Essay revision

Essay writing notes

Step 1: Read the question. Don’t start writing.
Step 2: Highlight and underline key points in the question
Step 3: Reword the question in a way you can understand it (e.g.; this question is asking me to ___)
Step 4: Brainstorming/mind mapping/listing ideas

Step 5: Think of your thesis statement (your argument that links all your paragraphs together – opening statement that sets up your argument)
Step 6: Work out what your topic sentences will be for each of your main paragraphs (make sure they connect to your thesis statement)

Step 7: Work out what evidence you want to use for each of your main body paragraphs
Step 8: Figure out how each of your quotations relate to your points and link back to your thesis statement – is it clear? Is it addressing the essay question? (synthesising your quotations)
Step 9: Think about the positioning techniques Shakespeare is using and how they fit into your body paragraphs (See list in previous post for suggestions)
Step 10: Plan your closing sentences for each of your paragraphs

Step 11: Once you get into the test, take the time to reflect on what you have already planned and write yourself an outline to refer to during the task.

Essay structure

Introduction:

·         Thesis statement (must answer the essay question)

·         Introduce your main points (look at the criteria sheet to see what its actually asking you to do. Don’t go into detail about the main points, this is what your body paragraphs do)

·         Do not introduce quotations in your introduction – they are not useful

Body paragraphs

·         Topic sentence (make sure it links back to the thesis and introduce what your main body paragraph is going to be about – avoid waffling)

·         Expand on what you’ve stated in your topic sentence. Go into more detail about what this paragraph will address. Provide evidence to support your claims. Evaluate (explain/synethsise) the relevance of your evidence. Why is your evidence useful to your argument? This will help you discuss the positioning techniques (e.g. the audience is able to understand this point through Shakespeare's use of foreshadowing throughout the novel). The more depth/detail you have in your discussion the better. You are not re-telling the story, you are engaging with the text and analysing it.

·         Closing statement/linking statement that will close off the main point of that particular paragraph and has a deliberate lead into the next paragraph. Having a linking statement is optional; however a closing statement is necessary.

Conclusion

·         Requires you to re-visit your thesis statement (try and find another way to rephrase but if you can’t re-state it)

·         Re-address your key points – find a way to bring closure to them and links them all together. Draw on the parallels between your three/four main points.

·         Write a final statement that draws a final conclusion about what you’ve been discussing

·         Leaves your reader thinking about what they’ve just read

·         Try not to end with a question

Rules

·         Do not introduce a new point in a conclusion/ideas/evidence

·         Do not speak in first or second person (I, we, us, you etc.)

·         Write in present tense for an analytical essay as you are engaging directly with the text at that point in time. You are writing it as if you are there. (e.g. when Othello attacks ___)

·         Make sure reference when you use a direct quotation “___” (Act 3, Sc. 2, 11-13)

·         Try not to use long quotations – paraphrase if necessary

·         Integrate your evidence

·         Don’t re-word what the quote is stating – analyse it and explain why it is useful to your argument

·         Avoid sweeping statements – be careful how you word your argument

·         Avoid value judgment e.g. Iago is a horrible person for what he did to Othello. You are allowed to say the audience is positioned to see Iago in a negative light.  

·         An analytical essay is formal and not personal

·         Use formal phrasing such as, “Shakespeare positions…” “The audience is positioned to…”

·         Proof-read and edit at the end – leave enough time for this

·         10-15 minutes to plan, 1 hour to write it, 15 minutes to proof read

Practice Test

Over the next two lessons and tonight, you will be completing an essay in response to the following question:

"Othello is a play about good versus evil." Discuss with reference to at least one major character. Your answer should make mention of some of the positioning techniques used in the play besides characterisation. You should also make explicit reference to at least one theme as well.

List of positioning techniques that may be useful:

Binary oppositions – the contrasting of two oppositional characteristics, in which one half of the binary is always privileged (seen as good/ right/ better).

Soliloquy/ Soliloquies – speaking without or regardless of hearers/ other characters.

Asides – a brief comment under the breath of the character or to the audience that reveals the characters true feelings/ intent.

Monologues – a lengthy speech that usually gives the perspective of the character on one or several topics.

Sequencing – the order of events.

Point of View – whose perspective a scene/ episode is mainly seen from/ reported from.

Imagery – lines in which there are visual images (used to colour our opinion of a character/ event positively or negatively).

Foreshadowing – when characters’ words pre-empt/ warn of an ominous outcome as a result of a particular action/ personality trait. Eg: The scene with the duke in Act 1 has many moments of foreshadowing (the Duke speaks about the negative outcomes of jealousy, Brabantio warns Othello about Desdemona, the discussion of race etc).

Repetition – repeated lines/ words/ ideas/ images.

Naming  -  eg: the reduction of Othello to racial references (Moor) at certain points, or to his position (General) at other points. The reference to Iago as a spotted dog etc.

Humour – funny lines that make the audience align with what a character says… although sometimes this shows how ‘laughable’ the character’s view is/ discredits it.

Irony – like rain on a wedding day… this has many meanings, but in Othello we can apply it to the way in which statements/ events that characters think will never occur/ be true DO occur/ are true (“is he not jealous?”). Also, statements/ events which they believe are true/ will occur (Iago’s “I love you”(s))…

Aristocracy’s (Aristocracies’) Reflections - When a royal/ upper class character delivers the final reflection on an event/ characteristic (often in flowery, metaphoric language or rhyme, perhaps with a final couplet). This positioning technique reflected the Elizabethan assumption that those ranked higher in class/ hierarchy were wiser. Elizabethan audiences would accept such characters’ perspectives as ‘true’.

Deaths – honourable deaths, dishonourable deaths, sacrificial deaths, redemptive suicides, drawn-out torture… consider the death of your various representative character and how this punishes/ rewards (well, idealises) them for the characteristic they epitomise. What message does this send the audience about the trait/s they represent?

List of themes that we have discussed in class:

Jealousy

Race

Deception

Reputation

Revenge

Reality vs Perception

Love

Writing tasks for weekend

What makes them tick?

Image taken from Google images on 22/10/12

For each of the following characters, write a concise paragraph that explores what sort of person he/she is. You may need to consider a combination of physical and personality traits to accurately explore the character.

* Othello

* Iago

*Desdemona

* Cassio

* Emilia

* Roderigo

* Bianca

As you plan your paragraphs, you should consider the following things:

1. What does the character do/say to provide insight to the audience about themselves?

2. What do other characters say about this person to provide insight to the audience?

3. What positioning techniques does Shakespeare use to position the audience to view this character in a particular light?

4. What embedded values, attitudes and ideas can the audience associate with this character?

As you write your paragraph, you should consider the following things:

1. Your topic sentence should be concise and effectively identify the focus of your paragraph

2. You should follow the acceptable paragraph structure

3. Your paragraph should be focusing on analysis rather than description

4. You should be aiming to integrate your evidence

5. Evidence must be synthesised (remember, this is where you can explore the effectiveness/significance of various positioning techniques and explore the embedded values, etc.)

6. You should be proactive when proof-reading and editing.

Iago's multiple personalities

At this stage in the play, we are already seeing the influence that Iago holds over a variety of characters. Write an extend response that discusses the various 'versions' of Iago that the audience is exposed to and consider how he contributes to our understanding of the various themes within the play.

In your response, you should consider the following:

1. Make sure you include direct evidence
2. Makes sure you reference the evidence (Act 3, Scene 5, 45-50)
3. Discuss positioning techniques
4. Consider the values, attitudes and ideas that are embedded within the text
5. Use well-constructed sentences and paragraphs.
6. Proof-read carefully.

Initial thoughts

The character, Othello, is missing from much of the early part of the play. We hear about him and what he has done from discussions among/between other characters. (Iago & Roderigo; Brabantio & Iago and R.; Brabantio & the Senate).

When he is discussed or referred to, it is using language that we would consider quite racist in modern terms. For example, he is variously referred to as;  “the Moor” (I.i.57), “the thick-lips” (I.i.66), “an old black ram” (I.i.88), and “a Barbary horse” (I.i.113). Although Othello appears at the beginning of the second scene, we do not hear his name until well into Act I, scene iii (I.iii.48).

Why has Shakespeare chosen to introduce the main character in this way? How are we, as the audience, being positioned to see Othello and to see other characters?

Try and write as much as you can in your response. Remember, we are trying to enhance our abilities to write in an analytical style. This means well-constructed arguments that are supported by evidence and synthesised.

Image taken from Google images on 12/10/12

Keeping a log

During our study of Othello you will be keeping a journal/log on your blog. This log/journal will document your journey through the play. 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 scenes

* Lines that you have particular enjoyed or that you think are important - make sure you reference the lines 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

Image taken from Google images on 09/10/12