All posts by Mr Thomson

If you write about Sailmaker…

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1. Themes are relationships, loss and healing, growing up, Alec finding himself, departure, Glasgow’s sectarian society, prejudice, finding peace, responsibility…

2. Key moments for me are the symbolic ending (deep symbolic significance – burning of the objects); Alec’s exam success (releases Alec from poverty, potentially; will enable him to make the most of his intellectual attributes); the opening trauma (depth of Alec’s scars; significance of Star of the Sea); all scenes involving the yacht (symbolic loss of mother – broken yacht = broken family that needs to be healed; again, Star of the Sea (Alec’s name for the yacht) – related to Virgin Mary, replacement mother figure for Alec).

3.  Alec and Davie would be discussed in any essay about Sailmaker.  Alec is fascinating as his journey is one of self-realisation and a journey towards acceptance of the losses he has suffered, and towards independence.  Davie is Alec’s ineffectual, procrastinating father.  He, too, suffers (bereavement and the irrelevance of his sailmaking trade).  But he does pass on his love of learning to Alec, and it’s just possible that this (the love of learning) is the metaphorical sail that Davie DOES provide – the one that enables Alec to depart, to be free.

Remember: Paper 2 Critical Reading :)

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Structure of Paper 2: Critical Reading

a. Answer the questions on the poetry of Carol Ann Duffy (45 minutes)(20 Marks)

THEN

b. Go to section 2 at the back of the booklet.  Write ONE critical essay in response to EITHER a question in DRAMA (‘Sailmaker’)  OR  PROSE (‘A Time To Dance’). (45 minutes)(20 Marks)

‘A Time To Dance’ key incident and essays to return

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Troops, just been reminded of one of the core ironies in ‘A Time To Dance’ – Mrs Skelly’s true self (drug addict, impoverished, marginalised) becomes more and more concealed/hidden when she removes clothes.  In removing her clothes, she conceals her true self… VERY IRONIC.

Also, I have essays for the following people to collect: Sean G, Sam J, Robbie, Alex, Alison, Amy, Rhianna, Fionn, Jonathan, Lyall.  I’m continuing to work through the timed practices that you and others have done.  News of more work to pick up soon…

Keep working hard.  You can do it.

MrT

Some Reminders about Analysis Qs in RUAE and Scottish Text, and the 8 Mark Scottish Text Q

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Remember, language = word choice, imagery, structure, tone  (also alliteration, onomatopoeia etc.)

When you analyse word choice, remember Quote + Explanation/Connotations is the basic word choice answer structure.

If you are going to comment on structure (question, list, parenthesis, ellipsis, short sentence…) then you must state the technique first, then quote, then comment.  Your comment needs to be detailed.

Imagery analysis = ‘Just as’ (LITERAL ORIGIN ie what is emigration, exactly?) and ‘so too’ (what does it mean in this context (ie what massive changes happen through childhood?).  In this example the image comes from Originally ; ” All childhood is an emigration”.

 

Also, please use the taught structure for the 8 mark question:

Para 1: Commonality (discuss at least two poems in this section)    2 marks

Para 2: Quote from printed passage plus comment                            2 Marks

Para 3: Quote from another Duffy poem plus comment                               2 Marks

Para 4: Quote from another Duffy poem (this could be the same poem as the one discussed in para 3) plus comment   2 Marks

Keep working hard!

MrT

Colour Coded Critical Essay Questions For Mind Mapping!

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Good evening, troops.  Here are some critical essay questions colour coded especially for you!   You essentially need to have character (and theme), structure (and theme) and direct theme essays planned for both ‘A Time To Dance’ and ‘Sailmaker’.  If you make sure you are well prepared, you can’t go wrong.   🙂    SO MAKE A MIND MAP FOR EACH ESSAY TASK ON THE ATTACHMENT!

Nat 5 Colour Coded Critical Essay Questions

More resources to come, including quote banks and practice Scottish Text questions.

You can do it!  Get stuck in.

Mr Thomson

Easter Home Learning :)

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Troops, time to prepare…

  1. Make mind maps for A Time To Dance and Sailmaker (character, structure(key incident, turning point…), language, symbolism, metaphor, atmosphere / mood, theme / central concerns).  Write a critical essay for each text in response to any two questions from the SQA past papers site (Critical Reading, Essay section at the back of the paper).
  2. Make poetry (Carol Ann Duffy) quote and analysis displays for your own personal space – read, cover/look away, memorise.  Identify links between the poems.
  3. Read non-fiction.  Complete Reading for UAE past papers, making sure you a. use your own words and/or b. identify technique, quote and comment accurately AND IN DETAIL as each question demands.

You can do it!

MrT

FOLIO PRIORITIES!!!

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Troops, don’t forget the following priorities:

Broadly Creative (including reflective) essays MUST incorporate creative use of language – description of setting (development of atmosphere), use of imagery (simile, metaphor or personification), varied and accurate vocabulary.

Persuasive essays MUST incorporate  A CLEAR LINE OF ARGUMENT, varied vocabulary, varied sentence lengths and types, well linked paragraphs, effective use of evidence to develop the argument, an interesting opening, a strong conclusion and a LIST OF SOURCES.

You can do it!

MrT