Introduction to Literature J4G8 45

Outcome 1 Respond to two texts from different genres

Performance Criteria
(a) Explain key elements and central concerns of the texts.
(b) Explain how literary techniques are used effectively.
(c) Develop a line of thought.
(d) Use expression which is sufficiently accurate.

Outcome 1 task

Introduction to Literature Essay task

In Warning, by Jenny Joseph, the poet uses a variety of poetic techniques to deal
humorously with the theme of ageing. Do you agree?
Your essay should refer to the text and at least three literary techniques such as
repetition, tone, word choice, contrast, sound, sentence structure and symbolism.
You should then provide an evaluation of the effectiveness of the ideas and
techniques.
Your essay should be a minimum of 500 words
Structure of your talk/essay

Your talk/essay will be in three parts:

 Introduction
 Main section – you will make three points – one for each literary technique.
Use the PEAR technique.
 Conclusion

Introduction
The introduction should not be too long and detailed and it should focus on the
question right from the start.
 Identify the text and author
 Use words from the beginning of the question and set out your viewpoint.
Refer to words from the second part of the question that set the task
 Indicate the topics/aspects that the rest of the essay will discuss in depth
In a sense, the introduction should be a summary of the whole talk/essay.

For example

I agree that Jenny Joseph’s poem, Warning, uses poetic techniques to deal
humorously with the theme of ageing. The poem is about a middle-class wife and
mother who is feeling restricted by her life. She fantasises about the mischief
she will get up to when she is old and has less responsibility. Joseph uses the
techniques of repetition, contrast and sentence structure and to show us the
life of the persona in the present and her hopes for the future. (79 words)

Main section

Make three points about the author’s techniques. What techniques were in the
example introduction? Use can use a paragraph structure to help you. Here is an
example of the Point-Evidence-Analysis-Response (PEAR) structure

Point
This is the topic sentence of the paragraph and states your observation in the simplest and
plainest terms. Always refer to either: the words of the question, the name of the writer, the
purpose of the writer, a technique used by the writer.
One reason why…./One way in which…/The (character of/incident when) is (another
/also/an example of)…

Evidence
This is the part where you quote directly from the text. Remember to give the evidence its
own line and to include only the most relevant parts.
An example of this is…The writer proves this when….The writer illustrates this point (by /
when)…At the (beginning / end) of the text, for instance…This is shown by…This can be
seen when…He/She reveals this when…We see evidence of this when…

Analysis
This is the part where you describe the technique used and discuss its impact.
This shows that…This means that…This implies…This suggests…This reveals that…This
proves that…This highlights the fact that….What this brings to light is the idea that….This
emphasises the idea that….This illustrates….

Response
This is the part where you tie up the paragraph by explain your own personal response to
the technique and connect it to the questions. Explain clearly how successful you think the
writer has been in using particular techniques, in achieving their purpose, in engaging you
etc.
I think…I believe…I consider….It seems to me that….To me it seems that….It appears to
me that…..In my opinion…To my mind….This proves to the reader that….

For example

Jenny Joseph uses repetition to add humour to the poem. (P) For example the
persona repeats the word ‘And’ in these lines:

And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells

And run my stick along the public railings

And make up for the sobriety of my youth.

I shall go out in my slippers in the rain

And pick flowers in other people’s gardens

And learn to spit. (E)

The repetition of ‘And’ creates a long list of anti-social and naughty things that
she wants to do when she is old, to show how rebellious she is going to be. The
list is quite comical and is not what you think a respectable pensioner would do.
(A) In my opinion, the funniest of the list is the last one, about spitting. The
short sentence makes it amusing and I think it would be comical to see an old
lady trying to be disorderly like this. (R)

(110 words)

Conclusion
For critical essays, an examiner can really enjoy and admire your essay/talk for all
the skills it shows, however an underwhelming conclusion will leave them deflated
and disappointed.
Follow these steps:
 Leave the marker in no doubt that you answered the question
 Start with a closing phrase, e.g. ‘in conclusion …’
 Re-state the words of the question
 Stated again (in short form) your paragraph points
 Have a decent and heart-felt emotional response.

For example

In conclusion, I agree that Jenny Joseph’s poem, Warning, uses poetic

techniques of repetition, contrast and sentence structure to deal humorously
with the theme of ageing. However, although the poem is a lot of fun, there is a
serious side to it when the persona thinks about her present life. This has made
me reflect on my own life …