English Advanced Question Thread

[BPunjabi]

Is T.S. Eliot a new addition to Module B? Looking at past papers right now and I can't find him past last year?

Yeah He is.

[Hua Fei]

Potentially it's a metaphor? I mean, they obviously DIDN'T melt into thin air.

Well...it was an illusion - the spirits melted into thin air so I guess it could be taken literally? This is from The Tempest by Shakespeare where Prospero uses this to illustrate that everything is an illusion and makes us question if we're all living in a dream - that everything around us is just an illusion. Would you say that this quote uses diacope?

[daatarz]

Is it really a big negative to have non-conceptual/abstract topic sentence or 'link'?

I feel like some teachers are more against it, but in certain cases I dont think its that necessary (e.g. my first paragraph on People and politics), and I didn't seem to lose any marks because of it.

[imtrying]

In a question like this: “Political language (…) is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of
solidity to pure wind.” (George Orwell, ‘Politics and the English Language’)
Evaluate how composers use textual forms and features to make an audience appreciate competing
political ideas, truths and perspectives.
Do I need to refer directly to the quote?

[jamonwindeyer]

Is it really a big negative to have non-conceptual/abstract topic sentence or 'link'?

I feel like some teachers are more against it, but in certain cases I dont think its that necessary (e.g. my first paragraph on People and politics), and I didn't seem to lose any marks because of it.

Hey daatarz! Welcome to the forums!!

In some cases it is less necessary, you are definitely correct. Failing a conceptual topic sentence, you may wish to link/discuss an aspect of the module somehow. Most essays I see that mention texts in their first sentence, I normally view their introductions as less effective than the alternative. But that is by no means a hard and fast rule

[sudodds]

In a question like this: “Political language (…) is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of
solidity to pure wind.” (George Orwell, ‘Politics and the English Language’)
Evaluate how composers use textual forms and features to make an audience appreciate competing
political ideas, truths and perspectives.
Do I need to refer directly to the quote?

Yes you probably should

[jamonwindeyer]

In a question like this: “Political language (…) is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of
solidity to pure wind.” (George Orwell, ‘Politics and the English Language’)
Evaluate how composers use textual forms and features to make an audience appreciate competing
political ideas, truths and perspectives.
Do I need to refer directly to the quote?

Hey! No, they haven't said with reference to the quote, so you only base your response on the ideas within it

[Hua Fei]

Hey! No, they haven't said with reference to the quote, so you only base your response on the ideas within it

If they do say with reference to the quote, would you insert the whole quote in your essay? Or would you just insert parts of it?
Would it only be in the introduction or throughout?

[elysepopplewell]

Well...it was an illusion - the spirits melted into thin air so I guess it could be taken literally? This is from The Tempest by Shakespeare where Prospero uses this to illustrate that everything is an illusion and makes us question if we're all living in a dream - that everything around us is just an illusion. Would you say that this quote uses diacope?

Yep - it's diacope

[elysepopplewell]

If they do say with reference to the quote, would you insert the whole quote in your essay? Or would you just insert parts of it?
Would it only be in the introduction or throughout?

I take this advice to all subjects that may require your reference to a quote. You definitely need to take the ideas in the quote through your essay very thoroughly. I find the easiest way to use the quote directly is to cut it into little snippets and embed it into your work. That's the most seamless way to approach it, inserting sections. However, usually the quote is short enough that you could engage with the entire quote in a single sentence and still have it embedded. Use your judgement - is it too long and awkward? Or is it small and neat?

Definitely reference the quote explicitly in the introduction and at least once per paragraph (in SOR, I suggest at least twice a paragraph. For English, your discussion of the ideas in the quote without actually explicitly referencing it will work)

[Hua Fei]

Yep - it's diacope

I take this advice to all subjects that may require your reference to a quote. You definitely need to take the ideas in the quote through your essay very thoroughly. I find the easiest way to use the quote directly is to cut it into little snippets and embed it into your work. That's the most seamless way to approach it, inserting sections. However, usually the quote is short enough that you could engage with the entire quote in a single sentence and still have it embedded. Use your judgement - is it too long and awkward? Or is it small and neat?

Definitely reference the quote explicitly in the introduction and at least once per paragraph (in SOR, I suggest at least twice a paragraph. For English, your discussion of the ideas in the quote without actually explicitly referencing it will work)

Thank you! 

[kimmie]

Hi as paper 1 is coming fast I just realised I only have 1 related text prepared. Do you recommend making one of the unseen texts as a related text in case they specify 2 related texts? Or should I stick to my mod C related and change the analysis around? Or should I look for a new one 

[jamonwindeyer]

Hi as paper 1 is coming fast I just realised I only have 1 related text prepared. Do you recommend making one of the unseen texts as a related text in case they specify 2 related texts? Or should I stick to my mod C related and change the analysis around? Or should I look for a new one 

Hey Jimmie! Either of those first two options sound great to me; definitely don't prepare a new one. It's highly unlikely to happen, and if it does, use your Mod C if it works, or if it doesn't go to one of the unseen texts. Just devote some thought to what you would do if it happens and that is likely all the preparation you'll need!

[justdoit]

Hi, if the question states the features of the text, do we include the word 'features' in our thesis! What are some features of a poem, book extract, novel Thanks for your help

[jamonwindeyer]

Hi, if the question states the features of the text, do we include the word 'features' in our thesis! What are some features of a poem, book extract, novel Thanks for your help

Hey there! You don't have to include the word 'features' in your Thesis specifically, but aspects of that idea should be included in your Thesis and response. I would interpret features as meaning:

- Techniques
- Forms/Structures
- Language Styles
- Perhaps even contextual stuff

Those sorts of things are what should be included in my opinion