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How to Do a Literature Close Reading?

How to Do a Literature Close Reading?

When it comes to literature, close reading is a technique that helps you understand and master the text in a better way. In other words, it is the art of looking very close within the lines, phrases, and words and understanding the whys of them.

So, here is the step-by-step process of how to do a close reading.

Begin With Annotation 

The first step to start your close read journey is to annotate. It is the process of highlighting and underlying the material that seems important or has a deeper meaning to it or offers insights towards a better understanding of the overall text. The key to this technique is to rely on the hard copy of the text. It will help you connect with the text near almost no electronic screen or e-book.

Make Notes as You go! 

Another thing you should do to understand the text better is to make side notes. The insights of these notes should come from the textual observation and your objective response to the material. For example, what was the first thing you observed that struck you? What are its elements? Is it love, suspense, or revolution? Jot everything down. It will help you draw logical conclusions about the text without even understanding the background.

Establish Patterns of Similarities and Differences 

Another step in close reading is to establish the patterns in the text. Is there a repetition of the same types of the word? Are the sentence structures rhyming or repetitive? What is the structuring in the paragraphs? What kinds of word are used to represent a particular situation? All of these questions can help determine the patterns within the sections as well as sentences. It is an essential step in literature analysis as it can represent the crucial details.

Observe at the Micro-Level 

Observation at a micro level can help you understand the crux of the whole content. Look out for the syntax, pauses, rhetorical devices, sounds, imagery, and tone of the text. For example, if the sentences are short or long? What does the text sound like? Is it harsh or represent turmoil, or is it calm? Do you feel something is missing? Did the writer use analogies or symbolism?

Question the Whys of Everything 

The last and the most important thing is reflecting into the f it. Why does the text use certain words? Why did the writer miss out on details that should be talked about? These questions will help you reflect on all the observations made during the reading up of the passage.

Conclusion

 Literature close reading is not rocket science however without the perfect strategy it is not possible to get the gist of it. While doing the literature close reading follow the above-mentioned points to have a rejuvenating experience.

 

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WHAT IS THE STAT TEST?

What is the stat test?

The STAT test is also known as the Special Tertiary Admissions Test, which allows universities to assess whether you are capable of attending and succeeding at university.

The test is suitable for people such as the following: 

  1. Mature-age applicants who don’t have a recent or standard Year 12 qualification
  2. Applicants who completed their previous studies outside Australia
  3. Applicants who did not gain a satisfactory ATAR (for certain courses and universities)

The STAT test is your typical aptitude test that evaluates verbal and quantitative reasoning. Specific curriculum knowledge is not required to be able to pass. In other words, you cannot study “content” for the test, just concepts. 

There are two different STAT tests that you will be required to complete:

  1. STAT Multiple Choice test
  2. STAT Written English test

DO ALL UNIVERSITIES ACCEPT STAT RESULTS?

Requirements vary from state to state within Australia. Individual institutions set their own admission requirements. You will need to refer to the university of choice. 

AM I ELIGIBLE TO SIT THE STAT TEST?

Candidates should check with the institution to which they are applying to assess whether you are eligible as a stat student. As a general rule, an applicant must be 18 years or over by a certain date in the year of admissions to use STAT results in their application but there may be extenuating circumstances.

WHICH TEST(S) DO I SIT?

Refer to the current university course guide to see what the admission requirements are for that particular university. They are the only people that can advise if they will accept STAT results and which test(s) are required (eg Multiple Choice only or Multiple Choice and Written English).

HOW MANY TIMES CAN I SIT STAT?

Candidates may only sit the STAT test once per test cycle. This runs from 15 April to 14 April of the following year. 

WHAT IS THE WRITTEN PART OF THE EXAM?

The STAT Written English requires written responses to two themes. Four comments (prompts) will be given for the students to respond to. 

The test will offer the following directions to candidates:

DIRECTIONS

  • There are two parts to this test, and four comments are offered for each part. You are required to produce two pieces of writing − one in response to a comment from Part A, and one in response to a comment from Part B.
  • Part A is a more formal public affairs issue that invites argument. Part B is a less formal topic that invites more personal reflection.
  • One hour is allocated for this test, with an additional five minutes reading time.
  • Your responses to the essay comments are written directly on the test paper. You should write your essays neatly and legibly in pen.
  • Circle the comment you are responding to. Do not try to address all of the other comments
  • Give each piece of writing a title that will help orient a reader to the approach you are taking.

The following themes and comments indicate the kind of stimulus material that will be offered in this test

PRACTICE QUESTIONS

PART A

  1. Technology has a destablising effect on humans and should be used with caution.
  2. Technology presents humanity with the greatest opportunity ever known to man. 
  3. Too much of technological advancement is focused on greed rather than on good. 
  4. If we can provide all of humanity with the tools and technology, we will be able to solve the world’s biggest problems. 

PART B

  1. Family is the most important part of our lives because it gives us our grounding and stability in life.
  2. Individuals should be able to decide whether they spend time with their family or take their personal space. 
  3. It is important to make our own space in the world rather than fall into the same patterns as our family. 
  4. Having boundaries in our life is the most important thing we can do for our mental health. 
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Genre Conventions For Atar Students

Genre Conventions For Atar Students

What are genre conventions?

All of the books and films you study have different elements, themes and some unique features. Each genre has a set of elements that will distinguish them from other genres. See our guide below:

Genres   Elements       
Adventure:A heroic protagonistA journey or questUnusual locationsSense of danger An injustice
Bildungsroman:A struggle for identityA societal conflictA loss of innocenceA journeyMaturity
Comedy:SubstanceExpression and communicationThe originality of humourTiming and rhythmIntelligent writingSetting
Crime:ConflictTime(Unfolding the text within a tight time frame)Foreshadowing, atmosphere
and mood		High stakesContract with the reader.Strong charactersOther limitsRed herrings
Dystopian:

Government controlEnvironmental
destruction		Technological controlSurvivalLoss of individualism.The totalitarian stateThe use of propaganda
Fantasy:A magic systemA well-developed settingA cast of complex charactersA central conflictA power structure/system
of government
Fiction:PlotSettingCharacterConflict
Horror:FearSurpriseSuspenseMysterySpoilersCreepy, crawly things.Scary places
Magical Realism:Fantastical elementsReal-world settingAuthorial reticencePlenitudeHybridityMetafictionHeightened awareness
of mystery		Political critique
Realist Literature:Realistic characters and settingPlausible plotReal dialects of the areaCharacter development important.Importance in depicting
social class		Comprehensive detail
about everyday occurrences
Science Fiction:Time travelTeleportationMind control, telepathy,
and telekinesis		Extraterrestrial lifeformsSpace travelInterplanetaryParallel universes
Thriller:RansomsCaptivitiesHeistsRevengeKidnappings
Western:CowboysSheriffsNative AmericansReferences to the
American Civil War		Bad guys like criminals,
outlaws, or bandits		Descriptions of wilderness
and vast landscapes		Shootouts
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The Transition From Year 6 to Year 7

The Transition From Year 6 to Year 7

Waking up on the first day of year seven can be a very daunting experience. There are many different challenges the young people face in high school nowadays including but not limited to cyber bullying, issues with resilience, anxiety and depression and myriad others.

Many of your child’s subjects will change and adapt from a primary school curriculum to high school curriculum. The English curriculum in the transition from primary school to high school changes, however many of those foundational skills will still be tested. Students must be able to use grammar, punctuation, spelling, diction, syntax and many of the other language devices that make our writing soar.

When you are looking at helping your child transition from Year 6 to Year seven and studying English there are a few things that you need to know.

1. Find Your Reading Mojo

There is nothing worse than coming to school on the first day of year seven and not knowing what is going on. Usually your school will give you your booklist in advance of going into year seven and all of the required reading will be on that booklist. This gives your child a chance to get a head start on any of the reading that they will need to do during the year. If not, there are plenty of other options available to students but the most important thing is that they start reading as soon as possible.

Reading is the one skill that you can’t just pick up in your 11 and be really, really good at it. Many of my students wish that they had started reading earlier and many of my parents just don’t know how to make their child read. The biggest thing about choosing a book in the transition from year 6 to 7 is helping your child choose coming-of-age stories to help them navigate this difficult period in their lives. 

2. Learn Your Grammar and Punctuation

There is nothing that a high school teacher dislikes more and students who do not have the basic grasp of English grammar and punctuation. Over the term break, have your child do some simple activities on commas, possessive, apostrophes, contractions, plurals and capital letters and how to structure a good sentence.

There are many sites online that give simple activities for year six year seven level that should be suited to your child. 

3. Get Out There and Have Some Experiences

Having options and activities outside of school work actually helps your child to learn to plan their day and find other experiences to talk about when they are doing. English requires a lot of creative writing in year 7 to year 12 and when they don’t have fulfilling experiences outside of the classroom it can become difficult to imagine what they should write about in their stories in their feature articles and memoirs.

One thing you can do is make an effort to sit down with your family every Friday night and watch a film together and discuss the plot and ask them some simple questions after watching the film to encourage your child to think about how films are structured and how narratives are structured this will help come up with fantastic ideas when they are then in their classroom and having to think about a story.

Some other things you can do is send them to drama lessons, coding camp or other classes during the holidays that will give them fresh experiences of the world and allow them to flex their creativity. Finally, a free way to do this is to get out and experience nature – go down to the beach and describe what you say, go into the hills and describe all the nature that’s around you. There are things all around us in our lives and we have to help children open their eyes to the different experiences.

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What are Literary Devices and Language Features?

What Are Literary Devices And Language Features?

Language features are the specific language techniques that an author includes to create meaning. Literary elements are aspects of a text that the reader interprets, for example, themes and characterisation. Literary elements and language features both come under the umbrella of literary devices, along with the conventions of other genres (for example, dramatic or poetic conventions). 

Literary elements and language features are closely linked, and it is essential that you are able to discuss how they work together to form complex analysis. A clear example of this is characterisation. Characterisation is how a particular character is constructed and represented – this is a literary element. However this construction is formed through language features, such as the selection of particular words (diction).

 

Language Features/Literary Device Description
OxymoronTwo words used together that have, or seem to have, opposite meanings. Example: pretty awful.
RepetitionThe act of doing or saying something again.
AlliterationThe repetition of usually initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words or syllables. Example: “Round the rugged rocks the ragged rascal ran” uses alliteration.
SimileAn expression comparing one thing with another, always including the words “as” or “like”. Example: The lines “She walks in beauty, like the night…” from Byron’s poem contain a simile.
MetaphorAn expression, often found in literature, that describes a person or object by referring to something that is considered to have similar characteristics to that person or object. Example: “The mind is an ocean” and “the city is a jungle” are both metaphors.
PersonificationWhen you associate a humanistic quality to an inanimate object.
ImageryThe use of pictures or words to create images, esp. to create an impression or mood.
Descriptive languageDescriptive language adds purpose, aesthetic value and emotion to a text. Example: adjectives, adverbs, similes, and metaphors
Figurative languageFigurative language refers to the use of words in a way that deviates from the conventional order and meaning in order to convey a complicated meaning, colorful writing, clarity, or evocative comparison. Example: This coffee shop is an ice box!
HyperboleExtravagant exaggeration. Example: Although he’s not given to hyperbole, Ron says we are light-years ahead of our time.
PunsA humorous use of a word or phrase that has several meanings or that sounds like another word. Example: She made a couple of dreadful puns.
Double entendreAmbiguity of meaning arising from language that lends itself to more than one interpretation.
OnomatopoeiaThe naming of a thing or action by a vocal imitation of the sound associated with it.
Emotive languageEmotive language is the term used when certain word choices are made to evoke an emotional response. Example: Adjectives – Appalling, Wonderful, Heavenly, Magical and Tragic.
Inclusive languageInclusive language avoids biases, slang, or expressions that discriminate against groups of people based on race, gender, or socioeconomic status. Example: “We come in peace for all mankind” would likely now be “We come in peace for all humankind”
Exclusive languageExclusive language is language that uses words specifically chosen with the intent to exclude an individual or a group. Example: if you said “that is so retarded” and the person has a disability or knows someone with a disability
Direct address Direct address refers to any construct in which a speaker is talking directly to an individual or group. Example: “What time do you want to go to the game, Felix?"
Syntax The way in which linguistic elements are put together to form constituents. Example: The president’s tortured syntax was often satirized.
ClichéA saying or remark that is very often made and is therefore not original and not interesting. Example: The story is shamelessly corny, and grownups will groan at its clichés
IdiomA group of words in a fixed order that have a particular meaning that is different from the meanings of each word on its own. Example: ‘She was over the moon’
AssonanceRepetition of vowels without repetition of consonants used as an alternative to rhyme in verse. Example: “Hear the mellow wedding bells”
EuphemismA word or phrase used to avoid saying an unpleasant or offensive word.
Example: “Senior citizen” is a euphemism for “old person”.
MetonymyThe act of referring to something using a word that describes one of its qualities or features.
AnthropomorphismAn interpretation of what is not human or personal in terms of human or personal characteristics.
DictionThe connotations of words used in a text.
Syntax and punctuationSyntax- the grammatical arrangement of words in a sentence.
Punctuation- the act or practice of inserting standardized marks or signs in written matter to clarify the meaning and separate structural units.
Colloquial languageInformal and more suitable for use in speech than in writing.
Stylistic features The ways in which aspects of texts are arranged and how they affect meaning.
Examples of stylistic features are narrative viewpoint, structure of stanzas, juxtaposition
Cumulative listing Increasing by one addition after another.
Asyndeton Omission of the conjunctions that ordinarily join coordinate words or clauses. Example: “I came, I saw, I conquered”
SyndetonUsing conjunctions for effects. “He eats and sleeps and drinks”

 

 

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What is Perspective?

What Is Perspective?

A perspective is a position from which things may be viewed or considered. It refers to the lens through which we experience the world of the text being studied.

When we discuss the perspective – or multiple perspectives – offered by a text, we must consider the factors that have shaped that viewpoint. These contextual factors can usually be organised into four main types:

  1. Physical perspective
  2. Temporal perspective
  3. Psychosocial perspective
  4. Ideological perspective

 

1. Physical perspective refers to the location of the narrator, author or creator in regard to what they are sharing with us. The physical perspective relates to the physical senses, to our bodies, and to the material and natural environments. 

2. Temporal perspective refers to the time frame through which something is being viewed. This is frequently a moment in the past, but can also be a moment in the present. When something is viewed in the past tense, the perspective may be that of someone who has had time to reflect. When something is in the present tense, the perspective may be less certain but more reactionary, emotional and immediate.

3. Psychosocial perspective refers to the personality, experiences and social background of a person. Someone’s perspective might generally be optimistic or pessimistic, nurturing or defensive, kind or cruel, innocent or experienced, open-minded or cynical, fortunate or tragic, privileged or under-privileged, etc. Their perspective might be shaped by the fact that they are a mother, father, widow, widower, grandparent, child, student, business owner, employee, war veteran, refugee, etc.

4. Ideology refers to the ways of thinking about the world that are characteristic of or in the interests of a particular group of people. An ideology is a system of beliefs.

Ideologies can be characteristic of nationalities, social classes, genders or occupational groups. For example, a patriarchal ideology constructs men as superior to women and seeks to promote laws, customs, behaviour, gender roles, texts and language that strengthen and maintain that ideology within a society. Feminism, on the other hand, is an ideology that believes women should be seen as the equal of men. Other well-documented ideologies that influence a person’s perspective include: colonialism, racism, socialism, capitalism, nationalism, and environmentalism. There are potentially many more.

 

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What is an alternative reading?

What is an alternative reading?

In your study, you may have come across different reading practices or the phrase “alternative reading”.

This is a topic that is rarely covered in detail in class, but can be the difference between an average essay and an amazing essay.

SCSA WA defines reading and readings as the below:

Reading

The process of making meaning of text. This process draws on a repertoire of social, cultural and cognitive resources. Reading occurs in different ways, for different purposes, in a variety of public and domestic settings. Reading is therefore a cultural, economic, ideological, political and psychological act. The term applies to the act of reading print texts or the act of viewing a film or static image.

Readings

Readings are particular interpretations of a text. The classification of readings into alternative, resistant or dominant is quite arbitrary, depending on the ideology held by the reader. Alternative readings: readings that focus on the gaps and silences in texts to create meanings that vary from those meanings that seem to be foregrounded by the text. Dominant reading: is the reading that seems to be, for the majority of people in society, the natural or normal way to interpret a text. In a society where there are strongly competing discourses (i.e. most societies), the definition of what is a dominant reading depends on the ideology of the person making the decision. Resistant reading: a way of reading or making meaning from a text which challenges or questions the assumptions underlying the text. Resistant readings employ a discourse different from the discourse that produces the dominant reading

Source: SCSA WA

In simple terms, a reading is the way or the lens through which we interpret a certain text, be that novel, film, short story and everything in between.

Every text that you read can have multiple interpretations, depending on the reading you take. Many exams have used the term “readings” or “reading” in the responding section. Therefore, it’s wise for you to know how to conduct readings and write essays on readings.HD wallpaper: harry potter, warts, castle, magic, british, wand ...

Let’s take Harry Potter, for example.

A dominant reading of Harry Potter allows readers to understand that Harry is the traditional fantasy hero that saves the day. However, a resistant reading could be that minor characters are more fundamental to the plot line that J K Rowling intended, namely Luna Lovegood and Neville Longbottom. A gendered reading of Harry Potter could reveal that women should be values for their intelligence rather than for their beauty, as an indictment of society’s values. This has been demonstrated through the characters of Hermione Granger, Luna Lovegood and Cho Cheng. All three female characters are appreciated for their book and street smarts, as well as their abilities to do spells. This is a very simplistic demonstration of alternative readings designed to show you the basics.

Depending on the text you have studied, type into Google <text name> + alternative reading and see what comes up! This will help you plan an essay on a dominant, resistant or alternative reading of your text for the purpose of an essay.

For more information on how to do “readings”, book your first session with Perth English Tutor.

 

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List of Narrative Conventions

The secret to doing well in your English essays, comprehension tests, and exams, is knowing which conventions to incorporate into your discussion. One particular type of convention is the narrative convention. Narrative conventions, or narrative techniques, are important to an understanding whenever you are reading a novel or a short story, and you need to analyse it after you read it. By understanding what narrative conventions are and why they are used in certain ways, you will be able to better answer your questions.

Here is an extensive list of narrative conventions and some examples of why they are used and how they are relevant.

List of narrative conventions
Posted on February 13, 2018 by perthenglishtutor

The secret to doing well in your English essays, comprehension tests, and exams, is knowing which conventions to incorporate into your discussion. One particular type of convention is the narrative convention. Narrative conventions, or narrative techniques, are important to an understanding whenever you are reading a novel or a short story, and you need to analyse it after you read it. By understanding what narrative conventions are and why they are used in certain ways, you will be able to better answer your questions.

Here is an extensive list of narrative conventions and some examples of why they are used and how they are relevant.

Narrative Conventions

Characterisation

Setting

Structure

Syntax

Tone

Style

Dialogue

Emotive language

Descriptive language

Narration

Metaphors

Similes

Personification

Hyperbole

Imagery

Allusion

Symbolism

Diction

Repetition

Characterisation

Characterisation is important to analyse in a text as it reveals a lot about the message of the text. The characters are usually the vessel by which the author tells the story. Are the characters typical of a genre? Do they fit a certain archetype? Are some characters good and some evil?

Setting

An understanding of setting will assist you with all different types of narrative texts. In certain genres such as western and horror, setting is very fundamental. However, no matter the text, setting is going to play a key role.

Structure

How has the text been structured? Is there a flashback? Does it loop? The structure of the text is important in identifying how the author wants you as a reader to uncover his message. This is highly important in short stories, also.

Syntax

The syntax is the way that words and phrases are put together in a sentence. Sometimes authors will adhere to syntax and sometimes they will play around with syntax, which is just as significant. Take a look at the syntax and try to understand what is going on with the author’s writing.

Tone

The tone of a novel or story is a big determinant of the message of the narrative. It is important to identify tone, whether it be serious or sarcastic.

Style

What style has been employed to write this narrative? This will require you knowing the key terminology surrounding style.

Dialogue

Dialogue is any time that someone speaks to your narrative. It can be very telling about a number of things and can reveal things about your characters, in a different way to your narrator.

Emotive language

The use of emotive language is very significant is it positions the reader to “feel” what the author wants them to. This is important when talking about serious issues.

Narration

First person, second person, third person limited and third person omniscient are all different methods of an author telling a story. Each of these is significant in their own right.

Metaphors

A metaphor is a useful language tool that compares two things that have nothing in common. E.g. Lost in a sea of nameless faces.

Similes

A simile is when something is said to be like something else. E.g. Her smile was as bright as a sun.

Personification

Personification is when an inanimate object is assigned with a human-like quality. E.g. The daffodils danced in the breeze.

Hyperbole

This is an exaggeration of the fact. E.g. She was so hungry she could have eaten a horse

Imagery

A great author can conjure up pictures in your mind through the use of imagery. This is very descriptive language that paints a visual picture.

Allusion

An allusion is a reference to something else. E.g. Bec was the Trojan horse to Marta’s social group.

Symbolism

Symbolism can be anything from a dagger to a colour and usually has a hidden meaning.

Diction

Diction is the choice and use of words in the writing and can be highly significant. Look for unusual word choices and anything that seems significant.

Repetition

When words or ideas are repeated in a text, it usually means that the author is trying to point your attention to that thing.