1. Essay Writing Is Critical Thinking

2. Mr. Pip by Lloyd Jones
Writing An Essay About An Important Scene / Event / Section / Episode / Moment of Tension

3. Possibles e.g. The beginning of the novel (orientation)
The end of the novel (resolution)
The killing of Mr. Watts
The killing of Matilda’s mother
The visit to Mrs. Watts in Wellington
Any others?

4. Critical Thinking and You

5. Can you justify your Choice of event? e.g.
Major impact on the main character/s?
Demonstrates key idea / theme (s) ?
Is it the climax or a turning point?
Does it set the tone or introduce something?
Does it have a major impact on the reader’s emotions or thoughts?

6. More Critical Thinking

7. Consider how the writer creates the impact on you e.g.
Structures the event to create tension / mystery / cliff hanger / surprise/ horror
Uses conflict - internal and/or external
Uses character contrast
Uses dialogue
Uses imagery and word choices
Uses first person to bring our sympathy closer
Uses the setting

8. Writer’s Intention or Purpose?
To make us think about ideas such as home, innocence, guilt, race, the power of literature, loyalty, love, bravery, cruelty, good and evil, man’s inhumanity to man
To make us feel empathy for human suffering, to warn us of the effects of war, to inspire us to be better people

9. (2011) Analyse how the writer has created impact in a section of studied text.
Section: “I am here as God’s Witness”
Your Turn
Select writer’s methods (= how) and find evidence for them in the section -> Convert notes to an essay.
Evidence should include specific details and quotes e.g. The writer uses character contrast to help us consider the difference between good and evil. Dolores in this scene represents ‘good’. She finally speaks up and says to the redskin commander when he asks, “Who saw?”

10. Good Exam Prep
Complete your essay and give to Mrs. H. for feedback.