Critical Essays...what you need to know!

30% Folio 30% Close Reading (paper 1) 20% Set Text (poetry) 20% Critical Essay Marked out of 20 You need half marks to pass 0-4 F 5-9 D 10-13 C 14-17 B 18-20 A

There are different things your marker is looking for... Your FAMILIARITY with the text ANALYSIS of the text – an awareness of writers techniques/use of critical terminology/thoughtful and detailed explanation of stylistic devices/supported with well-chosen evidence. EVALUATION of the text - a well-developed commentary of what has been enjoyed/gained from the text. You need to refer to relevant features of the text. SPELLING, STRUCTURE, PARAGRPAHING, EXPRESSION

STRUCTURE It is important that your critical essay has a set structure – this will help to keep you on track and show your marker that you are both organised and well practiced. You must have: Introduction Point 1 (PEE) Point 2 (PEE) Point 3 (PEE) Point 4 (PEE) Point 5 (PEE) Conclusion 4 POINTS IF YOU ARE STUGGLING FOR TIME

A good introduction: Includes the name and the title of the text you have been studying Gives a very BRIEF plot summary (this can be 1-2 lines) Refers to ALL ASPECTS of the question – it should outline what you are going to be discussing Should sound sophisticated and confident – let the marker see that you know your stuff! Should ALWAYS AVOID “This essay will discuss” or “This essay will talk about…” NB The first line can often be the same, no matter what your essay question.

Choose a novel or a short story or a work of non-fiction which explores an important theme. By referring to appropriate techniques, show how the author has explored this theme. Ray Bradbury’s thought-provoking short story, The Pedestrian, explores a futuristic and democratic society that no longer thinks for itself. Through the central character, Leonard Mead, Bradbury explores many important themes and ideas, but perhaps emphasises the theme of isolation the most. Through his use of imagery, characterisation and setting, he is successful in exploring this theme, and allows us to gain an understanding of main concern of the short story – the danger of technology.

Choose a novel or short story in which a character is in conflict with his or her society. Show how the conflict arises and what effect it has on the character’s fate in the novel or short story as a whole. Sophisticated opening sentence – title, author and plot State that it’s a short story – not a novel! Think about what the task is asking you to do – it might be more than 1 thing Give techniques to hint at what your essay will be exploring

Choose a novel or short story which deals with the effects of evil or war or a breakdown in society. Show how any of these negative pressures affects the main character in the novel or short story, and go on to show whether or not she or he tackles it successfully.

Choose a novel or short story in which a character is in conflict with his or her society. Show how the conflict arises and what effect it has on the character’s fate in the novel or short story as a whole. Point 1 Point Evidence Explain / Statement Quote Analyse Open with a TOPIC SENTENCE Introduce your quote with ‘:’ Place the quote on a new line Go in to analysis

Close reading tips

General reminders Answer all questions in your own words as much as possible. Quote + comment. Marks are awarded for the quality of your comment. Write on your exam papers as you go along – circle, underline and jot notes in the margins if this will help you to think. When you are asked about “the language” the writer uses, you are free to look for any writer’s technique. (Think of the toolbox of techniques you have at your disposal for final questions about style.) Work through your answer in a structured way: word choice, imagery, sentence structure etc.

Choose a novel or short story in which a character is in conflict with his or her society. Show how the conflict arises and what effect it has on the character’s fate in the novel or short story as a whole. The conflict between Mead and his society is apparent from the very beginning of the story, and is highlighted through Bradbury’s extended explanation of his isolated state. This is highlighted as he tells us that Mead was: “alone in this world of A.D. 2052” We are later told that Mead lives in a city of three million, so we can recognise that in saying this, Bradbury is emphasising Mead’s feeling of separation from the community in which he lives. He is not physically alone, though he feels metaphorically alone in the way he thinks, his beliefs, and his refusal to conform to the dystopian society he finds himself in. Mead, a non-conformist, is in conflict with the government that rules his city. He alone recognises the brainwashing of those around him and refuses to give in to the technology-dependant way of life that is expected of him. Dramatic irony is almost apparent here as, though Mead does not yet realise it, we, as readers, can already see that his fate is not going to be pleasant – we know he cannot go against the government without consequences. P E

Conclusion Title Author Final Point – link back to the question This is where your EVALUATION marks come from – you must have your opinion in there or else there is no way you can pass. Give DETAILED opinions of the text. You should consider If and why you enjoyed it What it made you think about Did you feel sympathetic for any of the characters Did the imagery etc help you to visualise the setting Did it make you think about anything related to your own life/society you live in Did it teach you a lesson/warn you of anything/leave you thinking about something

Choose a novel or short story in which a character is in conflict with his or her society. Show how the conflict arises and what effect it has on the character’s fate in the novel or short story as a whole. Ray Bradbury’s thought-provoking short story, The Pedestrian, is successful in highlighting the protagonist, Leonard Mead’s, conflict with the dystopian society in which he resides. Through the use of effective imagery, setting and characterisation, Bradbury shows Mead’s isolation from the rest of his society and to his eventual downfall at the closing of the text, where he is taken to a unit for “Regressive Tendencies”. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and thought that Mead was an interesting, brave character who reminded me of the importance of not always conforming to expectations. I thought Bradbury’s use of imagery was particularly effective as it created an uneasy, almost death-like atmosphere, reminding me of the true devastation that can only exist in a dystopian society. The story made me question our own dependence on technology and I think it provides a powerful example of the dangers of it. The story serves as a warning to us all.