Paper 1 - Area of Study Belonging

Section 3 – Extended Response  This section will include a question to respond to the study of your core text and choice of related materials.  Concept of belonging (WHAT)  HOW techniques in the text shape meaning

Preparing for this section To prepare for such a question you must 1. know your texts thoroughly - learn important quotes and examples (a relevant selection is impressive and inaccurate stuff pisses off markers!) 2. prepare thesis point or a focus to guide the discussion of your response. 3. constantly reflect back on thesis as you answer the question.

Type of extended response  Range of text types for the extended response.  Could be a speech, essay, interview, feature article, etc  The essay is the most popular text type.  You need to know the features of different text types.

What to do in an essay?  Discussing  Arguing  Evaluating -Trying to convince the reader about an idea in a systematic way. -Idea/thesis, explanation, evidence -Linking explanation with words like -although, hence, therefore, contrastingly, but, however..

Sample Question A strong human spirit is essential for a sense of belonging. Discuss with reference to your core text and Two related materials of your own choosing. Before writing your response take a few minutes to understand the key words in the question and create a rough plan. Its good to prepare your response in advance but you must always answer the question.

Aim for:  Clear thesis  Relevant evidence  Organise  Sophisticated language  Strong arguments

Essay structure  Many structures. No set formula.  Develop your own style.  Most popular and easy to read structure –  Intro 2 paragraphs, Answer the question General idea of belonging Introduce texts and 3 key thesis (one per text) ideas linked to the question  Body 3 main body paragraphs Each paragraph presents a different text and explores each thesis idea for each text. These can be sub paragraphs Intertextuality – Compare concepts across the texts  Conclusion Summarise key points and link back to the question

Intro – Paragraph 1 Answer the question. General idea of belonging A sense of belonging is established through one’s strong human spirit. The human spirit is deeply interwoven within the human psyche and therefore a direct correlation is seen between this and a sense of belonging which is also deeply intrinsic. Belonging can be understood as the basic human instinct to identify with a community. More importantly, it provides people with feelings of security, a sense of identity and self-worth.

Intro – Paragraph 2 Introduce texts and 3 key thesis ideas linked to the question  Your 3 thesis ideas can be paraphrased as topic sentences for your body paragraphs. In the memoir, ‘Romulus, My Father’ by Raimond Gaita we are shown how in order for him to belong, Romulus’ strong human spirit is essential for him to endure the challenges of being a migrant, deal with his wife’s mental illness and raise his son with strong values. The responder is also made to question perceptions of belonging through Raimond’s character that evolves throughout the book. This is similar to Tehmina in the film ‘Unfinished Sky’. Tehmina’s isolation invites speculation over how a person’s sense of belonging is in a constant state of flux and a strong human spirit is essential to see the person through various circumstances. Contrastingly the popular Beatles song, ‘Eleanor Rigby’ is a reflection on the defeated human spirit as a result of the isolation of modern day living. This then begs the question whether a human spirit is essential for a sense of belonging or a sense of belonging is necessary to develop a strong human spirit.

Body Paragraphs  Each text – one body paragraph  Can be subdivided into little paragraphs to improve readability. Paragraph Structure  Topic sentence  Explanation  Evidence/intertextuality  Link to question

Body paragraph – Romulus, My Father This is an example of a small paragraph in a big body paragraph. (Topic Sentence) Romulus’s sense of belonging is constantly challenged due to his circumstances. (Explanation) The landscape is constantly symbolic of his displacement, (Evidence/quote) “he longed for the generous European foliage, but the eucalyptus.. seemed symbols of deprivation and barreness.” (Link to question) Despite this physical seclusion it is Romulus’s strong human spirit, his honest work ethic and understanding that only by establishing one’s worth in the community that he and his son could have a better life.

Intertextuality  Compare texts across concept and technique (Topic sentence) A person may question their sense of belonging only because they are forced into a situation of change. (Explanation) Gaita’s inclusion of anecdotes of poignant times in his childhood can be compared to Tehmina’s flashbacks in the film. Gaita’s visit to the Ballarat psychiatric hospital to see his ‘shrunken and bewildered’ father, marked a turning point in his feelings of stability and strength in the person of his father. (Technique/Evidence) ‘I left the hospital changed’ is the only emotive expression of pathos to show the change in his perception of belonging. He now realised he could not again ‘absorb past sorrows against the sure confidence of my father’s strenght.’ Similary Tehmina’s flashbacks to the horrific rape scene present her trauma which is a a dramatic change from the sense of peace and stability she seeks as a new migrant to Australia. The dark lighting, shadows and constantly swerving camera invite the audience to experience Tehmina’s distress and isolation. (Link to main thesis) Both Gaita and Tehmina have to undergo dramatic changes for them to question their sense of belonging

Conclusion  A very brief summary of main thesis  Extend main thesis  Personal reflection