Using Language to Persuade
Writing Tips & Tricks
R&R: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
C&P: Bruce Beresford's Paradise Road
General Exam Knowledge
100
The three questions to ask about the author's use of persuasion that determine the structure of your language analysis paragraphs.
What are what, how, and why?
100
This type of punctuation must be used to show that you are quoting someone else's words in any essay
What are quotation marks?
100
The "odious", "stingy" protagonist of the novella.
Who is Ebenezer Scrooge?
100
This illicit activity helped the POW women bond and gave them hope.
What is the vocal orchestra?
100
The time limit for this year's VCE English exam.
What is 3 hours?
200
The three most important things to mention in the introduction of a language analysis essay.
What are the author's contention, the tone, and the article details.
200
What Ms Langton calls the extra step you should take beyond the essay topic when writing a contention.
What is the "so what?!" ?
200
The little boy and little girl shown to Scrooge by the Ghost of Christmas Present.
Who are Ignorance and Want?
200
The person whom Rosemary sees about to be killed, which makes her give up on living.
Who is Rosemary's husband?
200
The three most essential supplies to bring in to the exam.
What are pens, highlighters, and a dictionary.
300
Name five adjectives to describe a negative tone.
Amazing!
300
Come up with a sophisticated way to say that Scrooge changes to become a better person.
Great!
300
The relieved, thankful poor couple shown to Scrooge by the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come when he begs to "see some emotion caused by this man's death."
Who are Caroline and her husband?
300
The Japanese soldier who sings with Adrienne.
Who is Sergeant Tomiashi?
300
The main argument of a text response essay, which should reflect the question and make a further, insightful commentary.
What is a contention?
400
Four possible types of writing you might have to analyse on the exam.
What are opinion pieces, blog posts, blog comments, and speeches?
400
Name three ways to describe how the author creates meaning. (eg. "The author conveys the message that...")
Awesome!
400
The representation of Marley's lack of attention to the needs of his fellow humans while he was alive, and an indication of what the afterlife will bring for Scrooge if he doesn't change.
What are "the chains he forged in life" -- made of heavy cashboxes, ledgers, etc.?
400
Provide 3 examples of situations in history, literature, current events, science, etc etc, that connect to the following prompt: Conflict diminishes as understanding increases.
Very nice!
400
The theme for the Creating and Presenting section of your exam this year.
What is Encountering Conflict?
500
List 10 words that can be used in a language analysis essay to compare and contrast between different articles.
Well done!
500
Create a sentence or two that would allow you to transition smoothly between an expository essay paragraph on Paradise Road and a paragraph on a human rights violation.
That is just lovely.
500
Come up with a contention and four arguments for this essay question: Scrooge changes when he realises he is not alone. Do you agree?
Excellent!
500
Come up with 5 specific ideas inspired by the following prompt: Conflict can have tragic consequences for ordinary people.
Great job!
500
The best way to prepare for the exam.
What is writing many, many, many practice samples, paragraphs, and essays?