“the play” e.g. “the Crucible” Underline novel: Human Act

General Tips

Step to take

1. Read questions and select the best fit
2. Identify keywords (instruction, topic, scope)
3. Recall the bullets prepared
4. Construct thesis
5. list evidence / grouping / rough analysis in mind (Venn diagram)
6. review the plan
7. write

Dos and Donts

1. Prepare your bullets
   • evidence, understanding theme, analysis
2. Include question keywords
3. Do not rush to write, do create a thesis and outline
4. Be professional, analytical, not descriptive
5. Compare and Contrast

Language

the same as paper 1.

Comparison	Contrast
in the same way	while,
by the same token	however
similarly	though
likewise	in contrast to
in similar fashion	on the other hand
just as	at the same time
like	although

Parts

Question Breakdown: identify keywords and missing parts (definition? who? under what circumstance? why? significance? etc.) will define the abstract parts in introduction

thesis writing: Text A uses XXX device to [express] XXX theme. as a single unit, embed in “Both”/“Although” and respond to key words

Structure

General

The Alternating Method: This is where you discuss one comparative point for Text A and B and then move on to your next comparative point for Text A and B and so on. You have clear comparisons running through all paragraphs.

The Block Method (I prefer): This is where you discuss your key comparative points for Text A in subsequent paragraphs (see diagram on next page) Then you discuss the same comparative points in Text B in several paragraphs with clear comparisons to Text B.

Example:

Intro

point 1 text A
point 1 text B
comparison

point 2 text A
point 2 text B
comparison

Conclusion

Introduction

1. Hook: explain the question’s key words and hopefully draw connection to reader
2. Context: summarize the content of two text
3. Thesis: main arguments and map. Text A uses XXX device to [express] XXX theme. as a single unit, embed in “Both”/“Although” and respond to key words (both themes and authorial choices)

Body Paragraphs

Key: 1. A clear topic sentence with clear argument, details, and keyword from question (同中有异) 2. Textual reference as evidence 3. Label authorial choices and devices, discuss their effect 4. Discuss author-reader relationship 5. Comparative language and elegent transition 6. Synthesis

==cover 2~3 details analysis for each paragraph, each link back to the original question==

Comparison Paragaph

1. mention both similarities and differences on themes or devices throughout;
2. connect one work to the other through explicit transitions such as “Unlike Shakespeare’s Hamlet which uses wordplay to emphasize how things are ‘out of joint,’ Williams’ play employs humor, to acknowledge the complexity of feeling between Tom and his mother…” (You can do this at the beginning of a paragraph or somewhere within it.);
3. devote an entire paragraph to discussing similarities and differences before you get to your conclusion.

Conclusion

1. Restate paraphrased thesis
2. Synthesis:
3. Significance/implication: alleviate your conclusion to a fancy level (e.g. permanance of trauma, burden of bearing witness, inevitability of human conflict, resolution)