Review

Following in-class essays

Great Improvements

Some very good analysis of the book

Lots of great quotes used to support ideas

Most essays very clearly organized around a strong thesis

Some really good complex sentences being used

But….1. Use the present tense for literary analysis

When we write about books or films we use the present tense, because they still exist.

Squealer’s job was….. Squealer helped Napoleon…. The exception is for historical

events; you would use the past tense to talk about the R.R.

The semi-colon ;

Can be used instead of a conjunction (and/but) to join two sentences together…..

But only if the two sentences are about the same subject

Karen felt that her treatment was too heavy-handed; she had not been given a chance to explain herself.

The semi-colon ;

Can also be used to divide items in a list. However, the list is introduced with a colon.

The meal was unacceptable because: it was cold; there was a maggot in the meat; and the cheese sauce had a mouse in it.

The inert gases are: neon, argon, xenon, krypton and radon.

Activities: add commas, colons and semi-colons.

Alex who only liked softball was disappointed when only swimming was offered.

Jupiter could be described as a failed star it produces more energy than it absorbs.

The novel Night explores dehumanisation through loss of identity brutal treatment and removal of social structures.

A more mature style

Use literary terms Avoid simple words such as big, nice etc Avoid contractions Don’t use the first person Don’t use informal language (language

you would usually use speaking to your friends)

Use the passive voice rather than the active

Register

Many words have formal and informal synonyms.

For example: loony, crazy, mentally unstable, insane.

Latin root words are more formal than Anglo-Saxon words eg phrasal verbs

Register depends on audience

Examples of mature style

‘based on real events’ could become?

‘this theme spreads through the book’ could become?

‘the revolution kicked in’ could become?

‘that was a dumb idea’ could become?

Apostrophes to show ownership

The apostrophe goes straight after the name of the owner

Rabbit/ rabbits/ James/ Kelly The rabbit’s carrot The rabbits’ warren James’s car Kelly’s house The girls’ dolls

Add apostrophes

Thats Daniels fish. I saw three tigers. I received two hours pay. I heard Jennys voice. The animals minds were weak. The authors message is clear. The books factual information is an

important part of its appeal.

More help

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/print/grammar/g_apost.htm

Clear explanation + two online activities: highly recommend you spend 30 minutes on this next time you have nothing to do in flex!