By Jane Harrison Essay Writing In each SAC for Area of Study 1, you demonstrate your close knowledge of a set text and all your skills in analysis and expression in a single task. When you write or present a text response, ensure that you convey your interest in the text and the ideas you are exploring. A strong sense of engagement with the topic and text is soon evident to your listeners or readers, and gives a valuable focus and originality to your response. The SAC explained This SAC involves three different components of text analysis: how a text constructs meaning - that is, how a text is put together so that you can understand the significance of its main ideas and values, and how the component features, such as the narrative, characters and setting, all contribute to that understanding how a text conveys ideas and values how a text is open to a range of interpretations. Example of the three components in a SAC topic You will need to understand and identify how your response to a topic would cover the three main components. Consider the following question: 'The first-person narrative of Cat's Eye means we gain only a limited understanding of the other characters' Discuss. On the surface, this topic does not appear to cover the three areas needed in your response. Here is one possible approach. The essay could analyse how the first-person narrative: 'constructs meaning' by considering how we come to know (or not know) about characters; for instance, we see what other characters say and do, and we can compare this with what Elaine says about them 'conveys ideas and values' by discussing how we are shown Elaine's ideas and values directly, whereas the ideas and values of others are seen from Elaine's perspective allows the text to remain 'open to a range of interpretations' by presenting a subjective and deeply personal viewpoint (that is, Elaine's viewpoint). This means that our understanding of the various characters depends on how we read or interpret Elaine's account of them. VCE ENGLISH UNIT 1&2 1
Your sense of how well you understand the characters depends not just on your knowledge of the text, but also on your personal responses to the characters and to Elaine's narrative viewpoint. This in turn will impact on the position you take on the topic - whether you agree, disagree, or partially agree/disagree with the given statement. Because the subjective nature of Elaine's narrative leaves the text open to different readings or interpretations, there is no 'right' or 'wrong' answer. However, you do have to justify and support your viewpoint with carefully selected evidence from the text. Some common question types Most SAC and exam topics on texts would match one of these common types of questions. The table shows how you would be expected to approach each one. Question Type Why does a character act in a particular way? Example Why does Terry Malloy ultimately decide to testify against Friendly? What you need to do to answer the question Explain why, e.g. 'because...'or 'in order to..." Statement about one or more relationships, and a prompt (e.g. 'Do you agree?'). 'The characters in these stories long for intimacy but struggle to maintain relationships.' Discuss. State whether you agree/disagree and explain why these relationships are like this. How is an element of narrative (e.g. narrative voice) or style (e.g. film style) used? Statement about the impact of a narrative or stylistic element on the reader or audience, and a prompt. How does the text...? Quotation from the text followed by a prompt, e.g. 'Is this how you see...?', 'Is this true?', 'Discuss'. A contention about the text and a prompt, either 'Do you agree?' or 'Discuss'. How does the use of flashback contribute to the impact of The Old Man Who Read Love Stories? 'The first-person narrative of Cat's Eye means we gain only a limited understanding of the other characters.' Discuss. How does Gwen Harwood convey the emotional power of memory in her poetry? Catherine says of Heathcliff, 'Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same'. Is this how you see Catherine and Heathcliff? 'Henry V, Part 1 shows the importance of honour and integrity to a stable society.' Discuss. Explain how the element is used and what its impact is. State whether you agree/disagree and explain how this effect is achieved. Explain how several features of the text are used to create the stated effect. Explain the quotation's significance, e.g. its place in the text. State whether you agree/ disagree with this viewpoint and explain why. State whether you agree/disagree and explain why, i.e. how the text demonstrates this. VCE ENGLISH UNIT 1&2 2
Constructing a text response This section outlines a four-step process for writing an analytical essay. You can use it for any written text response, including the Unit 3 and Unit 4 SACs and the final exam. Step 1: Analyse the question Step 2: Develop a plan Step 3: Write the response Step 4: Edit and rewrite What is the question really asking? See the strategies and table below. A flow-chart plan. How to develop introductions, coherent body paragraphs and conclusions. Checklists: what to look for when revising and editing. Step 1: Analyse the question You will be given an essay question which you will need to analyse closely in order to develop a well-structured, relevant response. Break the question down into parts to decide what it is really asking you. Use the following table as a guide. What to ask yourself What are the key terms in the topic? Is there something in the topic that's not always true? Is there a quotation from the text? Are there adjectives or adverbs? e.g. 'limited', 'strong', 'essential', 'inevitably', 'only'. Are there two or three parts to a topic? e.g. 'Henry V, Part I shows the importance of honour and integrity to a stable society.' Discuss. Does the question ask about the way in which a story is told? For example, 'The first-person narrative limits our understanding of the characters.' Discuss. Re-assess the topic - what do I now think the topic is really saying? What to do Use a dictionary and thesaurus to define the key terms and see what they imply. Use the key terms and their synonyms throughout your response. This is important because it reminds you that you can say, 'Yes, but...'or 'No, but...' Use these qualifications to add depth and complexity to your response. Identify where the quotation is from in the text. What is it telling you? Can you think of other quotations that suggest something different? Use these terms and take them into account in your response. Question whether you agree; e.g. is something really 'essential' or is it merely 'important'? This gives you room to present your own viewpoint. Address all parts of the topic. For instance, this topic requires you to discuss three things: (1) 'honour'; (2) 'integrity'; (3) 'stable society'. A response that simply discusses honour and integrity but neglects to consider the idea of a stable society only addresses part of the topic. Beware - such questions can contain a trap for the unwary! For example, your response to this topic might discuss the reader's limited knowledge of other characters, but neglect to relate this to the first-person narrative Paraphrase the topic - rewrite it in your own words. VCE ENGLISH UNIT 1&2 3
Step 2: Develop a plan Use the following flow chart to clarify your response to the question and develop a plan to guide your writing. The examples on the right use a topic on Henry V, Part I. Use these as a guide for your own work. TOPIC SHORT ANSWER REASON 1 REASON 2 REASON 3 VCE ENGLISH UNIT 1&2 4
Step 3: Write the response There are three main sections in any essay: 1. Introduction 2. Body 3. Conclusion Introductions Your introduction sets up your approach for the whole response and lets your reader or audience know what lies ahead. It should include: Your main argument - a clear, concise response to the question Key terms from the topic, as well as any key concepts you introduce as part of your argument Signposts for what will be taken up in the body paragraphs - the main evidence you will use (e.g. characters, events, poems to be analysed). There are many different ways to write an introduction. Keep the emphasis on your central argument, and avoid trying to include too much evidence, such as many character names or quotations. Body paragraphs Body paragraphs develop and support the central argument. They need to: Clearly respond to the question Use evidence from the text Explain how this evidence supports the central argument and answers the question. The TEEL structure A basic structure for your body paragraphs below shows how TEEL is used. Your Unit 1 essay will probably have three to four body paragraphs; your Unit 2 essay may have four to five. If you are confident using this model, look for ways to introduce more complexity into your essays, e.g. vary where you locate the topic sentence in each paragraph. TOPIC SENTENCE EVIDENCE EXPLANATION LINKS VCE ENGLISH UNIT 1&2 5
Conclusions The conclusion draws your discussion to a close and should always be included to ensure you submit a completed piece of writing. Likewise, the final remarks in an oral presentation should let your audience know you are coming to the end. The conclusion should: Clearly refer to the topic and provide a concise response to it Restate your central argument, but avoid using exactly the same words as the main contention in the introduction Include one or two strong, general statements about the text's significance, rather than simply summarising the examples. Step 4: Edit and rewrite Before you submit your essay or deliver your oral presentation, carefully read over what you have written. In essays that you write at home, practise using these checklists to improve your writing so that when you write under timed SAC conditions, you will then be able to improve your work confidently with careful editing. REWRITING CHECKLIST Ask yourself the following questions as you read and rewrite your first and (if possible) subsequent drafts. Is a strong point of view or argument evident throughout? How could the argument be strengthened? Make sure it clearly responds to the topic. Is vocabulary varied? Are word choices precise? Check your dictionary/ thesaurus for the most appropriate words and for synonyms. Are sentence structures varied? Not too many simple sentences? Does each paragraph begin in a different way? Is the tone serious and the style formal? (i.e. not 'chatty' or conversational; no colloquialisms; no jokes) Is the first-person I avoided? (as in 'I feel that', 'in my opinion', etc.) Is present tense used, as in 'Catherine despairs...' not' Catherine despaired...'? Are there linking terms to show logical development of ideas (e.g. 'because of...', 'consequently', 'in contrast'), especially in topic sentences? Are there enough references to the text? Are they well selected to support the argument? VCE ENGLISH UNIT 1&2 6
EDITING CHECKLIST Use this list in SACs and the final exam for a quick but valuable edit. Do one final read-through, checking for: Correct spelling Correct grammar and punctuation (full stops capital letters and apostrophes in the right places) Good word choices (substitute any repeated words with similar words) A clearly stated main argument in the introduction A link back to the topic in each paragraph A conclusion that reiterates your central argument and clearly answers the question VCE ENGLISH UNIT 1&2 7