YEAR 12 LESSON TWENTY-FIVE [16th April 12]: Homework.

Students returned from the Spring Festivities and smashed straight into preparation for the examination. The class were asked to consider the question: How does Coleridge tell the story in the final section of TROTAM? Class discussion created a potential essay structure. The aim of this task was to develop student awareness of the different assessment objectives that link to the examination. This question expects students to consider how language structure and form shapes meaning. Reference was made to:

• The significance of the ballad form. Specifically the distorted nature of the traditional ballad that occurs in the final section and the nature of the final verse. The final verse has a traditional ballad rhyme scheme but not a traditional rhythm as the syllable length of each line does not conform to the traditional 8686 syllable structure. Why? How does this irregular rhythm shape meaning?
• How different characters are introduced to allow Coleridge to emphasise the strange physical appearance of the Mariner and the ship. Reference was made to this being similar to the use of The Wedding Guest earlier in the poem.
• The use of simile such as ' I pass like night' and 'the ship went down like lead'.
• Students might also want to consider why Coleridge chooses to explain why the Mariner HAS to tell his tale in this final section. Why not offer this information earlier in the poem?

The second session involved the class considering three 'even number' exam questions from Section A of previous examination papers:

1. How do you respond to the view that TROTAM is 'so mystifying it simply befuddles and confuses the reader'?
2. 'TROTAM is simply a tale of crime and punishment'. How do you respond to this view?
3. How far do you agree with Nick's view that Gatsby is 'worth the whole damn bunch put together'?

HOMEWORK: Complete the Coleridge 'How does...final section of TROTAM' and the even number question 'so mystifying it befuddles..'. This should be a timed response. In the exam you will have one hour to answer these two questions so students should plan the response carefully before attempting a ONE HOUR response.

Students should be reading all the set texts.

Next week is a THREE HOUR SESSION. Bring your texts. Your Patience. And your wisdom.