Paper 2. Assessment Overview 25 total points Comparative essay on two of four part 3 works Choose one of three questions for your genre Questions.

Paper 2

Assessment Overview 25 total points Comparative essay on two of four part

3 works Choose one of three questions for your

genre Questions 1-3: drama (that’s you) 4-6: poetry 7-9: prose novel and short story 10-12: prose other than fiction

PREVIOUS INFORMATIONfrom assessment overview at the beginning of the year

OVERVIEW

Exam date: 5 May 2015 2 hours Comparison of two works studied Addresses literary conventions of a genre Good plan of attack

30 minute plan 80 minute write 10 minute reread/fix

These types of questions will also be used for seminar.

P2 RUBRIC

“adequate”—not pejorative indicates reasonable fulfillment of the criterion in

meeting the expectations of the task shows study and preparation, but not necessarily

personal insight or engagement with the text

CRITERION A

Knowledge best revealed by the use of detailed textual

evidence to support analysis and opinions Understanding

shown in the extent to which the candidate makes some sort of proposal based on supporting examples

“Perceptive” show independent and/or incisive thinking in

answering the question

CRITERION B

Genuine comparison vs. side-by-side comparison

Evaluation (levels 4 and 5) an attempt to suggest which writer works more

effectively with the designated convention “Subtleties of the question”—candidate will

either probe in depth the aspects of the convention

under discussion, or challenge a proposition such as “a play should

make you laugh or make you cry”

CRITERION C

“literary conventions of a genre” Sense of the genre as obviously that genre

“in relation to the question and the works used” How conventions contribute to meaning

CRITERION D

Not evaluation of textual comparison (Criterion B) or of appropriateness or accuracy of examples (Criterion A)

Effective, logical structuring Support well-integrated Smooth transitions between and among

ideas Level 3: five-paragraph essays or three-point

(or four-point, etc.) thesis statements Level 5: “persuasively”

Organization must in some way contribute to strength of argument

CRITERION E

“It is possible to score well here even if candidates have scored in the lower levels in the other criteria, and vice versa.”

Meaning/impact divide persistent errors in register, diction,

grammar, syntax, spelling or punctuation do not generally score in the 3 band

Questions you’ve seen so far(modified for seminars on one author or authors of different genres)

Ondaatje seminar (2014a) Discuss the techniques with

which [Ondaatje] establish[s] a clear picture of unfamiliar settings and/or experiences in [his] work? Original non-fiction question:

Discuss the techniques with which the authors of at least two works you have studied establish a clear picture of unfamiliar settings and/or experiences in their works?

more Ondaatje seminar (2013b) [How has Ondaatje] made use of anecdotes

and/or analogies to achieve [his] purposes[?]

(2013a) While fiction is sometimes thought of as the work of an individual imagination, non-fiction often relies on the experiences of others and can thus be seen as the result of a group or communal effort. How far and to what effect have you found evidence of this “communal effort”?

(IBO sample) Discuss the way [Ondaatje has] structured [his] work to make [his] material clear and interesting to [his] audience.

Adichie/Ondaatje seminar A writer once said that the reader should be able to return to

the first pages of a novel or short story and find resonances of the entire work. Consider the importance of the beginning to the work as a whole.

A writer in the genre of novel and short story has many tools at hand for developing character. In the characterization of two minor but important characters, show how two conventions you consider important have been used to make the characters memorable in spite of being minor. [in seminar, stick to developing a few characters]

[Discuss] the means by which writers establish mood and atmosphere.

Writers often import or adapt historical material in writing their works. Explore what or how this material contributes to the work.

Whitman seminar (2013a) Explore the means by which [Whitman] create[s] a

distinctive voice or voices in [his] work. (2013b) A poet’s use of imagery may involve any of the

senses, not just the visual. Discuss the use and effects of non-visual imagery [in Whitman’s poetry].

(2013b) How do[es Whitman] make use of detail to present a realistic or unrealistic representation of the world?

(2014a) Poets address a vast range of subject matter. Discuss the means and techniques by which [Whitman has] distilled something focused and personal from a broad and/or impersonal topic, such as love, knowledge, work, nature and so on.

Breaking down questions

Breaking down questions Read the WHOLE question to find your

focus Certain words are going to appear over and

over again BUT it is important to know that there are two elements to these questions: A central or recurring element such as the

one described A particular angle for this exam, one that

includes the recurring element but asks for something specific to that element

For example A writer in the genre of novel and short story has many

tools at hand for developing character. In the characterization of two minor but important characters in two works you have studied, show how two conventions you consider important have been used to make the characters memorable in spite of being minor.

A major convention used by novel and short story writers in developing their characterizations is a moment of revelation or epiphany. In the works of two writers you have studied, examine closely such a moment and the effect it has on the creation of the character.

What about character am I being asked to discuss? A writer in the genre of novel and short story has many

tools at hand for developing character. In the characterization of two minor but important characters in two works you have studied, show how two conventions you consider important have been used to make the characters memorable in spite of being minor.

A major convention used by novel and short story writers in developing their characterizations is a moment of revelation or epiphany. In the works of two writers you have studied, examine closely such a moment and the effect it has on the creation of the character.

Strategy 1 Make a list of all the elements included

in each question. Identify both the center of each

question (the recurring element) and the particular angle for this exam

Finally, make a list where you prioritize the elements of each question. What is central? What is secondary?

Strategy 2 Re-write the question in other words.

Practice Setting can often

reflect the underlying ideas in a play. In the light of this statement consider the importance and use of setting in two or three plays you have studied.

Strategy 1 (5m) List all elements Identify center (the

recurring element) and particular angle

list priority of elements: central, secondary

Strategy 2 (5m) rewrite the question

More practice In what ways and to what extent does

characterisation in the works you have studied depend on the use of dialogue? Compare and contrast at least two works in your answer.

Symbols and/or motifs are essential conventions of many novels and short stories. Compare the ways either or both of these devices have been used and, in your opinion, how successfully, in at least two of the works you have studied?

Explore how visual imagery contributes to meaning in poems you have studied. You must compare the work of at least two poets in your answer.

Your part 3DRAMA

Prompt 1 “Drama is created by placing ordinary

people in situations of crisis.” Explore some of the methods used to create drama in this way in at least two of the plays you have studied.

Break down the question. Brainstorm. Read sample essay. Score.

Prompt 1 marking notes An adequate to good answer will

identify and compare moments of drama which are created by ordinary characters placed in situations of crisis

make a reasonable case for the “ordinariness” of the character and the critical nature of the situation in a considered discussion of relevant examples

A very good to excellent answer may clearly identify and thoughtfully compare judiciously

chosen examples evaluating their dramatic effect in the chosen works

Revisit score.

Prompt 1 subject area report Some responses became a re-telling of the plot of the

plays without close attention to the idea that drama is created because the character is ordinary and because this ordinary character has a crisis. A re-telling of the story often only gave an implied response to the question.

At the same time, many candidates wrote well about plays such as Death of a Salesman, Master Harold and the Boys, and A Streetcar Named Desire.

Some candidates made interesting cases for the ordinariness of characters such as Hamlet and handled the question well.

Prompt 1 sample: score A: 4

good understanding here, shown through a strong discussion of major issues in the works supported by pertinent details

an understanding of the main tensions in the plays as well as some key dramatic moments

Prompt 1 sample: score B: 3

starts off well in relation to the question but quickly veers into other methods of creating drama

at times, discussion of elements such as new characters and setting are not clearly relevant to the question

response is adequate, though, in that the implication often remains that these elements are effective because they are tied to the ordinariness of these “heroes”

Prompt 1 sample: score C: 3

some key conventions are discussed, but not a very strong sense of the works as drama tends to focus on what happens rather than

on dramatic presentation and particular conventions e.g. description of the setting is evocative but

not clearly the description of what might be a “set”.

Prompt 1 sample: score D: 4

argument feels somewhat underdeveloped in the end, but

a strong focus and a clear progression to the discussion

E: 4 language clear throughout some of the words used to describe the

play and the characters lack precision

Prompt 2 “Playwrights often employ stereotypes

in their creation of characters, but most often their techniques are directed to the presentation of individuals?” Discuss how far such a ‘rule’ is demonstrated or not in plays you have studied.

Break it down. Brainstorm. Sample and score.

Prompt 2 sample: score A: 5

candidate has selected material from the plays that indicates a high level of perception about the larger works and the characters' function and development within them

familiarity with relevant detail enabled the candidate to provide considerable depth of exploration in relation to the question

Prompt 2 sample: score B: 4

provides a description of the stereotypical aspects of Blanche and Joe

goes on to show how other characters support the self-images of these two characters and how the images come into conflict with the reality of their individual weaknesses, producing, finally a tragic effect

remains focused on the question throughout and makes frequent points of comparison

very little sense of evaluation of the two works in their treatment of this topic so a mark is lost

Prompt 2 sample: score C: 4

use of stereotypes permeates the essay as its central convention

awareness of the use of stage directions, entrances and exits, dialogue and metaphor all contribute to a sense that the candidate is seeing the playwright at work to create meaning and impact

Prompt 2 sample: score D: 5

opens with a clear angle on the question, going on to specify the two characters that will serve as examples of the argument

image conveyed by Blanche Dubois and Joe Keller is first point of comparison, followed by an examination of what lies behind these images, which serves to create conflict and interest

ideas well-developed with good evidence and incorporation of relevant detail

amply developed concludes with a suitable closing paragraph

Prompt 2 sample: score E: 5

a few slips clear and correct manner of expression varies vocabulary and expresses ideas

precisely and fluently appropriate register and terminology of

literary criticism

Prompt 3 Dramatists often utilise entrances and

exits in different ways and with differing effects. Compare or contrast the entrances and exits of characters in at least two plays you have studied and consider what dramatic use is made of these devices.

Break it down. Brainstorm. Sample with annotations and score.

Conventions chart It’s useful. Keep up with it. Be as

specific as possible. Trust me.