Thursday 13 November 2014
Questions on 'Bitcherel' by Eleanor Brown
Questions on Bitcherel
1) What is the play on words of the title?
2) What is the general tone of the poem?
3) Comment on the poet’s use of the word ‘acquisition’ in stanza one.
4) Why is ‘friends’ in stanza one inside quotation marks?
5) What kind of insults does the poet express towards her ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend throughout the course of the poem?
6) Comment on the image of the new girlfriend as ‘chilli con carne without any chilli’.
7) What is your opinion of the speaker of the poem?
8) Do you think the boyfriend has made a good or a bad choice in exchanging the old girlfriend for the new? Explain why.
Thursday 9 October 2014
How to Upload Your Work to "We Are Writers"
When you are asked for a password to log in to our book, you should use the password given to you in class. A reminder, that password is:
For surnames starting A-L: dingwall
For surnames starting M-Z: dingwall2
Remember, the theme is Home and the deadline is 29/10/14. Get busy writing!
Friday 3 October 2014
Close Reading Strategies
This is the powerpoint we have been using in class detailing strategies for answering different question types in Higher Close Reading.
Thursday 11 September 2014
For the Highers
Here's a link to the article I was discussing about Luis Suarez.
Portrait of a Serial Winner.
Not only is it an interesting article, it is high quality journalism that can only be beneficial for your vocabulary.
Portrait of a Serial Winner.
Not only is it an interesting article, it is high quality journalism that can only be beneficial for your vocabulary.
Sunday 31 August 2014
National 4 - Barnardo's advert answers
These answers are not the only acceptable ones - there are a lot of different acceptable answers, but hopefully this will give you some idea of the level of detail needed for each question and the sort of things you need to say.
Barnardo's - Emma
Q. 1a) What is the purpose of this advert?
A. To persuade people to leave money to Barnardo’s in their will.
NOTE: "To persuade" is always the purpose of an advert, but you must say what you are being persuaded to do.
Q. b) Write down a word or phrase that helped you work out the purpose.
A. “Fitting her into your will.”
Q. c) Explain how this word or phrase helped you work out the purpose
A. This phrase implies that Emma’s needs are small (fitting her in) and mentions the idea of leaving a gift for her in a will. It makes it seem like this would be an easy thing to do.
Q. 2a) Who do you think the advert is aimed at? You may choose more than one answer.
• Children
• Emma
• Caring people
• People with money
• Parents
A. Caring people
People with money
Parents
NOTE: You only need to give one answer, but you may give more than one. It doesn't matter as long as you don't choose a wrong answer as well as a right one.
Q. b) Give a reason with evidence for your answer.
Caring people – emotive language such as “patient nurturing” would attract caring people.
People with money – “including a gift to Barnardo’s in your will” – only people with some money can leave gifts in their will, and only people with more money than they need give money to charity
Parents – Parents might be more empathetic towards needy children than childless people and the reference to Emma’s foster mum might tug at their heartstrings.
NOTE: This is an analysis question, so you must refer to specific words, phrases or techniques in your answer. Again, you only have to give one answer but you may give more.
Q. 3) Look at paragraph 1 which starts “Emma arrived…” What two signs did she have of being traumatised?
A. 1. She was mute
2. She was scared of grown ups
NOTE: I have used my own words even though the question didn’t ask me to. It is best to do this unless the question specifically asks you to quote.
Q. 4) Look at paragraph 2 starting “Emma still has a long way to go.” Explain in your own words what Barnardo’s is asking the reader to do.
A. They are asking the reader to leave them some of their money after their death so that the charity can continue to help vulnerable children in the future.
NOTE: The question asks for you to use your own words, so you must make sure you don’t lift lines from the text of the advert.
Q. 5) “Emma arrived at Barnardo’s so traumatised.”
What kind of language is the word ‘traumatised’? What effect does it have on the reader?
This is emotive language and it makes the reader feel sympathetic towards the little girl, as it shows what a terrible time she has been through.
NOTE: Emotive language, as you know, means language designed to make the reader feel a certain way.
Q. 6a) Do you find this advert effective?
A. Yes.
NOTE: You can answer yes or no to a question like this, but you must be able to back up your response.
Q. b) Give a reason for your answer. Remembering to give specific examples/evidence.
A. I found the use of emotive language such as “traumatised” and “special moment” to be very effective in making me feel sorry for Emma and want to help her.
NOTE: This is an analysis question so I have quoted and given an example of a persuasive technique. Another persuasive technique to remember is the direct address – when the writer speaks directly to you, the reader.
Barnardo's - Emma
Q. 1a) What is the purpose of this advert?
A. To persuade people to leave money to Barnardo’s in their will.
NOTE: "To persuade" is always the purpose of an advert, but you must say what you are being persuaded to do.
Q. b) Write down a word or phrase that helped you work out the purpose.
A. “Fitting her into your will.”
Q. c) Explain how this word or phrase helped you work out the purpose
A. This phrase implies that Emma’s needs are small (fitting her in) and mentions the idea of leaving a gift for her in a will. It makes it seem like this would be an easy thing to do.
Q. 2a) Who do you think the advert is aimed at? You may choose more than one answer.
• Children
• Emma
• Caring people
• People with money
• Parents
A. Caring people
People with money
Parents
NOTE: You only need to give one answer, but you may give more than one. It doesn't matter as long as you don't choose a wrong answer as well as a right one.
Q. b) Give a reason with evidence for your answer.
Caring people – emotive language such as “patient nurturing” would attract caring people.
People with money – “including a gift to Barnardo’s in your will” – only people with some money can leave gifts in their will, and only people with more money than they need give money to charity
Parents – Parents might be more empathetic towards needy children than childless people and the reference to Emma’s foster mum might tug at their heartstrings.
NOTE: This is an analysis question, so you must refer to specific words, phrases or techniques in your answer. Again, you only have to give one answer but you may give more.
Q. 3) Look at paragraph 1 which starts “Emma arrived…” What two signs did she have of being traumatised?
A. 1. She was mute
2. She was scared of grown ups
NOTE: I have used my own words even though the question didn’t ask me to. It is best to do this unless the question specifically asks you to quote.
Q. 4) Look at paragraph 2 starting “Emma still has a long way to go.” Explain in your own words what Barnardo’s is asking the reader to do.
A. They are asking the reader to leave them some of their money after their death so that the charity can continue to help vulnerable children in the future.
NOTE: The question asks for you to use your own words, so you must make sure you don’t lift lines from the text of the advert.
Q. 5) “Emma arrived at Barnardo’s so traumatised.”
What kind of language is the word ‘traumatised’? What effect does it have on the reader?
This is emotive language and it makes the reader feel sympathetic towards the little girl, as it shows what a terrible time she has been through.
NOTE: Emotive language, as you know, means language designed to make the reader feel a certain way.
Q. 6a) Do you find this advert effective?
A. Yes.
NOTE: You can answer yes or no to a question like this, but you must be able to back up your response.
Q. b) Give a reason for your answer. Remembering to give specific examples/evidence.
A. I found the use of emotive language such as “traumatised” and “special moment” to be very effective in making me feel sorry for Emma and want to help her.
NOTE: This is an analysis question so I have quoted and given an example of a persuasive technique. Another persuasive technique to remember is the direct address – when the writer speaks directly to you, the reader.
Friday 29 August 2014
National 4 Homework
This is your practice homework for Monday's assessment.
Read the information on the following advert:
Read the information on the following advert:
Answer the following questions:
1a) What is the purpose of this advert?
b) Write down a word or phrase that helped you work out the purpose.
c) Explain how this word or phrase helped you work out the
purpose
2a) Who do you think the advert is aimed at? You may choose
more than one answer.
- Children
- Emma
- Caring people
- People with money
- Parents
b) Give a reason with evidence
for your answer.
3) Look at paragraph 1 which starts “Emma arrived…” What two
signs did she have of being traumatised?
4) Look at paragraph 2 starting “Emma still has a long way to
go.” Explain in your own words what
Barnardo’s is asking the reader to do.
5) “Emma arrived at Barnardo’s so traumatised.”
What kind of language is the word ‘traumatised’? What effect
does it have on the reader?
6a) Do you find this advert effective?
b) Give a reason for your answer. Remembering to give
specific examples/evidence.
Check back on Sunday afternoon for answers and advice about Monday's assessment.
Tuesday 26 August 2014
Descriptive Moods
Our descriptions change depending on the mood we are trying to create.
Rewrite the following paragraph three times. In the first create a happy mood. In the second, create a sad mood. In the third, create a spooky mood.
I walked into the cottage. There was a clock on the mantelpiece and a fire in the grate. I could tell someone had been here recently. Upstairs, a window was open and the curtains were blowing in the wind. I heard a sound.
Rewrite the following paragraph three times. In the first create a happy mood. In the second, create a sad mood. In the third, create a spooky mood.
I walked into the cottage. There was a clock on the mantelpiece and a fire in the grate. I could tell someone had been here recently. Upstairs, a window was open and the curtains were blowing in the wind. I heard a sound.
All My Sons - Extended Response
An extended response is not an essay, but it does require you to use quotes and write about the text in some depth.
Today, you are doing an extended response on Joe and Chris in the context of the idea of a tragic hero. What are the flaws of each character? What is the misfortune that befalls them? For whom do we feel the most pity/sympathy? Why?
To what extent are these characters tragic in the classical sense?
To what extent are they realistic?
You should use quotes to back up your points and write in depth about each character (1-2 pages of A4.)
An extended response is not an essay, but it does require you to use quotes and write about the text in some depth.
Today, you are doing an extended response on Joe and Chris in the context of the idea of a tragic hero. What are the flaws of each character? What is the misfortune that befalls them? For whom do we feel the most pity/sympathy? Why?
To what extent are these characters tragic in the classical sense?
To what extent are they realistic?
You should use quotes to back up your points and write in depth about each character (1-2 pages of A4.)
Monday 25 August 2014
Tragedy (when the feeling's gone and you can't go on...)
Here are the slides for today's lesson on the connections between All My Sons and classical Greek tragedy.
Wednesday 20 August 2014
Thursday 12 June 2014
Mary Moon extended response - basic plan
This is the plan we put together in class:
Mary Moon and the Stars
Introduction - title, author, summary, description of Mary.
Sympathy - 2 PEE paragraphs about why you'd feel sympathy for Mary
Admiration - 2 PEE paragraphs about why you'd admire Mary.
Conclusion - Give your views on Mary and whether you find her more sympathetic or admirable.
Mary Moon and the Stars
Introduction - title, author, summary, description of Mary.
Sympathy - 2 PEE paragraphs about why you'd feel sympathy for Mary
Admiration - 2 PEE paragraphs about why you'd admire Mary.
Conclusion - Give your views on Mary and whether you find her more sympathetic or admirable.
Friday 6 June 2014
Higher essay plan
This is the plan we put together today.
Task: Choose a poem which depicts a particular stage of life, such as childhood, adolescence, middle age, old age.
Discuss how effectively the poet evokes the essence of this stage of life.
Techniques: Answers to questions on poetry should address relevantly the central concern(s)/theme(s) of the text(s) and be supported by reference to appropriate poetic techniques such as: imagery, verse form, structure, mood, tone, sound, rhythm, rhyme, characterisation, contrast, setting, symbolism, word choice . . .
Plan:
Introduction
Discuss how you are drawn in to the atmosphere and setting of the poem in stanza one and two - finish with a link to the question at the end of each paragraph (2 paragraphs)
Discuss how the change in the mood of the poem is introduced - perhaps Brady and Hindley first, then moving on to the changes of stanza 3. Link back to the question at the end.
Discuss the fulfillment of these changes and the poet's view of growing up that is expressed in the 4th stanza.
Conclusion
Task: Choose a poem which depicts a particular stage of life, such as childhood, adolescence, middle age, old age.
Discuss how effectively the poet evokes the essence of this stage of life.
Techniques: Answers to questions on poetry should address relevantly the central concern(s)/theme(s) of the text(s) and be supported by reference to appropriate poetic techniques such as: imagery, verse form, structure, mood, tone, sound, rhythm, rhyme, characterisation, contrast, setting, symbolism, word choice . . .
Plan:
Introduction
Discuss how you are drawn in to the atmosphere and setting of the poem in stanza one and two - finish with a link to the question at the end of each paragraph (2 paragraphs)
Discuss how the change in the mood of the poem is introduced - perhaps Brady and Hindley first, then moving on to the changes of stanza 3. Link back to the question at the end.
Discuss the fulfillment of these changes and the poet's view of growing up that is expressed in the 4th stanza.
Conclusion
Friday 2 May 2014
S3 Close Reading Practice
Here is a copy of the close reading we started today: Playing Guide and Seek.
Here is a copy of the marking instructions so you can see how well you did.
For your reference, here is the powerpoint presentation on Writer's Craft we used this week:
Here is a copy of the marking instructions so you can see how well you did.
For your reference, here is the powerpoint presentation on Writer's Craft we used this week:
Friday 4 April 2014
Higher resources
Study resources for Higher can be found in my Google drive Higher folder at http://www.tinyurl.com/missfyvie5
S3 - Apollo 13 plan
Show how the director, Ron Howard, created drama and tension in two key scenes of Apollo 13. You should discuss media techniques as well as character and plot.
Introduction
Title and director of film, in a sentence. Connect to the task. Mention some of the techniques used.
Summary
Short summary of film.
Explosion scene
Write a topic sentence to explain that this scene is dramatic and tense. Explain why it is a key scene in the film as a whole. Now use your storyboard and notes to write in detail about the scene, describing what is seen on screen and what techniques are used, and linking this back to drama and tension as often as possible.
Re-entry scene
Write a topic sentence to explain that this scene is dramatic and tense. Explain why it is a key scene. Now, use your answers to the four questions on the scene to write in detail about the scene, describing the techniques used and explaining how these techniques created drama and tension.
Conclusion
Sum up what you have said in the essay.
Introduction
Title and director of film, in a sentence. Connect to the task. Mention some of the techniques used.
Summary
Short summary of film.
Explosion scene
Write a topic sentence to explain that this scene is dramatic and tense. Explain why it is a key scene in the film as a whole. Now use your storyboard and notes to write in detail about the scene, describing what is seen on screen and what techniques are used, and linking this back to drama and tension as often as possible.
Re-entry scene
Write a topic sentence to explain that this scene is dramatic and tense. Explain why it is a key scene. Now, use your answers to the four questions on the scene to write in detail about the scene, describing the techniques used and explaining how these techniques created drama and tension.
Conclusion
Sum up what you have said in the essay.
Wednesday 19 March 2014
Thursday 6 March 2014
S2 Comparison Book/Film Review - paragraph plan
I Am David - Book/Film comparison review
Introduction - Give the title and author of the book, summarise it, describe the main character.
Differences - Describe the main differences you saw between the book and the film.
Book - Describe and explain the successful elements of the book (most exciting parts, saddest parts etc. Explain why these parts made you feel this way.)
Film - Describe and explain the successful elements of the film (most exciting parts, saddest parts etc. Explain why these parts made you feel this way.)
Evaluation - Evaluate which version of the story you think was best and explain in detail why you preferred it.
Introduction - Give the title and author of the book, summarise it, describe the main character.
Differences - Describe the main differences you saw between the book and the film.
Book - Describe and explain the successful elements of the book (most exciting parts, saddest parts etc. Explain why these parts made you feel this way.)
Film - Describe and explain the successful elements of the film (most exciting parts, saddest parts etc. Explain why these parts made you feel this way.)
Evaluation - Evaluate which version of the story you think was best and explain in detail why you preferred it.
Friday 14 February 2014
Third Year Practice Added Value
In order to do the analysis part of the essay properly, you
need to make specific references to the techniques used in each text and
explain how these convey a point about racism. Here are some examples (but
don’t feel you have to go into this much detail on each technique – I’m just
trying to be really thorough for you.)
Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry
Mildred D Taylor uses many techniques to convey the theme of
racism in the novel “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry.” The novel is written from
Cassie’s perspective, which gives the reader a unique view of the situation
between blacks and whites at the time the book was set. When Cassie goes to
Strawberry, she is forced off the pavement by Lillian Jean Simms and is then
forced by Big Ma to apologise even though she has done nothing wrong. Cassie
says “no day in all my life had never been as cruel as this one.” This conveys
her pain and humiliation at being treated badly because of her race, and being
– in her mind – ‘betrayed’ by Big Ma. However, her perspective is naïve because
she doesn't understand that she would have been in a lot of danger if she hadn’t
given in. Cassie narrates that “Big Ma looked down at me, fear in her eyes,
then back at the growing crowd.” The image of a crowd of white people slowly
growing around Cassie and Big Ma is quite threatening, and evokes the image of
a lynch mob. Mildred D Taylor’s skillful use of perspective in this incident conveys
the danger and humiliation inherent in black/white interactions at this time in
history.
The Whole System Failed Trayvon Martin
Charles Blow uses journalistic techniques to put forward his
argument about racism in America today. The article is structured around a list
of ways that the law, the police and society failed Trayvon Martin. At the
beginning of each paragraph, Charles Blow repeats the phrase: “The system
failed him when…” This phrase is then followed by one of his arguments about
how institutional racism affected the outcome of the Trayvon Martin case. The
use of repetition in the structure of his argument successfully highlights the
huge number and variety of ways that racism impacted Trayvon Martin - in life
and in death.
The Death of Emmett Till
Bob Dylan’s famous song “The Death of Emmett Till” features
a call to action; an entreaty to the audience to change the world that had
allowed the tragedy of Emmett Till’s murder. Written in the 1960s – the decade
that shaped the civil rights movement in America – the song narrates the story
of Emmett Till’s death before making effective use of imagery to castigate the
establishment who allowed this murder – and similar atrocities – to occur.
Dylan says that such people “must be in shackles and in chains.” He evokes the
image of slavery to suggest that people with racist views are trapped by them,
and that these views are holding the country back from being “a greater place
to live.”
Eyes on the Prize
The documentary “Eyes on the Prize” uses a number of the
features of documentary filmmaking to convey information about the civil rights
movement in Mississippi in the 1960s. The director, Orlando Bagwell, uses
voice-over to add context to his film footage. When describing the problems
faced in the initial attempts to register black voters, the viewer is shown
archive footage of queues of prospective black voters going into City Hall to
register. The voice-over then narrates that many black people were beaten up
and even murdered for trying to register to vote. The use of voice-over
skilfully conveys the bravery of these black voters and the terrible realities
of living in a time and place where such dangers were inherent in something as
simple as voting.
If you don't have specific quotes or references, scroll down a couple of posts to get the links.
If you don't have specific quotes or references, scroll down a couple of posts to get the links.
Thursday 13 February 2014
Dictionary Apps for Smartphones
A dictionary app on your phone is a really useful thing to have. You can quickly search for words instead of laboriously going through a paper dictionary - and it's a lot lighter to carry!
Try these. They should work offline, so will be useful in school.
Offline Dictionaries for Android
Dictionary.com app for iPhone
Dictionary.com app for Windows Phone
Try these. They should work offline, so will be useful in school.
Offline Dictionaries for Android
Dictionary.com app for iPhone
Dictionary.com app for Windows Phone
Tuesday 11 February 2014
S3 Added Value Practice plan
S3 Added Value Practice
Introduction - Explain the topic and your reasons for being interested in it. Introduce your two texts. State the purpose and audience of both texts.
Summary of the main ideas of each text - 1 or 2 paragraphs
Analysis of the techniques of both texts - 2 paragraphs
Evaluation of the success of both texts - 1 paragraph
Conclusion - summarise your main points
Texts
Eyes on the Prize - written by Steve Fayer and directed by Orlando Bagwell.
The Whole System Failed Trayvon Martin - written by Charles Blow
Roll of Thunder Hear my Cry- written by Mildred D Taylor
The Death of Emmett Till - written by Bob Dylan
Introduction - Explain the topic and your reasons for being interested in it. Introduce your two texts. State the purpose and audience of both texts.
Summary of the main ideas of each text - 1 or 2 paragraphs
Analysis of the techniques of both texts - 2 paragraphs
Evaluation of the success of both texts - 1 paragraph
Conclusion - summarise your main points
Texts
Eyes on the Prize - written by Steve Fayer and directed by Orlando Bagwell.
The Whole System Failed Trayvon Martin - written by Charles Blow
Roll of Thunder Hear my Cry- written by Mildred D Taylor
The Death of Emmett Till - written by Bob Dylan
Friday 7 February 2014
S3 Added Value Texts
The S3 class have been looking at the topic of racism through four linked texts.
Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry by Mildred D Taylor - each pupil has been issued with this text and it is also available online
The Whole System Failed Trayvon Martin by Charles Blow - read here on the New York Times website
The Death of Emmett Till by Bob Dylan - read here, or listen to the song here on Youtube
Eyes on the Prize - Mississippi: Is This America - watch here on Youtube
You now must choose two of these texts and complete this sheet before we begin to write the essay next week.
Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry by Mildred D Taylor - each pupil has been issued with this text and it is also available online
The Whole System Failed Trayvon Martin by Charles Blow - read here on the New York Times website
The Death of Emmett Till by Bob Dylan - read here, or listen to the song here on Youtube
Eyes on the Prize - Mississippi: Is This America - watch here on Youtube
You now must choose two of these texts and complete this sheet before we begin to write the essay next week.
Thursday 23 January 2014
S3 Vocabulary
These are the words for this week, to be tested on 30/1/14.
outlandish
persistent
inexorable
potential
precipice
pristine
xanthous
scurry
quell
recluse
recuperate
replenish
repugnant
restitution
sabotage
scarcity
outlandish
persistent
inexorable
potential
precipice
pristine
xanthous
scurry
quell
recluse
recuperate
replenish
repugnant
restitution
sabotage
scarcity
Tuesday 21 January 2014
S3 Vocabulary
pertinent
serenity
sociable
sombre
specimen
stamina
subside
swagger
swarm
tactic
terse
translucent
uncanny
unsightly
versatile
vigilant
vulnerable
waft
waver
zeal
serenity
sociable
sombre
specimen
stamina
subside
swagger
swarm
tactic
terse
translucent
uncanny
unsightly
versatile
vigilant
vulnerable
waft
waver
zeal
Friday 10 January 2014
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)