English Advanced Question Thread

[justwannawish]

Hi there, i was thinking of having two strong techniques and two strong quotes that link up with each of those techniques for each of my body paragraphs for the English exam, is this a good idea and thanks.

Multiple techniques with quotes is always a good thing, but the number of quotes you have seems a bit low to me. How many paragraphs do you plan on having?

[justwannawish]

For Module A, how do we introduce context in the intro? DO we need to introduce context into the intro? Below is an intro I wrote on the spot and too late I realised I neglected to include context. I actually cannot comprehend the question because most essay questions don't make sense to me for some reason. Feedback appreciated
Q: The importance of living a full life is an idea which connects Mrs Dalloway and The Hours. How is this idea shaped and reshaped in these texts from different contexts?

Through a comparative study of texts, the audience is able to glean a sense of appreciation for living a full life through the human experiences of joy and despair. By examining the intertextual connections expression the importance of these emotional experiences that unite humanity, the audience is urged to recognise the value of life. Virginia Woolf's modernist novel 'Mrs Dalloway' (1925) amplifies the connectivity which exists between humans through her presentation of empathy. This is explored through the themes of mental illness, the appreciation for life and the reconciliation of the public and private self. Stephen Daldry's post modern film 'The Hours' (2000) pays homage to Woolf's explores of the human experience and exhibits the diverging paths of three women from separate time periods and how the contextual influences shape their identities . Both composers avidly paints the journey of humanity and how experiences stimulate us to acknowledge the worth of living a full life.

Since mod A is a context study, I'd recommend it. Just a mention of the different contexts in your thesis will help you answer your question better as well as a small mention of the different contexts of the texts will strength your introduction. It's good otherwise

[mohanedibrahim1]

Justwannawish, i;m planning of having four body paragraphs and planning of having two techniques and quotes by analyzing them really well with that.

[Potatohater]

Justwannawish, i;m planning of having four body paragraphs and planning of having two techniques and quotes by analyzing them really well with that.

I guess your gonna have to analyse them super well in that case cause I keep hearing that 3 per paragraph is the reccomended minimum

[justwannawish]

Justwannawish, i;m planning of having four body paragraphs and planning of having two techniques and quotes by analyzing them really well with that.

I think you'd need more than that in an essay, based of what teachers at school have said. Even if you cut out a paragraph to go into more quotes, I think that will be probably better and more structured? If anyone else has anyone comments, please chip in

 

I guess your gonna have to analyse them super well in that case cause I keep hearing that 3 per paragraph is the reccomended minimum

Yeah I've heard this too but not sure

[jamonwindeyer]

Also, does anyone know the rhetorical technique that involves repeating the same phrase with a conjunction in between?
Quote to make more sense: "because they are about human beings and human beings divide behaviour into good and bad" Is it a diacope?

Anadiplosis!

Edit: You could also call it a diacope!

Hi All,

I've been told that in order to get in the A range for an essay, all quotes must be intergrated into the sentence

Is this true? and if so does anyone have any tips on how to do this without falling into plot retell and wasting words that could be used in analysis?

Thanks

They definitely don't need to be, but a lot of A-range essays do it because it is a really effective way to bring in the evidence without interrupting flow. It is hard to do well though - Don't go redefining your personal style two weeks out from the exam!

Justwannawish, i;m planning of having four body paragraphs and planning of having two techniques and quotes by analyzing them really well with that.

Two per paragraph is definitely on the low side - I'll back up the minimum three that has been mentioned above. For Band 6 essays you'd perhaps even want to go a bit higher, depending on the depth of your analysis - My Module A essays (my strongest) sometimes reached 8 quotes/techniques per paragraph

[jamonwindeyer]

For Module A, how do we introduce context in the intro? DO we need to introduce context into the intro? Below is an intro I wrote on the spot and too late I realised I neglected to include context. I actually cannot comprehend the question because most essay questions don't make sense to me for some reason. Feedback appreciated
Q: The importance of living a full life is an idea which connects Mrs Dalloway and The Hours. How is this idea shaped and reshaped in these texts from different contexts?

Through a comparative study of texts, the audience is able to glean a sense of appreciation for living a full life through the human experiences of joy and despair. By examining the intertextual connections expression the importance of these emotional experiences that unite humanity, the audience is urged to recognise the value of life. Virginia Woolf's modernist novel 'Mrs Dalloway' (1925) amplifies the connectivity which exists between humans through her presentation of empathy. This is explored through the themes of mental illness, the appreciation for life and the reconciliation of the public and private self. Stephen Daldry's post modern film 'The Hours' (2000) pays homage to Woolf's explores of the human experience and exhibits the diverging paths of three women from separate time periods and how the contextual influences shape their identities . Both composers avidly paints the journey of humanity and how experiences stimulate us to acknowledge the worth of living a full life.

You absolutely must, 100% mention context in the introduction of Module A. It's a comparative study of texts in different contexts, it is a huge part of the module

Basically what your question is saying is, "THIS IDEA (living a full life) is in both of your texts. How is the same idea explored in different ways in each text? How is it different? WHY is it different? How does the different context affect how they are constructed? How does examining both lead to a great understanding of the issue at large?" These are the sorts of questions you should be answering.

You've done a great job of understanding the conceptual aspects of a comparative analysis - You just need to tie in context and construction, how these concepts are represented differently (techniques) and WHY they are represented differently to suit their respective contexts

[georgiia]

***I posted this question before but think it may've accidentally been skipped. I've deleted it and am posting again***

When you're making your analysis you might be able to slide this in. Something like, "Another prominent theme in the speech..." using the word prominent makes the significance known really seamlessly!

Hey there

Not sure what "seeming portrayal" means. I think the sentence reads best without the word "seeming" - do you agree? You have answered the question, but what comes in the rest of your introduction will determine how well you are addressing the question. You've responded to the question and the module in your opening sentence - it's a wonderful sentence. But in order for you to explore the idea of corruption further, I'm interested to know if you'll be exploring this as a theme of the texts, or only the view that the author has the power. You'll explain this in the rest of your intro. Have you written that far ahead yet? Happy to have a look at that if so

Oh thanks so much!
I get what you mean about the 'seeming' but what I was trying to communicate was that it isn't actually real. I guess it works the same without it though. For my core text I'm exploring corruption within the text as a fictional theme, and fir my related text I'm attempting to argue how the composer in a way exercises absolute power over the viewer in his representation.
Here's the rest of my intro so far, Is it effective/clear or a bit confusing in terms of setting up a markers expectations for the remainder of the essay?

When representing the complex relationship between people and politics, the composer holds absolute power over their audience, making a portrayal of reality inherently  corrupted by subjectivity. Barry Levinson embeds his concern regarding political corruption within the blackly humorous narrative of ‘Wag the Dog’, where he engages in direct dialogue with his audience to warn them of the reality of political corruption. Similarly, Michael Moore’s 2004 documentary ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ represents the corruption, manipulation and distraction within the Bush administration before, during and after the events of 9/11. However in this inherently subjective representation of political corruption, Moore abuses his absolute power as a filmmaker, thus corrupting his argument absolutely.

Thanks!!

[aitks0117]

Hi!! I'm currently trying to memories quotes and themes to put into my English essays and was wondering if you had any tips or tricks you used to memorise them for every Module and AOS. Anything would be helpful!!
Thank you xx

[georgiia]

Hi!! I'm currently trying to memories quotes and themes to put into my English essays and was wondering if you had any tips or tricks you used to memorise them for every Module and AOS. Anything would be helpful!!
Thank you xx

I use quizlet and i CANNOT RECOMEND IT ENOUGH It is really really helpful!
What I do is for each module I make two sets:
- One for learning quotes where I put half a quote on one side and the other half on the next side
- One for techniques/effects where quote goes one side and the other stuff on the other side

I usually do the game where you have to type whats on the other side because I found that the most helpful. The matching games or the hear and type ones are a big waste of time for me. You also have to be really really concise because I made the mistake before trials of putting too much info and ended up retaining next to nothing. Here's an example of what I mean:

QUOTE:
Give me some flames…find us the Anne Frank sirens

TECHNIQUE + EFFECT
- Dramatically and emotionally charged footage
- Chilling and authentic picture of war victim


Hope this helps

[justwannawish]

Anadiplosis!

Edit: You could also call it a diacope!

They definitely don't need to be, but a lot of A-range essays do it because it is a really effective way to bring in the evidence without interrupting flow. It is hard to do well though - Don't go redefining your personal style two weeks out from the exam!

Two per paragraph is definitely on the low side - I'll back up the minimum three that has been mentioned above. For Band 6 essays you'd perhaps even want to go a bit higher, depending on the depth of your analysis - My Module A essays (my strongest) sometimes reached 8 quotes/techniques per paragraph

That's what I thought as well regarding quotes
Totally forgot about anadiplosis, my one time good friend lol
If we have three texts to talk about (speeches or poetry), does the distribution have to be 1/3 each or could we do an idea for Text A and B, anotherfor text A and C

[studyharddd]

"An exploration of intertextual connections reveals the relationship between context and key values." Discuss...

So for my RIII/LFR I talk about the treatment of women and characterisation of Richard across different contexts. Just wondering if the characterisation of Richard would fit under "key values" or would I have to be more specific like a theme of power?

[justwannawish]

"An exploration of intertextual connections reveals the relationship between context and key values." Discuss...

So for my RIII/LFR I talk about the treatment of women and characterisation of Richard across different contexts. Just wondering if the characterisation of Richard would fit under "key values" or would I have to be more specific like a theme of power?

I would interpret that as it's referring to key values of the composers'times, so while the characterisation of Richard reflects the values, it's not necessary the values themselves

[seventeenboi]

Hi, I was wondering for AOS creatives, when is the most appropriate time to put the discovery ?? I know that it obviously depends on the plot but yehhh ( I'm still not completely sure

[mlarsson]

Hey guys,
I was just wondering for creative writing can you address the reader?  ( similar to the beginning of the book thief)
Im trying to come up with a back up idea for a story, i have a good idea about God/ Religion etc.
I was thinking i could be interesting to write it in this format?
Any ideas , thanks