Personal Study – S3

Personal Study – S3 Learning intention - develop a deeper understanding of the requirements of a successful critical essay

What makes a good essay? • Good analysis – detail, relevant to question • Good evidence – description of scene/technique, relevant to question, able to analyse in depth • Topic sentences – structure your argument • Technical accuracy – punctuation, spelling, paragraphs, phrasing, capitals • Flows well – connectives/linking language, order of techniques/scenes • Wide vocabulary • Reference to the question throughout

What am I being asked to do? SHOW ANALYSIS • You can produce evidence to back up your understanding • You can select quotations or refer to key incidents • You can discuss figurative language, tone, sentence structure SHOW UNDERSTANDING • You are totally secure in discussing what is going on • Need to know characters in depth • Need to know main themes • Setting and how it alters the mood of the text • EXPRESSING YOUR IDEAS WELL • You can write clearly and accurately with correct spelling and grammar • You can structure your essay properly and frame it with a relevant introduction and conclusion • SHOW EVALUATION • You can clearly give your own opinion about what the writer has been saying • You can use evaluative language throughout your essay

ESSENTIAL SKILLS for a good Critical Essay • Show knowledge and understanding of the chosen text 2) Engage with the text and the question 3) Construct a relevant argument 4) Select evidence to support your argument 5) Analyse the effects of language techniques 6) Evaluate the effectiveness of the text with respect to the question 7) Write in a technically accurate way

Show knowledge and understanding of the chosen text • UNDERSTANDING • The characters and events don’t just happen in a vacuum, they will be concerned with some aspect of life; this is the novel’s “central concern” or the theme. • Can you identify this theme and how it is conveyed to the reader? • Assessing your understanding: • Is your understanding KNOWLEDGE • First basic requirement • Covers basic aspects of the text: • Who? • What? • When ? • Where? • Assessing your knowledge: Is your knowledge

Assessing your knowledge and understanding What you need to know and remember about each character. (qualities / motivation / personality / loves and hates / effect of these on their fate) How well do you know and understand... Main concerns of the text. Remember themes are not just one word like “ambition”; they have to explain what the word does, for example “the destructive nature of ambition” Large scale – beginning / turning point / climax / ending Small Scale - structure of chapters Can be in time or place. It can involve the customs and morals of a particular society or era. It will inevitably influence the characters and their actions Can be concerned with overall descriptions of a text or detailed aspects of language such as word choice and imagery

Engage with the text and the question The first part is an introduction defining the texts that will be suitable for the question. The important part is the second part. This is what you have to actually tackle in the essay; it clarifies the line of thought that should be developed in your answer. There are two parts to each of the questions: Choose a novel which could be considered as having a powerful message. Show how the writer effectively conveys this message through his or her use of literary techniques.

How to Make Sure You Answer the Question • First of all, read the question carefully TWICE. • This sounds simple, but you wouldn’t believe how many people misread the question and answer based on what they THINK it asks them, rather than what it actually does. • Secondly, pick out KEY WORDS from the question – note these down and try to think of alternative language/synonyms for them. • By having this language in your topic sentences and evaluation, you ensure you refer to the question. • By thinking of synonyms for the key words, you ensure your language and vocabulary is varied and avoid writing a boring, repetitive essay.

Construct a relevant argument The six points below will help you to answer the questions: • Opening paragraph - this should signal what the main thrust of your line of thought is going to be • Reordering/selecting your material - some questions have a focus that means some of your material may not be relevant and some questions demand that you start from a different point than the start of the text • Central Concerns- all questions require you to show your understanding of the central concerns of the text • Quotation/reference- reference can be made to the text by means of quotation or by describing specific events or incidents • Technical features- features of genre, this is an open list and you must comment on a variety of features in your essay • Concluding Paragraph - this should reach the logical end-point of your argument

Construct a relevant argument - planning process • Before writing your essay, you must do a rough plan to ensure a focused essay which responds to the question you have chosen. This will help you to ensure you analyse the text, rather than just describing it or retelling the story. 2) The best way to write a critical essay is to approach it ‘thematically’. Key themes and the stylistic techniques and dramatic devices in the text should form the basis of your paragraphs.

Construct a relevant argument - planning process 3) Avoid the ‘guided tour’ approach: - Do not assume that you have to follow the sequence of the events as they happen in the text - The second part of the question will help you decide the structure of your essay • Remember to refer back to the wording of the question – each paragraph must work towards answering the task in the second part of the question. Think of it like a discursive essay in which you are proving a point(s) – ensure you create a line of argument. 5) You should aim to write five or six body paragraphs (not including the introduction and conclusion), each based on the writer’s techniques and how these help him/her explore the themes.

Construct a relevant argument - planning process Over to you! You have 5 minutes! Choose a novel which could be considered as having a powerful message. Show how the writer effectively conveys this message through his or her use of literary techniques. 1. Pick out the key words in the question. 3.Which literary techniques would you write about? i.e. setting, characterisation, plot, structure, key event, climax, language choice… 2. What is the message of your novel? 4. Write a short plan for how you would structure a response to this question for your novel. Remember: you MUST refer to the question throughout – this is the only way you will be sure that you have actually answered the question!

Starting to write: introductions T the Title of the text you are dealing with A the name of the Author Your introduction should always contain: Refer to the first part of the question in the opening line include a sentence or two summarising the text R refer to the play’s Themes and the Techniques which you are going to write about and to the Task in the second part of the question T Use ‘TART’ to write an introduction for the essay question: Choose a novel which could be considered as having a powerful message. Show how the writer effectively conveys this message through his or her use of literary techniques.

Sample Introduction: Author Reference to 1st part of question Title T A Summary “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding is a novel which has a powerful message. It tells the story of a group of schoolboys who become stranded on an uninhabited, tropical island after a plane crash. Crucially, no adults survive and the boys slowly regress into a primitive and brutal state. The novel discusses universal and perennial truths about human beings and suggests that evil is not a learned thing but a force that exists inside all human beings - a force that will come to surface should circumstance allow it. Golding cleverly conveys this message through literary techniques such as characterisation, setting and symbolism. R Themes Reference to start of 2nd part of question – what is the message? T Techniques Reference to end of 2nd part of the question - Task Choose a novel which could be considered as having a powerful message. Show how the writer effectively conveys this message through his or her use of literary techniques.

Sample Introduction: T A “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding is a novel which has a powerful message. It tells the story of a group of schoolboys who become stranded on an uninhabited, tropical island after a plane crash. Crucially, no adults survive and the boys slowly regress into a primitive and brutal state. The novel discusses universal and perennial truths about human beings and suggests that evil is not a learned thing but a force that exists inside all human beings - a force that will come to surface should circumstance allow it. Golding cleverly conveys this message through literary techniques such as characterisation, setting and symbolism. NEVER write: “In this essay I will talk about…” or similar R REMEMBER – the marker should be able to identify the essay question you have chosen from your introduction T Choose a novel which could be considered as having a powerful message. Show how the writer effectively conveys this message through his or her use of literary techniques.

Construct a relevant argument - planning process Main body of your essay

Construct a relevant argument Main Body of the essay TOPIC SENTENCE - each paragraph must start with a Topic Sentence which introduces what the paragraph is going to be about. This should: - start with a linking word or phrase, - introduce the ideas of your paragraph and - link back to the question using key words / alternative language. Do not SIGNPOST your paragraph e.g. do not write, “In this paragraph I will…” • You should make one main POINT in every paragraph you write. • Each point should run to more than one sentence since it needs to be sufficiently substantial to clearly prepare the way for the evidence you will be giving. • You should also give the CONTEXTof the quote (explain where in the text it is from).

Construct a relevant argument Main Body of the essay EVIDENCE–this is the quotation or close reference to the novel which you are using to back up your point. • It is important that you pick evidence that you can explain and evaluate FULLY. • Finding quotations isn’t always easy, but it’s much easier when you know the play well. • Know your quotations – 2/3 short ones per paragraph work best. • Never just drop evidence in – always introduce them within the CONTEXTof the story, i.e. what is happening at this point in the story or film, what characters are involved and who they are, etc.

How to insert quotes REMEMBER!!! • When you are able, you should use an embedded quotation in preference to an indented stand-alone quotation. • The quotation must be short and fit in with the grammar of the sentence. • Example: One of ways Golding shows conflict between savagery and civilisation is when Jack and some of the other boys are killing the first pig. Jack chants “kill the pig, cut her throat, spill the blood”. This suggests savagery as the boys are being violent and aggressive when killing the pig and they don’t care about it. The quotation is SHORT and fit grammatically into the sentence.

How to insert quotes REMEMBER!!! • All longer quotes should be indented, set in from the edges of the page to make it narrower than the rest of the essay: • If you are quoting anything longer than just a single word or short phrase you should indent the quote.

Construct a relevant argument Main Body of the essay 3 Steps for Analysing Quotations ANALYSIS – this is your chance to show that you understand not only what the writer is saying, but also how it is said. • In this section you should fully explain how the quotation backs up the point you are making. • What does the quote suggest/what are the connotations? • What is the writer using it to try and say? • How does this link to the essay question and overall text?

Construct a relevant argument Main Body of the essay ANALYSIS • You should aim to analyse how and why the writer uses techniques (language, characters, setting, plot etc) to convey the writer’s message or theme.You should comment on how quotations / evidence from the text enable the audience to come to understand/appreciate the effects of jealousy, betrayal, etc. • Remember to avoid paraphrasing quotations in your analysis – concentrate on what is suggested about the situation / characters / relationships, what will happen next, etc.

Construct a relevant argument Main Body of the essay Vocabulary for Analysis

Construct a relevant argument Main Body of the essay • EVALUATION – this is where you give your opinion on how successful the author’s use of a technique is. • Your opinion should be implicit - do not write “I think”. • Integrate your evaluation and ensure you use a variety of ways to evaluate: • Use the author’s surname / ‘the author’ / ‘the writer’ • Use adverbs and verbs • e.g. Golding effectively develops… • “…”, clearly emphasising… • Finishing each paragraph with a one sentence sub-conclusion/evaluation comment referring to the second part of the question will help you when it comes to writing your final conclusion, and will also keep your work focused on the question. This successfully evokes… In this way, Golding ensures that the reader…

Construct a relevant argument Main Body of the essay Words you can use for a personal response EVALUATION • The following words and phrases describe how the reader feels, or how the text affects us as we read. • They will help you to show that you are evaluating the author’s work. profound important intelligent horrifying effective perceptive striking thoughtful thought-provoking inspiring hard-hitting stimulating key idea(s) fast-paced gripping skillful(ly) moving pivotal moment

Here is an example of a paragraph from the same essay.The paragraph follows the structure which we have looked at:

. We are told “Piggy cried out in terror ‘my specs!” At the start of the book Jack would never have dared touch Piggy, but here he actually snaps and goes for Piggy who he despises. We can tell that Piggy is really scared as Golding chooses the words “cried” and “terror” to describe the scene. Piggy sounds like he is hurting and is genuinely terrified about what Jack might do to him and the loss of his sight. Piggy’s glasses have also come to represent intelligence on the island, with them breaking we see that the pathway to savagery is now completely open for the boys. This is the first true piece of violence between the two factions on the island and it will result in nearly all the boys becoming savages. 1 TOPIC SENTENCE/ POINT We can see the conflict between savagery and civilisation developing further when Piggy’s glasses are broken. 2 EVIDENCE / QUOTE We are told “Piggy cried out in terror ‘my specs!’” This shows us that the boys savage natures are beginning to overule their more civilised sides. At the start of the book Jack would never have dared touch Piggy, but here he actually snaps and goes for Piggy who he despises. We can tell that Piggy is really scared as Golding chooses the words “cried” and “terror” to describe the scene. Piggy sounds like he is hurting and is genuinely terrified about what Jack might do to him and the loss of his sight. 3 ANALYSIS Piggy’s glasses have also clearly come to represent intelligence on the island, and with them breaking we see that the pathway to savagery is now completely open for the boys. This is the first true piece of violence between the two factions on the island and it will result in nearly all the boys becoming savages. 4 EVALUATION 5 SUB-CONCLUSION / RELEVANCE TO QUESTION

Construct a relevant argument The Conclusion • You need a conclusion to your essay – otherwise it will simply stop rather than arrive at a convincing note of finality. • The first sentence should refer back to some wording of the question itself. Here you are reminding the marker you have kept to the original task. • You should go on to briefly sum up the main points you have been making. • Comment on how effective the writer has been in their use of techniques. • Your final sentence of the entire essay should give a direct answer to the question. Look at how the question is worded and use that to help you phrase your answer. 6) DO NOT bring in new points or quotations at this late stage. 7) Try to use synonyms for key words – it will add variety by avoiding repetition.

Choose one of the following questions to write an essay on the novel which you have chosen. • Choose a novel which could be considered as having a powerful message. Show how the writer effectively conveys this message through his or her use of literary techniques. • Choose a novel 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 writer’s clever use of ideas and techniques brought you to a clearer understanding of human nature. • Choose a novel which tells an exciting or frightening story. Briefly state what the story is and go on to show how the techniques used make the novel exiting or frightening. • Choose a novel which uses language and/or narrative technique in an interesting way. Show how the language and/or narrative technique helps to make the novel more interesting.

Personal Study – S3