What is response writing?
It is structured, opinion based writing that is supported by quoted evidence. The key to success in response standards, is to make sure you write with depth of explanation.
To respond you must:
- prove you have read and understood the text,
- make opinions (preferably mature) about the text,
- express ideas about the text by saying what it made you think about or taught you – link it to life or other texts where appropriate,
- support all your opinions with aprropriate, specific evidence (quotations and details).
The following key features of response help determine the grade you will earn
- Knowledge. This shows you have read the text carefully, and know what has happened, in what order, to whom. You may use plot details, facts, names, etc. This is a Not Achieved Level of response!
- Understanding. This shows that you understand why certain things happen, and why characters act the way they do, etc. The types of comments which show that you are operating at this level often start with words like ‘although’, ‘because’, ‘however’. Not Achieved/Achieved
- Perception. This is where you show that you understand why a text is relevant to you personally or society as a whole (theme). It shows your ability to critically think, and often uses words such as ‘most importantly’, ‘finally’. Achieved.
- Appreciation. This is where you show your understanding of how texts are structured, the significance of point of view, and how style works. You show an understanding of the writer’s/director’s purpose. In this level, you use the meta-language (the official terms) of English, such as climax, metaphor, crisis, denouement, etc. Merit.
- Evaluation. This is where you make judgements about the value of what the text says, and the literary or artistic qualities. It includes your ability to empathise with characters and the predicaments they find themselves in, too. Words which signal that you are reaching this level of response include ‘vital’, ‘detailed’, ‘charismatic’, ‘lucid’. Merit/Excellence.
You must:
1. Know the text thoroughly.
2. Practise response writing – especially planning and body paragraphs.
3. Gather supporting quotations for all aspects of the texts – the more of these you use, the better your chances of achieving merit or excellence, but make
sure you use them appropriately.
4. Know the marking guide and skills terminology so well that you can monitor your own progress.
5. Use your check list for every response.
2. Practise response writing – especially planning and body paragraphs.
3. Gather supporting quotations for all aspects of the texts – the more of these you use, the better your chances of achieving merit or excellence, but make
sure you use them appropriately.
4. Know the marking guide and skills terminology so well that you can monitor your own progress.
5. Use your check list for every response.
Response Checklist - click on the link below...
response_writing_checklist.docx | |
File Size: | 22 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Response Writing Process:
1. Choose your topic (it should be the one you know the most about irrespective of whether you like it or not!)
2. Underline the instructional verbs in the topic (describe, explain).
3. Circle the key words in the topic (character, ideas, setting, etc).
4. Choose a focus for your essay (i.e. an important moment, or character – whatever the topic directs you towards).
5. Brainstorm the ideas and details for the describe part of the topic – what quotations or details will you use.
6. Brainstorm ideas and evidence for the explain part of the topic.
7. Write the essay.
8. Check the essay – have you answered both parts of the topic? Does your evidence support your ideas? Have you explained how it does this? Are your
ideas clearly expressed? Have you used appropriate English (film/poetry/novel) terminology.
2. Underline the instructional verbs in the topic (describe, explain).
3. Circle the key words in the topic (character, ideas, setting, etc).
4. Choose a focus for your essay (i.e. an important moment, or character – whatever the topic directs you towards).
5. Brainstorm the ideas and details for the describe part of the topic – what quotations or details will you use.
6. Brainstorm ideas and evidence for the explain part of the topic.
7. Write the essay.
8. Check the essay – have you answered both parts of the topic? Does your evidence support your ideas? Have you explained how it does this? Are your
ideas clearly expressed? Have you used appropriate English (film/poetry/novel) terminology.
Structuring your essays:
In the exam, you will write essays for novel, film, and short stories. The paper will ask you to write a minimum of 250 words, but it is quite difficult to reach the achieved grade with so few words, so I recommend 500-600+! It is possible! You will need to learn two essay structures – 1 for short stories, and 1 for novel and film.
Poetry Essay Structure:
6 paragraphs, about a minimum of two texts.
- Introduction (50 words)
- Body 1 (100 words) – describe for text 1
- Body 2 (100 words) – explain for text 1
- Body 3 (100 words) – describe for text 2
- Body 4 (100 words) – explain for text 2
- Conclusion (50 words)
Novel and Film Structure
5 paragraphs on 1 text – for each genre.
- Introduction (50 words)
- Body 1 (150 words) – describe
- Body 2 (120 words) – explain
- Body 3 (120 words) – explain
- Conclusion (50 words)
Paragraph Structures:
- Introductions - must have the title(s), author(s); key words from the topic; your point of view; and a thesis sentence which reveals the ideas you will cover in your “explain” paragraphs.
- Body paragraphs – must contain an opening statement (often an opinion). This opening statement provides the focus for the paragraph and all that follows should relate to it. Body paragraphs should also explain your ideas, and offer lots of supporting evidence. You should also start to explain your evidence – especially offering opinions about it with regard to literal and figurative meanings (connotations). Where possible, thread English terms throughout your answer, and explore the significance of the data for your understanding of the text’s themes.
- Conclusions – should summarise your findings. You should NOT offer any new data at this point.
How you are marked:
Although this changes from year to year, slightly, below are links to the 2011 draft marking schedules for film and written texts, from the NZQA website. This schedule shows how your essays may be assessed in 2011.