Interpreting Essay Prompts

What type of essay topic involves students being offered a statement related to ideas or values in a text?

• Quotation

• Direct

• Propositional

• Analytical

In the context of the learning material, what does a "Quotation" topic require students to do?

• Answer a direct question about the topic

•  Discuss the way in which the quotation was addressing a key idea in the topic

• Challenge a proposition where warranted.

• Analyse the quote in relation to the text.

What is a topic inviting you to do if it is an "Explore the relationship between concepts" topic ?

• A topic might ask students to consider two or more concepts and the validity of a specified relationship between the terms.

• A topic might ask students to ‘drill into’ a concept presented in a text and discuss one (or more) specified aspect(s) of the concept.

• A topic might ask how a concept/idea was explored in a text both by discussing the way ideas were introduced and developed and by exploring the way in which they were conveyed by the author.

• A topic might ask students to consider a proposition in relation to ideas/values presented in a text. Students are invited to challenge the proposition where warranted

In the learning material, what is the focus of "Drill into a specific aspect of a concept presented by the text"?

• Discussing the entire text

• Analyzing a specific aspect of a concept

• Challenge the relationship between concepts presented by the author.

• Explore how a concept/idea was developed in a text

For which of the following topics should you use the 'absolute terms' Implications strategy?

• How does Johnson explore different perceptions of truth in High Ground?

• ‘No one in My Brilliant Career is ever truly satisfied.’

  Do you agree? 

• ‘Why should a man suffer so grievously for an offence he had committed inadvertently?’

  In Things Fall Apart the consequences of actions are rarely fair.

  Do you agree?

• ‘Paradise is beneath your mother’s feet’

  How does Erpenbeck explore what it means to belong?

Which 'Implication Strategies' would you use to find the implication in the following topic?

‘Why should a man suffer so grievously for an offence he had committed inadvertently?’

In Things Fall Apart the consequences of actions are rarely fair.

Do you agree?

• By the inclusion of a quote

• By the ‘silence’ in a proposition (or quote)

• By the connotations of verbs, nouns or adjectives

• By the use of adverbs

Which 'Implication Strategies' would you use to find the implication in the following topic?

‘You can trust me. I am ready to help.’

In the play, the desire to behave honourably causes suffering.

To what extent do you agree?

• By the inclusion of a quote

• By the ‘silence’ in a proposition (or quote)

• By the connotations of verbs, nouns or adjectives

• By the use of adverbs

What is the following topic inviting you to do?

‘Tell her your story – I mean your own story.’

Requiem for a Beast suggests that shared stories are vital for connecting people and communities.

Discuss.

• Consider the development of a concept/idea in the text

• Answer a direct question

• Drill into a specific aspect of a concept presented by the text

• Explore the relationship between concepts

What type of topic is this?

In High Ground, a desire for control is the most important factor in decision-making.

Do you agree?

• Propositional

• Quotation

• Direct

• Argumentative

How would you address the following topic:

In Oedipus the King all who deserve it are justly punished.

Do you agree?

•  Consider and/or challenge two or more concepts and the validity of a specified relationship between the terms.

•  ‘Drill into’ a concept presented in a text and discuss one (or more) specified aspect(s) of the concept.

• Consider how a concept/idea was explored in a text both by discussing the way ideas were introduced and developed and by exploring the way in which they were conveyed by the author.

• Consider who is punished in the text and who isn't.