Essay writing How to write the Area of Study essay for Belonging

Why am I writing this essay? Obviously you need to write this essay to practise for half yearly’s, trials and the HSC exams. The more you practise the better your writing will become. You want to get good marks and make yourself, your parents and your teacher proud. If you don’t you will make Miss Morrison sad 

Who am I writing this essay for? Miss Morrison – so that I can help you edit it and give you feedback on it. Markers – the more practise you have the better your final essay, the one you write in the exam will be. What implications do these audiences have on the way you will write your essay?

How am I going to write this essay? Using correct essay structure. With formal language, used in a sophisticated way. With personal insight – say something unique or different, but don’t make it up. You may even be able to use ‘I’ if the question allows it. With correct spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Formal and sophisticated language When it comes to writing in English, there are two main styles of writing - formal and informal. Consider these two examples: Example 1: This is to inform you that your book has been rejected by our publishing company as it was not up to the required standard. In case you would like us to reconsider it, we would suggest that you go over it and make some necessary changes. Example 2: You know that book I wrote? Well, the publishing company rejected it. They thought it was awful. But hey, I did the best I could, and I think it was great. I'm not gonna redo it the way they said I should. The difference between the two is obvious. The first one is formal, and the second is informal. But what is it that makes them formal and informal?

Some rules of formal language Avoid using colloquial words/expressions (substitute with children, man/boy, wonderful, many, etc.) Avoid contractions (write out full words - cannot, will not, should not, etc.). Write in third person, unless the question asks for your opinion. Avoid clichés Avoid addressing readers using second person pronouns (use one, one's, the reader, the reader's, etc.) Avoid using abbreviated words (use full versions - like photograph, television, etc.) Use passive voice (e.g. It has been noticed that....) Longer and more complex sentences are preferred (short simple sentences reflects poorly on the writer) State your points confidently and offer your argument firm support. BASICALLY TRY NOT TO WRITE LIKE YOU SPEAK.

Sentence structure There are three different types of sentences. Each one being more sophisticated than the last. A good piece of writing should use all three types of sentences. Varied lengths and types of sentences increase the complexity and sophistication of the piece of writing.

Simple sentences A simple sentence is one that contains one clause. Clause is a fancy word for sentence, which is the combination of a nouns and verbs. E.g. The poet explores ideas of belonging. A simple sentence contains a single clause like the one above. Another word for clause is idea. So a simple sentence contains one idea. Now write your own simple sentence. To be more sophisticated you should use sentences that combine clauses. Take a look at the following forms of combination…

Compound sentences Consist of two or more clauses/ideas. Each idea is able to stand on its own and convey a message. Each has equal status and provides equally as important infornmation. Ideas are linked together with words such as ‘and’, ‘or’, ‘but’ E.g. Skrzynecki investigates ideas of belonging to place and belonging in relationships. Words to combine independent clauses include: AndsoEither…or ButAnd soNeither…nor OrAnd thenNot only…but also

Complex sentences Consist of one clause/idea expressing the main message and another clause/idea which elaborates on that message in some way. While the main idea is independent, the other idea cannot stand on its own. It is dependent on the main idea for its meaning. E.g. He writes as if he took part in the events himself. Identify the dependent and independent clauses in the sentence above. You can also combine compound and complex sentences to express your ideas in even greater detail. E.g. The character felt as though she did not belong and did not try to fit even though she wanted to. Identify the three parts in the above sentence as dependent or independent clauses. Which parts are compound and which are complex?

Making sophisticated connections When comparing ideas in texts, or making transitions between ideas in complex sentences you should use the following terms: PurposeTransitional words To addAlso, furthermore, in addition To put in time order Gradually, previously, finally, meanwhile, after To put in space order Alongside, beyond, on one side To compareIn the same way, likewise, just as, similarly, just like To contrastOn the other hand, nevertheless, even though To show cause and effect Consequently, accordingly, hence, as a result, thus To show purposeFor this reason, for this purpose To emphasiseIndeed, in fact, certainly To give examplesFor instance, to be specific To summariseIn conclusion, as I have shown

Essay structure PartExplanation Introduction Body Conclusion

The question we will be answering… Composers use their texts to explore ideas of belonging. How are aspects of belonging explored in the poems of Peter Skrzynecki and two related texts you have studied?

Two ways of writing BY AUTHOR Deal with each text separately. Start with a paragraph for each poem. Then two paragraphs for your first related text. Then one paragraph for the second related text Compare the ideas of the texts as a way of transitioning between them. (note: these are minimum numbers of paragraphs) BY IDEA Choose 3 – 4 ideas that are present in the texts. Deal with each idea from most to least important using one paragraph for each. Write about each text and how it relates to the idea in each paragraph. Compare the ideas within texts as you go. (note: these paragraphs would be quite long and contain sub-paragraphs for each text)

Introduction You need to outline your ideas about belonging and the texts that you are going to use to support your ideas. It is not enough to say that your texts have ‘belonging to place’ or other statements like that You need to be more specific and look at belonging in more depth. E.g. Belonging to place leads to a sense of identity. You must list your Skrzynecki poems first and then each of your related texts.

FOR EXAMPLE Composers use their texts to explore ideas about belonging that are important to them. Such composers include Peter Skrzynecki, Author One and Author Two in their texts Ancestors, In the Folk Museum and Post card, Related Text One and Related Text Two, respectively. Some ideas they highlight include the negative feelings associated with not belonging, the inherent sense of belonging that cultural heritage implies and the uncertainty of belonging associated with multiple self-identities. They use techniques appropriate to their text type to form and develop ideas.

Writing paragraphs Remember the formula… T E L

Skrzynecki’s ideas about belonging Choose the three poems you will write about. For each poem what is the main idea about belonging that Skrzynecki promotes? What are some sub-ideas that are related to this main message? What techniques does he use to explore these ideas? Which quotes/examples will support these ideas.

Related text one – (usually 2 paragraphs) Briefly, what is the text about? What are two main ideas about belonging that it investigates? What techniques does it use to explore these ideas? Find two techniques per idea at least. What quotes/examples will support these ideas? How is this linked to Skrzynecki’s ideas? Which poem can you link it to?

Related text two – (usually one paragraph) Briefly, what is the text about? What is it’s main idea about belonging? What techniques does it use to explore this idea? Which quotes/examples will support this? How is this linked to Skrzynecki’s ideas? Which poem can you link it to? This is the text you discard if you are only asked to write about ONE related text.

Conclusion What needs to be included in the conclusion? How long should it be and how long should it take to write?

Time to write draft one Yay!