The document provides guidance on writing an essay for an area of study. It discusses analyzing ideas and techniques in a text and relating them to how they affect meaning and the area of study. It also covers explaining causes and effects, assessing quality or value, and developing a clear thesis that is maintained throughout the essay. The thesis should summarize the writer's position on how the topic relates to the text and area of study. Body paragraphs should provide examples from the text to support the thesis and analyze how the composer creates meaning. The conclusion should not repeat the introduction and should demonstrate the importance of the thesis.

1. Essay Writing
For Area of Study

2. THE CRITERIA
• Analyse
▫ Identify components and the relationships
between them, draw out and relate the
implications
Ideas of the text Techniques & Structure
Explain the effect on meaning in relation to AOS

3. Explain
• Relate cause and effect
• Make relationships between things evident – use
connective devices (in handout)
• Provide the why and how
• PRETEND THE READER KNOWS NOTHING
ABOUT THE TEXT AND YOU ARE TEACHING
THEM!

4. Assess
Make a judgement of value or quality
Show the relationship to the concept
• Answer the “So What?” question

5. Must Do’s for an essay
• Demonstrate an understanding of the concept by
answering the question and supporting it with
your thesis
• Have a clear line of argument
• Establish a viewpoint
• Have a sustained response
• Synthesise your discussion
To do this you must have a thesis that is
maintained through your essay!

6. The Thesis
• Develop a number of theses on the Area of
Study:
 Your thoughts on the topic
 How it relates to your text
 Create mind maps with links to your ideas
 A couple of sentences summarising your position
 Base it on a particular aspect of your Area of Study

7. Identity
• Home is often referred to as „where the heart is‟.
With its assurance of security, shared values and
unconditional acceptance, „home‟ transcends the
physical boundaries of place to represent a
metaphysical and emotional sense of identity.

8. Acceptance
• An individual‟s quest for acceptance is
inextricably linked to the development of self as
what allows us to truly belong is the ability to be
free to be ourselves. This can mean that the
individual risks going against the grain
“alienating” themselves in order to belong.

9. Experiences
• Connection to place evokes an emotional
attachment through shared experience, cultural
significance and a sense of heritage. Our search
for who we are is fuelled by a need to find a place
in the world where we belong.

10. Aspects of Belonging (please add to
this list)
• Place
• Emotions
• Identity
• Experiences
• Acceptance/Non
acceptance
• Social
• Religious/Spiritual
• Heroism

11. Write your own thesis!!

12. How the thesis becomes the
Introduction
• Your thesis is adapted and integrated with the
keywords and concepts of the question.
• This argument for/against the question can be
supported with references to the general
concepts of the texts studied. Two or three main
points can be referred to.
• Techniques do not necessarily have to be
mentioned

13. Here’s a question, make your thesis
and introduction!
• People, places and emotions make us feel
alienated. How does this occur in your texts?
• “You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.”
Alienation can cause us to become stronger
through identification with others who are
alienated. Discuss how this occurs in your texts.

14. Body
• Put your ideas in order of importance.
1. Choose the best examples
2. Explain how it supports your idea
3. Analyse how the composer creates meaning
(techniques)
4. Integrate supporting quotes
5. Demonstrate the relationship to your
thesis/question

15. Points of Comparison
• Characters
• Perspectives
• Purpose of the text
• Ideas
• Techniques

16. Conclusion
• Do not repeat your introduction
• Demonstrate the importance of your thesis
• Do not say “In conclusion”

17. Tips for Success
• Use topic sentences
• Use the correct terms for techniques – don‟t
guess!
• Differ your sentences
• Be definite! Do not say “possibly” or “could”
• Use the Author‟s last name
• AVOID SUPERFICIAL LIMITED TEXTS

18. Words from the rubric – What do they
mean for your text?
• List the main character‟s experiences of each of
these aspects of Belonging:
• Relationships
• Acceptance
• Understanding
• Values
• Places
• Societies
• Ideas
• Events/experiences
• Connections

19. To note from the rubric - Texts on
Belonging
• Texts explore many aspects of belonging,
including the potential of the individual to
enrich or challenge a community or group.
• Belonging explores connections made with
people, places, groups, communities and the
larger world.

20. Romulus, some ideas
• Madness – who perceives us as mad? Why do we
go mad?
• Love – its destructive power. What happens
when your relationship breaks down?

21. Techniques and examples
• Techniques explain why the quote has the effect
you are discussing. Consider especially building
empathy/apathy with the audience. Our reaction
to the characters and their situation influences
their sense of belonging.