YEAR 12 22nd Jan 2018...Modelling..

Today's session considered the question 'HOW DOES DICKENS PRESENT BOUNDERBY IN CHAPTER 4 ?' and the class modelled a paragraph in response to this question.
The aim of this session was to illustrate how an A Level paragraph is formed. Students were asked to follow the structure:

• OPINION
• TEXTUAL REFERENCE
• EXPLAIN HOW TEXTUAL REFERENCE SUPPORTS OPINION
• QUESTION FOCUS/ AUTHOR'S AIM...

The whole aim of this lesson was to illustrate EXACTLY how an A Level paragraph is created. WE created a response that was A grade quality and I hope students can replicate this structure when creating their own work. Students have also received two exemplar paragraphs linked to Othello and Hard Times. I expect students to develop an awareness of how important it is to create a clear and textually specific critical commentary. Our last essay was 'okay' but the area we need to improve is the ability to explain HOW textual reference supports viewpoint and how language/form/structure is used to shape meaning. WE ALSO NEED TO IMPROVE OUR ABILITY TO PRESENT A COHERENT CRITICAL COMMENTARY as some arguments were too superficial and ambiguous.

HOMEWORK: I expect students to provide a detailed PARAGRAPH in response to the question:
HOW DOES DICKENS PRESENT GRADGRIND IN THE OPENING CHAPTERS OF HARD TIMES?
I expect the paragraph to be as detailed and textually specific as the example we modelled today and also reflect the quality present in the two exemplar paragraphs. THIS IS A BIG TASK as some students need to show me that they can produce a coherent, textually specific, and structured critical commentary. This paragraph needs to be handed to me on Thursday. I have given you some very detailed notes linked to HARD TIMES so read them!
In Thursday's lesson we will be looking at Hard Times and Othello so bring both texts. We will also be discussing possible content for the timed 'OTHELLO' essay that we will be attempting next Monday. PLEASE CONTINUE TO BRING YOUR BRAINS.
Today's session was excellent. Appreciated. You are a fantastic group.
Here are some DICKENS resources to aid understanding...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9dB9BZWDBU
BBC Dickens documentary with Armando Ianucci..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lZB6E0-yCk