1. Higher & Int. 2 English Introductions Against the Clock!

2. Introductions Introductions are very importantIntroductions are very important They are your first word to the examinerThey are your first word to the examiner They let you demonstrate confidence, and relevance to the question, straight awayThey let you demonstrate confidence, and relevance to the question, straight away

3. What Should an Introduction Include? Title of the text and the writer’s name Key words from essay question Short summary of the text Positive engagement with the text Relevant features of the text

4. Example ‘Macbeth’, the world-renowned play by William Shakespeare, presents a character who is in conflict with the society in which he lives. The play focuses on the vaulting ambition of the title character and the consequences of this fatal flaw. Shakespeare makes us fully aware of the conflict and isolation experienced by Macbeth due to his ambition through adept use of key scenes, characterisation and soliloquy.

5. Focus on ‘Dulce et Decorum est’ As we’ve just been studying ‘Dulce et Decorum est’, it makes sense for us to write practice introductions related to that textAs we’ve just been studying ‘Dulce et Decorum est’, it makes sense for us to write practice introductions related to that text We are going to write these against the clock in a four minute timeframe.We are going to write these against the clock in a four minute timeframe. The next slide will be on screen for 4 minutes and 15 seconds.The next slide will be on screen for 4 minutes and 15 seconds.

6. Essay Question 1 (Int 2 Specimen) Choose a poem which deals with a frightening experience.Choose a poem which deals with a frightening experience. Briefly describe the experience and show how the poet has communicated the feelings of fear by the use of various poetic techniques.Briefly describe the experience and show how the poet has communicated the feelings of fear by the use of various poetic techniques.

7. How did you get on?How did you get on? Here’s another one in 4 minutes 15.Here’s another one in 4 minutes 15.

8. Essay Question 2 (H ’08) Choose a poem which is strongly linked to a specific location. Show how the poet captures the essence of the location and exploits this to explore an important theme.

9. How did you get on?How did you get on? Do ONE of the following in 4 minutes 15.Do ONE of the following in 4 minutes 15.

10. Essay Questions 3 & 4 (Int 2 ’07) Choose a poem which creates pity or sympathy in you. Show how the feelings of pity or sympathy are brought into focus by the use of poetic techniques. Choose a poem which describes a scene or incident vividly. Briefly state what is being described and then go on to show how the poetic techniques used make the description vivid.

11. How did you get on?How did you get on? Here’s another one in 4 minutes 15.Here’s another one in 4 minutes 15.

12. Essay Question 5 (Int 2 ’08) Choose a poem which creates an atmosphere of sadness, pity, or loss. Show how the poet creates the atmosphere and what effect it has on your response to the subject matter of the poem.

13. How did you get on?How did you get on?