Answering the Literature Essay question

• Please remember that we do not want you to retell the story or lift
chunks of quotes from the text. Focus on the main points that you
want to present to support your views. Answer the question asked.
• The following pattern is useful: P/E/T/A/L
• P-point
• E-evidence
• T-technique
• A-analysis
• L-link ( personal response and link back to the question)
 Answering the Literature Essay question
• P-Point----this is like a topic sentence which will highlight what is the
main point you will present in the paragraph. It can come at the
beginning of the paragraph. You can also include it during the
paragraph if you wish to be more stylistic but it must flow.
• E- Evidence---- this is where you will quote (and or paraphrase) to
support the point that you have presented.
• T- Technique -Here you can include what writer’s craft is being used
e.g. imagery, irony etc.
• A- Analysis-this is the most difficult level to your paragraph. Here you
will analyze and explain why/how you see the point that you have
made.
• L—link- here you will make the connection back to the question. Your
personal response can come here or in your analysis.
Essay writing
• Format for the essay.
• 1st paragraph—Introduction
• A} Name of piece.
• B] Type of piece—e.g. science fiction
• C} Name of Author
• D} Thesis statement. ( this is a sentence or two that will state the
main points of your entire essay.)
Points to consider:
Topic: How does Wyndham make this a significant moment in the text?

• Significant that David did not even realize that Sophie was a
blasphemy when he first saw her extra toe. Questions his
beliefs/teachings
• Significant when David reveals that he was not loved at home.
• Significant that David himself was not normal
• Significant that David vows to keep the Wender’s secret.
ESSAY#1

• Topic: How does Wyndham make this a significant moment in the

text?
• Pg 10 “ Her foot…. Pg 13 ‘she agreed.’
• Please note that the question is asking you HOW the writer makes it significant. Now a writer has to use various techniques in order to make these points;
therefore, you must focus on how these techniques like foreshadowing, character’s actions/diction, imagery, flashback etc. are used to help you to understand the

.
points being made

• David’s promise to keep a secret- risks—

• Contrast in the re/ship between Sophie/Parents and David/Parents –
irony
• David’s peculiar ability /Mrs. Wender’s
Examples of popular techniques writers use.
• Setting
• Imagery
• Foreshadowing
• Figurative language
• Symbolism
• Descriptions
• Character’s actions/words
To show drama and tension some additional techniques are:
• Graphic language
• Tone/mood (serious, ominous, anguished, angry, jovial)
• Short sentences
• Exclamation marks and ellipses
Preparing your points for the essay
Significant point Techniques used

• Significant that David did not even • Flashback, character’s words and
realize that Sophie was a blasphemy actions, imagery
when he first saw her extra toe.
• Character’s words, comparison
• Significant when David reveals that
he was not loved at home. • Imagery, diction
• Significant that David himself was • Character’s words and action
not normal..
• Significant that David vows to keep
the Wender’s secret.
What is a thesis statement?
• A thesis statement is a short statement, usually one sentence, that
summarizes the main point or claim of an essay, research paper,
etc., and is developed, supported, and explained later in the essay
by means of examples and evidence.
Topic: How does Wyndham make this a significant moment in the
text?

• The excerpt taken from “John Wyndham’s” riveting science fiction

entitled “The Chrysalids”, reveals great significance in the opening
chapter of the text. As David forms a new friendship with the
Wenders, many aspects of his character and the strange society he
lives in become evident. In the given excerpt, there are several
revealing aspects of significance that can be assessed. Using various
techniques, Wyndham presents David as being unaware of a true
blasphemy, unloved, possessed with strange qualities himself, and has
made the shocking decision to place the Wender’s needs ahead of his
society’s teachings and beliefs.
 Example of how to develop the first point.
• Wyndham’s use of character’s actions and flashback reveals that David was not following the
P oint teachings of his society. This is a very significant moment because it shows me that despite the fact
that he was brought up learning the definition of a man, according to Nicholson’s repentances,
Evidence David failed to recognize that his new friend Sophie was in fact a deviant because she had extra
toes. Through the use of flashback, Wyndham shows us how it was not until long after he had seen
Technique Sophie’s extra toes, that David remembers the definition of a man says “…. And each foot five
toes…”. David also was brought up to believe that any deviation from this “is a blasphemy” and is
“hateful in the sight of God”. However when David first saw his new friend Sophie’s injured foot
with the extra toe, his only concern was about the pain she was suffering. Even after when he

A nalysis
realized that Sophie did not match up to the definition of man as he had learnt it, he could not
reconcile her to being a hateful thing that should be banished to the Fringes. This is a very
significant moment in the text since it makes me see that David is questioning this rule. It is clear
to David that Sophie is a wonderful child and dearly loved by her mother; how could she be seen
as evil? It certainly makes me, like David , also question the beliefs of the Waknuk society. This
Link moment is also very crucial since it highlights the fact that David is thinking differently from what
is taught in Waknuk.