions. instructions.

You should have noticed too that this time the pupil has You should have noticed too that this time the pupil has had to add a little more information to the introduction, and had to add a little more information to the introduction, and has said which character she sympathises with.has said which character she sympathises with.


TASK 2 – ESSAY TASK 2 – ESSAY INTRODUCTON EXAMPLESINTRODUCTON EXAMPLES

C) The summary C) The summary paragraphparagraph

The summary The summary paragraphparagraph After the introduction, it’s a good idea to write a After the introduction, it’s a good idea to write a

shortshort summary of your text. summary of your text.

Any teacher can choose to teach his or her Any teacher can choose to teach his or her class any texts that they enjoy, and that they class any texts that they enjoy, and that they think their class will like. think their class will like.

This means that you may end up writing your This means that you may end up writing your Critical Essay about a text that the exam Critical Essay about a text that the exam marker has never read, or maybe never even marker has never read, or maybe never even heard of. heard of.

Writing a Writing a shortshort summary will give the marker a summary will give the marker a little bit of little bit of context and backgroundcontext and background, making , making it easier for him or her to understand comments it easier for him or her to understand comments you make about that text in your essay.you make about that text in your essay.

Take Care!!!!Take Care!!!! TAKE CARE!TAKE CARE! You’ll have noticed that bold type You’ll have noticed that bold type

is used twice to remind you that you should be is used twice to remind you that you should be writing a writing a shortshort summary. summary.

The summary itself The summary itself does notdoes not earn you any earn you any marks. marks.

It just helps you and the exam marker to get It just helps you and the exam marker to get your heads clear. your heads clear.

You must not waste precious exam time by You must not waste precious exam time by waffling.waffling.

For Example…For Example… To let you see what I mean by a To let you see what I mean by a shortshort

summary, here’s one for ‘The Test’:summary, here’s one for ‘The Test’:

— ‘— ‘In this story Marian takes her In this story Marian takes her driving test. Despite being a skilled driving test. Despite being a skilled driver, she fails because of the test driver, she fails because of the test inspector’s racist response to her as a inspector’s racist response to her as a black woman.’black woman.’

That summary is just That summary is just 28 words28 words long. long. It should be easily possible to summarise It should be easily possible to summarise

most texts in most texts in fewer than 50 wordsfewer than 50 words..


TASK 3 – SUMMARY TASK 3 – SUMMARY PARAGRAPH EXAMPLESPARAGRAPH EXAMPLES

D) The main D) The main body of your body of your

essayessay

The main body of your The main body of your essayessay

Once you’ve written the introduction and summary, Once you’ve written the introduction and summary, it’s time for the main body of your essay. it’s time for the main body of your essay.

This main body will be made up of This main body will be made up of several several paragraphs paragraphs — four or five will be enough.— four or five will be enough.

We’ve already looked very carefully at the fact that We’ve already looked very carefully at the fact that the the first paragraph of the essayfirst paragraph of the essay instructions instructions tells you what sort of text to write about. tells you what sort of text to write about.

The The second paragraph of the essay second paragraph of the essay instructionsinstructions tells you tells you what you are actually what you are actually going to dogoing to do in your essay. in your essay.

ESSAY QUESTION EXAMPLES AND THE ESSAY QUESTION EXAMPLES AND THE MAIN BODYMAIN BODY

Remember, if you don’t do what that second paragraph tells Remember, if you don’t do what that second paragraph tells you to do then you aren’t answering the question and you will you to do then you aren’t answering the question and you will not pass the essay. not pass the essay.

Here is the second paragraph of the essay question Here is the second paragraph of the essay question that we decided could suit ‘The Test’:that we decided could suit ‘The Test’:

‘‘Show how the writer leads up to this point or climax, and say Show how the writer leads up to this point or climax, and say what is its significance for the rest of the story.’what is its significance for the rest of the story.’

If you look at this instruction carefully, you will see that in this If you look at this instruction carefully, you will see that in this essay you have two main things to do:essay you have two main things to do:

1 1 show howshow how the writer builds up to the turning point or the writer builds up to the turning point or climaxclimax

2 2 say howsay how the turning point or climax is significant for the the turning point or climax is significant for the rest of the story.rest of the story.

In fact many of the Critical Essays you will find in past papers In fact many of the Critical Essays you will find in past papers or in the exam give you two things to do.or in the exam give you two things to do.


TASK 4 (a) – ESSAY QUESTION TASK 4 (a) – ESSAY QUESTION EXAMPLES AND THE MAIN EXAMPLES AND THE MAIN

BODYBODY

On the other hand…On the other hand… Not every Critical Essay task gives you two things to Not every Critical Essay task gives you two things to

do. For example, you may find one like this:do. For example, you may find one like this:

Choose a poem which successfully describes a Choose a poem which successfully describes a person, or a place, or an animal.person, or a place, or an animal.

Show how the important features of the subject of Show how the important features of the subject of the poem are illustrated in such a way as to make an the poem are illustrated in such a way as to make an impact on you.impact on you.

In this task you don’t have two different things to do, In this task you don’t have two different things to do, you just have to look, in a proportionate way, at the you just have to look, in a proportionate way, at the important features of the person, place or animal important features of the person, place or animal being described. being described.

The important thing you must always do is read the The important thing you must always do is read the question to find out clearly and exactly what you question to find out clearly and exactly what you have to do and what you have to write about.have to do and what you have to write about.

So, now that you know what So, now that you know what you are supposed to do, how you are supposed to do, how

are you going to do it?are you going to do it?

For example…For example… Let’s take another look at the second, Let’s take another look at the second,

instructing paragraph in the essay task instructing paragraph in the essay task that we thought would be good for ‘The that we thought would be good for ‘The Test’. Test’.

The words that tell you what to do have The words that tell you what to do have been picked out in bold.been picked out in bold.

Show howShow how the writer leads up to this the writer leads up to this turning point or climax, and turning point or climax, and say whatsay what is is its significance for the rest of the story.its significance for the rest of the story.

How do I tackle this How do I tackle this question?question?

A good way to tackle this essay is to write a couple of A good way to tackle this essay is to write a couple of paragraphs dealing with paragraphs dealing with the first main thingthe first main thing, looking at , looking at how the story builds up to the how the story builds up to the turning point or climax. turning point or climax.

Then you could write Then you could write two or threetwo or three more paragraphs more paragraphs saying how this turning point or climax saying how this turning point or climax is significant for is significant for the rest of the story. the rest of the story.

As you write these paragraphs:As you write these paragraphs:

• • every one of the main body paragraphs every one of the main body paragraphs mustmust help you help you to do what your chosen task to do what your chosen task tells youtells you to do. to do.

• • every one of the main body paragraphs every one of the main body paragraphs must use must use evidenceevidence from the text from the text


TASK 4 (b) – PARAGRAPH TASK 4 (b) – PARAGRAPH EXAMPLES FOR THE MAIN EXAMPLES FOR THE MAIN

BODYBODY

Finally…Finally… Let’s focus a bit more carefully on how to Let’s focus a bit more carefully on how to

write the paragraphs in the main body of write the paragraphs in the main body of your essay. your essay.

There are two things you should do in There are two things you should do in these paragraphs so that they will be well these paragraphs so that they will be well written and help you to achieve the task written and help you to achieve the task you’ve chosen.you’ve chosen.

1 You should begin the paragraph with a 1 You should begin the paragraph with a topic sentencetopic sentence

2 You should use the 2 You should use the ITQEE structureITQEE structure..

E) Structuring the E) Structuring the paragraphs in the paragraphs in the main body of your main body of your

essayessay

Topic sentencesTopic sentences Topic sentencesTopic sentences are called this for two are called this for two

reasons:reasons:

• • Firstly,Firstly, they they tie intie in with the topic of your with the topic of your essay.essay.

• • Secondly,Secondly, they let the reader they let the reader understand the topicunderstand the topic of the paragraph of the paragraph you’re on.you’re on.

Using a topic sentence at the start of the Using a topic sentence at the start of the paragraph paragraph sets you off in the right sets you off in the right direction.direction.


TASK 5 – TOPIC SENTENCE TASK 5 – TOPIC SENTENCE EXAMPLESEXAMPLES

The ITQEE structureThe ITQEE structure The ITQEE structureThe ITQEE structure helps you to remember what should helps you to remember what should

be in each paragraph.be in each paragraph.

ITIT - - tells you to tells you to IIntroduce a ntroduce a TTechnique. In other words, echnique. In other words, mention something you can see the writer deliberately mention something you can see the writer deliberately doing.doing.

QQ - tells you to give evidence by - tells you to give evidence by QQuoting from the text.uoting from the text.

EEEE - tells you to - tells you to EExplain the xplain the EEffect of this, to show what ffect of this, to show what the writer is doing to us, the readers.the writer is doing to us, the readers.

The The ITIT part of this is also the topic sentence of the part of this is also the topic sentence of the paragraph, so there’s a bit of an overlap between the idea paragraph, so there’s a bit of an overlap between the idea of using a topic sentence, and the idea of following the of using a topic sentence, and the idea of following the ITQEEITQEE structure. structure.

How to insert quotesHow to insert quotes REMEMBER!!!REMEMBER!!!

All quotes should be All quotes should be indentedindented, set in , set in from the edges of the page to make it from the edges of the page to make it narrower than the rest of the essay. narrower than the rest of the essay.

If you are quoting anything longer than If you are quoting anything longer than just a single word or short phrase you just a single word or short phrase you should indent. should indent.

It lets the marker see that you are using It lets the marker see that you are using words from the text confidently.words from the text confidently.

WRITE IN THE PRESENT WRITE IN THE PRESENT TENSETENSE

You should also have spotted that You should also have spotted that the pupil is writing in the pupil is writing in present present tensetense..

You should do this whenever you You should do this whenever you write about what you have read.write about what you have read.


TASK 6 – THE ITQEE TASK 6 – THE ITQEE STRUCTURE EXAMPLESSTRUCTURE EXAMPLES

F) Writing about the F) Writing about the techniques in your techniques in your

chosen textchosen text

Writing about Writing about techniquestechniques

This is where the advice This is where the advice aboveabove each set each set of essay tasks comes in. of essay tasks comes in.

The wording of this paragraph follows a The wording of this paragraph follows a pattern.pattern.


TASK 7 – ESSAY QUESTION TASK 7 – ESSAY QUESTION ADVICE SECTION EXAMPLESADVICE SECTION EXAMPLES

ADVICE PARAGRAPHADVICE PARAGRAPH What this paragraph of advice does is just remind What this paragraph of advice does is just remind

you to write about you to write about some of the techniquessome of the techniques the the author uses, or some of the things that made author uses, or some of the things that made that text worth studying in the first place. that text worth studying in the first place.

Remember that Remember that a technique is anything a. a technique is anything a. writer deliberately chooses to do.writer deliberately chooses to do.

While some techniques have specific names, While some techniques have specific names, such as simile, metaphor, alliteration and so on.such as simile, metaphor, alliteration and so on.

Anything a writer does on purpose to have Anything a writer does on purpose to have an effect on the reader is a technique.an effect on the reader is a technique.

ADVICE PARAGRAPH ADVICE PARAGRAPH CONTINUEDCONTINUED

It doesn’t even actually matter which It doesn’t even actually matter which techniques and features you write about. techniques and features you write about.

You don’t have to write about the ones You don’t have to write about the ones named in the paragraph, because the named in the paragraph, because the three dots at the end of that paragraph three dots at the end of that paragraph allow you to write about whichever allow you to write about whichever techniques and features you think are techniques and features you think are important for the text and task you have important for the text and task you have chosen.chosen.

FOR EXAMPLE…FOR EXAMPLE…

For example, if you were writing For example, if you were writing an essay on ‘The Test’, and an essay on ‘The Test’, and depending which essay you depending which essay you chose, you could pick any of the chose, you could pick any of the following techniques and following techniques and features, which we looked at as features, which we looked at as we studied the story:we studied the story:

Using southern dialectUsing southern dialect

Using southern dialectUsing southern dialect

ContrastContrast

Double meaning of the titleDouble meaning of the title

Speaking in assumptionsSpeaking in assumptions

Speaking in factsSpeaking in facts

Racist word choiceRacist word choice

SettingSetting

Military word choiceMilitary word choice

Characterisation of MarianCharacterisation of Marian

U sing the wrong nameU sing the wrong name

Dehumanising languageDehumanising language

TECHNIQUESTECHNIQUES

USE OF TECHNIQUESUSE OF TECHNIQUES You don’t necessarily have to force a You don’t necessarily have to force a

technique into every one of your body technique into every one of your body paragraphs. paragraphs.

It’s still more important to make sure that It’s still more important to make sure that every paragraph you write every paragraph you write is tied into is tied into your chosen taskyour chosen task and and helps you to helps you to answer the question. answer the question.

You just have to pick up and deal with You just have to pick up and deal with appropriate techniques on your way through appropriate techniques on your way through the essay as you answer the question.the essay as you answer the question.

Techniques and the ITQEE Techniques and the ITQEE structurestructure

The way that you write about techniques is all The way that you write about techniques is all tied in with that important tied in with that important ITQEEITQEE structure. structure.

The The ITIT part, remember, is where you introduce part, remember, is where you introduce the technique. the technique.

The The QQ part is where you quote an example of part is where you quote an example of that technique being used by the author.that technique being used by the author.

When you get to the When you get to the EEEE part of the structure you part of the structure you explain how the writer creates an effect, or how explain how the writer creates an effect, or how the writer achieves what he or she set out to.the writer achieves what he or she set out to.

LINK WORDS FOR LINKING LINK WORDS FOR LINKING ANALYSIS TO QUOTESANALYSIS TO QUOTES

The following words and phrases describe The following words and phrases describe what the what the writer doeswriter does, or , or what part of the text doeswhat part of the text does..

They will help you to show that you are They will help you to show that you are analysinganalysing the author’s work.the author’s work.

has connotations has connotations of of

suggestssuggests showsshows creates creates mirrorsmirrors establishesestablishes UnderlinesUnderlines reveals reveals hintshints

reinforcesreinforces emphasisesemphasises highlightshighlights foreshadowsforeshadows exemplifiesexemplifies explainsexplains demonstratesdemonstrates echoes echoes

WORDS YOU CAN USE FOR WORDS YOU CAN USE FOR A PERSONAL RESPONSEA PERSONAL RESPONSE

The following words and phrases describe The following words and phrases describe how the how the reader feelsreader feels, or , or how the text affects ushow the text affects us as we read. as we read.

They will help you to show that you are They will help you to show that you are evaluatingevaluating the the author’s work.author’s work.

thought-provoking thought-provoking inspiringinspiring hard-hitting hard-hitting stimulatingstimulating key idea(s) key idea(s) fast-pacedfast-paced gripping gripping skillful(ly)skillful(ly) moving moving

profoundprofound important important intelligentintelligent horrifyinghorrifying pivotal moment pivotal moment effectiveeffective perceptive perceptive striking striking thoughtfulthoughtful


TASK 8 – HOW YOU MIGHT TASK 8 – HOW YOU MIGHT APPROACH WRITING THE APPROACH WRITING THE MAIN BODYMAIN BODY OF AN ESSAY OF AN ESSAY

ON ‘THE TEST’ON ‘THE TEST’

Microsoft Word.lnk

G) THE CONCLUSIONG) THE CONCLUSION

The conclusionThe conclusion

After your introduction, summary and After your introduction, summary and main body, you need to finish off your main body, you need to finish off your essay with a conclusion. essay with a conclusion.

The conclusion needs to do two things:The conclusion needs to do two things: 11 sum upsum up and and round offround off what you have what you have

writtenwritten 22 give your give your personal responsepersonal response. .

Summing upSumming up just means reminding the just means reminding the examiner what you have written about. examiner what you have written about.

FOR EXAMPLE…FOR EXAMPLE… It could be something like this:It could be something like this: ‘‘In this essay I have shown how the story In this essay I have shown how the story

‘The Test’ builds up to a climax, and said ‘The Test’ builds up to a climax, and said what makes that climax significant for the what makes that climax significant for the rest of the story.’rest of the story.’

Giving your personal responseGiving your personal response takes a takes a little more thought. little more thought.

Earlier in your school career your personal Earlier in your school career your personal responses were probably a bit like this:responses were probably a bit like this:

‘‘I liked the story because the writer made I liked the story because the writer made me feel sorry for Marian but I did not like me feel sorry for Marian but I did not like the driving inspector because he was the driving inspector because he was racist and unfair.’racist and unfair.’

HOWEVER…HOWEVER…

You have to do something a You have to do something a little more complicated now, little more complicated now, because at Intermediate 2 level because at Intermediate 2 level your personal response, just your personal response, just like everything else in your like everything else in your essay, should fit your chosen essay, should fit your chosen task, as well as fitting the text task, as well as fitting the text you are writing about.you are writing about.

FOR EXAMPLE…FOR EXAMPLE… This task was about a climax, so your This task was about a climax, so your

personal response should say something personal response should say something about what you thought of that climax about what you thought of that climax when Marian snaps at the inspector and he when Marian snaps at the inspector and he fails her immediately.fails her immediately.

You could say whether you thought it You could say whether you thought it

seemed realistic, or how you felt about seemed realistic, or how you felt about Marian behaving like that. Marian behaving like that.

On the following slide there is one example On the following slide there is one example of how a pupil tackled it.of how a pupil tackled it.

A pupil’s model conclusionA pupil’s model conclusion ‘‘The turning point is when Marian snaps at The turning point is when Marian snaps at

the inspector and he fails her immediately. the inspector and he fails her immediately. This is an understandable thing for her to This is an understandable thing for her to do, and I think it is very realistic. The do, and I think it is very realistic. The author shows all the way through the story author shows all the way through the story how much pressure Marian is under as the how much pressure Marian is under as the inspector attacks her background, her inspector attacks her background, her morals and her education. I understand morals and her education. I understand that Marian probably cannot control hers4f that Marian probably cannot control hers4f any longer and he has simply pushed her any longer and he has simply pushed her too far. However I still wish she would not too far. However I still wish she would not say what she does. She comes so close to say what she does. She comes so close to passing her test, and then at the last passing her test, and then at the last minute she plays into the inspector’s hands minute she plays into the inspector’s hands and lets him get away with failing her.’and lets him get away with failing her.’

IN CONCLUSION…IN CONCLUSION… So that’s it!!!So that’s it!!! You know how to write an essay. You know how to write an essay.

If you’ve worked through this chapter you If you’ve worked through this chapter you have found out step by step how to tackle have found out step by step how to tackle this part of the exam. this part of the exam.

Before you go into the exam, your Before you go into the exam, your teacher will give you lots of chances to teacher will give you lots of chances to practise essay writing in class.practise essay writing in class.


TASK 9 – HOW YOU MIGHT TASK 9 – HOW YOU MIGHT APPROACH WRITING AN APPROACH WRITING AN

ESSAY ON ‘THE TEST’ESSAY ON ‘THE TEST’

TASK 10 – TASK 10 – GENERAL ESSAY GENERAL ESSAY WRITING ADVICE FOR THE WRITING ADVICE FOR THE

EXAM EXAM

the critical essay. contents introduction to critical essay writing (slides 3 – 6) introduction to...

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