Good luck + info

[hollis]

Just to wish everyone good luck on the Prelim, and remember to do your close reading practice as well as learning all your quotations!


I'm not in school on Monday, but I will be checking the message board thanks to the snazzy Proboards iPhone app throughout the day, so if you have a question, post it up and I'll get back to you asap.


Good luck!

[hollis]

Just noticed I've had two people send me questions, so thought I'd deal with them here in case anyone else wanted them.

Someone asked if I could go over a Catcher key scene question.

It depends on how the question is phrased. If you were asked about how the book builds to the key scene, I would examine his inability to fit in at Pencey and then this being symbolised on Thomson hill. Then I would move to the hotel.

For the key scene itself, it's important to look at the following -

The impure atmosphere symbolised by the smell of cigars.

Sunny - her name, her corruption by the adult world, and her nervousness.

Maurice - his appearance (representing all Holden despises about the adult world) and his fight with Holden.

Holden then retreating from the 'real' world (pretending to be shot) - remember this signifies his last attempt to fit into the world of adults.


If I were to examine how the key scene affects the rest of the novel, I would simply look at the key scene, then I would move on to explain how he creates his dream job to escape growing up, and do a FULL analysis on the title.

Then, I would look at his break down at the carousel.

IF I magically had time, I would try to look at either his meeting with Sally Hayes or Carl Luce.




And the other question was about the final question on the close reading paper, and not being able to find good examples of answering it. So I've shamelessly stolen this from Mrs. Kendall's thread (thanks Mrs. K!)


Some general points about tackling the Comparison Question from 2012 onwards:

• The Question on both Passages from 2012 onwards is slightly different from previous years, so past papers up to 2011 will not be a particularly good guide for you (although they’ll still be fine for all the other types of question).
• Instead of being asked to state a preference and justify your choice, you’ll be asked to identify important similarities or differences or both in the writers’ ideas. (This is probably an easier task for you than the old type of question.)
• Stick closely to the instruction in the question about whether to write about similarities or differences or both. For example, if it’s on similarities and you can see a difference, don’t include it.
• Stick closely to any focus you are given in the question. For example, in the Stonehenge question it’s not just any similarities you’re looking for, it’s similarities in “the theories about its origins and purpose”.
• The key to this question is your ability to identify “key areas”. For example, in the Stonehenge passages both writers refer to stones being brought from Wales – this is simply a fact, not an “idea”, let alone an “important” one.
• Planning is very important. Leave time to jot down important ideas in each passage and maybe use some kind of diagram or table to make connections or spot differences. If you plan well, then writing the answer should not take too long.
• There is no one way to go about answering this question. The instruction invites you to use “continuous prose” (ie ordinary sentences and paragraphs) or a “series of developed bullet points” – you can choose the method you prefer.
• These answers are not marked according to length or according to the total number of points made. You will probably have to identify at least two or three of the most important points for a minimum of three marks, and then the final mark will depend on how well you refer to the passages to support these points.

[hollis]

More questions posted -



Firstly i was planning a turning point essay for catcher and i was wondering at what point do i mention Holden being the "Cather In The Rye"? Would it be after the museum?

For a turning point you would discuss the dream of becoming the Catcher STRAIGHT after the hotel scene. Once you have covered his pretending to be shot, you can link into the idea of Holden retreating further from the real world with this created job.

I'm not sure how relevant the museum would be in a turning point question.



Next qu -

And also i had problems in close reading when answering questions using parenthesis and semi colons. What are the main points to say when answering with them?


The key idea is not what the piece of sentence structure does generally (eg don't say 'the writer uses parenthesis for extra information') but SPECIFICALLY what they have inserted. Look at what is inside the parenthesis, and your answer may be something like -

Parenthesis is used for the writer to interject into the piece with their own thoughts, creating an informal and humourous tone, as they contradict the serious nature of the rest of the discussion.

Look at specifically what the parenthesis adds.


For semi-colons, you should be looking at the idea shared across both halves of the sentence. I would also perhaps look to see if it is a balanced sentence - examining both sides of a question.


Final one -

Also what is the significance of the children reaching for the ring at the carousel?

The idea is that there are rewards to growing up - it is not a fully depressing / awful experience, but in order to experience these rewards, children must take the risk / jump into the world of adulthood, otherwise they will live in a safe, yet boring life. This is what Holden realises at the carousel.

[hollis]

Another qu -

After analysis of "catcher" would i go straight to the carousel?


On a turning point question, yes. This is then the culmination of his retreat from the real world and his breakdown.

[karenproctor02]

in close reading what's the breakdown of how you get you mark

[karenproctor02]

sorry I.e what do you have to get a B/A

[mcf]

Hi Karen,

Close Reading is as follows: 25/50 = C 30/50 = B and 35/50 = A

50% = C
60% = B
70% = A

Hope this helps. ;D

[karenproctor02]

okay that's great thanks and what are the essays?

[mcf]

Hi Karen,

When the examiner is marking an essay, as I do, they don't think about whether or not the essay is an A or B or a C. They mark it against the criteria. However, a rough guide is as follows:

13/25 = C

15/25 = B

19/25 = A

Hope this helps. ;D

[hollis]

Folks, have answered all personal questions. A few people have asked if they can send me essays - PLEASE DO! Send them as a message to me and I'll mark them tonight

[hollis]

I will post up all the questions and answers I've given when back at PC, but if you ask, I'll get back to your messages by DM for just now. Easier from iPhone! Keep em coming.

[hollis]

Also don't forget close reading qus!

[tim]

3. Choose a play in which the dramatist creates tension at the beginning or at the end.
Explain how the tension is created and discuss how it contributes to an effective
introduction or conclusion to the play.

Would this be a suitable question for Crucible? If so, what quotes should be used?

[hollis]

Timmy, it'd be best to cover this with Act 4, although act 1 would be better were it a climax question. For this one however I'd be looking at Proctor being brought in to confess, then the tension, after Elizabeth has convinced him, being created from Rebecca Nurse's arrival. This then creates tension as to whether Proctor will live under another lie or remain innocent and die. Look then at his reluctance to sign the confession, then the climax of "because it is my name!" which links in to a key theme. Finally, it is resolved by his death.


That help?

[tim]

yep, thanks