Literary Patterns J. Menzies

Transcription

1 English 30 June 2013 Part A: Diploma Exam Preparation The Critical Essay and Personal Response J. Hyshka//Springbank Community High COMMONALITY OF TOPICS OR, THERE ARE ONLY SO MANY STORIES! Literary Patterns J. Menzies 1. Dreams Wishes, Ideals, Imagination 2. Appearances Illusion, Deception, Self-deception 3. Innocence Youth, Blindness, Ignorance 4. Restriction Entrapment, Sterility, Stasis 5. Haven Security, Routine 6. Belonging Conformity, Acceptance 7. Order Status quo 8. Societal pressures Conformity Reality Practicality, Experience Reality Truth, Enlightenment, Awareness Experience Maturity, Sight, Knowledge Freedom Release, Vitality, Growth Quest Risk-taking, Adventure Outsideness Loneliness, Rebellion, Isolation Disorder Change, Flux Individual Needs Identity Note that they all blend into each other. One could perhaps further crystallize under: What seems to be or is wished, and what is (1,2,3) Society and the individual (4,5,6,7,8)

2 DIPLOMA TOPIC GROUPS EXTERNAL OBSTACLES Circumstances that compel us to respond Opposition Destructive forces Turning Points Limitations Adversity Threatening Circumstances Response to Challenge Dilemmas Significant Experience Conflict Risk Resourcefulness Perseverance Adaptation Circumstances beyond familiar circumstances Determination The role that selfpreservation plays when individuals respond to competing demands the role self-respect plays when an individual responds to injustice. Significance of an individual s attempt to live unconstrained by convention or circumstance The role adversity plays in shaping an individual s identity. (June 2011) IDENTITY Self Discovery Approach to life Quest Significant Experience Self Awareness Nature of Individual Differences Responding to Individual Differences Nature of Adaptation Attainment of Wisdom Experience of changing perspective Need to re-evaluate your attitudes Commitment to personal beliefs/principles/values Personal validation A meaningful existence Commitment to personal integrity Significance of personal memories Self fulfillment in the context of a new reality The ways in which the desire for independence and the need for security shape an individual s identity Role self-respect plays when an individual responds to injustice How acts of courage develop and nurture personal integrity. The ways in which individuals pursue or compromise their happiness. The ways in which individuals struggle to restore honour and certainty. Conflict between pursuing a personal desire and choosing to conform. The role adversity plays in shaping an individual s identity.

3 The human need to make a commitment or renounce a course of action. (Jan 2013) PERCEPTIONS Perspective Illusion vs. Reality Disillusionment How acts of courage develop and nurture personal integrity Suggest to you about idealism and truth in an individual s life. The ways in which individuals pursue or compromise their happiness. The ways in which an individual takes responsibility for self or others The interplay between how individuals perceive themselves and are perceived by others (2012). GOALS Goals Choices Quest Approach to life Turning point Pursuing an ideal Dreams for the future Ways in which an individual pursues or compromises their happiness The impact of an individual s ambition on self or others. INFLUENCES Of society Of family Of a ruling passion Expectations of others Approval of others Interplay between Fear and foresight when making lifealtering choices The ways in which an individual takes responsibility for self or others The impact of an individual s ambition on self or others (Jan 2012) ISOLATION Isolation The Outsider Escape Non-conformity

4 Part A. Diploma, English 30-1, June 12, :00 am. 2 Essays 3 hours Personal Response Essay 1 hour This is a response to new texts. DO NOT WRITE ABOUT A TEXT WE VE STUDIED IN CLASS. You are being asked for your opinion about a theme and you are asked to express the connection between the texts provided, the theme, your personal experience. You can write creatively or critically or in combination. You must identify the form you have chosen to express your view. Critical Essay 2 hours This is a critique of literature you have studied during the year. You will write a critical essay in critical voice using Hamlet, Gwaine, Ulysses or the long text you read or the poem you studied. This essay tests whether or not you really know the literature. This essay asks you to analyse the work you studied in class in light of a theme given to you. You must use the thesis statement to answer the question. If I had to stress one point, I would choose to caution you this is about analysis or commentary not about telling. You are not to write a summary or a précis. Don t relay the plot and think that that is enough. You have to analyse, comment upon, identify the significance of

5 ACTIVITIES TO PREPARE FOR THE ESSAY EXAM: 1. Prepare a place where you can collect quotes, write thesis statements, and brainstorm ideas. 2. Read some of the analytical reviews that have been written about the text. 3. Prepare to write an essay on Hamlet or On the Rainy River or the novel you chose to study. You can also write your critical essay about a poem of significance such as the poem you studied or Ulysses. Remember that the question will probably relate easily to one of them. You might want to focus on one, and prep another one. The pieces should be complimentary. 4. USE THE Menzies CHART, and the Category chart. WRITE THESIS STATEMENTS for: a. EVERY CATEGORY b. EVERY WORD The idea is to select the literature that best fits the question, and to work out the way in which you would develop the thesis. 5. The number of thesis statements you write depends upon the amount of work you want to do, and the amount of time you have. More work = better mark. At some point in this process you will find gaps. There will be words that cannot be applied to the literature. 6. Think through the essay that your thesis statements demand. Jot down the two or three main points that you would use to develop that thesis. Use a graphic organizer to sort your thoughts. Think about the following choices you will make in organization and development: Several characters with similar characteristics Several aspects of one character The evolution of one character Contrasting characters Number of body paragraphs best utilized to develop thesis Theme (universality) 7. Write the introductory paragraph that you would use for several of the thesis statements.

6 8. Select events/incidents that could be used in a variety of situations. Paraphrase the events so that you KNOW THE DETAILS OF THE INCIDENT. More detail = better mark. If you know an actual quote or two, it can t hurt. 9. Memorize the plot and the names of the characters. Knowing this will significantly reduce your stress level. Your weakness has been the ability to provide specific detail. Choose the best proof, not just any proof. Attend to this. 10. Memorize a significant quote or two or three. Practice contextualizing quotes. Most of the defense you provide will require that you do this. 11. Write a Personal Response. Review the formatting. Find a cool picture. Write a question. Write the response. 12. Matters of Choice and Convention Study the transition sheet Study the parallel sentence style. Practice. Study the character trait handout. Select words that apply to your characters. Review comma usage. You need work in this. Review the structure for sentences containing a semi-colon and a conjunctive adverb. Review the homonyms you have trouble with. Review the apostrophe the possessive/plural dilemma Use the large thesaurus to find alternatives to commonly used words eg. Contends, tries, develops, etc. You will not have an electronic thesaurus. The week before the exam: Do not kiss anyone -- people are the primary spreaders of illness. Get lots of sleep. Eat well Get some exercise every day. Work on these exercises for an hour a day. The day before the exam: Review the material you have collected. Take time to think about any logic flaws you see. Work on the memorization Reread the short story Locate a small dictionary to bring with you to the test.

7 Quit studying early enough to have some relaxation time. Get a good night s sleep Come and talk to me; I will give you a good-luck hug. Exam Day Eat breakfast, preferably a couple of hours before you have to write. Balance proteins, carbs, and fat in wise proportion. Drink water Bring water with you Bring Kleenex Bring your dictionary so you don t have to be waiting to share. Bring all of your books Hand them in to the library. You have Hamlet and the novel you studied. Come and get a hug from your teacher. Be calm. No matter what happens, you can handle it. Stop and think about the topic. Some connection to the theme words will appear. Do not start writing in the first 10 minutes. Brainstorm, outline, generate ideas, reflect.