Belonging and Dickinson 2-3 POEMS – CONCEPTUAL APPRAOCH – LINKING THROUGH INSIGHTS Belonging/ Not Belonging IN TEXTS WHAT HOW MEANING AND DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF BELONGING This part always needs to be evaluative – which means you are constantly judging the effectiveness of techniques at providing insights into belonging. ANALYSE TECHNIQUE INTERTEXTUALITY – CONNECTIONS BETWEEN POEMS AND TEXTS AT LEAST 2 BIG ONES PER POEM

Key concepts Belonging through writing Not Belonging to literary world Belonging through nature Tension between deliberate exclusion and inclusion Belonging to self Other issues/ideas Problems inherent in Belonging Importance of Belonging Belonging to/exclusion from text – audience Contested readings Would Dickinson belong in society today? Lifestyle? Change? Would her poetry be celebrated??

Connections to Belonging ‘This is my letter to the world’ ‘A word dropped careless on a page’ World - acceptance/alienation from society literary world / society ‘I had been hungry all the years.’ Need to belong – yearning Belonging to nature ‘A narrow fellow in the grass’ Power of nature ‘I gave myself to him,’ belonging – risk and gain society expectation, religion-god, marriage Not brave – yearning to belong - nature ‘What mystery pervades a well!’ Power of nature ‘The saddest noise, the sweetest noise,’ ‘I died for beauty, but was scarce’ Loss associated with the power of nature risk/dangers of belonging

Vocab, Vocab, Vocab identity perception disaffection perspective alienation solidarity acceptance prejudice exclusion conform fear relationship tolerance isolation outcast empathy recognition exile rejection estrangement affiliation marginalisation segregation understanding Engaging with question and improving vocab will raise your response by ONE band!!!

Notes from marking centre Connections between texts must demonstrate: A clear line of argument (thesis + insights) Established viewpoint (mature, personal POV) Synthesised discussion of texts (combined) A cohesive framework (essay structure) A sustained comparison (of texts in relation to question throughout entire essay)

Introduction Strong thesis statement that shows deep personal thought, is mature and unique (Thesis = topic + your attitude/argument) declare your (what you plan to argue + how you plan to argue it = thesis) beliefs Simply, it is your considered, insightful, perceptive and intelligent point of view in response to the essay statement/question. Use key words of question – do not just restate question – never rewrite the question – this is a waste of time. Must refer to:- Texts by full name and form– Dickinson’s Poetry, Red Tree and/or Into the Wild etc Composers – Emily Dickinson, Sean Penn, Shaun Tan etc Dates/time periods composed The different aspects/meanings of belonging/not belonging to be addressed The outcome/implications/value/significance of belonging in life Introduction should be assertive, confident and brave!!! Avoid Dictionary definitions Generalisations or shopping lists Maslow’s theory – unless approached skilfully Book report style responses

Breaking down thesis and supporting insights Belonging is about relationships – D = Dickinson poems RT = Related Text Insight 1 D humans are social creatures RT Insight 2 Insight 3 acceptance purposeful belonging- ‘happiness is only true when shared’ D RT RT D

Belonging is about acceptance – Thesis Belonging is about acceptance – Insight 1 D You must accept yourself before others accept you RT Insight 2 Insight 3 Be true to your beliefs Be willing to go against the grain and societies status quo D RT D RT

Body – Insights presented with the purpose to explain and support thesis through analysis of texts **Don’t forget to compare texts, linking them through similarities and/or differences either within paragraphs or between/across paragraphs Paragraph 1 Basic paragraph structure to assist with the organisation of your essay - INSIGHT 1:- statement outlining your first insight (strongest argument- mini-thesis statement as evidence to support essay thesis). Explain:- discuss insight in relation to Dickinson’s poetry – detailed discussion/explanation. Technique analysis:- the HOW = what techniques are used to portray this insight and explain the effect of this technique on the text/audience/meaning. Evidence:- reference to the text to support argument : quote/scene/image Stronger responses will combine quote and technique into one sentence. Link to thesis/question:- statement that reinforces the significance of this insight in relation to your thesis and the question.

Paragraph 2 INSIGHT 1:- (consequently, paradoxically, ironically) statement connecting related text to first insight either through similarity or difference regarding ideas about belonging, techniques, perspective, personas/characters, purpose. Explain:- discuss insightful relationship between related text and Dickinson’s poetry – detailed discussion/explanation. Technique analysis:- the HOW = explain techniques used to portray this insight and explain the effect of this technique on the text/audience/meaning. Evidence:- reference to the text to support argument : quote/scene/image Stronger responses will combine quote and technique into one sentence. Link to thesis/question:- statement that reinforces the significance of this insight in relation to your thesis and the question.

Paragraphs 3 - 4 Repeat paragraph 1 & 2 structure for INSIGHT 2 = statement outlining your second argument to support thesis. Paragraphs 5 - 6 Repeated paragraph 1 & 2 structure for INSIGHT 3 = statement outlining your third argument to support thesis. Remember to always address the WHAT and HOW!!!

Conclusion Finish strongly and confidently. Reinforce your thesis statement and its significance in relation to the question and texts holistically. Reiterate the most convincing aspects of your body arguments. Incorporate a powerful line from either text which sums up your thesis statement – an insightful critic’s quote from your reading that is relevant to your thesis could also be useful. **If, all of a sudden you get a flash of brilliance whilst writing the conclusion, insert it where it fits in the body of your essay - do not add new information into your conclusion.

**The exam has a reading path to direct your thought patterns – so leave extended response until last Things to learn: quotes, techniques, textual references power sentences which - define concept sum up text link texts Things not to do: Do not use phrases from past exams in your essay Do not learn entire essay by heart, unless you already know the question

Band 5 and 6 responses Integrate texts and show meaningful relationships between them. Show detailed analysis and knowledge across whole text – quote from a variety of chapters/poems/scenes. Integrate quote and technique into discussion around text. Consider the author’s purpose in composing each text – statement on belonging and how audience is invited to belong/or is excluded from text. Use confident, persuasive, assertive language –incorporating a variety of strong vocabulary and belonging synonyms. Get composer’s name correct. Don’t talk about belonging unless referring to prescribed or related texts. Support all statements/insights with strong textual references – always linking techniques to textual references. Have well prepared related texts which explore the concepts of both belonging and alienation. Show personal engagement and originality in response – through original, well prepared related texts and personal thesis statements.