Hi Lauren
I have a few questions regarding the structure of a language analysis essay for the exam when there are 2 or more texts. I have been trying to paragraph by argument, and within the same paragraph, talk about different texts (i.e. 1st article --> linking word --> 2nd article), but I find it very difficult to make quick decisions on how to split my paragraphs when often, the arguments in each written text don't link up nicely with each other.
1. Could I still get 10/10 if I decide to make this my go-to structure:
Separate each text into main arguments/'themes'. Then find 2-3 links for each image in different sections of the essay - i.e. talk about the image in the same paragraphs as the written material.
BUT go through the written texts chronologically - eg: talk about 1st text (blocking that text off by argument) and find 2-3 links to image, then talk about 2nd text (blocking that text off by argument) and then find 2-3 links to image.
This would personally be a lot less stressful for me, because in the past I have sat there for a long time just figuring out how to link the 2 texts into the same paragraph! Would this structure always work?
2. However, if I use this method, how would I compare the two texts? Should my rule of thumb be that the 1st sentence of each paragraph of my 2nd text should be a comparative sentence? Also, is comparison part of the marking criteria? Is a simple linking word such as 'similarly' or 'on the other hand' sufficient, or should my comparative sentence at the start of the paragraphs for my 2nd text be comparing the argument? Or should I be aiming to make comparative comments throughout my whole piece?
3. Also, my concern with this method is that my piece will be imbalanced because the 2nd text is often shorter than the 1st text, and 1 paragraph wouldn't be enough to talk about the 2nd text.
Thus, at the moment, i think this would be my most likely structure, for 2 texts and 2 visuals:
1. Text 1 + visual 1
2. Text 1 + visual 1
3. Text 2 + visual 2
4. Text 2 + visual 2
This would mean that my 3rd and 4th paragraphs would be SIGNIFICANTLY shorter than my 1st and 2nd. Is this structure okay, or could you think of a better way to split paragraphs?
4. For example, is this a good structure for the 2015 LA (on bigsplash):
1. Para Text 1 - praise for bigsplash company --> shift to extolling Australian volunteers and arguing that they enrich and are essential to society.
+ 2 references to the 1st visual linked with text analysis
Para 2. Text 1 - generating guilt in Australians by arguing that we have undervalued and underappreciated volunteers
+ 1 reference to the 1st visual linked with text analysis
Para 3. Text 2 - Mathew Nguyen building praise for his organisation Tradespeople Without Borders and casting himself as a humble, approachable individual, thereby humanising himself in Australian's eyes and gaining the reader's trust.
+ 2 references to the 2nd visual linked with text analysis
(1. Presenting himself as hospitable and casual --> casual clothing of the people joining hands. Lol don't know if this is okay to talk about?
2. By emphasising his desire to 'make a difference' and 'help Australia's reputation as a caring country', Nguyen appeals to the patriotic instincts of his audience, and strives to generate a sense of solidarity and unity amongst Australians who have a fundamental sense of responsibility to help those around him. This notion of cohesion and harmony is given visual reinforcement by the accompanying image, which depicts....)
Para 4. Text 2 - Nguyen humbly proclaiming that though recognition and praise of volunteers is welcomed, it is not necessary and the true reward of volunteering is the delight of helping others.
(My 3rd and 4th paragraphs would be like half the length of my 1st and 2nd paragraphs though, which is what I am worried about!)
5. Would you ever make links to the visual when talking about a text that the visual is NOT accompanied with? Is this common/recommended? Eg: The 2nd visual of the 2015 piece feeding into Bennett's proclamation that humanitarian work 'stitches together the social fabric of our nation'
6. Edit: When the 2nd text is significantly shorter than the 1st text, could I do (using the 2016/2014 exams as an example):
Para 1. 1st text + 1 link to visual
Para 2. 1st text + 1 link to visual
Para 3. 1st text + 1 link to visual
Para 4. 2nd text + 1 link to visual
So could I make my rule of thumb -
if the 2nd text is a decent length, like in 2015, allocate the last 2 paragraphs to it. But if the 2nd text is significantly shorter, like in 2015, allocate only the last paragraph to it? (Again with the concern about uneven paragraph lengths - my last paragraph would most likely be very long. But if I split that paragraph into 2, they would both be very short. Sigh...)
Sorry, I know there is a lot of detail in these questions, but I am really determined to do well on the exam! Thank you so much for your help