REVIEW OF UNSEEN POEM AND PROSE GRADED ASSIGNMENT

Secondary 3 Literature 2016

Term 1 Week 7

COMMON TEST FORMAT

Unseen Prose / Poetry – 24th February 2016

- Choose Either the Prose or Poetry

- To complete both parts of the Question [part (i) and (ii)]

- Label Qn CLEARLY

- 1 hour (Use 10-15 minutes to thoroughly analyse the text)

- Make your choice based on the issue expressed in the text, question requirements. Do not assume that the prose is always easier.

COMMON MISTAKES IN POETRY AND PROSE ASSIGNMENT

Common Mistakes How to Improve:

Superficial response and analysis

E.g. Parenthood is about caring

for a child no matter what as the

parent in the poem care for the

child.

• Apply TRIFTS when analysing

the poem

• Analyse prose based on the 5

aspects of prose

• Attempt to pick out the change

and conflict in the text

COMMON MISTAKES IN POETRY AND PROSE ASSIGNMENT

Common Mistakes How to Improve:

Not answering the question.

E.g. Question asks for portrayal of

love but script talks more about

the child’s sickness.

Begin Point sentence by answering

the question.

E.g. The writer creates an

atmosphere of mystery and

uncertainty through the intimate

first person narration of thoughts

about the dying wife.

COMMON MISTAKES IN POETRY AND PROSE ASSIGNMENT

Common Mistakes How to Improve:

Assumptions and generalization

E.g. The child has some disorder

and must be loved by her parents.

Otherwise, she will not be able to

survive and might commit suicide.

(a real example)

• Avoid such assumptions and

generalizations.

• Focus on what the text is conveying.

• Be able to back up anything that you

claim/say in your essay with

evidence from the text.

Essay is unclear and much too brief Apply PEEL structure and work on

elaborating point (which brings us to the

next common mistake)

COMMON MISTAKES IN POETRY AND PROSE ASSIGNMENT

Common Mistakes

Weak elaboration – which is quite a waste because some of

your points are very insightful but it lacked the needed

elaboration

E.g. The poet presents parenthood to be a challenging one as

they still have to take care of their disabled child even though

they did not expect their child to be disable this sentence

should also be broken down.

How to Improve:

Explain your evidence showing how it supports your point. Focus on certain

words/ events / poetic devices / techniques mentioned.

E.g. The poet presents parenthood to be a challenging one. This is

highlighted through the conflict of expectations held by the parents and

child. The parents began their journey of parenthood questioning the cause

of their child’s disability and implicating their own actions. While they

eventually accepted their child fully for who she is, the acceptance came

with doubts and fears as their love for their child remains an uncertain one

as with the nature of the condition of their child. They realise that the love

and sacrifices for their child may remain unreciprocated. As such,

parenthood is presented to be a challenging one as it is filled with

constant doubts, fears and uncertainty even if one fulfils their role as a

parent.

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

Unseen Prose

Yew Tree

Yew Tree

Analyze ‘A Monster Calls’ based on the 5 Aspects of the Unseen Prose.

PLOT STRUCTURE

NARRATIVE FEATURES

CHARACTERIZATION

TENSION & SUSPENSE

LANGUAGE FEATURE

i. How does Ness convey a feeling of fear in this passage?

1. The vivid portrayal of the tree – the use of imagery to emphasize the immense presence and command of the tree

2. The Tree as a character and how/what it communicates with Conor

3. The setting of exchange between Conor and tree –Conor’s dream sets up a certain expectation about the interaction between Conor and tree An other World.

4. The materialization of the dream – ending of passage –the extension of Conor’s dream into reality blurs the line between reality and dreams

i. What do you find striking about the character Conor in this passage?

1. Conor initially brave and unwavering reaction to the monster – aware that he is in a dream state

2. Conor’s state of mind is in turmoil –metaphorical monster

3. Conor’s deep and possibly dark secret the purpose of a dream – a projection of the subconscious

Analyze ‘Tissue Paper Man’ using the 5 aspects of prose and come up with Thematic statement and Two points for each question.

You could start off as below:

This story is about... [Note the issue in the passage]

Qn (i)

The writer conveys a feeling of pity through…

The writer also conveys pity through…

Qn (ii)

The writer feels that the poor in Singapore’s society are…

The writer also feels that the poor in Singapore’s society….