…Text response essays…

Text response essays Being able to write a text response essay is a skill and one that you will be expected to have mastered by the end of the year! So what exactly do text response essays do and why do we write them?

When writing a text response essay you will…  Have an introduction, at least three to five paragraphs and a conclusion  Respond to a theme/idea/event, etc. in a particular text  Analyse the text (using SHRIMP)  Present your arguments about the text  DO NOT retell the story

 Use quotes and evidence to back up your argument about the text  Use formal language  Use present tense to discuss your argument  NEVER use first person e.g. I think...  Be convincing  Be specific – refer to actual events in the novel

Let’s do it ourselves!  Imagine that you have been given the topic: In the novel ‘Looking for Alibrandi’, Josie must learn to deal with a whole range of issues. How and why does Josie change?

Write a clear, coherent response to this topic. It is important that you prepare for it as well as you can. Use this checklist to help you. 1. What is the question actually asking you to do? Underline the words or phrases in the topic that are important. In this case the question is asking you to decide whether Josie changes and if so what causes her to change. The topic implies that she changes from something to something else.

Ways of defining…(this is practice for you until you get into the exam)  Dictionary definition of terms  Define as a concept or idea  Synonyms BEFORE you write your introduction it is important to know what your body paragraphs are focusing on.

2. Make a list of the issues that the topic has raised. Good questions to ask about a topic might include: How? Who? Where? Why? When? Which? The answers will be in the text. 3. Make a list of at least three key ideas/quotes/examples/opinions that will formulate a response relevant to the question.

You might like to do this by putting your ideas on paper, like this: ArgumentEvidence/Quotes Josie used to be embarrassed about being Italian but through the text she becomes proud of her Italian heritage. Finds Tomato Day suffocating and embarrassing. “This might be where I come from, but do I really belong here?” Changes through hearing Katia’s story and realising the importance of her heritage. Josie initially resents her father but comes to love and respect Michael and accept him in her life. “Stop being polite, you’re making me puke. Be angry or rude – but don’t you pretend I’m not here”. Rejects Michael at first, but then starts to warm to him. “I’ll ring my father – he’s a barrister”.

Josie has conflicting feelings towards Jacob. “I don’t know if he’s my type”. Josie is still initially stuck on John. It is not until after his death that she realises her real feelings for Jacob. Josie doesn’t know where she belongs initially, but throughout the course of the novel, finds herself. Initially she feels that she is out of place, “I don’t belong anywhere and I hate it”. After John’s death she understands that she doesn’t belong in his world, and therefore sets about creating her own sense of belonging, “ I know now that what’s important is who I feel I am”.

Writing the essay Introductions Introductions are an important part of the essay as they set the tone for your piece. They are also the first opportunity that you have to persuade your reader. The introduction always provides three things: Definition: identify key terms/ideas in the topic Interest: grab the reader’s attention Direction: hints at what the paragraphs are about; your contention/line of reasoning.

You must always do these three things. You can remember them by: DID I DO? The introduction must also always include the name of the text: Looking for Alibrandi (underlined or inverted commas) and the name of the author(Melina Marchetta).

FORMULATING A RESPONSE:  From the table formulate a paragraph responding to the essay question for all FOUR of your responses.  These will form the body of your essay: INTRODUCTION Paragraph one Paragraph two Paragraph three Paragraph four CONCLUSION Your FOUR responses will be expanded into FOUR detailed paragraphs responding to the question

FORMULATING A RESPONSE: Introductions Introductions are an important part of the essay as they set the tone for your piece. They are also the first opportunity that you have to persuade your reader and summarise your key points (four responses that are expanded in your essay’s BODY paragraphs). REMEMBER: Author, title and your main contention

PRACTICE In the novel Looking for Alibrandi, Josie must learn to deal with a whole range of issues. How and why does Josie change?

PRACTICE 1. What is the question actually asking you to do? In the novel Looking for Alibrandi, Josie must learn to deal with a whole range of issues. How and why does Josie change? This question is asking you to decide whether Josie changes and if so what causes her to change. The question implies that she changes from something to something else.

FORMULATING A RESPONSE: Introductions Now that you have planned your four responses to the essay question, attempt to write an introduction.

PRACTICE  Underline the words or phrases that are important. Write a synonym for each of the words you have highlighted in the question. Extensive vocabulary is important. deal - issues – change – CONFRONT PROBLEMS TRANSFORM RESOLVE

PRACTICE... Improve the following introduction... In Melina Marchetta’s novel, Looking for Alibrandi, Josie confronts and resolves a number of problems she has in her life. Ultimately, Josie is not the same girl at the end of the novel as she was at the beginning. Josie’s attitudes towards her family and friends alter as she learns more about them and tries to understand them. Include a summary of supporting ideas that will be explored in greater detail in your BODY paragraphs Topic sentence including main contention Outline your main arguments Clincher

Paragraphs  Your paragraphs are where you develop your main ideas. Each paragraph has a main idea/major argument. This major argument is discussed in detail and proved with evidence (usually a quote).  Remember the ‘TEA- (shrimp)-C’ structure for paragraphs.

FORMULATING A RESPONSE:  Write FOUR responses to this question:  These FOUR responses will be your focus for FOUR different paragraphs in the body of your essay.  Number your responses from the strongest to weakest. This will be the order of your paragraphs for the body of your essay.

PRACTICE... Improve the following paragraph... In the novel, Looking for Alibrandi, Melinda Marchetta explores how Josie is initially embarrassed about being Italian but throughout the text she becomes proud of her Italian heritage. Include supporting ideas and quotes from the text This is highlighted when Josie finds Tomato Day suffocating labelling it “National Wog Day” and embarrassing, as she wonders, “How many other poor unfortunates our age were doing the same?” (p.171). However, this changes through hearing Katia’s story and realising the importance of her heritage. **NEW EVIDENCE REQUIRED! READ p and incorporate supporting detail to this statement Topic sentence Evidence / Examples Clincher Explain HOW and WHY Josie changes using SHRIMP EXPLAIN what your evidence is Showing, How the author has constructed meaning, how has the Reader has been positioned, why your evidence is Important, the author’s Main Messages or Purpose Restate or reword the topic sentence. Add one or two words to make it different from the topic sentence. SHRIMP to analyse

FORMULATING A RESPONSE:  For EACH response complete the following table: PARAGRAPHING ELEMENTS Your notes: TOPIC SENTENCE – this has to be clear and concise. It MUST state your stance (opinion/ argument) EVIDENCE – What key piece of evidence will you begin with? Choose wisely. Introduce the quote appropriately. Remember the page number(s). ANALYSIS – incorporate a minimum of 3 shrimp elements. Remember that you can often fit 2 or more elements into one sentence. SHOWS – What does this key piece of evidence show? HOW – How does Marchetta focus readers using literary devices (see separate sheet for ideas) READERS – how are readers positioned to feel, think, react? IMPORTANT – What other important evidence or examples can be used to support your stance (key argument). One quote per paragraph is really not adequate. MAIN MESSAGE OR PURPOSE – What is Marchetta trying to teach readers? This CAN be your clincher but if it doesn’t use key terms and sum up the whole argument then a clincher will be needed too. CLINCHER – round off by summing up your stance/ key ideas. Uses key terms /synonyms for key terms. Ensure you don’t change the stance. Is this in line with your TS?

Conclusions  Conclusions are important as they leave a final impression on your reader. They also have rules.  Have interest (it’s your last chance to impress the reader).  Summarise your total view.  Have a punch-line/final comment

Sample conclusion Josie’s transformation from schoolgirl to young adult is the result of a number of major events in her personal and school life. Indeed, without these influences, Josie’s heightened understanding of herself and others would never have occurred. In reflecting on these experiences and understanding their impact on her life, Josie’s transformation is complete. Be specific with evidence and examples from your BODY paragraphs

Now it’s your turn!  Have a go writing an essay. Use the question I’ve used here as your first ‘practice’ essay. Remember to plan it carefully. “We are caught in the middle of two societies.” Looking for Alibrandi deals with a number of characters who are caught in the middle. Discuss.