The aim of this session was to prepare students for the next class essay. Students will have a choice of three titles - see previous blog entry- but the focus of today's session was the title:
'Shelley's Frankenstein is a tale of crime and punishment'. To what extent do you agree with this statement?
The learning focus of the lesson was the appropriate use of textual reference as too many students are not supporting their critical argument with convincing textual reference. Class discussion considered the 'sin' and punishment endured by Victor and linked this to author's aim. The session also considered how violent and emotive language is used to represent the traumatic and vicious nature of Victor's experience and how the experience of the creature could be used when answering this question. Class response was good BUT we really need to start developing the following skills when producing a written response:
- The ability to support a critical argument with relevant textual evidence. Students should be begin to use three examples of textual reference to reinforce a critical argument.
- The ability to construct a coherent critical argument that clearly confronts the focus of the essay question.
- The ability to navigate opinion and critical argument toward the author's aim.
- The ability to consider the text in the context of the gothic literary tradition and also consider, and respond to, the interpretations of other readers.
We still have a lot of work ahead of us to improve the clarity of written work and create critical arguments that access all four assessment objectives.
HOMEWORK: Consider one more paragraph that can be used to construct a convincing response to the essay title that was the focus of today's session. Our next session will consider the other two essay titles. Friday will be our last formal Shelley session before we begin to consider the coursework.
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