Extended Reading Controlled Assessment (GCSE English Language: 15% of coursework)

1. Extended Reading Controlled Assessment (GCSE English Language: 15% of coursework) Consider Steinbeck’s presentation of Crooks in “Of Mice and Men”

4. The assessment title: • Consider Steinbeck’s presentation of Crooks in “Of Mice and Men” • Focus on section 4 • Explore the different ways Steinbeck reveals his character through close analysis of descriptive language, plot and dialogue • Show the significance of Crooks to the themes of the novel and how Steinbeck uses him to present ideas about society • 1200 words over 3 hours (minimum) to 4 hours (maximum) • As you write you have ONLY your notes page (see next slide) and your blank copy of the text. YOU CANNOT HAVE ANY ANNOTATIONS IN YOUR BOOK (that includes no post-its with notes on). • 30 marks – 15% of total Language GCSE • (Coursework accounts for 40% of your Language GCSE – see the table in the front of your book)

5. You do this, quietly, in class, in one lesson. You need to transfer any information you have in your exercise book or from other notes onto this sheet. One side of A4 only No complete sentences – notes only – or you have to do it again. Note on content of Intro Key areas, prioritised – refs to pages for evidence Note on content of Conclusion No complete quotes – note down page number s and the openings to quotes. Eg: loneliness: pg 105 “A guy...”/pg 108 “How would...” Make a note of any terms you need to use, egcyclic, symbol, semantic field, adverb, elision, double negatives, dialect... Properly spelt! You have this notes page and the text when writing. It MUST stay in school. You may add notes to it (from your head) as you work. The notes page – to be done 28/1, in class

6. Remember – you need 60% or more of marks to stay on track for a grade C, i.e. 18 out of 30... That’s top of Band 3/Band 4. Look what you need to do...

7. Plan the order of your essay and refer back to it – tick off areas as you go. Remember to use paragraphs and to “signpost” sections so your reader knows where they are in your essay. You are given credit for clarity of expression and a well-structured essay. Don’t start with “In this essay...”! Instead, make a statement on why YOU think Steinbeck included the character of Crooks in his novella. This has to be YOUR own view, your own opening. The main part of your essay will then be you providing evidence for your view. Don’t fall into retelling the story - everyone knows it and you’ll get no marks for it! Be analytical. Stay formal: no slang and avoid contractions (isn’t, he’s) You need about 5 key points/areas of discussion. Prioritise these as you think best. For each section, have a short introduction Eg“One way Steinbeck ....” or “The first aspect of Crooks’ character Steinbeck explores is...” End each section with a short summary, then move on. Some tips... 1

8. You need PQEE – make a point about Steinbeck’s presentation of Crooks and/or his purpose, find the best quote(s) then analyse the language closely. Use terms where you can (dialect, elision, symbolism, semantic field, associations...) Sort, embedded quotes are best – if your quotes are too long you lose focus on the detail. You can underline words you want to pick out. You can quote one word (e.g. adverbs, words linked by a semantic field). The rule is, write a lot on a little rather than skim lots of ideas – the examiners want close, thoughtful analysis. Remember – are you being shallow, deep... Or PROFOUND? Focus on Steinbeck and his craft – he created Crooks’ character. Look over your page every so often: can you see “Steinbeck” or “The writer” dotted over the page? (Don’t call him “John” and don’t overuse his name!) Finish with a conclusion where you evaluate sensibly the presentation of the character (not “Steinbeck is a genius.”! ) Some tips... 2

9. Characterisation • Some of the ways a character can be presented: • How a character is named (is the name meaningful?) • What the character looks like • Their environment • What the character does; their actions and motives • What the character says (dialogue) and thinks • How the character speaks, including their speech habits • What others say and think about the character • Who they connect with/their relationships with others A character can also be a mouthpiece for a writer - conveying his ideas to the reader from within the text, commenting on themes

10. Characterisation • Some of the ways a character can be presented: • How a character is named (is the name meaningful?) – how others address him • What the character looks like • Their environment (his “room”) • What the character does; their actions and motives • What the character says (dialogue) and thinks • How the character speaks, including their speech habits • What others say and think about the character, how they refer to him • Who they connect with/their relationships with others • This is a “show-not-tell” technique and is more than simply telling a story. Instead of TELLING us about the character of Crooks, Steinbeck SHOWS us aspects of his character – so we can make our own judgement and feel more involved in the plot and the idea of “The best laid plans...” The fact the story was written in an experimental form, almost as a play, means Steinbeck used a lot of dialogue and we hear Crooks’ personality and attitudes through his own voice, as a black ranch worker.

11. Because the essay is about how Steinbeck presents Crooks, you could work through these different ways of presenting character. If this feels daunting, you could base it on the structure of the section and refer to Steinbeck’s methods as you go. I cannot give you a plan but you might like to consider something like this... Approaches to your essay...

12. e.g. Steinbeck gives Crooks a section of his own – it begins with his name. All the sections open with a description to set the scene but this section is different as it is particular to Crooks. Steinbeck presents Crooks and his circumstances symbolically, through a description of his “room” and what is in it. Steinbeck structures the plot carefully so this scene can happen... Only Lennie could ask the question which gives Crooks chance to talk about his life... Crooks could only tell Lennie because he knows Lennie doesn’t understand (like Curley’s wife later confides pointlessly in lennie in section 5)... Lennie is only able to wander in because it’s Saturday and George is in town... Curley’s wife is looking for company because Curley is out... Steinbeck presents Crooks as a bitter, hostile characterthrough the way he behaves and speaks to Lennie– the dialogue shows emotion Steinbeck gives Crooks the chance to explain his attitude to others and reveal his unhappiness and fears – again, the dialogue is important Steinbeck shows how vulnerable Crooks and black workers like him were, by bringing in Curley’s wife and having her threaten Crooks. Steinbeck uses Crooks as a mouthpiece to comment on the workers’ hope of a home – the theme of the American dream – YET even Crooks is temporarily drawn in... Steinbeck gives the section a cyclic structure (like the novel has) to show how Crooks is trapped by his circumstances. Different ways Steinbeck presents Crooks

13. Suffering from his loneliness – it’s not psychologically healthy to be on your own. Lonely Concerned with his rights Crooks’ character – why is he like this? • Proud – not a “southern negro” Bitter and cynical • Jealous of Lennie having George as a friend • Can be cruel Crooks Can be kind Prepared to sacrifice pride in order to survive Intelligent Still just about capable of hope Can you find evidence in the text to support these points, then PQEE it?

14. Write as clearly as you can • Focus on Steinbeck • Use short, relevant, embedded quotes as evidence and ANALYSE the language, considering its effect • Use terms when you can • Talk about how Steinbeck presents his concerns through Crooks and what is happening to him. • Link Crooks’ behaviour and circumstances to that of others in the story – show how Steinbeck is exploring themes through Crooks • Don’t waste time in lessons – arrive on time, stay focused and don’t distract others • Revise in between lessons by looking on StudyWiz at these resources (you can’t bring in extra notes but you can remember things and add notes to your planning page.) For highest marks...