Hi Charlie. I note with some alarm that you've had a sex change since we last spoke. Anyway, your questions:
When a question says to "explain briefly" a point does this mean to dedicate an initial paragraph to it, or simply state it in the introduction?It's best to explain it in a paragraph after the general introduction, but DON'T TAKE TOO LONG. For example, in a question like
"Choose a play in which a power struggle is central to the action. Explain briefly the circumstances of the power struggle and discuss the extent to which it contributes to your appreciation of theme and/or character in the play as a whole." (2011, Drama q4) the main part of your essay should be looking at the bit after
"discuss the extent to which...": I would look at Act 3 in detail and define the power struggle as between Abigail and Proctor, which of course Proctor loses. If you're not careful, you could get bogged down in meticulously explaining 'the circumstances of the power struggle' - ie Acts 1 and 2, the bitterness of Abigail, the refusal of Proctor to continue the affair. These areas DO help us appreciate the theme of integrity and the upstanding character of Proctor, but you only have 45 mins - concentrate on Act 3: the plan we did in class. The power see-saws (not a technical term) between Proctor and Abigail and while it does so we see how strong Proctor is by standing up for his friends, publicly admitting his affair and attempting to expose Abigail as a fraud and a whore. All this shows his desire for integrity and
actual integrity (theme) through his character. However, it ends badly for P because honesty does not seem to count for much in a frenzied, hysterical religious community such as Salem etc etc...So in answer to your question, explaining the 'circumstances' of the power struggle (Abigail already has power within the court by Act 3, tries to implicate Elizabeth because of malice after being sacked and the ceasing of a passionate affair, the outraged Proctor attempts to prove to the court she is a fraud and save his wife and friends from the noose - Act 3 being where the power struggle manifests itself) should be as brief as you can make it, but it's too much for the general intro (Salem, 1692, based on history, something about the trials, the hysteria and the townsfolk and a theme).
I've just quickly scanned the critical essay questions for the last 3 years and this exact wording only came up twice, in 2011. So it's worth considering, but probably won't come up.
Also, I'm unsure about how to reform my points and analysis towards specific questions. In this question for prose:
Choose a novel in which the setting in time and/or place is a significant feature.Show how the writer’s use of setting contributes to your understanding of character and theme
Could I simply state in the introduction the fact that the novel was based in the past whilst still conveying a theme (of good and evil) that is still relevant today, explain my analysis of good and evil, and then conclude with the fact that good and evil are timeless etc?Well not really, because you're not getting to grips with why the
actual setting is a 'significant feature'. It's not enough to say 'it is set in the past, but the theme is still relevant today' - that applies to about 75% of all novels. What makes the setting of
The Cone Gatherers significant is that it is set
during World War Two (links to
theme of conflict: broadly the Allies and Germany; in a narrower sense, Duror and Calum- particularly apposite as Duror shares an affinity with Hitler) and is mostly set
in the forest (the attributes of which seem to change according to which
character- either Calum or Duror - experiences it at the time. For example, Calum is 'indigenous' to the trees, at one with the wildlife and shouts for joy in the sunshine, while Duror lurks behind a death-symbolising Cypress tree, seems to poison the very earth with his 'sap' and sets traps of torture for the wildlife) You know, the more I think about this question, the more perfect I think it would be! What year was it from?
The danger, as you put it, of your 'analysis of good and evil' is that you might not align it with
setting in the explicit way that I have above.
Finally:
How is analysis graded on poetry? When revising it I've added multiple new points that I believe make sense and contribute to the task, due to the subjective way poetry can be received does this mean as long as I explain a point fluently it is valid analysis?As long as you explain a point
relevantly - to the task and the lines you've quoted - it's valid analysis. It helps if it's fluent, but your first port of call should be relevance, Charlie. Analysis isn't graded any differently on poetry than any other type of text. Quality Knowledge, Understanding, Evaluation, Expression, Relevancy. That's all you need to have a good essay
All the very best and good luck. You've all worked extremely hard - you deserve success.
If the questions don't seem accessible, DO NOT PANIC. Think for a wee while - an angle you hadn't thought of immediately may suddenly crystallise in your mind. Better to take 7-8 minutes thinking of how to attack a difficult question well, than rushing it and adopting a confused and confusing line of argument. Stay. Calm.
I should be in school at the end of your exam (12.30) if you want to discuss the paper.
Mr C