1. How to answer an essay question
Or… how to write an analytical essay

2. REMIX THE RUBRIC __________________________________________________
demonstrate understanding of a text’s distinctive qualities and how these shape meaning
organise, develop and express ideas using language appropriate to audience, purpose and form
___________________________________________________ 
demonstrate knowledge and analysis skill in naming and explaining a text’s language forms and features… and how these show the ideas, concerns, characters and events in the text
REMIX IT…
REMIX IT…

3. The first dot-point of the rubric is the blue-print (map) for the thesis statement of your essay

4. Now… for the essay question…
2011 HSC Exam Question
Discuss how Owen’s perspective on human conflict is conveyed in his poetry.
In your response, make detailed reference to at least TWO poems set for study.
The prescribed poems are:
* The Parable of the Old Man and the Young
* Anthem for Doomed Youth
* Dulce Et Decorum Est
* Futility
* Disabled
* Mental Cases

5. STEP 1 – UNPACK THE QUESTION
DISCUSS = examine / consider / debate / show different perspectives of / review
HOW = what language/poetic forms and features
PERSPECTIVE = viewpoint / view / evaluation / opinion / side
HUMAN = individual / social / public / civil / community / group
CONFLICT = war / battle / argument / difference of opinion / struggle disagreement

6. What is HUMAN CONFLICT? inner conflict within a person
a difference of opinion between 2 people
a difference of values and beliefs among different groups of people (Govt. and public)
When one person of group challenges another person or group
A violent fight between individuals, groups or countries

7. STEP 2 – REWRITE THE QUESTION IN THE FULL… PLAIN-ENGLISH… VERSION:
Examine and analyse the poetic forms and features Owen uses to show different viewpoints about different human conflicts.

8. STEP 3 – WRITE THE THESIS STATEMENT
Example 1. In his poems Dulce et Decorum est and Anthem for Doomed Youth, Wilfred Owen uses poetic forms and features to show ideas and perspectives about the realities and the horrors of a range of human conflicts during WWI.

9. STEP 4. Check your thesis statement to make sure it “matches” the rubric!
__________________________________________
demonstrate knowledge and analysis skill in naming and explaining a text’s language forms and features… and how these show the ideas, concerns, characters and events in the text _____________________________________
In his poems Dulce et Decorum est and Anthem for Doomed Youth, Wilfred Owen uses poetic forms and features to show ideas and perspectives about the realities and the horrors of a range of human conflicts during WWI.