PC reminders

I am getting all paranoid again, so I shall just post these reminders for whoever to read, regarding your common test.

When you get the question, read the requirements of the question.

Read the passage once to understand it.

Read the passage again to annotate it (point out observations, etc.)

While annotating, run through mentally stuff to look out for in the passage --
main ideas, features of syntax (sentence structure), diction (choice of words), structure of the entire passage, imagery, metaphors, symbols, viewpoint, tone etc.

Organize your observations under main ideas.

Then you're ready to write your essay.

Discussion of technical aspects such as diction, imagery, tone, should not be separated from thematic discussion.

Structure of essay:
-- Introduction: provide overview of central concerns of essay. Do not give me a line by line analysis commentary.

Paragraphs
1) key ideas -- organize your paragraphs around points (e.g. different aspects of theme, central metaphors, etc. running through the text)
ii) thematic progression: organize essay paragraphs around paragraphs of text. Track the progression of ideas through the entire piece and DO NOT WRITE YOUR ESSAY GOING THROUGH THE PIECE LINE BY LINE.
iii) You are giving me an INTERPRETATION of the piece and not just explaining it. Remember to explain what the piece means by focusing on how various elements (i.e. imagery, tone, mood, diction, structure) emphasize/highlight themes

--Conclusion
sum up but don't regurgitate your intro


Whenever you've written your point out, try to develop your points by delving into the technical bits and their effects and how they add to the theme. Chances are you probably need to do more explaining.

Common test date

Apologies for putting the wrong common test date on the sidebar -- your common test is on FRIDAY, 30TH OF JUNE 2006.

I will be away for the entire Wednesday this week. Reminders for those who haven't seen me to SEE ME.

How were your holidays?

Singapore Arts Festival

Those who have the time and the money, please check out the Singapore Arts Festival.

Something notable:

The Great War, Hotel Modern
This drama piece deals with "senselessness and conceit of war". Should be good for helping us understand Wilfred Owen and WWI in general.

We would have missed Death and the Ploughman, but take note that it's a modern play written by Sean O' Casey, and if you happen to come across the play in book form, do give it a read.

Some Authors

The period that we are looking at is around 1870-something (end of 19th century) to 1945.

This is a very good link to resources and authors that you might look at --

Voice of the Shuttle, modern (brit and american) lit

Reminders before the start of school

Hello all,

just some housekeeping:

1) Essay consultation

Those who have not seen me regarding the essay that you just got back, PLEASE ARRANGE TO SEE ME IN THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL. I will just need about 15 minutes of your time. Bring your essay with you.

2) Common Test

Reminder that for your common test, you will be tested on Practical Criticism (PC). What's that, you might ask (and I will conk you on the head...) -- it's the analysing that we've been doing for the entire term. Go back to your notes on theme and subject, viewpoint, syntax, imagery, metaphor, elements of drama, etc.

You will be tested on a similar question to the essay. (i.e. it will require you to critically comment on the passage below, with attention given to concerns, theme, style,etc. of the period). Read the requirements of the question CAREFULLY. Sometimes, the question can ask you for specific things.

REMEMBER TO DO PRAC CRIT ANALYSIS on your piece first. Forget the "cheatsheet" for now. Your linking to 20th century context should occur after you have done your analysis.


3) Murder in the Cathedral

Analysis on sections start once common test ends. Pairs should get ready to explain close reading/annotations on their section and a short handout for the class. Be ready to lead the class into discussion on your section. Come see me if you have questions.

I will be gone from 10th to 23rd of June.

Venues for classes for next semester will most likely be in the Library Instruction Room.