A2LL - WORK FRIDAY 27 MARCH

Module 1 students: Instead of doing the timed work in lesson today, go to moodle and  do section A of either the January 2011 or June 2010 paper.

Module 6 students: do the recasting task for Isadora Duncan posted on this blog

AS LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE - EASTER WORK

Streetcar questions

AS LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE - Easter work

You need to re-read A Streetcar Named Desire and Spies over the holiday.

You need to add to the notes you've made on the plots, structure, main characters, 
relationships and main themes.

You must do the following pieces of homework. All four pieces should be handed in by Wednesday 15 April. 

The production style question should be done in 50 minutes and the essay style questions done in 40 minutes.

Here are the first 2 questions. I'll add Streetcar questions later. The Spies questions will take you 90 minutes to do. Sit yourself down in a quiet room without any distractions. Make sure you you can work quietly for the whole period of the question or questions you are going to do. Write your answer in one sitting. Hand write your answer carefully. Always leave a wide margin when you write.

Spies Questions

Production style question

Imagine Stephen has returned after Stephen and Keith have discovered the box with the packet of cigarettes inside, at the end of chapter five. And imagine Stephen decides to write a letter to the local chief police inspector informing him of his suspicions about Mrs Hayward. Write Stephen's letter to the local chief police inspector. 

Give careful consideration to the language choices, form and style in order to give a sense of Stephen's voice and the situation he is in.

Essay style question

How is Barbara Berill presented in the novel? And what is her significance in the novel?

In your answer you should consider:
Frayn's language choices and narrative perspective

Note:
'language choices' refers to use of grammar, syntax, register and  lexis. As well as consider writing style such as descriptive, reflective, dialogue and action writing. In Spies 'narrative perspective' refers specifically to the narrator's point of view - that of the young  Stephen Wheatly with his innocence, ignorance, strong sense of loyalty, wanting to do the right thing, sense of duty and misunderstanding of the adult world.

A2 LL - THREE WAY COMPARISON REVISION POINTS / GENERAL FEEDBACK

As I mark your practice 3 way comparison commentaries I will record points that will help you improve your answers.

Some resources

Click here for a link to a post with further links to resources on this blog.

Click here for a link to resources on moodle. You'll need to click through to the relevant pages to find materials.

Click here for a link to amazon where you can buy the course book

Click here for a link to the marking scheme for the three way comparison question

Revision points

Don't think for one moment that because you don't know the content of the question for this section you cannot revise.

Everything we are doing now is preparing you for the exam. We are doing this by developing the many skills you need to answer this question well.
I strongley recommend that you spend 90 minutes on this vital task. It's worth 60 marks. 60% of the exam is dependent on this question.

Again I strongly recommend that you spend 20 - 25 minutes reading the question and reading and annotating the three texts. And 5 minutes drawing up a plan. Click here for a post about planning.

Then spend 50 - 55 minutes writing your three way analytical comparison. Click here for a recommended structure on how to layout your answer.

Finally spend 5 - 10 minutes reading through your commentary editing, correcting and adding any further points.
Speed is absolutely essential in answering this question. There is no time to stop and pause. Every moment must be utilized to get the best answer you can. You will need to prepare yourself before the exam for a sustained, relatively short period of complete focus and attention for this task. Click here for some suggestions.

A2 LL - RECASTING TASK AND COMMENTARY - GENERAL FEEDBACK

Over the next few months I'll be adding important points to this post to help you improve the section B question for the exam. The recast / adaptation text and recast / adaptation commentary.

Further resources

There are materials on moodle that you will find useful. Click here for a link. You will find examples of all the different recasting formats / genres here. Read / listen to these and make your own notes on the conventions and features of the different genres. You will also find example questions.

This blog also contains posts on the conventions and features of most of the recasting formats / genres. You'll need to search quite carefully older posts to do this.

And don't forget the the A2 course book published in conjuction with AQA. Here's a link to amazon to help you with this. Click here. 

You might want to check out this guide to help you further with this question. Click here for a link. 

Revision points

• One really important point to consider when preparing your recasting task is to make a genuine and personal approach to the task. Try and adopt an angle, this is a particular way of approaching or considering the task or a single sustained perspective that will inform every statement you make in the recast task. Failure to do this may mean your recast task becomes a formulaic tick box exercise. Examiners may mark your work for lack of engagement, being superficial and limited. 

• When you are revising your recast task and commentary you must write your recasting text and recasting commentary under timed conditions.

• You should expect to spend 1 hour in total on these two tasks.

• Remember that the recasting task is worth 25 marks and the recasting commentary is worth 15 marks. 40 marks in total.

• Expect to spend 40 minutes planning, writing and editing your recast text and 20 minutes planning, writing and editing your commentary task.

• Follow the word limit carefully for the recast text. Aim to write between 300 - 400 words only. If you write less than 300 words for the recast text, the examiners will assume you've not included enough points. If you write over 400 words the examiners will assume you've repeated ideas, not taken enough trouble over the crafting of your text or included irrelevant details.

• The more you practise the recast task and commentary the more you will develop an instinct for writing within the word limit. Why not always aim to write 380 words. At first you will need to count them. But soon you'll just automatically know when you've written 380 words.

• However for the commentary,  so long as you are referring to audience, purpose, genre and attitudes toward the main topic; using correct terminology and commenting on effects of these language features on an audience, then you can exceed the word limit of 150 - 250 words.

• You must be selective in the material you use from the source text. Don't write every point but choose the relevant points that link to the task and then choose the most important points from this list. I assume there will be about 8 - 12 relevant points that you should include in the recast text. 

• As you write the recast text always have in your mind your audience, purpose and genre. As you write use relevant language features that will appeal to your target audience, are relevant to the genre and are suitable for your purpose[s].

• As you write your recast text you could highlight key words and phrases that contain language and literary features that you could comment on in your commentary. You could highlight these words or phrases by underlining them or making them bold.

A2 LL RECASTING / FORMATS

A2 ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
ELLA 3 COMPARATIVE ANAYSIS AND TEXT ADAPTION
ADAPTION FORMATS

Below are the different adaption formats published by the exam board

 

 

WRITTEN FORMATS

 

• Letter

• Article – Magazine / Broadsheet / Tabloid newspaper

• Encyclopaedia Entry

• Editorial

• Diary

• Leaflet

• Guide

• Report

 

 

 

SPOKEN FORMATS

 

• Radio Script

• TV Script

• Speech / Talk

A2 LL - 3 WAY COMPARISON PLANNING CHECKLIST

A2 LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
ELLA 3 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
PLANNING CHECKLIST

 

Aim to spend between 20 - 30 minutes planning the three way comparison

 

READ THE QUESTION

 

• Read the question carefully several times and make sure you understand clearly the unified topic and the actual task you have been set.
• As you read the general introduction of the texts, look out for clues to THE CONTEXT of the texts: that is  audience, purpose, genre and attitude to the main topic.
• Then read the three texts very quickly and carefully

 

THE THREE TEXTS FIRST READING

 

·         Identify quotations that you can use as evidence for genre

·         Identify quotations that you can use as evidence for purpose[s]

·         Identify quotations that you can use as evidence for audience

·         Identify quotations that you can use as evidence for the  writer’s attitude to main tropic

·         Identify 3 – 6 comparative sub-topics and find quotations that you can use as evidence

Read and annotate text A

Summarise the extract – what happens? What is it about?

Is there a simple structure that divides the extract into 2 / 3 sections

Identify quotes to support audience, purpose and genre. Because you won’t know what the comparative sub-topics are at this stage you should identify as many topics as you can.

 

Read and annotate B

Summarise the extract – what happens? What is it about?

Is there a simple structure that divides the extract into 2 / 3 sections?

Identify quotes to support audience, purpose and genre.

As you read text B look out especially for sub-topics that link to text A. I expect there will be 3 / 4 of these. But be prepared to jot down other sub-topics – they may come up in text C.

Read and annotate text C

 

Summarise the extract – what happens? What is it about?

Is there a simple structure that divides the extract into 2 / 3 sections?

Identify quotes to support audience, purpose and genre.

SECOND READING

Read the three texts again and decide for yourself the order you want to write about them. I suggest you write about the text you feel most confident about.

 Focus on the three or four sub-topics that you can compare in your answer as well as focussing on audience, purpose, genre and attitude to the main topic. You will probably write 2 – 4 comparative analytical paragraphs on the second set of topics.

Concentrate on finalising the quotations you plan to use. Choose quotations by asking yourself – does this quotation support the point I want to make? And are there two or more language features I can confidently write about in the quote? If the answer is no to either one of these questions, then choose another quotation to analyse and compare.  Don’t forget to comment on the effect of these language features on the relevant audiences.

You may be drawing up a bullet point plan as you go but if not then jot down very quickly the points you are going to make in the order you intend to make them.

 Below is a template structure for a three way comparison plan.

 It might look something like this

Text A

 

·         Analysis point 1 – sub topic

o   Include quotation

·         Analysis point 2 – genre

o   Include quotation

·         Analysis point 3 – purpose

o   Include quotation

·         Analysis point 4 – sub topic

o   Include quotation

 

Text B

 

·         Analysis point 1 and comparison point to text A – sub topic

o   Include at least one quotation from text B

·         Analysis point 2 and comparison point to text A – genre

o   Include at least one quotation from text B

·         Analysis point 3 and comparison point to text A – purpose

o   Include at least one quotation from text B

·         Analysis point 4 and comparison point to text A – sub topic

o   Include at least one quotation from text B

 

Text C

 

·         Analysis point 1 and comparison point to text A and B  – sub topic

o   Include at least two quotations – at least one from text C

·         Analysis point 2 and comparison point to text A and B – genre

o   Include at least two quotations – at least one from text C

·         Analysis point 3 and comparison point to text A and B – purpose

o   Include at least two quotations – at least one from text C

·         Analysis point 4 and comparison point to text A and B – sub topic

o   Include at least two quotations – at least one from text C

A2 LL - CUPCAKES QUESTION ON JACQUELINE KENNEDY

Click here forr an extract of film footage on Jacqueline Kennedy


Read the source material which follows and answer both questions:

Text A is from an article entitled [Jacqueline Kennedy]by [Katherine Ann Porter]

It was first published in [Ladies’ Home Journal in 1964].

You  [have been asked to script the introductory voiceover that will introduce a television documentary about the life of Jacqueline Kennedy.]

You should adapt the source material, using your own words as far as possible. Your [script]
should be approximately 300 – 400 words in length.

In your adaptation you should:

• use language appropriately to address purpose and audience

• write accurately and coherently, applying relevant ideas and concepts.

(25 marks)

AND

Question 3

Write a commentary which explains the choices you made when writing your [script]
commenting on the following:

• how language and form have been used to suit audience and purpose

• how vocabulary and other stylistic features have been used to shape meaning and
achieve particular effects.

You should aim to write about 150 – 250 words in this commentary.
(15 marks)

IB ENGLISH THURSDAY 12 MARCH LESSON 12.30 - 1.30

I'm sorry but the class this afternoon - Thursday 12 March 12.30 - 1.30 is cancelled.

Tomorrow we need to talk about the final presentations for this year. These presentations will be assessed and form part of your final IB mark next year. I expect you will have an idea about what text your presentation will be on and an idea about the topic you will choose. You can give a presentation on  a poem or two poems on a theme from Tales from Ovid, a presentation on a sonnet or sonnets by a poet - probably not a sonnet from the anthology, or a short story or two short stories on a theme from The Bloody Chamber.

And tomorrow let's look at two extracts from the short story The Bloody Chamber.

I suggest we look at pages 13 - 18 and 33 - 41.

We'll read them and consider such things as character, relationships, setting, language.

If there is another short extract you'd like to consider let me know tomorrow.

Once again apologies for my absence.

David

A2 LL - CUPCAKES QUESTION - PUTTING HER BEST FACE ON A MURKY BUSINESS

Read the source material which follows and answer both questions:

Question 2

Text A is from an article entitled [Putting Her Best Face on a Murky Business] by [Eleanor Mills]

It was first published in [the Sunday Times in October 1999].

You  [have been asked to produce the section of Bhutto’s obituary, focussing on this period in her year.

Your work is intended for publication in a broadsheet newspaper.

You should adapt the source material, using your own words. Your [obituary] should be approximately 300 – 400 words in length.

In your adaptation you should:

• use language appropriately to address purpose and audience

• write accurately and coherently, applying relevant ideas and concepts.

(25 marks)

AND

Question 3

Write a commentary which explains the choices you made when writing your[text]
commenting on the following:

• how language and form have been used to suit audience and purpose

• how vocabulary and other stylistic features have been used to shape meaning and
achieve particular effects.

You should aim to write about 150 – 250 words in this commentary.

(15 marks)

A2 LL THREE WAY COMPARISON LINKS

I've written several posts on the three way comparison commentary over the year so far. Click on the link below to find all the blog posts posted so far for the three way comparison.

I'll be posting other posts on this question over the next few weeks.

Click here for some helpful links to posts on the three way comparison essay.

AS LL - WORK FOR WEDNESDAY 4 MARCH 1.40 - 3.50

Spies

Chapter 6

 

 

Below are some notes and work to do to prepare for a detailed discussion next week 11 March on chapter 6 and 7 of Spies.

 

Chapter 6 headlines

 

• Stephen’s midnight walk – the stranger
• Interrogation with Keith – Stephen humiliated / defeated
• The tramp and Mrs Hayward

 

 

Read and make brief notes on extracts from the chapter sections listed below.

 

Your notes should consider such things as:

 

• the presentation of Stephen, Keith and their relationship
• the presentation of Mrs Hayward
• writing style - for example descriptive writing and dialogue
• writing techniques - for example syntax and imagery
• effects on the reader
• identify 2 or 3 good quotations from each section

 

113 – 115 ‘What is it that wakes me…’ to ‘I must do it’

  

115 – 118 ‘Between the reflected disc…’ to’ into the booming darkness’

   

118 – 120 ‘The Close as I come running’ to ‘with a heavily darned heel’

  

120 – 125 ‘Keith turns the sock…’ to ‘We hurry forward’

  

125 – 129 ‘All summer afternoons…’ to ‘The last place we‘re sure…’

  

129 – 132 ‘We dawdle about to ‘Neither of us led…’

 

 

Be prepared to discuss this chapter in class next week.

 

Here are some notes for chapter 7. I expect to begin discussing this chapter next week as well.

 

Chapter 7

 

Make notes on the following sections of chapter 7 - one of the shortest chapters in the novel.Consider such things as:

 

• the presentation of Stephen, Keith, Mrs Hayward and Mr Hayward
• consider the relationships between Mr and Mrs Hayward, Mr Hayward and Keith, Stephen and Keith and Mrs Hayward and Stephen and Keith  
• the setting
• writing style - for example descriptive writing and dialogue - pay attention to the way Mr Hayward speaks
• writing techniques - for example syntax and imagery - how is tension and suspense created in this chapter
• effects on the reader
• identify 2 or 3 good quotations from each section

Aftermath of chapter 6

 

• Relationship between Keith and Stephen has ended

• But events force the two to be connected still. Stephen’s generosity, good nature, belief in the friendship keeps it going.

140-145

 

140 - 142 Stephen alone - speculating

142 - 144 At Keith's house

 

145 – 148 The Thermos

 

145 - 147 Keith punished

147 - 148 Stephen takes action

See you all next week 11 March

 

AS LL Notice for Wednesday 4 March 1.40 - 3.50 lesson

AS English Language and Literature Mod 3

Wednesday 4 March 1.40 - 3.50

This lesson has been cancelled. I'll post some questions here later today for you to prepare for next week.