Context: Using two of the texts?

[catnus]

Hi guys,

I'm writing an expository essay tomorrow (I know, boring and safe ), but due to the fact that no one in my school actually knows what the heck is going in the English exam, I'll just ask you intelligent folk Are we allowed to include examples from the two texts they've set us? For example, if I nominate Paradise Road as a text, could I still use examples from The Quiet American? This has probably been covered elsewhere so sorry in advance for bringing it up again

[Damoz.G]

Yes you can. Especially with an expository, your references to the two texts need to be very clear in support of your ideas and topic sentences. But also make sure that your piece refers to one of the two texts by talking about the issues and stuff. You will have to write in the box before you begin the MAIN text that you are drawing on.

Nothing is stopping you from using both, but make sure that one refers to the book enough to satisfy your examiner otherwise you will lose marks.

[catnus]

Okay thank you! So as long as the text I have nominated is the dominant text, I'll be fine?

[werdna]

You need to make sure that you use one text more than the other. This is the text you name and write in the box.

The following structure would be acceptable:

Intro
Body 1 - 1 real life example, 1 example from Text A
Body 2 - 1 real life example, 1 example from Text A
Body 3 - 1 real life example, 1 example from Text B
Conclusion

The following structure would NOT be acceptable:

Intro
Body 1 - 1 real life example
Body 2 - 1 real life example, 1 example from Text A
Body 3 - 1 example from Text B
Conclusion

The 2nd one is unacceptable, because you have used both texts equally. The 1st one is preferred, since you have used 2 Text A examples and 1 Text B example.

You can come up with another combination as well, but just keep in mind that you should maintain a 50:50 ratio between external examples and text examples.

[vashappenin]

Hey, with expository essays for context, I generally use books/movies/world events/etc. However, if I get stuck on trying to think of one then what else could I use instead? Are social references ok to use if you're aiming for high range essays or do examiners dislike them?

[oceanblues]

This is a similar question to above in regards to what is acceptable for high marks in the exam.
In regard to expository essays, if I am employing a personal style, would it be safe to use this structure

1.paragraph 1- personal anecdote + text
2.paragraph 2- personal anecdote +psychological example
3.paragraph 3- text as well as psychological example

E.g If I am writing in the voice of someone and the prompt is about exploring perceptions, and I look back and reflect on experiences this particular voice has had in regards to that etc.?
Its just i feel I can't write a straight expository style, so I have a lack of real world examples I can weave into the style I'm using

Sorry if this is a weird question (!)

[werdna]

Hey, with expository essays for context, I generally use books/movies/world events/etc. However, if I get stuck on trying to think of one then what else could I use instead? Are social references ok to use if you're aiming for high range essays or do examiners dislike them?

If you're stuck, you can write about 'famous' quotes relevant to the context and prompt. Not sure what you mean by social references? Try to support ALL examples with quotes, quotes and more quotes! Eg. if you want to write about the Stolen Generations, that is great, but you need to find some quotes from prominent Aboriginal leaders or maybe politicians that are relevant to that & can be used in essays. An example is nothing without quotes, since there's nothing to back it up.

I would strongly suggest that you know a few movies and songs really well, and know quotes for them, because these are the easiest to remember under pressure. The quotes will be easy to remember since you would've heard them. If you're doing a song you're already familiar with, that's great since you will have no problems remembering lyrics in the exam

This is a similar question to above in regards to what is acceptable for high marks in the exam.
In regard to expository essays, if I am employing a personal style, would it be safe to use this structure

1.paragraph 1- personal anecdote + text
2.paragraph 2- personal anecdote +psychological example
3.paragraph 3- text as well as psychological example

E.g If I am writing in the voice of someone and the prompt is about exploring perceptions, and I look back and reflect on experiences this particular voice has had in regards to that etc.?
Its just i feel I can't write a straight expository style, so I have a lack of real world examples I can weave into the style I'm using

Sorry if this is a weird question (!)

Yep, that looks like a great structure! Not sure if you planned on using both your context texts, but you will not or should not do it with that structure. Use just the one text. Not sure what you're saying in the 2nd question???

[oceanblues]

Yep, I'm planning on using just the one text. What I was trying to say was that If I was to employ a particular style/voice, the inclusion of a historical/social/real world example may look out of place, which is why I avoid it.

Would I be penalized for having not included any outside world (other than psychological theories) examples in an expository?

thanks for your reply

[werdna]

Hmm it is really up to you. It's always good to have outside examples to counteract against the dryness of the psychological theories. What kind of style/voice do you intend on using?

[oceanblues]

I'd take the voice of a mental health expert for example, giving a speech on perceptions/ how they are impacted by differing factors
what kind of real world examples might fit in well here?

[werdna]

Hmm then the form of your piece would be a speech - technically you don't need external examples in a speech. If you wanted to incorporate them though, you could say 'Take, for example, ...' and go from there. Google some sample speeches as well!

Just keep in mind that the relation and link to your text needs to be clear (but not glaringly obvious like 'I read ... last week').