Tracks/ Into the Wild essay question help please

[Cassidyhogi]

I am finding it really hard to plan the following essay:

"There is nothing so real as having to think about survival." (Tracks)
Compare the way the two texts explore the idea of surviving in harsh environments.

I do not get what is implied by the idea: surviving in harsh environments.
Really confusedd.

[clarke54321]

I am finding it really hard to plan the following essay:

"There is nothing so real as having to think about survival." (Tracks)
Compare the way the two texts explore the idea of surviving in harsh environments.

I do not get what is implied by the idea: surviving in harsh environments.
Really confusedd.

Hey!

So dissect the key words to build an interpretation: "There is nothing so real as having to think about survival." (Tracks)
Compare the way the two texts explore the idea of surviving in harsh environments.


Central to this prompt are the ideas of harsh environment and survival. Some questions you might ask yourself to answer the question could be:

1- How do the characters cope in the wilderness? Do they depend on relations with others, develop their own rituals, or merely keep going?
2- Can one truly survive in such harsh environments? What are the limitations? What societal elements cannot be substituted in the wild? Effects of this?
3- What personal/emotional/physical repercussions are associated with isolation?

Hope this helps.

[LifeisaConstantStruggle]

Harsh environments can be anything really. Is it physically harsh? or mentally harsh?
Like for example, you can refer to Robyn Davidson's traverse across the outback as physically harsh, because it is obvious, and builds her resilience.
Robyn also talks about the environment in Alice Springs, and you can talk about how it is harsh in terms of mental wellbeing, because of all the misogyny/racism.
For Chris, the harsh physical environment would be the Alaskan wilderness, and you can talk about his physical growth/death.
A harsh mental environment would be his family, and conventional society.

[Cassidyhogi]

Okay thank you
So is it okay to structure my paragraphs accordingly:
- surviving alone in harsh environments is not possible
- surviving in harsh environments can lead to transformations within an individual
      eg. mental and spiritual
- surviving in the harsh environments of society?
Not 100% sure how to link last point to the question...

[****]

Okay thank you
So is it okay to structure my paragraphs accordingly:
- surviving alone in harsh environments is not possible
- surviving in harsh environments can lead to transformations within an individual
      eg. mental and spiritual
- surviving in the harsh environments of society?
Not 100% sure how to link last point to the question...

What's your contention?

[Cassidyhogi]

I didn't really have one...
I'm not really sure how to develop an overall contention for HOW essay prompts.

[clarke54321]

Okay thank you
So is it okay to structure my paragraphs accordingly:
- surviving alone in harsh environments is not possible
- surviving in harsh environments can lead to transformations within an individual
      eg. mental and spiritual
- surviving in the harsh environments of society?
Not 100% sure how to link last point to the question...

Like **** suggested, it is best to first develop a contention. Once you've done this, I think you'll find it much easier to logically arrange argument. This too will avoid contradiction. For example, these two ideas chafe against one another: surviving alone in harsh environments is not possible/ surviving in harsh environments can lead to transformations within an individual. You need to reconcile the two and make it evident how one can prosper and transform in the wilderness, but cannot maintain this.

I didn't really have one...
I'm not really sure how to develop an overall contention for HOW essay prompts.

Try not to get too overwhelmed by the task word. Regardless of prompt style, your essays must always incorporate an element of "how" (authorial intent/construction). The way the texts explore the topic can be very broad, ranging from character construction, dialogue, narrative structure, film techniques, post scripts, etc. These are all elements that you would suggest regardless of the task word. Therefore, try and step back from it and ask: What do the two texts say about surviving in a harsh environment? What is necessary to do so? What can be gained because of it? What are the ultimate limitations?

[Cassidyhogi]

Thank you
So if I develop the contention that surviving in harsh environments can lead to individual transformations but eternal survival is impossible alone, my three paragraphs could be:
- surviving in harsh environments -> transformation
- to survive in harsh environments, assistance is required from others, cannot be done in isolation
- surviving alone is limited by the powerful force of nature

[clarke54321]

Thank you
So if I develop the contention that surviving in harsh environments can lead to individual transformations but eternal survival is impossible alone, my three paragraphs could be:
- surviving in harsh environments -> transformation
- to survive in harsh environments, assistance is required from others, cannot be done in isolation
- surviving alone is limited by the powerful force of nature

Yes that seems more fluent. Just ensure that the links between ideas are smooth enough to justify a solid interpretation. Every paragraph should be building on the other to get to your ultimate stance. Eg. When talking about transformation in para 1 (something that is presumably positive), make sure that your transition to para 2 (needing to depend on others) is substantiated. Why do they need to depend on others if they can attain some kind of transformation? Your interpretation of this will bind the two paragraphs. Hope this helps

[Cassidyhogi]

Okay thank you

[darcy-crett]

I did this topic on my practise exam and got 10/10

In the pressure of the exam I didn't formulate a concise contention, rather, I developed three arguments regarding the terms survival and harsh environments.
My three arguments were:
1. The harsh environments allow Robyn and Chris to live, not just survive
2. Harsh environments present challenges that make i difficult to survive
3. In order to survive, adequate preparation is required

My tip would be to think outside the square and not be limited by the language of the prompt