1. NCEA External Exam Essay Practice
Topic: Describe a significant event in the text. Explain how verbal and/or visual techniques are used to make this event important.

2. In the test / exam Make a Careful Choice!
Tip Read through all the 6 choices of questions and decide on ONE which best suits your film and what you have prepared. Remember: only write about ONE topic.

3. All NCEA Questions Have 2 Parts
Put your chosen question into your own words before you begin to plan e.g. For this question I need to: 1. Say what happened in a very ……. and say why this was so i……………….. 2. I need to explain how this event was presented in a way that drew my a………… to it, through techniques such as ………………, ……………….. and …………………… (e.g. camera work? Use of sound? Editing, Dialogue? Lighting?)

4. A Good Plan = A Good Essay

5. My Plan Para 1 Intro ( about 3-4 sentences)
Para 2 Describe the significant event
Para 3 Film Technique 1
Para 4 Film Technique 2
Para 5 Film Technique 3
Para 6 Conclusion: Why this event is so important

6. Essay Structure
Introduction Paragraph * states a clear focus on the keywords from the essay topic * names the film, the director, the genre and the year of production * briefly summarises (1 sentence) what the film is about and where it takes place * gives an outline of your essay map and how the two parts of the question will be covered.

7. e.g. Intro for the practice topic
An important event in W_____’s B_____ (20__), a d……………… set in rural M……………… directed by D………… G…………, is when …………. The director uses ………….., ………………… and ………………… to draw our attention to its importance. This event is so significant because ……………………

8. Body Paragraph 1
(Describing the event) In your first sentence (called the topic sentence) use relevant keywords from the essay topic e.g. A very significant event (keywords from the topic) in this film is when ….. The rest of the paragraph clearly explain what happens during the event. (The exam marker may not know your film).

9. Body Paragraph 2
First or topic sentence Uses relevant keywords from the essay topic again ( visual or verbal technique) and a connective word/phrase.
The next sentences
Make a point about a specific visual or verbal technique e.g. camera work + support it with specific evidence/examples from the event + essential that you suggest what EFFECT on your ideas or feelings the director was aiming for.

10. e.g.
Firstly, one of the film/visual techniques used to make this event seem important is lighting. (note the use of keywords and a connective + , ).
There is very dim light during the event. What we do see seems to come from a torch and moonlight. For example, when we are shown the water in the lake where Ree’s father’s body is hidden, we only see something white below the water by torchlight and perhaps a weak moon. This has the effect of adding suspense and horror because we cannot see anything very clearly. The weak lighting also restricts the colour scheme to dark blues, silvery greys and blacks. This adds a grim coldness to the event, especially when Ree pulls a hand above the surface of the water and it is a ghastly greyish white. The effect is shocking.

11. Body Paragraph 3
First sentence (called the topic sentence) Uses relevant keywords from the essay topic again and next visual or verbal technique and a connective word/phrase. E.g
Another film technique which makes the event seem important is ….
Supporting evidence from the event and the effects

12. Body Paragraph 4
First sentence (called the topic sentence) Uses relevant keywords from the essay topic again and last visual or verbal technique
supporting examples / evidence from the event
What the effect of this is

13. Para 5: Conclusion First sentence using keywords
Explain why the event is so important
e.g. connect to theme or main character

14. Pulling your essay together e.g.
In conclusion, this event is so significant in the film for several reasons. It reinforces the theme of ……………….. because ……………. It also allows the director to show us how the main character, Ree, …………… This film, Winter’s Bone, is ……………………….. (think of a way to round off that gives your final evaluation of its impact on your ideas and feelings.