Critical Essay Revision

1. Critical Essay Revision Intermediate II

2. Before You Begin… • Answer TWO questions from this paper. • Each question must be chosen from a different Section (A–E). You are not allowed to choose two questions from the same Section. • In all Sections you may use Scottish texts. • Write the number of each question in the margin of your answer booklet and begin each essay on a fresh page. • You should spend about 45 minutes on each essay. • Each question is worth 25 marks. The total for this paper is 50 marks.

3. The following will be assessed: • the relevance of your essays to the questions you have chosen • your knowledge and understanding of key elements, central concerns and significant details of the chosen texts • your explanation of ways in which aspects of structure/style/language • contribute to the meaning/effect/impact of the chosen texts • your evaluation of the effectiveness of the chosen texts, supported by detailed and relevant evidence • the quality and technical accuracy of your writing.

4. Prose: ‘Catcher In the Rye’ ‘Hieroglyphics’ Drama: ‘Educating Rita’ Poetry: ‘Shooting Stars’ ‘War Photographer’ ‘The Almond Tree’ (still to do…) Class Options

5. Acronyms • Introduction: • Title • Author • Refer to Question • Techniques/ Themes • Summary of plot

6. Acronyms • Central Paragraphs: • Point ( or statement) • Evidence • Explain • Refer to Question

7. Model Introduction • The short story ‘Hieroglyphics’ by Anne Donovan is an appealing and inspirational short story which shows a girl’s struggle to cope with dyslexia. While the attitude and behaviour of others at times leaves the main character of Mary disheartened or disadvantaged, we are pleased that a moment of realisation occurs towards the end of the story which shows that Mary can overcome her learning difficulty and be happy with life. Nevertheless, Mary’s journey to this realisation is filled with incidents and events which make the reader feel sympathetic towards her. Thus, Donovan’s use of such key incidents along with characterisation, imagery and mode of narration in describing Mary’s life are effective in creating a greater understanding of her circumstances and evoking pity. • Title, Author, Refer to Q, Techniques, Summary

8. Model Central Paragraph • Thus, it is significant that the ending shows Mary is able to take pride in her work in class despite the attitude of her teachers. This is shown at the story’s turning point when ‘wan day [she] couldnae take it oany longer’.Mary decides to show her creative ability by rebelling against Kelly and writing a whole story in her own hieroglyphics. This is a key incident as it shows how a character can overcome the negativity of others and the sight of her work so covered in pen that it ‘looks like wee scarab beetles bleedin’, to become a confident individual who has worked out how to overcome her problems. Her final triumph is highlighted in when she describes walking around the classroom seeing ‘aw different kinds of hand writing’. This illustrates Mary’s realisation that everyone has different abilities. This encourages her to take pride in her work: “So ah drew a wee picture of masel wi a cheery face on it, pit ma story right on tap ae the pile and planted the whole lot doon in the centre of his desk.” Key • Topic Sentence, Evidence, Point/Context- background to story

9. Continued… • This is the last sentence of the story and it can be recognised as an effective ending to the text. The ‘cheery face’ that Mary draws is representative of her feelings of happiness with her work and the sense of achievement that she has gained, while the placement of her work ‘right on the tap’ is significant as it contrasts with the earlier idea that she was the one who ‘fell at the furst fence’.Therefore, we can be inspired by Mary’s strength of character that enables her to overcome her problems; however, we must still feel sympathy for her is that she was never given the proper help and support. • Key • Explanation, Refer to Q.

10. Possible Question Topics • For each genre you should brainstorm various questions which you could answer on. • In your study sessions you should create mini plans with topic sentences, quotations and analysis • Consider how you would focus each paragraph for different essay questions

11. SECTION A—DRAMA • 1. Choose a play in which a central character feels increasingly isolated from those around her or him. • Explain why the character finds herself or himself isolated, and show what the consequences are for the character concerned.

12. 2. Choose a scene from a play in which there is an important incident which leads to a turning point in the action. • Explain what happens in the scene, and then go on to say how it affects the outcome of the play.

13. 3. Choose a play which deals with a close relationship within a family or a community. • Show how the portrayal of the relationship helps in your understanding of the central concerns of the play.

14. SECTION B—PROSE • 1. Choose a novel or short story in which you feel sympathy with one of the main characters because of the difficulties or injustice or hardships she or he has to face. • Describe the problems the character faces and show by what means you are made to feel sympathy for her or him.

15. 2. Choose a prose text (fiction or non-fiction) in which a society or a person or a culture or a setting is effectively portrayed. • Show how the writer’s presentation of the subject makes an impact on you, and helps you to understand the subject in greater depth.

16. 3. Choose a novel or a short story which deals with the effects of evil or war or deceit or a breakdown in society or a breakdown in relationship(s). • Show how any of these negative pressures affects the main character in the novel or short story and go on to show whether or not she or he tackles it successfully.

17. SECTION C—POETRY • Answers to questions in this section should refer to the text and to such relevant features as: word choice, tone, imagery, structure, content, rhythm, theme, sound, ideas . . . • 1. Choose a poem in which the poet creates a particular mood or atmosphere. Show how the poet creates this mood or atmosphere by his or her choice of subject matter and use of poetic techniques.

18. 2. Choose a poem which reflects on an aspect of human behaviour in such a way as to deepen your understanding of human nature. • Describe the aspect of human behaviour which you have identified and show how the poet’s use of ideas and techniques brought you to a deeper understanding of human nature.

19. 3. 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.

20. There will also be sections on ‘Film and TV Drama’ and ‘Language’- do not answer on these questions. • Read sections A-C thoroughly before deciding which questions to attempt. • You MUST answer 2 questions only, covering 2 different genres • Allow approximately 45 minutes per question. • Try to scribble down a rough plan before writing, but always score this out later.

21. Final Advice • Know your texts- focus on at least 3, and have one more as ‘back up’. • Re-read poems, short stories, novel (if time) and jotter notes. • Learn quotations accurately, between 5-10 per text • Practise writing 3 minute introductions • Jot down some model topic sentences • Do not leave study till the last minute!!