Module B

Critical Study of Texts

ESSAY QUESTION:

The dramatic portrayal of loss and alienation in Shakespeare’s Hamlet gives the play its enduring quality.

To what extent does your interpretation of Hamlet reflect this point of view?

In your response, make detailed reference to the play.

ESSAY QUESTION:

The literary portrayal of power and obedience in Orwell’s essays gives his texts their enduring quality.

To what extent does your interpretation of Orwell reflect this point of view?

In your response, make detailed reference to at least TWO of the essays set for study.

KEY WORDS FROM THE ESSAY QUESTION:

HAMLET: • Loss• Alienation• Enduring quality

KEY WORDS FROM THE ESSAY QUESTION:

ORWELL: • Power• Obedience• Enduring quality

A ‘C’ range introduction:‘William Shakespeare’s Hamlet is full of universal themes that can be understood by all people from any walks of life. The dramatic portrayal of loss and alienation allows the play to endure over time and place because of its universal significance.’

An ‘A’ range introduction:‘Power and obedience are two ideas which George Orwell rallies against. It is not only his opposition to these ideas which allow his essays to endure but also his ability to portray them in a skillful manner. Enduring ideas of power and obedience combine with brilliant aesthetic and recognition of a need for accessibility in Orwell’s essays ‘Politics and the English Language’ and ‘Sporting Spirit’.

• students didn't need to engage with both parts of the question to get into the 'a' range - they could focus on loss OR alienation/ power OR obedience

• to access the top band students don't need to write a lot - 5 pages is enough to get an A (about 700-900 words)

• it's not necessary to include critics BUT the stronger ones do as they engage genuinely with the critics' view and articulate their own position in relation to it

• don't need a lot of quotes – 6-8 good ones (even one word quotes) can be enough for a band 6

• the emphasis should be on the argument and the engagement with the ideas in the essay question - a conceptual discussion is best (not thematic, plot or character driven)

• as always - a highly literate and well structured response is necessary for a band 6

AVOID!!'No, Hamlet is not about Struggle and Disillusionment. Here is my prepared response instead blah, blah, blah'.

This is the WORST possible approach to the HSC exam - they're putting ideas out there for you to think about and write about. You MUST develop an argument that responds DIRECTLY to the essay question. If you don't, you'll get a big fat 'D'.

English is about thinking and NOT about regurgitating ...

- Engage DIRECTLY with the essay question!! You need to formulate your thesis around the essay question

- develop the ideas in the essay question. DO NOT simply repeat the key words ‘loss’ and ‘alienation’

- Better to develop the ideas:e.g. A loss of innocence for individuals as a

consequence of social and spiritual unrest leads to the social and spiritual alienation.