Context - How do you make the best use of external references?

[billyjackson768]

For all of my context writing pieces this year I have been focusing on doing expository essays with heavy use of external references. But I have always used references that I have already done heavy research on and found a lot of quotes and information about. My question is... What if I get a prompt come Thursday that doesn't tie in so well with something I have already researched? I do watch the news regularly and have plenty of knowledge of broader ideas that I may bring in, but if it is something I am not so intimate with should I be just avoiding it? Also if it is something where I may not have any quotes on or know the names of people involved. Is just a detailed overview of the issue, how it ties in with my context and the prompt fine? I understand a context expository piece doesn't really need as many quotes as a text response might but including relevant quotations is something I like to do and I get a little concerned when I move away from that.

In short: Are quotes necessary when referring to external material yay or nay?

[FlorianK]

This is a part from my essay for last years prompt for I&B, including the film "My Sister's Keeper"

However, our character and uniqueness can also derive from other factors that influence our life. The affiliation we have with our family does not always depict who we are, nor is our distinctiveness always bonded to the individuals surrounding us. This notion is illustrated in the film ‘My Sister’s Keeper’, in which the independent and strong-willed character, Anna, says about herself: “Most babies are accidents. Not me. I was engineered. Born to save my sister’s life”. It is through this statement that Anna highlights that she was only born for the purpose of donating her body to her sister, which is embraced by her self-centred mother. However, although Anna is interacting solely with her family, she develops her own self-definition and rebels against the obligation her mother thinks Anna has. Thus, to avoid suffering from the same trials and tribulations, as Anna did in her youth, it is crucial that as individuals we are able to question our own role in society.

Following this example I included reference to my book "Growing Up Asian in Australia"

[billyjackson768]

A very well written paragraph. In that case your whole paragraph seems to be built around those words that girl said. It would be very hard to write it and have it sound go good without that either.

But what if you were in an exam and had a movie such as that which you weren't so quite as familiar with. Something that you knew was the perfect example, but you were unable to recall a wondrous quote from like that?

[FlorianK]

A very well written paragraph. In that case your whole paragraph seems to be built around those words that girl said. It would be very hard to write it and have it sound go good without that either.

But what if you were in an exam and had a movie such as that which you weren't so quite as familiar with. Something that you knew was the perfect example, but you were unable to recall a wondrous quote from like that?

Thats why you memorize quotes - otherwise just invent one idk
You don't need to put in quotes - Context is about the ideas not the evidence

[billyjackson768]

Thats why you memorize quotes - otherwise just invent one idk
You don't need to put in quotes - Context is about the ideas not the evidence

That's reassuring thanks. I guess I have always just managed to include evidence to back up all of my ideas up till now. I generally do have all of my quotes memorised. But I am not counting on being able to use rely on my external references I already have as they could easily not fit in with the prompt. Who knows though.

I don't know if inventing a quote is such a good idea. Well not about something that examiners may know about. I always find it great to be a little creative about my past. 

[Felicity Wishes]

I think you will be okay. Honestly, you seem educated and well informed.
If you are stuck, go through some prompts and plan out essays to see if your ideas fit with every prompt.

[billyjackson768]

I think you will be okay. Honestly, you seem educated and well informed.
If you are stuck, go through some prompts and plan out essays to see if your ideas fit with every prompt.

Thanks. Well I am fairly happy with most prompts I see. The last thing I am just trying to really nail is memory which is one I may need to be a little creative with. I have some poetry and some basic ideas so yeah, I could probably handle it alright. But I am just trying to make sure I don't sacrifice marks in what should be my strongest area.