Further hints for answering written diploma questions.

There are several ways of writing an expository essay, some more acceptable than others. At the moment there is a wide divergence of form, style and ability in the answers received from candidates. Whilst ability is naturally a personal trait, there are several points which teachers might find helpful in order to aid their students in writing these answers.

·         Always plan the important points to be covered. Bullet points are fine.  Ensure every point is related to a word or term in the question. This concentrates the mind on the important facts to be covered, and, should the candidate run out of time, gives the marker an idea of areas which would have been covered. (No more than five minutes, to be spent on this).

·         Always plan the approximate amount of time to be spent on each section. Leave time for proof reading.(Then you should not  run out of time. See above!)

·         Do not write the question out. This is an absolute waste of valuable writing time, and gains no recognition.

·         Always identify which question you are answering at the top of the first page of your response.

·         The first paragraph should state what is going to be covered in the body of the essay and in what order it is to be written about.  It should include the words of the question wherever possible. Ideally, the first person singular should not be used; e.g. “This essay will explain”, rather than “I am going to explain”.  However, note that this does not necessarily apply to essays which are of the “How would you achieve………..” type. (See Section Two)

·         Always try to incorporate the words of the question in the answer.

·         Each paragraph should have a structure. Two that can easily be remembered are;

T.E.D.S. (Topic Sentence; Example; Detail; Summary)

S.E.X.Y. (Statement; Example; Your perception)

SECTION ONE DEALS WITH ANY QUESTION REQUIRING ANALYSIS, CRITICAL ASSESSMENT, OPINION, EFFECT.

·         QUESTION;

Explain the importance of Shakespeare’s contribution to English drama, suggesting the effect it has had on a twenty first century playwright of your choice and on twenty first century audiences;

AND

Critically assess any live performance of ONE of his plays and state what impact it had.

 An example of an introductory  paragraph.

This essay will explain the importance of William Shakespeare’s contribution to English drama. It will consider the effect it has had on a selected playwright, and audiences, of the twenty first century. In addition, it will critically assess one live performance, with reference to its impact.

·          The next paragraph could give some general background information that will support or give a framework for the body of the answer, or it could go straight into the detailed answer required.

If it is the latter, then the first paragraph of the body of the answer must deal with the importance of Shakespeare’s contribution to English drama.

Using the format suggested above (TED):

 William Shakespeare made a vitally important contribution to English drama (Topic sentence which includes words of the question). As an actor and playwright, he understood how to write plays which would capture the minds and hearts of his audience, not only in his own time and country but for all time and all places.

In English speaking countries throughout the world, his work is studied, staged, performed and analysed, and he is recognized by non English speakers as one of the greatest dramatists to have lived. At any given time, somewhere in the world, a play of Shakespeare’s is being performed (Melvyn Bragg). (Example). His work covers the eternal themes of love, revenge, ambition, jealousy, and his ability to weave a spell with words has had a profound effect on every dramatist who followed him. He created phrases, which summed up precisely what he was trying to convey, which have proved so apt that they have become used as clichés in modern language. “Neither a borrower or a lender be” (Hamlet). (Detail). Therefore, both as a playwright, able to interweave more than one plot into a riveting tale and as an unequalled user of the English language, Shakespeare is a colossus who bestrides English drama. (Summary ).

Link the paragraphs. e.g.,” the importance of his contribution can be directly seen in the work of….”

The second paragraph must deal with the effect it has had on the twenty first century playwright of choice, with supporting reasons.

Link the paragraphs. e.g.,” ……… plays have much the same effect on an audience as Shakespeare’s did.”

The third paragraph must deal with the effect it has had on twenty first century audiences with supporting reasons.

Link the paragraphs e.g.,” Any contemporary live performance of……………..”

The fourth paragraph should contain a critical assessment of a live performance of one of his plays (named), with supporting reasons.

Link the paragraphs e.g. “Unlike the appreciative audiences of Shakespeare’s time………”

The fifth paragraph should state what impact it has had on the audience, with supporting reasons.

The final paragraph should reiterate what has been stated in the introductory paragraph in a summarized version of the body of the answer (E.g.1)  OR may restate what the essay has done  (E.g. 2) OR could use Example 1 as a summary and then Example 2 as a conclusion.

 Example1

It is therefore quite apparent that William Shakespeare’s importance to English drama has been paramount in influencing playwrights of all ages, in language, play construction and the use of intertwining plots. In particular, his influence can be seen in the works of………….. as she, too, follows  the Shakespearean example of constructing her plays, using intertwining plots and in her subtle yet sometimes broad comic use of language. In critically assessing a live performance of one of his plays, although it was performed quite well in the writer’s opinion, the audience impact was not as strong as would have been expected, due to the age and limited understanding of the audience. Nonetheless, for this writer, Shakespeare still remains the greatest dramatist of English literary history.

Example2

This essay has explained the importance of William Shakespeare’s contribution to English drama. It has considered the effect it has had on a selected playwright, and audience, of the twenty first century. In addition, it has critically assessed one live performance, with reference to its impact.

SECTION TWO DEALS WITH PERSONAL APPLICATION, TECHNIQUES, ANYTHING THAT REQUIRES AN ANSWER SPECIFIC TO THE CANDIDATE.

QUESTION.

Describe your approach and the resources you would use to teach reading aloud skills to a class of reluctant readers

AND

Evaluate their worth.

·         Again there should be an opening paragraph as for Section One.

However, in this case it is acceptable to use ‘I “, in the body of the answer.

·         The following paragraphs should follow the format of Section One with each paragraph relating to the introductory paragraph.

·         Do not waste time writing out lesson plans (if it is a teaching question) which go through everything done each lesson, unless it is asked for. This is fine for a teaching plan, but the candidate must concentrate on the kernel of the question. Initially it can be stated that normal breathing/relaxation/vocal/physical warm ups/exercises will be done in each lesson, and then focus attention on the subject matter of the question.

·         Any candidate who writes from their own experience, whether in teaching or performance, and can justify statements either for or against the question ,relating it to their experience, writes with an authority that is immediately apparent.

·         Do not use slang such as “kids”. This is still a formal response and requires formal language

·         Remember in all cases;

That if there are two parts to the question then there must be a more or less equal length of response in the answer. In the above example there are three paragraphs for the first part of the question (excluding the introductory paragraph) and two and a summary for the second part of the question; alternatively two and a half pages to the first part and two to the second part.

·         Proof Read!!!!!

Check that everything listed in your bullet points, has been covered

Check that each paragraph has referred in the correct order to a) the question, and b) what was stated in the introductory paragraph.

·         Check the spelling. At diploma level, any old spelling will not do! At the very least, subject specific words must be spelled correctly. Markers are much more interested in what is said than in wasting time correcting basic spelling errors.

·         The script must be legible. It does not matter how interesting the script is if it cannot be read by someone else.

·         The language must be formal. There is a great difference between spoken and written language and informal language is not acceptable

·         Quotes, if used, should really be cited correctly. ( Act One, Scene 3, Line 21)  However, a general citation is acceptable (Merchant Of Venice Act One), or (To a Child).

It is to be hoped that teachers will not take for granted that their students automatically know all these points, and realise that consistent practice of them can only improve their students‘ results.