senior school snippets: the world of english in the senior school by joslyn fox

1. SENIOR SCHOOL SNIPPETS:The World of English in the Senior School

3. ANALYTICAL ESSAY WRITING

4. What is the purpose? To inform or demonstrate knowledge about a particular topic.

5. How do I organize my material? S E X Link

6. Sentence-outlining your topic Always begin your paragraph with a topic sentence. Make it clear what the whole paragraph is about. For example: “There is no doubt that authors often present similar ideas in different ways.” “The death of Tom Robinson can clearly be linked to three people.”

7. Explanation Now develop your argument by explaining your point of view.

8. X = Example Give an example from the text to support your answer.

9. Link Finish each paragraph by making a clear link back to the question.

10. 3 POINT APPROACH Select the question you are going to answer. Write a rough plan for your essay basing it around 3 main points – these will form the basis of your essay. Incorporate these 3 points into your introduction to give the initial structure to your essay. Now plan at least 3 paragraphs, one per point. In your conclusion repeat these 3 points again in a different way.

11. Exemplar #1Single Text: Never Let Me Go What techniques does the author of a prescribed text use to influence the reader to take a particular position concerning the issues explored in the text?

12. SAMPLE INTRODUCTION #1: Kazuo Ishiguro in his text Never Let Me Go uses a number of techniques to influence the reader to share his concerns regarding genetic engineering. Characterization, use of language and symbolism are all devices used by Ishiguro to force the reader to understand that with all the advances made in medical science, careful thought must be given to ethical boundaries.

13. 3 MAIN POINTSused in this essay Characterization Use of Language Symbolism

14. Exemplar #2Single Text: Never Let Me Go How does the author of a prescribed text use repetition as a technique to emphasis ideas?

15. SAMPLE INTRODUCTION #2: Kazuo Ishiguro in his text Never Let Me Go uses the technique of repetition to emphasize the idea that genetic engineering without boundaries is a dangerous path to follow. Repetition of the title as a major theme, the recurring symbol of The Gallery and the repeated de-humanisation of the protagonists all combine to create an imaginary world in which medical science appears to have advanced at the expense of human compassion.

16. 3 MAIN POINTSused in this essay Repetition of the title as a main theme Recurring symbol of The Gallery Repeated de-humanisation of the protagonists (characterisation)

17. Remember that you are being marked on your ability to intelligently discuss HOW your texts are crafted, NOT what they are all about.

18. This means using terms such as: Characterisation Setting Themes Symbolism Narrative voice Imagery Use of Language

19. Remember that the characters in your texts are not real people – they are devices of the author that help craft the text.

20. Never include a quotation for its own sake… always integrate them into your own writing with some kind of context. For example: He could easily see his own mortality reflected “twisted and anguished” in the pale water. Vs He could easily see his own mortality reflected in the pale water. “Twisted and anguished”.(p.27)

21. Analytical Essay RubricUnderstanding

22. Exemplars of Analytical Essays For Year 12 English, exemplars on the SACE Board website are a good starting point www.ssabsa.sa.edu.au/support/english/engl/engl-menu.htm

23. This approach works well for responses to all text types including: Paired Text Essays Single Text Essays Poetry Essays

24. Extra things to keep in mind for paired text / poetry essays: Integrate your discussion of texts within EACH paragraph – don’t write half your essay on the first text and the other half on the second. In the case of poetry essays integrate at least two poems per paragraph The aim is to compare and contrast as you go.

25. EXPOSITORY WRITING Joslyn Fox Clare High School

26. What is the purpose of an expository essay? An expository essay attempts to explain a subject to an audience. The writer usually demonstrates some authority or a detailed knowledge of a specific subject.

27. Expository writing argues a particular point of view from a range of facts, information and opinions or presents the case for both sides of a particular argument.

28. Expository writing usually addresses a controversial subject about which there are many opinions, and it usually requires some research.

29. What are the main features of expository writing? It should clearly state your opinion It should include relevant and accurate data (this can include facts, statistics, examples and comments from experts) It should logically argue a point (sometimes two points of view if you are asked to present the case for and against a proposition) It should arrive at a satisfying conclusion

30. What is the structure of an expository essay? Expository essays follow a three part structure: Introduction (establishing your opinions) Body (paragraphs containing your arguments for and/or against the topic in detail including examples to support your opinion) Conclusion (summarising your final weighing of the evidence)

31. What language is used in expository writing? The language is usually formal and may include technical or specialist vocabulary.

32. Expository writing aims to persuade the audience to share a particular point of view.

33. This means that persuasive language is very important.

34. The most common types of persuasive language are:

35. Biased Language This has positive and negative feelings associated with it. Words and expressions can be used in an offensive way to indicate prejudice and influence the audience in a negative way. It is similarly possible to portray issues in a positive and romantic manner to influence the audience in a positive way.

36. Emotive Language This language arouses specific emotions such as anger, fear, sympathy and so on.

37. Hyperbole This is language that exaggerates for effect.

38. Inclusive Language This type of language encourages the audience to feel they are on the same side as the writer. Words like “we” and “our” are used and it is a form of second peerson narration.

39. Figurative Language This is language that uses similes and metaphors to create images in the reader’s mind.

40. Statistics These are numerical facts, often concerning things like population, income and costs. Statistics may imply research and knowledge of the topic. They lend a scientific authenticity to whatever is being discussed.

41. Appeals to Experts This technique uses the views of people who are assumed to know a great deal about the subject (eg. Professors, Doctors, Scientists etc.)

42. Analogies This is where the author aims to show a relationship with something else in order to suggest that whatever is true for one will be true for the other.

43. Ridicule and Abuse This language attempts to persuade the reader of an argument by putting down the opposition.

44. Rhetorical Questions This is where the author asks a question that really doesn’t need an answer to reinforce their opinion (eg. Do you want this for your children?)

45. Certain features of expository writing are essential: Begin with a strong introduction Keep your intended audience in mind when you are writing State your points confidently (decide in which order they will go to make the strongest impact) Begin each paragraph with a clear topic sentence

46. Include relevant and accurate data taken from various sources (this might include statistics, examples, quotations and opinions) Logically argue your point Arrive at a satisfying conclusion that leaves the reader in no doubt as to your opinion

47. What are some examples of expository writing? Newspaper editorials Letters to the Editor Some types of advertisements Opinionative articles Letters of complaint Speeches Recipes/Instruction manuals

48. NARRATIVE WRITING

49. The aim of narrative writing is to tell a story. Narratives usually present characters involved in some action or conflict which engages the reader.

50. Narrative writing aims to entertain but can also seek to inform or challenge the reader. Narrative writing can be imagined, factual or a combination of the two.

51. The language used may be casual or formal. It can be written in first, second or third person perspective. The story can be linear, use flashbacks or include multiple plots.

52. The narrative task I set my Year 11s… Your task is to write a narrative of between 400-1500 words. The topic is very flexible – somewhere within your narrative you must mention a red ipod. It may be the focus of your story, or it may just make a brief appearance at some point.

53. The aim of the assignment is to create an anthology for publication using a narrative example from every member of the class. The symbol of the red ipod is the connecting link between each essay.

54. DESCRIPTIVE WRITING

55. Good writers are able to paint word pictures of people, scenes and experiences for us and we, in turn, respond to the pictures their words have created in our minds.

56. The task I set my Year 11s… Your task is to write a description of a person who is very important to you. It may be a grandparent, a neighbour, a friend, a parent – anyone who you hold in high regard. Imagine all the details about this person that make them so memorable. This should not just be a physical description (although that is often a good place to start); you could also describe the influence they have had on your life and include some memorable moments.

57. Remember that this is a descriptive essay, so you must focus on describing rather than just telling a story.

59. ORAL ASSIGNMENT

60. Year 11 Oral Task

61. Student examples using the Photostory programme…