Prelim Pointers

Following on from today's feedback regarding the essays, these are the main points for you to address.

• With every quote you use, refer to the technique that is being used and say how it contributes to answering the question. (e.g. “Here, Hardy is using the cruel word choice of “master” and this has clear connotations of the power Alec has over Tess.”)

• Keep an eye on the box at the top of the paper – it will tell you what you should be mentioning.

• The last sentence in every paragraph should answer the question directly. (e.g. “This shows the reader the effect of XXXXXXXX on Tess because…”)

• Constantly ask yourself – “Am I keeping to the question? Is this relevant?”

Higher - Poetry Essay 1 - Choices

Answers to questions on poetry should address relevantly the central concern(s)/theme(s) of the text(s) and be supported by reference to appropriate poetic techniques such as: imagery, verse form, structure, mood, tone, sound, rhythm, rhyme, characterisation, contrast, setting, symbolism, word choice . . .

1.  Choose a poem in which the poet blends narration and reflection.

Show how the poet blends these two aspects in such a way as to illuminate the central concern(s) of the

poem.

2.   Choose a poem which depicts a particular stage of life, such as childhood, adolescence, middle age, old age.

Discuss how effectively the poet evokes the essence of this stage of life.

3.   Choose a poem which deals with conflict or danger or death.

Show how the poet creates an appropriate mood for the subject matter and go on to discuss how

effectively she/he uses this mood to enhance your understanding of the central idea of the poem.

4.   Choose two poems on the same theme which impress you for different reasons. Compare the

treatment of the theme in the two poems and discuss to what extent you find one more impressive than

the other.

1. Identify the central idea your essay is going to discuss

2. List the techniques that help to point this out

Don Paterson - Waking with Russell - The Thread

I found these notes on my desktop - they were from a previous brainstorming we did in class.





How does Don Paterson convey the bond established between father and on in the poems “Waking With Russell” and “The Thread”?

Intro: Don Paterson/ Landing Light/ Effect of fatherhood on the writer/ the bond between father and son as central emotive device

Para 1: The metaphor of flight in The Thread
Lighting the path in Waking With Russell
The sense of purpose given to the poet’s life

Para 2: Fatherhood as a new drive for the poet
Mezzo del cammin
Sonnet form – a paeon of love for his son
His son as saviour to the father?

Para 3: Hope for the future
Pledged myself forever
True gift never leaves the give – the river

Para 4: Fear of death/ The thread as a metaphor
Jamie’s brutal arrival – fear of his dying
Change to power of the aircraft

Para 5: Innocence and Experience
Blakeian notion of the innocence of the child before adult corruption
Fatherhood has delivered a new childhood to the poet
A renewal of childish enthusiasm
An affirmation of the love that now bonds the family, and his new role as a father – part of something much greater, and more important, than himself

Conclusion: The techniques used amplify and intensify the emotion Paterson feels regarding his new position as a father – the bond with his son is shown as a defining aspect of his life, and separates his new and old lives.

Solo Talk

Solo talks (standard grade)

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Last minute Tess notes

Some last minute notes thrown together in study support tonight.

Symbolism:

·      The colours red and white –white has connotations of purity – note Tess wearing white at the beginning, but with a single streak of red tied in her hair – suggests her purity will be tainted. Red symbolises blood, death and lust. Tess becomes covered with red at various points in the book. The scriptures on the fences are written in “vermillion”.

·      Animals – Pheasants – Prince – D’urberville birds – Animals are usually killed by stronger forces that manipulate them – clear correlation with Tess as a vulnerable woman

·      Nature – the Garden of Eden – Tess and Angel at Talbothay’s are portrayed in terms of being the first humans, Adam and Eve – the world is their own – without sin – pure.

Waking with Russell/ The Thread - Don Paterson

Waking With Russell / The Thread - Don Paterson - sample essay

Waking With Russell / The Thread - Don Paterson - sample essay

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The Crucible - Essay/ Lecture

The Crucible: "Whatever sin it is, you love me yet!"

The Crucible – A Selection of Quotations

The Crucible – A Selection of Quotations

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The Crucible - Four Quotes - Analysis Task

Crucible Four Quotations Exercise

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Verbs, Nouns, Adjectives

A basic game of basic grammatical concepts.

A noun is a naming word;
A verb is a doing word;
An adjective is a describing word.