Feature Article on Belonging with Unseen Text Essay Example
English Paper One: The Extended Response is often disliked by many students. Writing essays, lectures, and feature articles can cause significant difficulty for HSC students. This negative attitude is primarily the result of a lack of understanding on how to create a well-structured response. Many students struggle with constructing a thesis statement and providing arguments that are supported by textual evidence. However, with some guidance and information on effective writing techniques, these students can overcome these challenges and learn how to write purposeful compositions.
To achieve the highest marks in your extended response for Belonging, it is important to break down the response into its primary elements. This approach makes the process easier and allows for a focused emphasis on the essential aspects. To illustrate this point, let's analyze Arthur Miller's 1953 play The Crucib
...le and Jean Rhys' 1966 novel Wide Sargasso Sea. The first step is establishing a strong thesis statement which sets the tone and structure for the essay.
The text discusses the application of a particular aspect of belonging/not belonging to multiple texts. The texts serve as evidence to support the thesis. It is recommended to have three thesis ideas and, on the day, select two thesis statements that best address the given question. For instance, one could have ideas about the interconnection between place, power, madness, and women. If the question pertains to the influence of connections to places on belonging, the prepared ideas can be developed into a suitable thesis statement.
Connection to place can create a strong emotional bond through shared experiences and values. Teachers often recommend using a two-sentence thesis, where the first half i
addressed in the first part of the essay and the second half in the second part. To further develop the thesis, one can explore how feeling alienated from a place indicates a disconnection from its social and cultural values. The initial section of the essay should focus on the first part of the thesis and incorporate a key scene from the core text. In his work, Miller uses a political fable format to critically comment on the American McCarthy era and the fear of communism. The critique emphasizes how a positive connection to a group based on shared experiences and values can lead individuals to abuse their power in order to maintain it. It is essential for the thesis statement to not only pose a question but also express one's personal beliefs about belonging.
Believing in the argument you are presenting is more effective when trying to make a point. This is exemplified in "The Crucible" through Danforth's connection to Salem and his realization of his power over the people. Miller emphasizes Danforth's need to maintain power by using rhetorical questions to defend his integrity when it is questioned. In one scene, the play is set in a courtroom, illustrating how individuals can improve their social position and find a sense of belonging by aligning with the majority. Cheever gains power through the court but also recognizes his duty as an official. It is important to provide supporting arguments that reinforce the thesis, as shown above.
To ensure a meaningful response, it is essential to provide supporting arguments. One way to achieve this is by introducing a topic sentence and incorporating relevant content
from Jean Rhys' novel, Wide Sargasso Sea. For example, Antoinette's attachment to her home in Granbois stems from her realization that it provides refuge from societal ridicule, based on personal experiences. This topic sentence corresponds with the initial aspect of the thesis statement.
The key terms are reshaped to support the thesis statement, completing the supporting argument with analysis. Antoinette's sense of belonging is highlighted through exaggeration when she tells Rochester: "This is my place and everything is on our side." Rhys uses this to create an unshakable confidence within Antoinette. By emphasizing this assurance, the audience becomes more aware of her downfall as Rochester dismantles this connection.
How to integrate textual support: The paragraphs above have arguments that have been supported with textual evidence. Textual support is crucial for any extended response as it substantiates your arguments. Essentially, you are utilizing examples from the text to analyze and prove your point. This analytical process is known as TEE (technique, example, effect). By combining this method with your topic sentence, you create a paragraph that forms your entire response. For instance:
Abigail's rebellion against the social and cultural expectations for women in Salem causes her to become disconnected from the community. This is evident in a conversation she has with John Proctor in act one, where they discuss the witchcraft accusations. In this scene, important themes of the play are introduced, including their affair and Abigail's defiance of societal norms. Abigail's remark that "A wild thing may say wild things" foreshadows her future rebellious behavior and her refusal to conform. Additionally, Miller uses the domestic setting to highlight the inappropriate nature of
their relationship.
In addition, you can incorporate a discussion of how Miller enhances the dramatic tension through his use of stage direction. For instance, when Abigail behaves in a taunting manner towards Proctor, she forcefully grasps his hand before he can let go. Writing an essay for the HSC doesn't have to be a difficult task. Although 800-1000 words in 40 minutes may appear daunting, understanding how to structure your extended response will make everything easier. It is crucial to continue writing responses about belonging even after you have finished studying the module in order to keep your arguments fresh and your technique strong.
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