Context Essays

[werdna]

I've heard it used to describe outside/extra/external material for the context study.

[blg123]

because there are so many examples you can draw from such as movies, life examples, and also your texts, should you do more than 4 body paragraphs or would that be excessive?

[Slumdawg]

because there are so many examples you can draw from such as movies, life examples, and also your texts, should you do more than 4 body paragraphs or would that be excessive?

ummm, considering you have 1 hour most people wouldn't be able to do 5 body paragraphs or more. But then again, some people have smaller paragraph so they can. I reckon 4 body paragraphs is good though.

I found that linking outside material with your prescribed texts was a good way to go about it. Spend serious time going through finding stuff that links in well to your context and fits in with aspects of your set texts as well.

I got 20/20 for section B on the exam using the following structure for an expository piece:

Paragraph 1 - Primary text (Jindabyne) + outside example

Paragraph 2 - Primary text (jindabyne)

Paragraph 3 - Secondary text (Island) example + outside example

Paragraph 4 - Outside example

(When I combined the outside example with the text, the text took up the majority of the paragraph and then the outside example was just a couple of sentences which complimented the idea drawn on from the text)

I think the trick with context is making sure each paragraph explores a different idea. A lot of people fall into the trap of repeating ideas with each paragraph and this should really be avoided. I think you need to gather quotes from famous authors or well-known people in general, look at different case studies and people whose lives seem to fit into your context and have a more broad knowledge of your context. It's impressive when an interesting example is included in an essay that the examiner probably wouldn't have seen too much of. Try to also make sure that your structure isn't too mechanical. I know when I first started writing expository at the start of the year I did text 1, text 1, text 2, outside example and it was quite predictable. Try to combine text + outside material within the one paragraph (experiment around with this until you think you've got it right, it'll take a bit of practice though!) in a cohesive manner and you'll impress the assessors

[blg123]

wow , that structure seems pretty impressive, but how would you coherently weave an outside example with a text example. would it be exploring an idea, and then saying one example , then saying another example. or would it be only a reference from the primary text???

[Slumdawg]

wow , that structure seems pretty impressive, but how would you coherently weave an outside example with a text example. would it be exploring an idea, and then saying one example , then saying another example. or would it be only a reference from the primary text???

haha I thought it'd be too messy but after several practices I eventually got it to be quite cohesive and the structure worked quite well hence the 20/20 The assessors must like it! The idea I explored in one paragraph was the same otherwise it's just too sloppy. Each paragraph should have one main idea it's exploring. That's why you need to also look for outside examples which link to aspects of your set texts. So you can link in an outside example into a paragraph about your set text.

Just as an example, for Jindabyne I'd discuss Caylin Calandria and how she created her own landscape within her mind, then I'd quote someone like Henry Thoreau who described our imaginations as a landscape, and the quote I used linked back to Caylin Calandria and how she was portrayed in the film. So that paragraph would be based on the formation of a landscape within someone's mind and how it was shaped by the external surroundings. That'd be one paragraph. So it's the one idea, using one reference from your set text and one outside example which both contribute to the one ideaSo it's really a different and more unique way to approach expository essays. Linking the outside example with your text in the one paragraph. That's why the better the outside examples, the easier the linkage will be and hence it'll be more impressive.

Make sure you spend a decent amount of time looking for outside examples. They're really what will set you apart from the rest (if you're doing expository). Make sure that you find some that link specifically to your set texts as well, so that you can combine the two discussions into the one paragraph.

[blg123]

would you say expository style is probably safe.

so what your trying to say is that you make a reference to the text example, use a relevant quote then relink the quotes theme to the example from the text...?

[Slumdawg]

would you say expository style is probably safe.

so what your trying to say is that you make a reference to the text example, use a relevant quote then relink the quotes theme to the example from the text...?

Um, I wouldn't say it's safe because it varies from person to person. It's just more common, and people are more used to it. Just doing expository isn't gonna guarantee you a higher mark than the other styles. I think you really need to try out each style. I remember at the very start of the year I thought imaginative was the easiest (least amount of time + effort required) so I just did that. Although, I was never good at writing interesting imaginative pieces which linked well to the texts and so I didn't get great marks. So I started doing expository and I found it fit really well and my marks were much better. Others are different. You really need to try them all so you can see where your strengths lie. For me, expository was the safest as it's where my best writing was produced. Make sure you try all the different styles though! I personally never thought I'd be good at expository but in the end it was my best writing style. You'd be surprised!

And yes, the quote links back to the idea from the set text. I think when you're trying to weave an outside example with your set text it's best to use a smaller piece of outside material like a quote, but if you can find another small piece of evidence (nothing is coming to mind at the moment but I'm sure there's something) then that's good as well, just don't overdo it otherwise it'll be messy. Save the more detailed ones for paragraph 4!

[blg123]

thanks for the tips. so what i should be remembering is :

- link well
- use outside references to weave into paras
- and should have a para with outside example

[Slumdawg]

thanks for the tips. so what i should be remembering is :

- link well
- use outside references to weave into paras
- and should have a para with outside example

You've got it Outside references really make a big difference.