Sentence starters for Coursework

Introduction

‘Death of a Salesman’ is a play by Arthur Miler which..

John Steinbeck’s ‘Of Mice and Men’ also...

Paragraph 1 – Social, Historical and Cultural contexts

The books share social, historical and cultural contexts. Firstly both are set during a time in American history when...

The social settings are similar in that everyone in society is attempting to

Both are realist texts as Steinbeck said “...

The geographical setting of Miller and Steinbeck’s texts are different as...

Despite the different geographical settings both present the idea of...

When the books were published, the reaction was...

Joseph McCarthy’s...

Paragraphs 2: Willy Loman

In ‘Death of a Salesman’ we follow the last few days of Willy Loman. Willy is...

Miller further hints at Willy’s low status by his choice of surname for his character: “Willy Loman”. This suggests

Wily eventually comes to the realisation that he will never...

Paragraph 3: Lennie Small

In ‘Of Mice and Men’ we meet Lennie Small as he...

Lennie is attempting to achieve the American Dream as he believes...

Interestingly ‘Of Mice and Men’s main character’s surname has similar connotations to that of Willy Loman as he is called: “Lennie Small”. This suggests

Although the vulnerable Lennie does not realise, the reader does quickly realise that he will never achieve...

Paragraph 4 –The dark side of the American Dream (themes: failure/ isolation)

Both Miller and Steinbeck’s texts show the dark side of...

The books do not show success, but instead show...

The ideas contained within both texts are failure and isolation. We see this when...

Paragraph 5 – The endings of both texts and what they say about the future (hope)

Despite the furore surrounding the publication of both books...

Despite the accusations that both authors faced from aspects of American society at the time, they are not a completely damning portrayal of the American Dream. In ‘Of Mice and Men’ George is left to...

Also there are glimmers of hope at the end of ‘Death of a Salesman’ as Biff...

The reader realises that, despite the harsh conditions the characters lived in, they were partly to blame for not...

Biff and George represent the possibility that...

Conclusion – Critiques of the American Dream. Downfalls of complex characters.

In conclusion Miller’s ‘Death of a Saleman’ and Steinbeck’s ‘Of Mice and Men’ present the idea of the American Dream as...

We follow the sad endings of the characters...

Through the stories of Lennie and Willy we see that the pursuit of the American Dream can be...

The reader feels...

Phrase bank

depicts	presents the idea of the American Dream as	deluded	leaves the reader disillusioned with
portrays	low status in society	A harsh climate	Abandoned by society who cares only for status and wealth
Desperation	Furthermore	Not only this but	Firstly
Secondly	This suggests	This shows	Both texts

Coursework Deadline!

Monday 31st March
1st draft due.

Task -Compare the ways John Steinbeck and Arthur Miller present the idea of the American Dream in 'Of Mice and Men' and 'Death of a Salesman'.

This is worth 40% of your overall Literature GCSE grade.

To help use the following resources you have been issued with:

- booklet with paragraph plan and quote bank
- 'Of Mice and Men' text
- 'Death of a Salesman' text
- booklet with further information about 'Of Mice and Men'
- sentence starter handout and word banks

FAILURE TO COMPLETE FIRST DRAFT WILL RESULT IN DETENTION

Another revision test on reading skills, this time: summarising skills.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/english/reading/summarising/quiz/q90744486/ 

This is a great way to revise for the reading paper, both core and extended. The final question in extended asks you to summarise the texts and there are several questions in the core where you must use summarising skills.

Remember: summarising requires you to put text into your own words.

Formality vs. Informality

In today's lesson we learned about the differences between formal and informal language.

Take the test below to help you consolidate your learning:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/english/writing/tone_style/quiz/q78708998/

Homework help harvest success!

Reminder: IGCSE Language Past Paper due this Friday. Answers on A4 paper please.

Reminders:

Study Support Class tonight 3.30-4.30 in 310 for the Language Paper

Tomorow: Speaking and Listening exams in Mrs Graham's Roselands Office (Media and Law Office) periods 4-6.

Please arrive promptly to your exam and wait outside to make sure you don't disturb and exam taking place.

Another lunchtime session where practice Speaking and Listening slots were on offer and no-one has turned up!

It is important to use all of the help/advice and support that is being offered to esnure you get the best GCSE English grades possible.

Reminder: Speaking and Listening exams are this Thursday.

Important!

Updated Information.

Speaking and Listening exams will take place Thursday 13th March periods 4-6 with Mrs Graham.

You can hand in an updated speech script tomorrow and then you can attend at 12.40 on Monday lunchtime for a practice exam.

Speaking and Listening Exams

These will take place this Thursday periods 4-6. Mrs Graham will give you a time tomorrow in class. 

Be prepared! 3-4 minutes on your topic followed by 6-7 minutes of discussion where I will ask you questions related to your talk/topic. Ensure you have thorough knowledge of your topic and can give detailed answers. 

Paragraph plan

Introduction – Introduce your favourite sport, and briefly explain what the sport involves.

Paragraph 1 – Where is it played?

Paragraph 2 – The rules of the sport

Paragraph 3 – The fans (who/where/why)

Paragraph 4 – The history of the sport (when was it introduced/first played)

Paragraph 5 – The future of the sport (e.g. is there a big event coming up/ is it being played more/less/ does it need investment)

Conclusion - Conclude your essay by summing up the main points about your favourite sport.

Remember: the essay is not about you, it's about the sport!

Informative Essays Redrafting

Your essays will be returned to you tomorrow with feedback on what you need to do to improve. The redrafted version is due in Friday 7th March in class time.

Please use the following checklist to ensure your redraft is of a high standard:

1. Do not refer to yourself in the essay, it is an informative essay not a personal essay
2. Ensure that you have proof read your work and that expression and meaning are clear
3. Ensure your essay has a clear introduction and conclusion
4. Ensure that if you have researched and wish to include some of what you have found, you re-write it in your own words or use quotation marks 
5. At the bottom of your essay include a bibliography, which is a list of all books/ web addresses that you used to research. All essays must have this.
6. Your essay must be between 500-800 words
7. Try to engage your reader and avoid writing a large paragraph on the rules of your sport.
8. Ensure you use the paragraph plan and include a paragraph on all sections of the plan