Query about text response questions in general

[faredcarsking123]

If we are given a question such as:

‘Scrooge must experience both love and grief before he can change his ways.’ Discuss.

Can we agree but also dedicate an entire paragraph to an element that isn't asked in the question, fear?
So can we say that he must also experience fear so he can change his ways? Or is this irrelevant to the question?

[AmericanBeauty]

If we are given a question such as:

‘Scrooge must experience both love and grief before he can change his ways.’ Discuss.

Can we agree but also dedicate an entire paragraph to an element that isn't asked in the question, fear?
So can we say that he must also experience fear so he can change his ways? Or is this irrelevant to the question?

I would have thought so but my teacher said no you can't do that.

[faredcarsking123]

I would have thought so but my teacher said no you can't do that.

Hmm that makes things very difficult.

Even for a question like

'When we look at our past through our memories we can reflect and take stock of our life to become better people.' Discuss.

That would make for a very repetitive and narrow essay unless you argue that you need to observe your present through different perspectives, etc to change.

[literally lauren]

For the first example you outlined, this is what constitutes a 'topic dodge.' The focus is on both love and grief in conjunction with one another; you can suggest there were more to these two concepts, and that notions of fear or connection were also necessary, but you certainly wouldn't devote an entire paragraph to something like that. When challenging the prompt and making complex contention, try to work with what you've been given to ensure relevance.

The second example (which I assume is still for ACC?) wouldn't necessarily require a narrow response.
- Is the journey to become a better person always linear?
- Does this reflection and 'taking stock' have to be a conscious decision?
- Is it^ an autonomous one, or something that we must be guided through (ie. consider Scrooge without the ghosts)
- "Look at the past through our memories" --> does this subjectivity negate an unbiased reflection of the self?

[faredcarsking123]

For the first example you outlined, this is what constitutes a 'topic dodge.' The focus is on both love and grief in conjunction with one another; you can suggest there were more to these two concepts, and that notions of fear or connection were also necessary, but you certainly wouldn't devote an entire paragraph to something like that. When challenging the prompt and making complex contention, try to work with what you've been given to ensure relevance.

The second example (which I assume is still for ACC?) wouldn't necessarily require a narrow response.
- Is the journey to become a better person always linear?
- Does this reflection and 'taking stock' have to be a conscious decision?
- Is it^ an autonomous one, or something that we must be guided through (ie. consider Scrooge without the ghosts)
- "Look at the past through our memories" --> does this subjectivity negate an unbiased reflection of the self?

Thank you, this has really helped, but as for whether 'this subjectivity negates an unbiased reflection', can this be a chance to include that you need to view yourself through the perspectives of others or else it would be difficult to accurately 'take stock'?

[literally lauren]

Yes, provided you made the connection clear. If your ideas flow logically then you can use other evidence, but you have to make sure the relevance is really obvious  so that your assessor can give you credit for the discussion