Themes in 'Macbeth'

These are the themes that we decided, as a class, were the key themes in the play:

Guilt (Remorse)

Manipulation

Supernatural

Appearance vs Reality ("Fair is foul and foul is fair")

Masculinity and Femininity

Power

Jealousy

The natural order (and disruption of this order)

Ambition

Hierarchy 

Love

The suggestion was that you should be able to go through each theme and explain why you know it is a key theme. In other words, explain how Shakespeare positions you to see this theme.

You should try to include at least one quotation as evidence. At the very least, you should be able to mention a character or event to support your stance.

Essay Feedback

Content

Ensure you are taking the time to clearly synthesise your evidence. Be clear on why a quotation is significant to the point you are making.

Avoid vague statements. Be definitive.

Make sure the ideas that you identify in your introduction are strong enough to allow you to develop them in your main body. Some of you are selecting main points that you do not have enough to talk about. This is then causing you to inadvertently waste time describing the storyline rather than analysing.

Make sure you meet the work limit.

Ensure that you are taking the time to examine the embedded values, attitudes and ideas of the text. This is just as important as your ability to discuss positioning techniques. Often the two can be discussed in tandem.

Make sure your introduction is broad enough to allow you to expand. However, it should not be so vague that you lose track of your argument.

Remember, Salinger positions the audience, not Holden.

Avoid large quotations. They are difficult to integrate and often detract from your argument. Work on using smaller sections of a larger quotation.

Don't rephrase the quotation and think that this is your synthesis. The reader knows what it means, they want to know how it links to your argument.

Mentioning a positioning technique by name is not enough. You must explore what impact it has on the reader. For example, don't just say that Salinger uses a simile, explain what effect that simile has on the reader's understanding of a character, theme, etc.

DO NOT USE FIRST PERSON!

Do not steer away from the question.

Make sure that your argument is based around analysis, not opinion.

Holden doesn't quote - except for when he is quoting someone else. If you are talking about something Holden says, you need to say, "Holden states/says/explains/etc."

 

It is okay to disagree with a statement if the question asks, "To what extent to you agree?"

 

Make sure you address ALL of the question!

Structure

Always be sure to link your topic sentences back to your thesis statement.

Closing statements should also provide a link back to the overall question.

Try to avoid starting your conclusion with, "In conclusion".

Don't bring new information/evidence into your conclusion.

Conclusion needs to be more than one sentence.

Ensure you are finding ways to integrate your evidence. Don't have large quotations floating in her middle of a paragraph.

Ensure that there is cohesion in your points.

Make sure your topic sentences clearly identify what you will focus on in your paragraphs. If there is something that you are saying in your paragraph that does not fit under the topic sentence, you either need to put it somewhere else or change your topic sentence.

Introduction must have a clear thesis statement. It must address the question. It must outline your argument. It should not be focusing on providing a definition of words/concepts.

Be aware that a poor thesis statement will affect the rest of your argument. A weak thesis statement makes it very difficult to link your topic sentences back. This can affect your overall cohesion.

New idea = new paragraph.

 

Technical

Learn difference between adolescence and adolescent.

Learn how to use commas, particularly to mark the opening clause of a sentence.

Avoid ending sentences with prepositions.

Learn difference between innocence and innocents.

Learn to spell carousel.

The word is recurring, not reoccurring.

Ensure that you are consistent with how you use tense - realistically you should be using present tense.

Underline the title of the novel!

Be aware of issues with subject-verb agreement. If the noun is plural then the verb should be too. If the noun is singular, the verb needs to be singular. E.g. The chairs are comfortable - Correct statement. The chairs is comfortable - Incorrect statement.

Central not centeral.

Be careful of your punctuation when you are including your quotations.

Write in pen please.

Be sure that your handwriting is not impacting on the reader's ability to know what you are saying. Some people are making what look to be spelling mistakes. However, I suspect many of these are actually issues with penmanship.

Learn how to spell losing.

Be aware of when to use plurals and when to use the singular form of a word.

Remember the basic spelling rules, like 'i' before 'e' except after 'c'.

Read over your work after every couple of sentences to ensure that your argument makes sense. Some of you are racing through your essay and the way your express yourself is becoming quite clumsy.

Use British spelling, not U.S. conventions. Many of you are using the letter 'z' where you should be using an 's'.

Avoid colloquialisms.

Don't make up words.

Do not start a sentence with a conjunction: But, And, Because, etc.

Be aware of homophones - words that sound the same but are spelt differently.

Spelling mistakes in quotations are very obvious. Make sure you are copying the quotation accurately.

 

Essay writing 101

To give yourself the best opportunity to answer an essay question effectively, it is important to work with a clear structure. If you follow this step-by-step process, it should help you to stay on track with your argument.

Step 1: Read the question:

Step 2: Highlight/underline/circle the main points

Step 3: 'This question is asking me to...'

 

Step 4: Brainstorming - write down anything that comes to mind about the topic.

Step 5: Pick out important parts in brainstorming and expand/organise to form what will become your main points.

Step 6: Write your thesis statement. Your thesis statement must involve and answer the question. Basically, it states what you will be basing your whole essay around.

Step 7: Write your topic sentences - work out what your main body paragraphs are going to talk about and then write your topic sentences.

Remember, a topic sentence must

a) tell us what the paragraph will be about

b) link back to thesis statement.

Step 8: Decide what quotations and evidence you will use for each body paragraph - make sure your evidence is relevant to your main point and ultimately supports your thesis statement.

Step 9: Plan what you want to say about your evidence and how it supports your points - this is your synthesius and it where you can include discussion of the positioning techniques.

Step 10: Write your concluding statements or linking sentences - optional. Some people like to do this in planning as it is one more way to ensure that they stay on track in their argument. Others prefer to wait until the paragraph is complete so that they can come to a logical conclusion in that part of the argument. Experiment to see what works best for you.

Step 11: Start writing your essay!

Introduction - thesis statement

- outline of main points

- include title of the novel and author's name

- can include very brief background about the novel to set the scene

- consider and mention positioning techniques, e.g:

 

Main Body Paragraphs - repeat for all paragraphs

Topic sentence
Expand/Elaborate

Evidence

Evaluation

Concluding sentence

Conclusion - revisit thesis statement

- revisit all main points

- mention author and title

- DO NOT BRING IN ANY NEW INFORMATION

- leave reader with something to think about

Step 14: Proof-read and edit - do not stop until you get told to put your pen down.

When proof-reading and editing, consider the following things:

Punctuation

- Have you used commas effectively?

- Have you put full stops at the end of sentences?

- Have you used quotation marks to indicate quotations?

- Have you used possessive apostrophes where needed?

- Have you used capital letters at the beginning of sentences and for Proper Nouns (i.e. a person's name, etc.)

- If you have used a semi-colan, colan or hyphen, have you used it correctly?

Spelling

- Have you spelt the author's name correctly?

- Have you spelt the characters' names correctly?

- Have you looked for incorrect spelling of homophones (words that sound the same but are spelt differently, e.g. 'to', 'too' and two'?

- Have you ensured that you are using Australian (British) spelling rather than U.S. spelling, e.g. 'analyse' instead of 'analyze'?

Sentence structure:

- Do they make sense?

- Do you have a variety of sentence structures, i.e. simple, compound and complex?

- Do you avoid sentence fragments?

- Do you begin sentences in a variety of ways or do they all start the same way?

Expression

- Have you phrased things in the best way?

- Do you avoid colloquial expressions?

- Do you avoid slang and contractions?

- Does the way you have worded your argument make sense?

- Do you avoid using first person (I, me, my, we, our)?

- Do you avoid using second person (you, your)?

Word choice

- Have you repeated words too many times?

- Have you used words in the right context - i.e. does it make sense the way you have used it?

- Do you know what the words you have used actually mean?

- Have you tried to use words that demonstrate that you understand the positioning techniques, e.g. 'imagery', 'characterisation', 'positions', etc.

Grammar

- Have you checked that you are writing in present tense?

- Have you ensured that you are not making mistakes with subject verb agreement, i.e. if the noun is plural so is the verb OR if the noun is singular so is the verb? E.g. 'There are two chairs." (Correct) "There is two chairs." (Incorrect)

- Do you use definite and indefinite articles appropriately? ("The" - definite article. "A" and "An" - indefinite articles.)

Content

- Do you answer the question?

- Is your discussion relevant?

- Are the claims you are making about the book/characters/events correct?

- Are your quotations relevant to your argument?

- Do you reference your quotations?

- Do you take the time to synthesise your evidence?

- Do you mention positioning techniques in your synthesis?

Structure

- Do you have a clear thesis statement that answers the question?

- Does this intro outline your main points?

- Does the intro mention the author and book?

- Do you avoid using quotations in your intro?

- Do your topic sentences link back to your thesis statement?

- Do you have evidence in each paragraph?

- Do you have closing statements or linking statements at the end of each paragraph?

- Does your conclusion avoid bringing in new information?

'The Catcher in the Rye' practice essay

The ongoing success of J.D Salinger's novel, The Catcher in the Rye, can be attributed to the fact that it is written in a style that focuses upon the introspective view of its protagonist, Holden Caulfield. This, in turn, allows the reader to compare their life experiences to the central character. Discuss.

 

In your response, you should consider the criteria sheet that we work with in all assessment pieces. This means being able to discuss positioning techniques and the values, attitudes and idea that underpin the text within your response.

 

Your essay needs to be completed by hand and brought with you to class by Period 1, Monday 20th May.

 

Image taken from Google images on 13/5/13

 

 

Please be aware that you will be using your completed practice essay as part of an activity during Monday's lesson.

Holden: Adolescent or Adult?

One of the main criticisms of the text “The Catcher in the Rye” is that Holden does not act like a normal adolescent. Do you agree? Read over the text and look at what instances you think he does behave like a teenager and times when acts more like an adult. Include quotes or paraphrase. If you set it out as a table it will allow you to make instant comparisons. This will be a useful too as you prepare the argument for your speech.

Holden behaves (language, actions, reactions) like an adolescent.

Holden behaves (language, actions, reactions) like an adult.

 

Image taken from Google images on 26/04/13

Reading Journal for 'The Catcher in the Rye'

Much like you did during our study of Othello last year, you need to be keeping a reading journal/log on your blog as you progress through The Catcher in the Rye. This log/journal will document your journey through the novel. Each person's journey will be different. There will be specific activities that you must complete but the idea is also for you to be proactive in how you document your journey.

Here are a list of things that you might choose to include in your log:

* Questions you have as your read the play... and possible answers

* Comments regarding the importance of particular events

*Quotations that you have particular enjoyed or that you think are important - make sure you reference the page and that you make some notes for yourself that explain their significance, etc. and why they stand out (maybe the techniques that are evident)

* Personal impressions of the characters, themes, etc.

* Words you find interesting or challenging and their meanings

* Comments on the importance of recurring words/motifs and their significance
*You own personal opinions on the novel
*Ongoing character profiles
*Reflections on how/why others may be influenced/touched by the novel - both in a contemporary sense and in the past
*Research notes that you may choose to make regarding the novel, the time period, the author, reactions to the novel over time, the themes, etc.

Image taken from Google images on 19/04/13 

Holden's views and today's world - writing task

Image taken from Google images on 17/04/13

 

The article below is a student's thoughts on Holden and The Catcher in the Rye. For homework, you need to read the article and then respond to the writing task that is included at the bottom. As you read the piece, take the time to look up any words that you are unfamiliar and also see if you can find the errors that the writer has missed when they have (hopefully) edited their article - remember, this was published on a website so it is a good reminder of how important it is to proof-read your work very carefully!

 

 

PHONINESS IN EVERYDAY LIFE:

AN ISSUE FOR US

AS IT WAS FOR HOLDEN CAULFIED

An issue for us today as it was for Holden Caulfield in The Catcher in The Rye, is recognizing what is "phony" and what is not. The word "phony" is used many times by Holden. In fact, the book is full of this word usage which really touches upon a deeper meaning than is first seen. On one level, we see a young boy, Holden Caulfield, confused about life and cutting down things that exist around him. But on a deeper level we find that we are really reading a story about a boy’s struggle with adolescence and his transition into adulthood. Holden is a very perceptive boy. He is almost beyond his years in his ability to recognize what he sees around him – but he is still just a boy. So his thoughts on life are simple. Either something is good or bad; true or false; real or "phony". When Holden uses the word "phony", he seems to be describing people that are prejudice, hypocrites or insincere. It seems to be a way for Holden to justify how the world is a bad place and to grow up and leave adolescents behind is a very bad thing. By the end of the book, however, Holden changes this view about growing up.

Phoniness exists in our society today just as it does in the book. When someone wears expensive clothes to school or drives a really fancy car they can be called phony. If a person talks with a made up accent, as Faith Cavendish did when Holden calls her on the phone once he arrives in New York, they can sound phony. We live today in a world of materialism and when someone tries to make this search for expensive things important they are acting superficial and "phony".

In the book Holden talked about Mr. Ossenburger who was the man that his dorm was named after. Holden says that this man "came up to school in this big goddam Cadillac, and we all had to stand up in the grandstand and give him a locomotive – that’s a cheer." Holden calls him a "phony" because Ossenburger seems obsessed with making money by burying people with cheap funerals.

For Holden, phoniness seems to be a characteristic of mostly adults around him. In the beginning of the book, he refers to the headmaster of his school as being "phony". His brother who works in Hollywood is, to some degree, also considered "phony". Just as in the book, in real life Hollywood is a very pretentious place. It is the lack of sincerity in our society that Holden is sensitive to and this bothers him very much. Childhood seems to be pure but adulthood seems to be full of bad things such as insincerity, or phoniness.

Holden struggles with the passage from one stage of his life into another. In the middle of the book, his sister asks him what would make him happy. Holden says that he would want to be a catcher in the rye. He wants to stand in a rye field while the kids play and make sure that they do not run into trouble. Symbolically, Holden wants to keep kids from getting into the trouble that comes with growing up and exploring new things. But by the end of the book Holden begins to realize that he cannot be a catcher in the rye because life has to move forward. For example, when Holden shows two boys where the Egyptian section in the museum is located, he finds that he is walking down a dark hallway. The two boys are afraid and run back but Holden continues forward. This represents how Holden is moving forward from childhood into adulthood but the two little boys are not yet ready to make such a move.

When the transition for Holden is complete, when he realizes that he cannot hold onto adolescence forever, the use of the world "phony" is clearly gone. This is seen in the last chapter of the book. It is here that we realize that Holden has had a nervous breakdown but somehow now seems to be able to deal with his problems. This is because he is viewing the world with more substance that when he was using the word "phony". For example, in the last chapter, the woman with the English accent sounds "affected" but not "phony". This can be contrasted with Holden’s view of Miss Cavendish earlier in the book. Holden is growing up and is viewing things in a different light. He knows that he cannot change the world in which he lives but it is possible for him to find his own place within it.

The world we live in is a mixed with all sorts of people: ones that we seem to identify with and others that we do not like. Depending upon how sensitive we are to phoniness determines how we choose our friends. It is not as easy for us to do what Holden does in the book and just paint one big bad picture of our society at large. We must search hard within our daily lives and find the good that exists as we grow as people. To be a catcher in the rye would only hurt the progression of youth into adulthood and this is not what life is all about. People are "phony", yes, but many are also good and the only way to find this is to explore living with each new day that tomorrow brings.

Copyright © 1999 Studyworld

Your task:

 

What do you think of the idea that although “he cannot change the world in which he lives … it is possible for him [Holden] to find his own place within it”? Write 2-3 paragraphs outlining your response to this statement. Be sure to make specific references to the novel.

 

Your response needs to be posted to your blog by Period 1 on Monday 22nd April.

 

Image taken from Google images on 17/04/13