English Advanced Question Thread

[jamonwindeyer]

Hiii again, I was just wondering about using critics in Mod B. I use the PEEL structure for paragraphing, but I'm not really sure where the critics' quotes or views fit into them (I though evidence and effect was better of being from the prescribed text) I've done alright in Mod B throughout this year without the use of them, but my tutor advised me it's best to use them to maximise marks (plus our teacher did hand out some articles with critics taking a stance, but I just use them as inspirations for my ideas and quotes rather than actually incorporating the critic's view into my essay, dunno if that makes sense ) Just a bit confused, any help is very much appreciated.

Hey Mango! I'll start by saying I've written 20/20 Module B essays without mentioning a critic, so it is definitely an optional thing! If you don't like them, don't use them, simple as that! I am also of the view that the use of critics should be secondary to your own effective analysis; it can be tempting to let other people do the hard work for you, if you catch my meaning.

That said, there is nothing wrong with using critics in your responses, treat them like another textual reference, that doesn't need a technique! They would best be used in support of your own ideas. For example:

The use of _________ shows the audience _________. This viewpoint is re-enforced by critics such as Critic McCriticson, who views the characterisation of the protagonist as _________.

You can see how the critic supplements the work you have already done, doesn't do the work for you!

As I said, not a huge fan of using critics in Module B, so don't let this stress you out, it's definitely no big deal!

[jamonwindeyer]

How do I link this paragraph to the original essay question?

You could try linking the themes of human frailty and fallibility to self enlightenment somehow? Not quite sure to be honest, that again comes down to the way you choose to interpret it!

[jamonwindeyer]

Hi we were assigned two questions to write a response to but I'm not sure how to start Q1 and Q2.
I tried to answer Q2 but I don't really understanding how to use intertextuality in my response? 

2. How can responses to a text change over time and in different historical, social and cultural contexts? Briefly explain in relation to one text you have studied. (15 marks)

1. How has one text you have studied used intertextuality to shape audience response? (15 marks)

Hey hey! Is your response (in the spoiler below) for Question 1 or Question 2? Let me help you understand the idea of "intertextuality" and we can go from there

So intertextuality is the literary technique of developing a relationship between texts to develop the meaning of one text, with another. It is, basically, using reader/audience knowledge of one text to shape how they view another text. For example, the Bible is often used in intertextual references, because references to the Bible can quickly establish themes of morality, virtue and wisdom, for a broad audience, without too much work. Simply by using intertextual allusion (referencing aspects/stories of the Bible), the reader associates the text with those themes.

Similarly, any text that a composer references or alludes to, will shape how you view that composer and their text. Think about the texts that your composer is drawing reference to, and think, "What are my opinions of that other text? How do those opinions relate to my study of the text in front of me?"

Spoiler

Fairytales are credited with teaching good morals and messages in a fantastical memorable way to children. Throughout the gothic short story, ‘The Werewolf’, Angela Carter uses intertextuality to challenge the reader’s understanding and interpretation of the modern fairy tale ‘Little Red Riding Hood’. Carter crafts the audience’s response of awareness towards the difference of the setting and characters in each respective text through the meticulous use of descriptive language and imagery and characterisation.

‘The Werewolf’ by Angela Carter utilises a range of descriptive language and imagery to uncapsulate the setting of the woods and the dangers within it. Her use of repetition of the word cold in ‘they have cold weather, they have cold hearts.Cold; tempest; wild beasts in the forest.’ emphasises the harsh setting of a northern country. Intertextuality influences the reader to contrast by illustrating ‘It is a hard life’.

Spoiler

[anotherworld2b]

oh okay 
Then do I say that through the use of intertextuality the reader gets a sense of....?
The response I posted was for Q1

Hey hey! Is your response (in the spoiler below) for Question 1 or Question 2? Let me help you understand the idea of "intertextuality" and we can go from there

So intertextuality is the literary technique of developing a relationship between texts to develop the meaning of one text, with another. It is, basically, using reader/audience knowledge of one text to shape how they view another text. For example, the Bible is often used in intertextual references, because references to the Bible can quickly establish themes of morality, virtue and wisdom, for a broad audience, without too much work. Simply by using intertextual allusion (referencing aspects/stories of the Bible), the reader associates the text with those themes.

Similarly, any text that a composer references or alludes to, will shape how you view that composer and their text. Think about the texts that your composer is drawing reference to, and think, "What are my opinions of that other text? How do those opinions relate to my study of the text in front of me?"

Spoiler

Fairytales are credited with teaching good morals and messages in a fantastical memorable way to children. Throughout the gothic short story, ‘The Werewolf’, Angela Carter uses intertextuality to challenge the reader’s understanding and interpretation of the modern fairy tale ‘Little Red Riding Hood’. Carter crafts the audience’s response of awareness towards the difference of the setting and characters in each respective text through the meticulous use of descriptive language and imagery and characterisation.

‘The Werewolf’ by Angela Carter utilises a range of descriptive language and imagery to uncapsulate the setting of the woods and the dangers within it. Her use of repetition of the word cold in ‘they have cold weather, they have cold hearts.Cold; tempest; wild beasts in the forest.’ emphasises the harsh setting of a northern country. Intertextuality influences the reader to contrast by illustrating ‘It is a hard life’.

Spoiler

[jamonwindeyer]

oh okay 
Then do I say that through the use of intertextuality the reader gets a sense of....?
The response I posted was for Q1

Pretty much! You would have to be a bit more specific though, like you can use intertextuality as a technique but it needs to be qualified, what text is referenced and why? Further, what techniques does the composer use to create this intertextuality? Do they use a metaphor that alludes to Shakespeare, do they use vivid imagery to create a world space similar to _______, etc etc

[Lauradf36]

Does anyone know if you need paragraphs on specific characters for Mod C essays? Or is that just another way of approaching the question?

[jamonwindeyer]

Does anyone know if you need paragraphs on specific characters for Mod C essays? Or is that just another way of approaching the question?

Hey hey! Definitely just another way of approaching the question, unless of course the question demands an analysis of key characters, which would mean that you'd pretty much have to do it that way

[Lauradf36]

Hey hey! Definitely just another way of approaching the question, unless of course the question demands an analysis of key characters, which would mean that you'd pretty much have to do it that way

Yeah that's the thing, do you think they would have questions on characters? I know they do in Mod B but I wasn't sure about Mod C.

[jamonwindeyer]

Yeah that's the thing, do you think they would have questions on characters? I know they do in Mod B but I wasn't sure about Mod C.

I know of no specific examples, but given that the electives are People and Politics and People and Landscapes, you can't rule it out as being integrated in some form! They could definitely go character focused, like they did with Hamlet in Module B this year

[ssarahj]

Yeah that's the thing, do you think they would have questions on characters? I know they do in Mod B but I wasn't sure about Mod C.

I know of no specific examples, but given that the electives are People and Politics and People and Landscapes, you can't rule it out as being integrated in some form! They could definitely go character focused, like they did with Hamlet in Module B this year

Just to clarify this, for Mod C they can't/won't ask about specific characters since the question for each elective (People + Politics or People + Landscapes) covers multiple texts. Some of these texts don't even have 'characters' e.g. Judith Wright's poetry and Botton's 'The Art of Travel'.

Mod B they definitely can ask for characters 

[jamonwindeyer]

Just to clarify this, for Mod C they can't/won't ask about specific characters since the question for each elective (People + Politics or People + Landscapes) covers multiple texts. Some of these texts don't even have 'characters' e.g. Judith Wright's poetry and Botton's 'The Art of Travel'.

Mod B they definitely can ask for characters 

Good point Sarah! When I say character focused I mean in the most general sense as you can possibly consider it... Which, I suppose would actually probably make the character focused paragraphs non-mandatory anyway 

[Lauradf36]

Just to clarify this, for Mod C they can't/won't ask about specific characters since the question for each elective (People + Politics or People + Landscapes) covers multiple texts. Some of these texts don't even have 'characters' e.g. Judith Wright's poetry and Botton's 'The Art of Travel'.

Mod B they definitely can ask for characters 

Oh thank you for clarifying, that is good to know! In the CSSA trial paper there was quite a tricky Mod B question, that required you to choose 2 characters to write an entire essay on. So I'm just covering my bases haha!

[Lauradf36]

Good point Sarah! When I say character focused I mean in the most general sense as you can possibly consider it... Which, I suppose would actually probably make the character focused paragraphs non-mandatory anyway 

Haha, I get what you mean! I do think some discussion of characterisation often comes into paragraphs through a discussion of techniques

[RuiAce]

Is it just me or does English look harder now that I haven't been doing it for a year

[jamie anderson]

@Jamon, the question i was having trouble with is the CSSA module a paper for 1984/Metro, not sure if i can post it here ( copyright reasons ) i can pm it to you if you dont have it