AREA OF STUDY 1: READING AND RESPONDING

Exam Revision

What’s required? You need to demonstrate your

understanding of: the ideas, characters and themes

constructed by the author and presented in the text;

the way the author uses structures, features and conventions to construct meaning;

how to prepare, construct and support a response to a text in an essay form.

What’s required? You need to be able to use: appropriate textual evidence to support

your response; appropriate metalanguage to discuss the

textual features in your response; expressive, fluent and coherent writing

including the conventions of spelling, punctuation and syntax of Standard Australian English.

Revising the TextMake notes on the following: Setting Structure Narration and Point of View Language and Writing Style Film Techniques Character Themes

Choice: Brooklyn or Mabo

Look at: Main characters (how they

were portrayed and their development in the text

Minor characters (their purpose/function in the text)

The role of the setting/s (both time and place)

Themes Writing techniques and why

they were used.

Look at: Main characters (how they

were portrayed and their development in the text)

Minor characters (their purpose/function in the text)

The role of the setting/s (both time and place)

Themes Filmic techniques and why

they were used.

Brooklyn Mabo

Revising the TextAll the areas listed inter-relate.E.g.The setting may have influenced a character’s development or they may not fit in to the place they find themselves.OR

A narrative structure that includes lots of flashbacks may be highlighting particular themes or issues via the flashbacks.

Think about why the text was constructed the way it was.

1 Hour to Write the Essay – No More

It is important to practise writing to the 1 hour time limit.

Don’t go over the time – you are robbing yourself of marks in the other sections.

It doesn’t matter how good your text response essay is – it can only get 20 marks.

It will affect your overall mark more if you don’t leave adequate time to complete all tasks fully.

Approaching Essay Topics Understanding an essay topic is crucial

to developing a relevant response. There are five aspects to consider when

looking at a topic: Common Topic format Common Instruction Terminology Key Words and Phrases Rewriting the topic The Scope of the Topic

By Dr Jennifer Minter, Brooklyn: a home – a place divided, (VCE Studies Notes: English Works)  www.englishworks.com.au

“To get high-scoring marks in text response, you must be as analytical and insightful as possible, and in particular, refer to the author’s literary devices and intentions.

Toibin’s literary devices are subtle and often deceptive. He writes with a great deal of ambiguity and irony.”

Revising Essay TopicsCOMMON TOPIC FORMATSThere are three common topic formats: A statement on the text followed by a task instruction.

For example: ‘Brooklyn depicts the immigrant experience as essentially

defined by loss and regret.’ Discuss. A direct quote followed by a task instruction or

question. For example: "His saying that he loved her … frightened her, made her feel

that … that this was the only life she was going to have, a life spent away from home.” How does Toibin express the migrant experience in Brooklyn ?

A direct question on an aspect of the text: How does Toibin show the difficulties Eilis faces in her

decision making?

Approaching Essay TopicsInstruction Terminology – Understand Instructions. Discuss – what does this require?

Debate, question or explain a topic, giving evidence, reasons and explanations for and/or against the topic.

Do you agree? Present your own interpretation of the topic, giving evidence,

reasons and explanations etc. How?

Explain, outline or describe the ways in which the text illustrated the topic by drawing on textual evidence, structures and features and metalanguage.

Why?: Explain reasons to support the idea represented in the topic.

Approaching Essay TopicsKey words and phrases –definitions and synonyms Identify key words, phrases, terminology and

concepts in the topic. Use a dictionary to clarify your understanding

of these terms. Come up with a list of synonyms for the key

words and phrases (this will help you avoid constantly repeating the same words)

Quotes – identify the context of a quote if it is in the topic and consider what the significance is.

Approaching Essay Topics Rewriting the Topic - Paraphrasing Write a simple paraphrase of the topic

by directly substituting key words and phrases with your own vocabulary or list of synonyms.

Write a paraphrase of the topic by reversing the statement and using your own words.

Approaching Essay Topics Scope of the Topic – identifying the

focus Ask yourself: “In order to answer this topic

what do I have to think and write about?” Your answer should consider the following:

Character/s – development and/or relationships

Themes or issues The author’s views and values The use of structures, features and/or

conventions

Revising ContentionsA contention is your point of view, stance, position or argument in response to a topic. Generally there are four positions you can take: Yes: complete agreement Yes, however...: partial agreement, presentation

of other considerations in relation to the topic. No: complete disagreement, presentation of

alternative view on the topic. No, however...: part disagreement with the topic;

presentation of other considerations in relation to the topic.

Forming your Contention “Fence sitting” is discouraged as it gives

the impression of uncertainty, lack of knowledge and lack of focus.

Once you have considered what the question is asking, form your overall opinion of the topic.

Your contention should be clearly expressed in one sentence.

If you use different vocabulary to the words in the essay topic, make sure that it means the same thing.

Practise Time! For the following topics identify:

Topic format Instruction Terminology Key Words and Phrases Rewrite the topic Consider the Scope of the topic.

‘Perkins’ Eddie Mabo is ultimately incapable of shaping his own identity.’ Do you agree?

‘The characters’ weaknesses are never truly resolved in Mabo.’ Discuss.

Practise Time! Now establish your position on one of the

topics below and write your contention in one sentence.

‘Perkins’ Eddie Mabo is ultimately incapable of shaping his own identity.’ Do you agree?

‘The characters’ weaknesses are never truly resolved in Mabo.’ Discuss.

Planning Your Essay After you have understood the topic and

formed your contention, you have to plan your knowledge into a well structured and detailed text response essay.

The essay plan is your first draft or “roadmap” to writing an effective, focused text response essay under pressure.

Planning Your Essay What an essay plan should include:

Statement of contention Outline main points or reasons for

contention Ideas should be organised in sequential,

logical order, indicating paragraphs. Brief description of key evidence for each

main point. You should aim to have 3 to 5 main

points, one per body paragraph.

Planning Your Essay Use standard essay format and TEEL

Practise Time! Let’s plan the essays we’ve begun.

‘Perkins’ Eddie Mabo is ultimately incapable of shaping his own identity.’ Do you agree?

‘The characters’ weaknesses are never truly resolved in Mabo.’ Discuss.

Writing Introductions The introduction must be relevant,

focused and convincing. The basic introduction should

immediately establish the contention and may include the main points that will be presented (in order)

There are a number of features that you can include in your introduction, though not all will be appropriate for every essay.

Writing Introductions Features of an introduction: A sentence introducing the author and text in relation

to the topic. In the novel, Brooklyn, Colm Toibin explores... [outline key

theme/idea] A clear sentence stating your contention in relation to

the topic. At the centre of the text is the idea that [contention].

An outline of the main points (useful, but not essential) This is revealed through [first point]. Additionally [second

point]. Finally [third point] also supports [contention]

Writing Introductions Information contextualising the text in relation

to the topic. Toibin’s novel acts to alert his readers to the

dangers of ...etc Contextualising a quote that is part of the topic.

Through the character, Tony, Toibin expresses his own view that [quote from topic]

In the introduction you could make use of: key words, phrases, synonyms, metalanguage sophisticated explanation of key terms and concepts (NOT dictionary definitions)

Writing Introductions How easily can you write an introduction

for the question you’ve begun?

Writing the Body The body is the meat in your sandwich. It is where you show

the extent of your knowledge of the text in relation to the topic.

The body should develop the central contention from beginning to end.

Overall, you should aim for 600 words for this section – 3 body paragraphs (possibly 4).

USE TEEL: especially the T Topic Sentence: state an idea that relates to the essay topic,

do not describe a character or scene from the text. Evidence: quotes, paraphrases, brief descriptions Explanation: elaborate on how the evidence relates to the topic

and the main point of the paragraph. Link: Concluding sentence to the paragraph, making sure that

everything you’ve written relates to the TS and the overall contention.

Also relate each new paragraph to the previous idea.

Writing the Conclusion The conclusion is essentially a

restatement of your contention and summary of the main points. Make sure you use different wording to your

introduction. Make sure you link to the topic and

contention. No new ideas. Don’t ask rhetorical questions. You could a make a statement about the

relevance of the text to the wider world.

Style Pointers Using Quotes Quotes must be relevant to the point, and clearly

punctuated with quotation marks. Style Title of the Text: Use capitals for each word and

underline: Mabo, Brooklyn Use the author/director’s full name in your first

reference to them, then their surname. Use a formal style and tone.

Style Pointers Write in the present tense when referring to

the text. Do not self-reference (‘I’ or ‘me’). Use ‘one’. Do not refer to the reader as ‘you’ (e.g. This

makes you feel like...) use ‘the reader’. Write fluent sentences by using linking words,

commas, semicolons or colons accurately. Avoid overusing key terms, descriptive or

linking words.

Practice

The more essays you plan and write, the more ideas you have explored and the more quickly you’ll be able to respond to exam and essay topics.