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Paper 2 Essay. It is worth the highest percentage of marks . I have several questions to choose from – I answer one. I can use my text in the examination. As long as I know the text really well I will get a good mark.
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As long as I know the text really well I will get a good mark
I need to know about context (time, place, culture, the writer and the historical, social and political backdrop) too!
I need to explore why my texts were significant thenand are still relevant today
If I write about one text and its context really brilliantly then I am guaranteed a good mark
you must comment on the relationships between the two texts studied
I need to know about style the genre, conventions, language techniques, structure as well as characterisation, key themes and plot.
The context of composition - understanding the why and how of then and there The context of reception – my response as a reader in the here and now
Sample questions – the is of thesis • How can we explain the continued interest in a particular work in different contexts and at different times? • What do you think of the assertion that the meaning of a text is fixed and does not change over time? • To what extent do male and female literary characters accurately reflect the role of men and women in society? • How can a literary text’s style and structure reflect the context in which it was written? • How can political pressure or censorship shape the way literary texts are both written and read? • How do literary texts capture the spirit of the times and the values of a culture?
Here’s the Science –y bit: According to the IB - An essay must be… • Structured, coherent and answer the question (the thesis statement – more later!) • Demonstrating an understanding of the contexts in which the texts were written • Exploring the relevance of key themes/ideas which transcend time and place and how they are developed through…the literary craft/style of the work
all human life and experience is here…then and now • gender roles/expectations • conflict • power • oppression • corruption • Idealism • ambition • love • marriage • Parenthood • deceit • Morality • Relationships • duty and sacrifice • mortality • faith/religion/spirituality • materialism • conventions • Rebellion • Happiness • freedom • society • individualism • trust and betrayal • human dignity • And more…
Finally –What is literature? • “Fine writing.” – M Arnold • “Literature should represent an experience – giving something to the reader and employing all the resources of language…”Barrell • “Writings that are valued for their beauty of form.” Oxford English Dictionary • “Writing that has permanence and value – literature is the truth - that’s what makes it literature.” Wain • “The energy of mind and imagination released by the creative beauty of words.” L.C. Knights