1. Year 11 In the Rubbish Tin (Apirana Taylor) How to write a Literature Essay 2014

2. What do you have to do in a literature essay
What do you have to do in a literature essay? You have to write about a particular aspect of the text such as… (setting, character, theme, language) to show your knowledge and understanding of it.
Q: So what’s the first step?
A: Choosing your question.

5. All essays start with an introduction and a…
Question Describe at least one idea that is relevant to people in today’s society in the written text. Explain why the idea, as shown in the text, is relevant to people in today’s society.     
How do we begin?
All essays start with an introduction and a…
‘TAKO’

6. …surely it is TACO…? TAKO
T.A.K.O. – Use this acronym to remember to include the necessary information in the introduction:
Title (MUST be underlined),
Author,
Key words from question,
Outline of essay’s main points
TAKO
All essays start with an introduction having a tako …

7. …the ‘O’ in TAKO means: Outline the three main points of your essay
…usually the three main body paragraphs

8. Describe at least one idea that is relevant to people in today’s society in the written text. Explain why the idea, as shown in the text, is relevant to people in today’s society.
Re-write this paragraph and use different colours to indicate the TAKO
In the short story, In the Rubbish Tin, written by Apirana Taylor, the ideas of parental responsibility, positive role models and controlling people through violence are ideas that are relevant to people in today’s society. These ideas are relevant because it will help us to be better citizens of our community.

9. Describe at least one idea that is relevant to people in today’s society in the written text. Explain why the idea, as shown in the text, is relevant to people in today’s society.
Re-write this paragraph and use different colours to indicate the TAKO
In the short story, In the Rubbish Tin, written by Apirana Taylor, the ideas of parental responsibility, positive role models and controlling people through violence are ideas that are relevant to people in today’s society. These ideas are relevant because it will help us to be better citizens of our community.

10. Write an introductory paragraph
WARNING…sexy bodies on the next slide
Yay! I’m starting to write my essay.

11. Minimum: 3 Body Paragraphs
My Essay
TAKO Introduction
SEXY Body Para (1)
SEXY Body Para (2)
SEXY Body Para (3)
5. Conclusion

12. SEXY paragraphs S: Statement or Topic Sentence
Starts the paragraph, tells the audience what point or idea the paragraph will make.
E: Example
X: Explain what the example means, give quotes, explain what it means, how it supports the statement, how it is relevant to the text and/or question.
Y: Your link/connection to this theme, what you might learn about yourself or the world from this text, links that can be made.

13. Analyse Body Paragraphs
Lack of responsibility as a parent is an idea that is relevant to society today. It is shown through the character of Ruth. An example of this idea is shown when Ruth abandons Phillipa on her birthday and goes off to the bar to spend the day drinking with her friends. ‘Mum had gone to town and forgotten to lock Phillipa in the house.’ It is clear that Ruth is avoiding her responsibility as a parent and that she has left her daughter alone on previous occasions as well. The fact that Ruth has locked the door in the past, shows that she does not want anyone to know the little girl is all by herself because it is illegal to leave such a young child unattended. Unfortunately the idea of avoiding responsibility is still present in society today because many parents would leave small children unsupervised in a car or at home because they are out drinking in a bar. In many cases with tragic consequences. We as readers are left to feel shock and horror at Ruth’s behaviour and sympathy towards Phillipa. The author has succeeded in making the reader aware that avoiding responsibility as a parent is an idea that is still relevant today.

14. Analyse Body Paragraphs
The idea of avoiding responsibility as a parent is shown through the character of Ruth. An example of this idea is shown when Ruth abandons Phillipa on her birthday and goes off to the bar to spend the day drinking with her friends. ‘Mum had gone to town and forgotten to lock Phillipa in the house.’ It is clear that Ruth is avoiding her responsibility as a parent and that she has left her daughter alone on previous occasions as well. The fact that Ruth locks the door shows that she does not want anyone to know the little girl is all by herself because it is illegal to leave such a young child unattended. Unfortunately the idea of avoiding responsibility is still present in society today because many parents would leave small children unsupervised in a car or at home because they are out drinking in a bar. In many cases with tragic consequences. We as readers are left to feel shock and horror at Ruth’s behaviour and sympathy towards Phillipa. The author has succeeded in making the reader aware that avoiding responsibility as a parent is an idea that is still relevant today.

15. Conclusion
Conclude the essay by writing about why you care about the topic. Why does it matter in your life?
DO NOT INTRODUCE ANY NEW INFORMATION INTO THE CONCLUSION.
Use this sentence as a starter in your conclusion if you are stuck. “In conclusion, Taylor has…

16. Conclusion
In conclusion, Apirana Taylor has shown the reader how avoiding your responsibility as a parent, being a good role model and ______ are ideas that are relevant to people in society today. Through these ideas the author has shown that/has taught us….[finish off by writing what you have learnt from the text]

17. Conclusion…continued
- these are important qualities to have if you want to be a good parent.
- that having children is a huge responsibility
- children need to grow up in a household that embraces basic human values
- having children is a big responsibility
- life does not offer any second chances in raising children
- the cycle of abuse and violence is likely to continue
society needs better support structures to help children like Phillipa

18. Now it’s your turn. Write an essay using the structure you have been given. Write at least words.