YEAR TEN EXAM PREPARATION

YOUR HANDY GUIDE TO WRITING A FLAWLESS ESSAY!

PART ONE: REWORDING THE ESSAY QUESTION

Question: Texts enrich our understanding of the world. Explain this statement with reference to techniques in the text.
Reword the Question: What does the question ask you to do?
Highlight key words. In this case it asks you to explore the text (still image, narrative extract) and show how it enriches
(improve, develop, enhance, broadens) your understanding of the world (the image of the world you have, how you
understand particular issues such as poverty, gender, class, race). The question asks you to refer to techniques that
support these understandings (e.g. language and image techniques in still images, narrative conventions such as
characterisation, setting).

ONE OF THE BIGGEST MISTAKES THAT STUDENTS MAKE

IS THAT THEY DO NOT ANSWER THE QUESTION!
Reword the following essay questions (what are they asking you to do?):

Texts only reinforce existing cultural values. Explain this statement with reference to the text.

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Being exposed to different texts is essential in shaping peoples ideas. Argue for or against this statement with
reference to the text.

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PART TWO: THE THESIS STATEMENT AND INTRODUCTION

The Thesis Statement: the last sentence in your introduction, highly specific most often in the form of a statement, a
direct response/answer to the question. This statement is the one that markers will look at to see what your essay is
about. Write the proposition first as it will give the essay direction and focus. One way to do this might be to ask yourself
If I only had one sentence to write the question, what would I write?
e.g. The text has enriched my understanding of gender roles in society; the housewife and breadwinner are still
present in modern society, but these stereotypes have been gradually deconstructed as they have taken on negative
connotations of conformity and repression.
Write your own thesis statement for the UN Foster Child still image (for a question of your choice):
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The Introduction:

Introduce topic and capture the readers interest

Introduce text and author
Brief plot outline or description of the text
Link text to the question and key concepts
Thesis statement

e.g. To answer the first essay question referring to the traditional family still image:
Texts, whether they be print or non-print, help people to make sense of the world around them, enriching their
understanding of the many ideas and issues that confront them. This is certainly the case with the traditional household
image; originally aimed at a 1950s audience it challenges a 2010 audiences understanding. The text presents a
housewife cooking the family meal as her husband arrives home after a long day at work, with the couples small
children playing in the foreground. This text explores ideas about gender and power; the housewife is the traditional
female, content in her role of domesticity, while her husband is the breadwinner, content with his role in the business
world. The text has enriched my understanding of gender roles in contemporary society. The housewife and
breadwinner are still present in modern society, but these stereotypes have been gradually deconstructed as they have
taken on negative connotations of conformity and repression.

Write your own introduction for the UN still image (in your other booklet):
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Write an introduction for an alternative image in your booklet:
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PART THREE: PARAGRAPHS

Paragraphs:

One main idea

Begins with a clear topic sentence which relate directly to the thesis statement and question. Topic sentences
are essential in giving direction to the paragraph. Each topic sentence should link with the other topic
sentences.
Uses quotes or image techniques for support and proof

Models include: TDSAC (Topic, Develop, Support, Analyse, Conclude) and TEEL (Topic, Elaborate, Example, Link).
A COMMON MISTAKE IS THAT STUDENTS DO NOT WRITE TOPIC SENTENCES
AND JUMP STRAIGHT INTO THE EXAMPLES THEY WISH TO DISCUSS!
SOME TOPIC SENTENCES:
1950s
The image highlights the females conformity to the
traditional gender role of wife and mother, as she takes on
domestic tasks in an interior space.

Ideas about masculinity and femininity often link to

physical appearance and clothing; this is reinforced by the
husband and wife in the image.

The breadwinner husband is clearly a foreigner in this

domestic environment; his place is not in the home but in
the exterior workspace.

Both the husband and wife appear content with their

traditional roles.
The stereotypes explored in the image are often seen as
backward and restrictive by modern society.

UN

SAMPLE PARAGRAPH:

Ideas about masculinity and femininity often link to their clothing; this is reinforced by the husband and wife in the image.
These ideas are questioned by contemporary society as restrictive and backward, as we contrast the image with the
eclectic mix of attire chosen by women and men today. The wife wears an apron, dress and high heels with her hair
done up in a stylish bun. These are all symbolic of her femininity. The apron indicates the pride she takes in her role as
the familys cook, while her dress, high heels and hair indicate the pride she takes in her appearance, ready for her
husbands arrival. The husbands masculinity is also represented by his clothing. He wears business attire; a coat, suit,
tie and polished shoes. Business attire is often associated with power, both financially and intellectually (reinforced by
the newspaper under his arm). Contemporary society is quick to judge the symbolism of their physical appearances; the
woman appears intellectually and financially inferior to the man, worthy only for her domestic and sexual attributes. While
a man would be seldom seen in a dress and high heels, women today are often seen wearing business attire that is
symbolic of the power they hold in intellectual and financial spheres.
PARAGRAPHS:
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PART FOUR: CONCLUSION

The Conclusion: Conclusions are vitally important. A writer needs to keep in mind that the conclusion is often what a
reader remembers best- the very next thing the marker does is give the essay a mark!
A common mistake in conclusions is that students introduce new information or evidencethis is not allowed. Some students write very short conclusions and the essay is left without a
frame.
A Conclusion should:

Refer back to the introduction, or at least re-emphasise in some way, the thesis stated in the introduction.
Give the essay a sense of completeness

You could:

Synthesise: Summarise the thesis and supporting evidence and provide the reader with a brief reminder of your
main points. You do not simply repeat word for word what you have just written! You remind the read how your
points of evidence support your thesis.
Recommend: Conclude with a suggestion or action to be taken. This is especially appropriate is the main idea
is controversial or persuasive in nature. Our example essay may conclude with comments about the role of
reading in contemporary society, recommending that an enriched world view is possible through art and the
practice of reading still images and other texts.
Final Sentence: A vivid image, an emotive statement, a rhetorical question, a call for action, a warning, a
relevant quotation.

Suggestions:

Do not contradict the points you have made.

Do not use obvious transition phrases such as in conclusion, in summary or I have attempted to show. Use
words like therefore, finally and consequently.
Do make your conclusion brief and to the point.
Make the tone consistent with your overall essay.

EXAMPLE
The image of the 1950s household reinforces traditional ideas about gender, which enriches our understanding of
gender in contemporary society. The womans clothing and appearance, as well as her contentment in her role as
housewife reinforce ideas of women as maternal, sexual objects (not intellectual) whose role is primarily in the domestic
sphere. This contrasts with the representation of the man as a foreigner; his role is in the exterior space as the financial
breadwinner for the family and he is an intruder in domestic life. This contrasts with contemporary society; both women
and men are now integrated in exterior and interior spaces and free to choose whether or not they conform to traditional
gender roles. It is now comfortable to have a female CEO of a company and a male at home washing the dishes, just as
it is to have a stay at home Mum and working Dad.
WRITE YOUR CONCLUSION
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