Friday, 18 December 2015

Novel Concepts  Match the term to the definition  For each feature, identify whether it is primarily an aspect of language, structure or form (it may fit into more than one category – choose the best fit)

W HY ARE THE OPENING PAGES OF A NOVEL OR A SHORT STORY SO IMPORTANT ?

 The opening pages of a novel are particularly important and often the first few pages tell us a good deal about the novel itself.  In these opening pages the writer tries to capture our attention so that we want to read on.  He or she will probably also present us with some important characters, themes or situations in these pages.

I MPORTANT FEATURES OF THE OPENING PAGES :  Is the narrator first or third person?  How are characters - including the narrator - introduced?  What do you learn about them?  What situation is being presented?  What kind of atmosphere is created?  Are things explained to you as a reader or are you plunged into the middle of the story?  What do you notice about the writer’s style? Consider vocabulary, imagery and sentence structure used.  How does the writer arouse your interest and make you want to read on?

Preparation Take care to chop the onion fine. To keep from crying when you chop it (which is so annoying!), I suggest you place a little bit on your head. The trouble with crying over an onion is that once the chopping gets you started and the tears begin to well up, the next thing you know you just can’t stop. I don’t know whether that’s ever happened to you, but I have to confess it’s happened to me, many times. Mama used to say it was because I was especially sensitive to onions, like my great- aunt, Tita. Tita was so sensitive to onions, any time they were being chopped, they say she would just cry and cry; when she was still in my great-grandmother’s belly her sobs were so loud that even Nacha, the cook, who was half-deaf, could hear them easily. Once her wailing got so violent that it brought on an early labour. And before my great-grandmother could let out a word or even a whimper, Tita made her entrance into this world, prematurely, right there on the kitchen table amid the smells of simmering noodle soup, thyme, bay leaves and coriander, steamed milk, garlic and, of course, onion. Tita had no need for the usual slap on the bottom, because she was already crying as she emerged; maybe that was because she knew then that it would be her lot in life to be denied marriage. Like Water For Chocolate Laura Esquível

Essay Question  How effective is the opening of “ Like Water for Chocolate ” ?  What smaller questions would you need to answer in order to answer this big question?  Write these questions on cards.  Order the cards to structure an essay plan.

Success criteria for exam essays: AO1: Use of appropriate terminology Structured argument Relevant application of concepts and approaches Clear, accurate written expression Literary AND linguistic terms and approaches AO2: Analysis of techniques and their effect on the reader/audience Analysis of language, structure and form Detailed, sustained reference to texts Understanding of meaning AO3: Comparisons between texts Contextual analysis (relevant!) Overview Use quotes

Success criteria for exam essays: * Well organised, fluent answer. * Varied use of terminology (linguistic and literary). * Clearly presented argument. * Effective & detailed comparisons and contrasts made between texts. * Use the cone: text level, sentence level, word level, phonological / graphological level. * Conclusion should try to answer the question, avoiding overly simplistic comments. * Lots of quotes!!! * Show off your knowledge of the texts. * Include your wider reading (sensibly & productively) * Include consideration of context, audience, purpose & genre in your analysis

What does an essay need?

Beginning: Address the question clearly Include context Overview – whole text Purpose of text / genre / audience Middle: PEE/TQE/CQA/PEA analysis 1 paragraph per point/comment (topic sentences) Focus on the question Comparison (where appropriate) Include alternative interpretations (reader response) Use lit/lang terms & approaches Coherently, logically organised End: Sum up main points to prove your argument Give your personal opinions – evaluation Refer back to the question – give final thoughts or pose more questions?

Successful Essay Structure  Introduction  Address the question (How will you answer it)  Overview of whole novel and how character/theme fits in.  Overview of context.  Development  DETAILED analysis using CQA/PEE throughout.  Consciously include linguistic & literary terminology.  Use the cone to ensure appropriate approaches used.  Make at least 10 different points about the character/theme and develop each one with close reference to the text.  Conclusion  Summarise your argument.  Give your personal opinion.  Refer back to the question and try to answer it.