1. PLANNING AND WRITING YOUR ASSESSED ESSAY The Tempest is primarily a play about the lengths to which men will go to secure power for themselves. By exploring Shakespeare’s presentation of power, evaluate this view of The Tempest.

2. In other words, your AO2 (analysis) and AO1 (argument) are the most important factors. However, you still need to make regular and pertinent links to AO5 (different interpretations) and AO3 (contexts).

3. WHAT DO YOU NEED TO GET A TOP BAND?

4. AO1: (30%) Excellent and consistently detailed understanding of text and question. Excellent and consistently detailed understanding of text and question. Consistently fluent and accurate writing in appropriate register. Consistently fluent and accurate writing in appropriate register. Critical concepts and terminology used accurately and consistently. Critical concepts and terminology used accurately and consistently. Well structured, coherent and detailed argument consistently developed. Well structured, coherent and detailed argument consistently developed. Detailed/developed Argument Accurate

5. YOUR INTRODUCTION: HOW DO YOU PUSH THE AO1 FROM THE FIRST FEW SENTENCES? Re-phrase the question/ use words from the question to show that you have understood it (and are answering it)! Re-phrase the question/ use words from the question to show that you have understood it (and are answering it)! Make your argument clear and focused with key words that you will keep coming back to. Make your argument clear and focused with key words that you will keep coming back to. Keep your sentences short and precise. No long, ‘clever’ sentences. Keep your sentences short and precise. No long, ‘clever’ sentences. If you can, refer to context immediately/cite a critic who supports your argument/ embed a quotation. If you can, refer to context immediately/cite a critic who supports your argument/ embed a quotation.

6. EXAMPLE: EXPLORE THE THEMES OF CONTROL AND MANIPULATION IN ‘THE TEMPEST’ What is good about this introduction? Could anything be better?

7. NOW… In no more than 50 words, write the introduction to your essay. In no more than 50 words, write the introduction to your essay.

8. AO1 IN THE REST OF YOUR ESSAY: Use topic sentences to start each point. Keep these clear, simple and short (again, no long sentences). Use topic sentences to start each point. Keep these clear, simple and short (again, no long sentences). Develop all of your points. You should probably be making no more than 3-4 detailed points in your essay. If you make more than this it is likely that your ideas will be underdeveloped. Develop all of your points. You should probably be making no more than 3-4 detailed points in your essay. If you make more than this it is likely that your ideas will be underdeveloped. Keep coming back to the key words/ ideas in your introduction. Underline them, if this helps. Keep coming back to the key words/ ideas in your introduction. Underline them, if this helps. Keep your paragraphs to less than half a side. Slightly new point/idea = new paragraph. Keep your paragraphs to less than half a side. Slightly new point/idea = new paragraph.

9. Proof-read. Read every paragraph back to yourself to check that it makes sense. Proof-read. Read every paragraph back to yourself to check that it makes sense. Conclude your essay, reiterating what your argument is and using words from the question to prove that you have answered it! Conclude your essay, reiterating what your argument is and using words from the question to prove that you have answered it!

10. TOPIC SENTENCES: EXAMPLES: Caliban is shown to be one of the characters most oppressed by Prospero. Caliban is shown to be one of the characters most oppressed by Prospero. Alternatively, the relationship between Caliban and Prospero can be perceived as that of a colonist overlord and a slave. Alternatively, the relationship between Caliban and Prospero can be perceived as that of a colonist overlord and a slave. Prospero’s manipulation and control is shown to be extended to Miranda is order to further his own social status. Prospero’s manipulation and control is shown to be extended to Miranda is order to further his own social status. Are these sufficiently clear and simple? Is it obvious what each paragraph is going to be about? Does each answer the question?

11. AO2: (40%) Well developed and consistently detailed discussion of effects (including dramatic effects) of language, form and structure. Well developed and consistently detailed discussion of effects (including dramatic effects) of language, form and structure. Excellent and consistently effective use of analytical methods. Excellent and consistently effective use of analytical methods. Consistently effective use of quotations and references to text, critically addressed, blended into discussion. Consistently effective use of quotations and references to text, critically addressed, blended into discussion. Well chosen, embedded quotations. Analysis of language and form (stagecraft) and structure

12. EXAMPLE: EXPLORE THE THEMES OF CONTROL AND MANIPULATION IN ‘THE TEMPEST’ ‘Caliban’s position can be likened to Native Americans who, like Caliban, ‘showed the qualities of the role’ and did ‘love thee.’ This emotive response to the invaders or Prospero shows a benevolent innocence and trusting nature which could be perceived as Shakespeare representing Caliban as a noble savage.’ ‘Caliban’s position can be likened to Native Americans who, like Caliban, ‘showed the qualities of the role’ and did ‘love thee.’ This emotive response to the invaders or Prospero shows a benevolent innocence and trusting nature which could be perceived as Shakespeare representing Caliban as a noble savage.’ What is good about this? How could it be improved?

13. NOW… Choose one of the quotations from your plan and annotate it/ write analysis of its language and/or form and/or structure, ensuring that you keep referring back to the question/ your argument. Choose one of the quotations from your plan and annotate it/ write analysis of its language and/or form and/or structure, ensuring that you keep referring back to the question/ your argument.

14. AO3: (10%) Consistently developed and consistently detailed understanding of the significance and influence of the contexts in which literary texts are written and received, as appropriate to the question. Consistently developed and consistently detailed understanding of the significance and influence of the contexts in which literary texts are written and received, as appropriate to the question. What social, cultural and historical factors influenced the writing of the play in 1610/11? How was the play received by people in the 17 th century? How has the play been received by people in the 18 th – 21 st centuries?

15. EXAMPLE: EXPLORE THE THEMES OF CONTROL AND MANIPULATION IN ‘THE TEMPEST’ ‘Indeed, at the time of writing, the Bermuda trafficking was a topic of great interest and controversy and the storm which wrecked one of the slave ships was said to be of significance when influencing Shakespeare to write ‘The Tempest.’ Therefore, Prospero’s relentless physical and degrading abuse can be said to merely his control and manipulation of others.’ ‘Indeed, at the time of writing, the Bermuda trafficking was a topic of great interest and controversy and the storm which wrecked one of the slave ships was said to be of significance when influencing Shakespeare to write ‘The Tempest.’ Therefore, Prospero’s relentless physical and degrading abuse can be said to merely his control and manipulation of others.’

16. NOW… See if you can add contextual detail(s) to one of your points. See if you can add contextual detail(s) to one of your points. You can either write about the social/historical/cultural conditions of the 17 th century or how the text has been received by audiences in the 18 th, 19 th, 20 th or 21 st centuries (the latter is you) and why (in what conditions)? You can either write about the social/historical/cultural conditions of the 17 th century or how the text has been received by audiences in the 18 th, 19 th, 20 th or 21 st centuries (the latter is you) and why (in what conditions)?

17. AO5: (20%) Judgement consistently informed by exploration of different interpretations of the text. Judgement consistently informed by exploration of different interpretations of the text. Judgement consistently informed by changing critical views of the text over time. Judgement consistently informed by changing critical views of the text over time. Using a range of critical interpretations to support your argument. Giving evidence that your interpretation has been informed by others’ critical interpretations.

18. ‘Caliban is presented to be one of the most oppressed characters as Prospero threatens violence and torture on him. Indeed, in the 2006 production by The Royal Shakespeare Company we see Prospero haul Caliban round on a leash and spit in his food. This treatment of Caliban as an animal highlights the control that Prospero has over his ‘creatures.’’ ‘Caliban is presented to be one of the most oppressed characters as Prospero threatens violence and torture on him. Indeed, in the 2006 production by The Royal Shakespeare Company we see Prospero haul Caliban round on a leash and spit in his food. This treatment of Caliban as an animal highlights the control that Prospero has over his ‘creatures.’’ EXAMPLE: EXPLORE THE THEMES OF CONTROL AND MANIPULATION IN ‘THE TEMPEST’

19. ‘Prospero’s references to Caliban as ‘worm,’ ‘dog’ and, in relation to his birth, ‘whelp’ and ‘litter’ suggests that Prospero’s abuse is not only on a physical level but also on a psychological one. This view is corroborated by critic Jan Sewell who states that the marginalisation of Caliban is achieved by the linguistic manipulation of Prospero in order to lower Caliban to a sub-human level.’ ‘Prospero’s references to Caliban as ‘worm,’ ‘dog’ and, in relation to his birth, ‘whelp’ and ‘litter’ suggests that Prospero’s abuse is not only on a physical level but also on a psychological one. This view is corroborated by critic Jan Sewell who states that the marginalisation of Caliban is achieved by the linguistic manipulation of Prospero in order to lower Caliban to a sub-human level.’ EXAMPLE: EXPLORE THE THEMES OF CONTROL AND MANIPULATION IN ‘THE TEMPEST’

20. NOW… Use one of the critics in your plan as a springboard for your own argument. Suggest whether or not you agree and why, giving evidence from the text. Use one of the critics in your plan as a springboard for your own argument. Suggest whether or not you agree and why, giving evidence from the text.

21. WRITING YOUR ESSAY The most important thing you must remember when writing in an essay is to explore ideas in detail and develop points and arguments. The most important thing you must remember when writing in an essay is to explore ideas in detail and develop points and arguments. What else have you learnt today that you will use when writing your first assessed essay? What else have you learnt today that you will use when writing your first assessed essay?