Preparing for exam

Make sure you are very familiar with the characters, the themes we have discussed and the various positioning techniques we have identified

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When you get into the exam, make sure you take the time to prepare a clear thesis statement (which directly addresses the question) and strong topic sentences (they should give readers a clear overview of the paragraph and link directly to the thesis statement)

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Read through chapter summaries etc. (these help refresh your memory regarding when key events occur and may help when looking for evidence)

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Make a list of words that you feel might be of use during the essay. E.g; describing characters, evaluating themes, introducing evidence, discussing positioning techniques + values etc.

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Revise essay structure (steps on blog)

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Learn how to spell character names + key words

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Revise use of apostrophes and capital letters!

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Write your own question and then brainstorm/plan possible responses

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Practise writing sentences that incorporate (integrate) evidence

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Practise synthesizing evidence. What does the quotation suggest about embedded values etc.? Does the evidence demonstrate Austen’s use ofvarious positioning techniques?

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Sleep

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Eat properly

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Don’t stress yourself out by talking to everyone around you about what you have/haven’t done in class

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When planning, make sure evidence is relevant. If directly quoting a character, make sure you know who is speaking and who/what they are speaking about.

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Leave time to proof read

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Positioning techniques – (aesthetic features): satire, irony, characterization, language choice, setting, plot development

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You should be able to identify + explain its impact on reader’s understanding of issue/character etc.

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Avoid references to Austen’s time period/era. You are exploring the society/culture’individuals constructed within the novel

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Pemberley – grand beautiful home

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Longbourne (Bennet home)

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Netherfield (Bingley’s rented estate)

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Pemberley (Darcy’s owned/ inherited estate)

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Rosings Park (Lady Catherine De Bourgh owned/ inherited estate)

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Parsonage (Charlotte and Mrs Collins cottage)

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Meryton (local town near Bennet’s)

Sample Essay Development

How significant are the secondary characters in Jane Austen's novel, Pride and Prejudice?

This question is asking me to discuss the importance of minor characters in the novel.

Brainstorming:

Key themes    - social expectations

- pride

        - prejudice

 - class

     - gender

        - marriage

Positioning techniques - language choices

                                     - characterisation

                     - setting

                    - satire

                    - irony

                  - plot

Characters - Charlotte Lucas

           - Mr Collins

                 - Lydia Bennet

Planning:

Thesis statement -

While it is obvious to all readers that Elizabeth Bennet is the protagonist of Jane Austen's novel, Pride and Prejudice it is the collection of secondary characters who truly allow for the key themes of the story to appear.

 Topic Sentences -

When exploring the expectations that society has towards women and the necessity for them to marry, Charlotte Lucas becomes a clear focal point in how Austen positions the reader to view this issue.

Society's attitude toward class distinction is a clear theme throughout the novel and Austen  positions the reader to recognise the folly of many of these expectations through the character of Mr Collins.

Throughout the novel, the audience is positioned to comprehend the high value that society places on the moral purity of all individuals and Austen's characterisation of Lydia Bennet allow readers to recognise how significant these expectations are when related to young women.

Evidence:

Paragraph 1 - p.20

                     - p. 107

                     - p. 108

                     - p. 109

                     - p. 111

                     - p. 139

       

Paragraph 2 - p. 66

                     - p. 140

                     - p. 55

                     - p. 57

                     - p. 60

                     - p.258

                     - p. 86

Paragraph 3 - p.174

                     - p. 201

                     - p. 202

                     - p. 241

                     - p. 251

                     - p. 258

                     - p. 312

Intro:

While it is obvious to all readers that Elizabeth Bennet is the protagonist of Jane Austen's novel, Pride and Prejudice it is the collection of secondary characters who truly allow for the key themes of the story to appear. Throughout the development of this English classic, Austen explores a society whose expectations regarding class and gender have significant impacts on the individual. When contemplating these social expectations and the embedded values associated with them, the audience's exposure to characters such as Charlotte Lucas, Mr Collins and Lydia Bennet becomes integral in allowing Austen to position the audience to see their society from her perspective.

Main Body:

When exploring the expectations that society has towards women and the necessity for them to marry, Charlotte Lucas becomes a clear focal point in how Austen positions the reader to view this issue. In stark contrast to her friend, Lizzy Bennet, Charlotte's attitude towards marriage clearly adheres to the embedded belief that "it was the only honorable provision for well-educated young women of small fortune, and however uncertain of giving happiness, must be their pleasantest preservative from want" (p.109). While this reflection from Charlotte provides an obvious indication to audiences of her rationale in accepting Mr Collins' proposal it also suggests the lack of options that are available to young women in her position. Indeed, it is her admission, and more importantly her acceptance, that such unions are based more on expectation than the chance of happiness that helps characterise Charlotte as the quintessential middle class woman in this society. The joy that is displayed by Charlotte's family upon receiving knowledge of her engagement to Mr Collins is another indicator of how important marriage is for a woman. As Austen articulates, "the whole family... were properly overjoyed" (p.108) but the fact that her brothers "were relieved from their apprehension of Charlotte's dying an old maid" (p.108) leaves the reader with a visceral reminder of the inevitable fate for any woman who is not able to find a suitable match. Therefore, while Charlotte Lucas may at first glance appear to be a secondary character, her placid acceptance of society's expectations of her as a woman allows Austen to position the reader to not only identify a key theme in the novel but to also sympathise with the character's situation as a direct result of what is seen as her necessary marriage to Mr Collins.  

Society's attitude toward class distinction is a clear theme throughout the novel and Austen  positions the reader to recognise the folly of many of these expectations through the character of Mr Collins.

Throughout the novel, the audience is positioned to comprehend the high value that society places on the moral purity of all individuals and Austen's characterisation of Lydia Bennet allow readers to recognise how significant these expectations are when related to young women.

Conclusion:

Ultimately, despite well-known central characters such as Lizzy and Darcy, it is Austen's development of secondary characters that allows audiences to comprehend many of the key themes found within Pride and Prejudice. Certainly, individuals like Charlotte Lucas, Mr Collins and Lydia Bennet assist Austen in demonstrating how significantly society's expectations, based on values associated with class and gender, impact individuals' lives. Perhaps more significantly, without these characters readers would not be able to recognize Austen's subtle criticisms of the often narrow and hypocritical views that society holds towards class and gender.

Image taken from Google images on 13/09/12

Peer Marking

Image taken from Google images on 13/09/12

The following questions, along with the general feedback that I have already provided you, should help you to articulate constructive feedback for your partner as you work through her essay.

As you progress through the essay of your partner, check the following elements:

Introduction:

1. Does their essay start with a clear, concise thesis statement?

2. Does this thesis statement directly answer the question?

3. Is there an identifiable introduction?

4. Does the introduction identify which key points the essay will address?

5. Does the introduction make mention of the fact that Jane Austen uses a variety of techniques to help the readers understand these themes?

6. Does the introduction mention the novel and the author by name?

Repeat the following questions for each main body paragraph:

7. Does the main body paragraph have a clear, concise topic sentence that identifies which point will be addressed?

8. Does the topic sentence also have a clear link back to the thesis statement?

9. Is there at least one follow on sentence that provides more information about the idea and the way it is presented in the novel?

10. Does the paragraph include relevant evidence from the novel to support the argument?

11. Is the evidence integrated into the discussion?

12. Is there a page number reference for the evidence?

13. Is the evidence synthesised - i.e. is there discussion after the evidence that explores why it is relevant to the argument. Remember, it should not just be an rephrasing of the evidence.

14. Does the paragraph involve discussion: a) what technique(s)  uses to portray this theme to the audience and b) how specific values, attitudes and/or ideas underpin the text?

15. Does the paragraph only deal with one key concept?

16. Is there a closing statement that wraps up the paragraph?

Conclusion:

17. Does the conclusion draw on the evidence that has been provided and discussed to make a closing argument?

18. Does it draw the reader's attention back to the initial question?

19. Does it draw the reader's attention back to the main arguments?

20. Does it make direct reference to the novel and the author by name?

21. Does it avoid bringing in any new information or evidence?

22. Does it close by leaving the reader with something to consider?

General Proof-Reading/Concerns:

23. Are there instances where punctuation needs to be addressed?

24. Are there instances where spelling needs to be addressed?

25. Are there instances where the information is hard to follow because of poor sentence construction?

26. Are there instances where the information is hard to follow because of poor expression?

27. Are there instances where the writer has made poor word choices?

28. Does the writer avoid using first person and second person?

29. Are there instances where the writer has made grammar mistakes?

30. Does the writer use present tense when discussing the text?

31. Is the writer's essay legible? I.e. do they need to work on their handwriting?

32. Has the writer made effective use of the time provided?

33. Can you see evidence of planning?

34. Does the writer actually answer the question?

35. If you had to provide a generalised comment for your partner, what would it be?

Feedback from your practice tests

 

Image taken from Google images on 12/09/12

After having read through all of your practice essays and the posts you have made on your blogs, here is a list of feedback points that you can all use as you prepare for your test:

1. Please ensure you always underline the title of the text: Pride and Prejudice

2. Make sure your thesis statement is direct and concise

3. Make sure your introduction gives the reader a clear indication of what the essay will be exploring

4. Focus your argument on what happens within the novel rather than what you know about the time period

5. Make sure your quotations are relevant to your argument

6. Make sure your quotations are related to the individual characters you are referencing

7. Keep language formal

8. Quote is the verb (you quote an author/character/etc.) whereas quotation is the noun (the piece of evidence you are using)

9. Make sure your paragraphs provide clear links back to the thesis statement and therefore the question - clear, effective topic sentences and closing statements should be able to help you with this

10. Reference your evidence

11. Plan your time effectively so that you give yourself the best chance of completing the task

12. Focus on analysing rather than describing - the reader knows the storyline

13. Write in blue or black pen only please - no pencil

14. Ensure your paragraphs are clearly developed - consider the TEC structure we have discussed

15. Make sure your answer the question!

16. Learn the difference between woman and women

17. Don't leave large spaces on your page at the end of sentences

18. Make sure topic sentences provide a clear overview of the paragraph's focus

19. Your introduction shouldn't include statements like, "This essay will..." You are writing an analytical essay, not a report

20. Watch expression and sentence structure

21. Ensure your integrate your evidence

22. Make sure you know how to spell each characters' name - also needs to be consistent

23. Avoid judgment based statements

24. Avoid sweeping statements

25. Watch your hand writing - if it is too messy you are likely to be penalised for spelling mistakes, etc. that you may not have actually made

26. Avoid superlatives (e.g. "Wickham is the worst person in the novel")

27. Avoid oxymorons 

28. Be aware of your punctuation

29. Learn how to use apostrophes

30. Do not go beyond what the question is asking

31. Synthesise your evidence

32. When you use a word, make sure you know what it means

33. Keep your topic sentences 'to the point'

34. Avoid waffling!

35. No first person!

36. No second person!

37. Be clear what themes you are actually talking about

38. Be vigilant with your use of capital letters

39. British spelling please, not U.S. spelling

40. Be aware of subject-verb agreement (i.e. singular nouns with singular verbs and plural nouns with plural verbs)

41. Do not use quotations as topic sentences

42. Unless you know Jane Austen personally you cannot refer to her as Jane, she is either Jane Austen or Austen!

43. Write numbers in full please, i.e. five rather than 5

44. Introductions and conclusions generally need to be longer than one or two sentences

 

Image taken from Google images on 12/09/12 

Practice Essay - In Class

Image taken from Google images on 11/09/12

Over the next two lesson we will be completing a practice essay to help prepare you for Test Block next week.

The question is as follows:

To what extent does Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice explore the idea that individuals are the victims of society’s expectations? Support your answer by specific reference to the novel.

As you prepare your answer remember the following things:

1. Plan your thesis statement and topic sentences before you begin to write

2. Make sure that your thesis statement directly answers the question

3. Make sure your topic sentences link back to your thesis statement

4. Support your answers with clear, relevant evidence that is referenced

5. Synthesise your evidence

6. Write clear, concise sentences

7. Make sure you have a clear conclusion that wraps up your argument and avoids bringing in new information

8. Take the time to proof read and edit 

Some things to avoid:

1. No first person

2. Don't rely on simply retelling the story

Sample paragraph

Below is the sample paragraph that I wrote during class today in response to the following question:

How does Lady Catherine’s reaction to Lizzy and Darcy’s engagement help position the audience to understand the significance of class in their society?

The reaction of Lady Catherine to the engagement of Lizzy and Darcy provides a clear insight for readers into the importance of social class within Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice. Furthermore, it highlights the links between social class and the preoccupation of the novel with the issue of prejudices. Lady Catherine’s comments to Lizzy at this point in the novel do not aim to denigrate the personal characteristics of the story’s protagonist; rather, her thoughts are directly related to her prejudicial feeling towards individuals whose social standing are below her own. When Lady Catherine makes reference to “the particulars of [Lizzy’s] youngest sister’s infamous elopement” (p.338), the audience is positioned to understand that within Lady Catherine’s society, a woman’s social standing is inextricably linked to her morality. Lydia’s involvement with Wickham goes against the embedded values within the novel that consider a woman’s purity as an essential quality. By forcing the audience to reflect on the ways that both Lydia and Wickham have been characterised, Austen is inviting the reader to understand the importance of class within their wider society. Similarly, the imagery that Austen utilises when Lady Catherine berates Lizzy reinforces the ingrained attitudes of various members of this society when their values are threatened. Lady Catherine equates the arrival of Lizzy at Pemberley to the family home being “polluted”, a language choice that allows the reader to create a vivid image in their own minds when comprehending Lady Catherine’s view of the situation. These negative reactions combine to provide a clear illustration to the audience that social class is not only a significant theme within the novel, but also one that has the potential to greatly affect the relationship of the central characters. 

Paragraph Writing

For homework over the next few days, I would like you to practise your paragraph writing by answering the following questions in paragraph format.

1. How important is the character of Charlotte Lucas to the story?

2. How important is the character of Mr Collins to the story?

3. How important is the character of Lydia to the story?

Images taken from Google images on 05/09/12

As you construct your paragraphs, consider:

* How Austen positions readers to view these characters

* Which themes they help represent

* What embedded values, attitudes and ideas the help demonstrate

Your evidence should be integrated into your responses. The themes table we completed together may be a good place to start :)

Paragraphs need to be posted to your blogs by Monday morning please.