How to write a text response tips

Text response

Where do you start?


1) Read the question. Pick out the key words. Formulate a multi-faceted contention/purpose that demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the text, not just a superficial one. Look at the question from all angles.

2) INTRODUCTION:

• Contextualise for your assessor (historical, social, text type, book name, author).
• Integrate your contention/purpose.
• Signpost your key ideas but don’t go into intimate specifics.
• Integrate at least 2 quotes from the text to display an immediate engagement.
• Do not start going into specific textual examples or start mentioning ‘people’. If the question is about a specific person, then you may use their name, otherwise don’t list people in the intro.
• Make sure your introduction is acutely indicative of what you will explore throughout your response. It serves as the springboard of future ideas.


THEREFORE:
An efficient introduction should:
• clarify and define key terms and phrases by discussing the main issues that will be tackled.
• articulate your main argument in a confident and assured manner - show a strong sense of authorial control.

DO NOT:
• simply repeat the topic in your opening sentence.
• simply agree or disagree.
• disregard the topic altogether and rewrite a pre-planned essay that is largely irrelevant to the topic.
• begin your introduction with: “In my opinion this statement is true…”, “I agree with the above statement”, or “In this essay I will talk about …”, and other such like expressions. Such phrasing is both unnecessary and begins the essay on an unsophisticated note.

2) Paragraph 1: Idea/argument number 1.

• This has be your strongest point.
• Topic sentence must be meaningful and leading. It must represent your discussion for the paragraph therefore it cannot be ambiguous, a general statement about the text or waffle. It has to be pointed and articulate and a platform for future discussion and exposure of ideas.
• You validate your findings with : textual evidence, explanation of characters themes, issues, construction and also quotes: fluent integration of quotes. Quotes must not stand alone without any connection to ideas and/or discussion.
* Make sure you are not just retelling the story. Think: state/validate/elaborate.
* Use your linking words to make your response fluent and analytical.
http://www.smart-words.org/linking-words/transition-words.html
http://www.somers.k12.ny.us/sis/main/writing/transitional_words.html
* Do a final sentence that adequately sums up your point for this paragraph.
* Do not do a linking sentence at the end.

Paragraph 2:

* Begin with recognition of previous argument by using a linking word or phrase ie Furthermore/ in addition / moreover Funder presents the Berlin Wall as a symbolisation of oppression that not only physically divides individuals and systems, but also... (Whatever topic sentence may be).
* continue to back up your topic sentence idea/argument with appropriate textual examples and quotes.
*continue to use linking words

Paragraph 3/4

See above.
These will be your 3 and 4th ideas/arguments.


CONCLUSION
The final paragraph should tie up your ideas and return quite clearly to the initial topic. Do not just summarise your views here. A good strategy is to provide a clear, logical and thorough response to the topic by re-expressing it to suit the way you have developed your argument. Such a strategy assumes that you have clarified, defined and substantiated the issues involved thoroughly in the main body of the essay. Never introduce new ideas that have not been developed earlier in the last paragraph. Finally, remember to finish confidently and assertively!
*integrate at least two quotes into the conclusion.
• Avoid concluding your essay with: “In conclusion…”, or “to sum up…”. This is a very clumsy formulation and ends the essay on a tepid note.


overall!!!!!

ESSAY WRITING CONVENTIONS

Be a thoroughly good writer rather than a careless or ignorant one. Practice by getting into the habit of applying the following writing conventions:

•
Underline or use italics for the title of the text (do not use quotation marks).
•
Discuss the text in the present tense (not the past tense). The text is “alive” and is being read now, in the present. The rule is simple: discuss it in the present tense.
•
Style and Tone must be formal (i.e. no colloquialisms, abbreviations, etc.).
•
Avoid contracting words (“don't”, “isn't”, “i.e.”). Write the words in full (“does not”).
•
Do not use the personal voice: “I think”, “In my opinion” — your essay is your opinion!
•
Refer to the author's concerns/intentions/view/values throughout the essay (e.g. "Funder is critical of the way…" ; "Funder is ruthless in satirising the Stasi as she … or Funder is seeking to/Funder's juxtaposition of the two system suggests" etc
•
Use the appropriate language (i.e. vocabulary and metalanguage) to write about characters, themes, etc. Ensure you have developed a vocabulary sheet throughout your study of the texts. We will add to ours on the Lusco 2014 blog.
•
Using Quotations. When you use quotations, you must quote exactly. You must, however, only use the quotation if it strengthens your argument. It is better to quote a few apt words or key lines than include large “chunks” which are irrelevant.

— Use the ellipsis (three dots) ... when you omit parts of a quotation.

— When you quote and you use a word(s) that is not in the quotation itself, put the word(s) in square brackets [ ].

— Note how quotations are used to support arguments and how they are integrated into an argument in sample essays.


DO NOT in the process of your discussion:

• bombard your reader with too many quotes. Quotes should illustrate an argument or idea rather than act as a substitute for it!
• re-narrate the story. Examiners know the plot and who the characters are! They are interested in your ideas and views.
• simply rewrite an essay that is not relevant to the topic.
• deviate from the topic!

Beware of “one-track” response. Try to recognize complexities: the better answers always do.

You may like to think of each paragraph as based on an "equation":
One paragraph = one topic sentence (main argument) + detail (supporting arguments) + relevant examples (textual evidence + quote) = well rounded paragraph that explores a key argument related directly to the topic.

Good luck and I am looking forward to reading some insightful essays.