A2 ENGLISH LITERATURE
KING LEAR – PARAGRAPHS
COMMENTS ON HOMEWORK
Some points to help you improve
· Always use an academic register.
· Avoid summary paragraphs.
· Don't write descriptive paragraphs.
· Use one good quotation in a paragraph.
· Comment in detail on the language of the quotation.
· Avoid only summarising the quotation.
· Refer to the character of Lear as 'Lear' rather than 'King Lear'.
· When writing a topic sentence be very precise in your wording about the feature you are trying to explore.
· Vain, self centred, intolerant, judgemental, inflexible, childlike are all good ways to describe Lear.
· Choose quotations that are short and enable you to write a lot about a little.
· Avoid repeating yourself in paragraphs.
· A paragraph should be clear, simple and coherent.
· Use relevant literary terminology
· Always write about the effect of a quotation on a generalised reader or member of the audience.
· When writing about drama you can always refer to conflict. In King Lear we can see opposition in our expectations of a king - becomes ' nothing', his children - who become masters, a Fool - who becomes wise. Love and loyalty and truth are exiled, self centred ambition, greed and revenge are rewarded.
Good answers included
· I was impressed by some students who attempted to include references to the context of the play context.
· Most students used the paragraph structure I referred to in class. I was pleased that students really made an effort to write using this paragraph. This did not come naturally to some of you. However it is a good structure to learn as a basis for your paragraphs and it will come easier to write with practice.
· As well as this I was also generally impressed by the level of accurate expression. You made an effort to produce written work that was clear, coherent, simple and concise.
· It was encouraging to read so many answers that showed a good grasp of the character of Lear. And showed a genuine understanding of the play in Act 1.
