Bad teachers?

[BKiles445]

Hi guys,
Sorry if this is in the wrong section, but I've got a big concern about the English teachers at my school. So I've been looking over English examiner's reports, particularly the language analysis parts, and am really worried that what my teachers are teaching students is different and in some ways, contradicting to what the examiners are after. So for example, the teachers at my school have taught us that we need to use adverbs in our language analysis topic sentences. (E.g. "Bob passionately argues that...") - however, none of the high scoring responses in the examiner's report do this? And another example is that my teachers have told me we can't use evidence of references in our language analysis topic sentences, but again, many of the high scoring responses do this?

So I'm just after any suggestions regarding how to handle this and whether what I have said above is right? (In relation to the examiner's reports)

[heids]

Hi guys,
Sorry if this is in the wrong section, but I've got a big concern about the English teachers at my school. So I've been looking over English examiner's reports, particularly the language analysis parts, and am really worried that what my teachers are teaching students is different and in some ways, contradicting to what the examiners are after. So for example, the teachers at my school have taught us that we need to use adverbs in our language analysis topic sentences. (E.g. "Bob passionately argues that...") - however, none of the high scoring responses in the examiner's report do this? And another example is that my teachers have told me we can't use evidence of references in our language analysis topic sentences, but again, many of the high scoring responses do this?

Samples in examiner's reports aren't the be-all and end-all.  They're only samples, after all, of exam-conditions essays written by people like you and me that scored, say, 8-9/10.  They have mistakes, and things they could improve, as will any year 12 writing in one hour on the spot.  Even a thoroughly 10/10 essay isn't the 'only right way' to do things.

Re adverbs: I fully agree with your teachers; as in, I wouldn't say it's "THE RIGHT" way to do it, but that it can be quite effective if not over-done. (despite split infinitives lol)

What do you mean by 'use evidence of references'?  Do you mean, you can't quote in your TSes?  Don't think it matters either way. The point of quoting is to analyse, and you shouldn't be nitty-gritty analysing in your TS; but I wouldn't say it's wrong to quote (like it won't shift your mark unless you're quoting so much you fail to put it into your own words).

If unsure about anything specific, try English Q&A   Don't throw everything your teachers say out the window, as they *should* know their stuff (but it's good to be aware and question it occasionally).