 To recognise how setting is used  To structure a critical essay

Talking in Whispers Planning a critical Essay

 Learn to write about texts  Learn how to structure critical essays

 To write a suitable introduction  To write three main points about setting used in the novel with the correct structure.  To write a suitable conclusion

 To identify key words from the essay question  To learn how to use the essay question to plan your response.

Choose a novel and show how the writer uses setting to highlight the key concepts and aspects of character in the opening chapters of that novel. Task – Copy out the essay question above in full in your jotter and underline the words which you consider to be the most important in the question.

 Choose a novel that you have read the beginning of in which the setting is an important aspect.  show how the writer uses setting to highlight key themes and aspects of character in the opening chapters of that novel.

Choose a novel that you have read the beginning of in which the setting is an important aspect.  show how the writer uses setting to highlight key themes and aspects of character in the opening chapters of that novel.  “Talking in Whispers”  Opening three chapters  Country of Chile in 1980s  The setting is used to show the dangerous and volatile situation, the fear that the people live under  The setting is used to highlight the theme of totalitarianism, oppression and fear  The weather is used to reflect the mood and situation of Andres

 To learn how to structure a critical essay  To write an introduction for a critical essay

 Critical essays always have the same structure. (Essentially a beginning, a middle and an end).  Introduction  3-5 Key points  Conclusion

 Paragraph 1 – Introduction  Paragraph 2 - Plot Summary  Paragraph 3 – Key Point 1  Paragraph 4 – Key Point 2  Paragraph 5 – Key Point 3  Paragraph 6 - Conclusion Main body of essay

Look at the work we did using the essay question. What aspects of setting in relation to the novel could we consider that will make up each of our key points?

Key Point  Point 1 will be about how the setting highlights the dangerous and volatile situation in Chile.  Point 2 will be about how setting is used to show the fear/oppression in Chile  Point 3 will be about how the weather reflects the mood and situation of the main character.

Writing an Introduction

 Work alone to answer the following questions and write your answers down: 1. What is the purpose of an introduction? 2. What do you think you should include in an introduction of a critical essay? 3. Why is it important to write a good introduction? Starter Activity – Solo Work – 5mins

 Title,  Author  Reference to the essay question,  Techniques that you will be writing about.  Summary of the plot

 T itle = “Talking in Whispers”  A uthor = James Watson

 Use the key words from the question to help you say what your essay will do  Try to avoid saying “I will...” or “I am going to...”  Use formal language - no slang!

 Tell the reader which techniques your essay will examine.  Don’t mention techniques you don’t write about. We are studying a novel –Techniques will include characterisation and setting ; used to highlight theme.

 I am going to tell you about a novel called “Talking in Whispers” by James Watson. In it Andres is on the run from the security forces and he meets two puppeteers that he joins forces with. James uses characterisation to show the reader the theme of oppression.  Task – What has this candidate done well and how could they improve on this attempt?

 I am going to tell you about a novel called “Talking in Whispers” by James Watson. In it Andres is on the run from the security forces and he meets two puppeteers that he joins forces with. James uses characterisation to show the reader the theme of oppression.

Why the introduction isn’t very good!  Doesn’t refer to the question!!!  Plot Summary is poor and irrelevant to the question  Doesn’t mention the technique of setting  There is no contextual information about the setting.  There is no mention of the fact that it is just the opening three chapters that will be considered.  It has little or no style!

 “Talking in Whispers” by James Watson is a powerful and claustrophobic novel set in Chile in the 1980’s. In Chile at this time the people live in constant fear of the totalitarian government with little freedom. In the opening chapters Watson uses the setting of Chile under this regime to convey the theme of the dangers of totalitarianism. In addition, Watson’s skilful use of setting assists the reader in understanding the climate of fear and oppression that the people live under daily. Also, his detailed use of setting allied with sensitive characterisation reveals important aspects of the central character of Andres

Task  Write a good introduction for your essay remembering to use T.A.R.T.S. (Leave the plot summary for now, we will come to that later.  Use the sentence below to help you start. “ The Truman Show” by Peter Weir is a powerful and moving comedy drama in which there is an interesting character.

 This should be very brief (No more than 12 jotter lines) and should take an overview of the films themes, plot and characters. Task  Try writing a short summary of “The Truman Show” now in your jotter. Summary of Plot

Each key point will have the same structure P oint – Topic sentence that introduces the point you are making E vidence – Quotation from text to support the point you are making introduced properly A nalysis – Explanation of how quotation helps your point R esponse – Your personal opinion – What is the writer encouraging you to feel about the character at this point

 Remember you have to introduce the quotation properly by giving the context of the quotation. DON’T simply write, “for example...” or “Here is a quote...” because this is tedious for the marker to read and boring for you to write.  Instead you should give the context – what is happening at the time and who is speaking.

 Look at the example of a Key point written about the poem “The Identification” by Roger McGough and try to identify the Point, Evidence Analysis and Response in this Key Point.  Highlight or underline each section using a different colour.  D:\English Teaching\S3 and S4\S3  4\Int 1\Resources\poetry\The Identification\Key Point 1 - teacher's copy simplified.doc D:\English Teaching\S3 and S4\S3  4\Int 1\Resources\poetry\The Identification\Key Point 1 - teacher's copy simplified.doc

 Often there will be more than one quotation for each key point, as in this example.  Do the same as before (highlight or underline each section – Point, Evidence, Analysis and Response for this key point written about “The Prize of Peril”.  Also choose a different colour and highlight the introduction to the quotation this time.  D:\English Teaching\S3 and S4\S3  4\Int 1\Resources\prose\short stories\The Prize of Peril\prize of peril essay pupil copy.docD:\English Teaching\S3 and S4\S3  4\Int 1\Resources\prose\short stories\The Prize of Peril\prize of peril essay pupil copy.doc

To write a good topic sentence you should include:  An opener  Words from the essay question  An introduction to the point you want to make