Kia ora whānau...
I can't quite believe that we are in Week 7 and that it is time to start learning how to write a polished 'Response to Text'. Whilst this assessment may sound daunting, I can assure you that there are some fundamental strategies (or essay building blocks if you prefer) that we will cover in class and which will help you navigate the 'how to's' of this essay.
I can't quite believe that we are in Week 7 and that it is time to start learning how to write a polished 'Response to Text'. Whilst this assessment may sound daunting, I can assure you that there are some fundamental strategies (or essay building blocks if you prefer) that we will cover in class and which will help you navigate the 'how to's' of this essay.
I will write the 'Response to Text' objectives and instructions clearly on the board and expect you all to copy these down into your exercise books. For those with devices, you are welcome to take a pxt of the whiteboard if you wish. But, if you prefer to capture your notes digitally, I expect you to type your notes directly onto your device and not simply rely upon a a picture of my instructions. 'Why' I hear you asking? Because this does not help you process the information!
But for now, let us begin our first lesson. The power-point below covers the science of T.A.K.O and S.E.X.Y and provides examples of paragraphs written by students on the text Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. Importantly, each paragraph has the rules of T.A.K.O (an acronym) and S.E.X.Y (a mnemonic) embedded within them. So it is worth spending time identifying the 'Statement, explanation, eXample and explain whY sentences' in anticipation of writing your first draft 'Response to Text'.
essay_strategy.ppt | |
File Size: | 484 kb |
File Type: | ppt |
Free PDF Download of Holes
For those of you wishing to read the text Holes at home and/or search for examples from the book when you are writing your response to text, please use the button below to link you directly to a free download of Holes. I suggest you save the PDF to your own device. Happy reading :)
A wee activity to see if we can identify evidence of T.A.C.O and S.E.X.Y. in two Year 9 essays downloaded from the internet
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A caution about Plagiarism
Me again...
I've just attached two fairly raw 'response to text' essays, written by Year 9 students on the text Holes. They were available to download for free from the internet and will suffice for the purpose of discussing whether we can see evidence of T.A.C.O and S.E.X.Y.
The second point that I want to make from this activity, is to reinforce the position, that whilst it is perfectly reasonable to read essays and/or book reviews on the internet, it is not o.k. to download them and reproduce them as your own. Aside of the fact, that it means that your work is Not Authentic (and makes it problematic for you to sign your authenticity form), in big peoples language, you will begin to hear the expression plagiarism. This simply means that you are passing off someone else's work as your own - a big naughty, naughty, bad, bad!
I've just attached two fairly raw 'response to text' essays, written by Year 9 students on the text Holes. They were available to download for free from the internet and will suffice for the purpose of discussing whether we can see evidence of T.A.C.O and S.E.X.Y.
The second point that I want to make from this activity, is to reinforce the position, that whilst it is perfectly reasonable to read essays and/or book reviews on the internet, it is not o.k. to download them and reproduce them as your own. Aside of the fact, that it means that your work is Not Authentic (and makes it problematic for you to sign your authenticity form), in big peoples language, you will begin to hear the expression plagiarism. This simply means that you are passing off someone else's work as your own - a big naughty, naughty, bad, bad!
the_essay_below_is_a_essay_from_a_year_9_student_on_the_novel_holes_1.pdf | |
File Size: | 359 kb |
File Type: |
the_essay_below_is_a_essay_from_a_year_9_student_on_the_novel_2.pdf | |
File Size: | 360 kb |
File Type: |
This time, I've provided a link to a book review on Holes. One of the ways that a teacher can tell if you are not responding to the essay question correctly (or perhaps using material gleaned directly from the internet) is if the content of the essay reads as a book review and not a response to text on the character, plot, theme, setting and or conflict within the text etc.
For example, if you were to end our response to text (based on a main character in the book Holes and the changes that he experiences throughout the text) then it would be inappropriate to conclude with "It’s no wonder that Holes has been embraced by kids and adults alike. It’s smart, funny, thrilling and moving – a treat for all ages." This quote was taken from the Book Review below! If you have any concerns or questions about this, please don't hesitate to ask.
Again, it's perfectly acceptable to read widely and get ideas from the internet, but it is imperative that you produce your own work.
For example, if you were to end our response to text (based on a main character in the book Holes and the changes that he experiences throughout the text) then it would be inappropriate to conclude with "It’s no wonder that Holes has been embraced by kids and adults alike. It’s smart, funny, thrilling and moving – a treat for all ages." This quote was taken from the Book Review below! If you have any concerns or questions about this, please don't hesitate to ask.
Again, it's perfectly acceptable to read widely and get ideas from the internet, but it is imperative that you produce your own work.
'Rap' about the Plot, Character, Conflict, Theme and Setting of a Text
Another resource that may prove useful, is Ms Hay's Year 9 or 10 Novel study that she has shared with us. I particularly love the '5 elements of a story' resource, which has a hyperlink to watch/listen to a rap about the Plot, Character, Conflict, Theme and Setting. We will take a close look at this in class this week.
Please don't worry about the work on the text Dirt Bomb by Fleaur Beale, this text obviously doesn't apply to our class as we are reading Holes :)
Please don't worry about the work on the text Dirt Bomb by Fleaur Beale, this text obviously doesn't apply to our class as we are reading Holes :)
year_9_or_10_novel_study_unit_3.docx | |
File Size: | 358 kb |
File Type: | docx |
On Tuesday night - 11 March 2014 - Mrs Fisken (the Year 9 Dean) took Ms Hay, her little boy Oscar and I out to the 2014 Tane Raukura Camp at Lake Okataina.
We had the most wonderful time catching up with the boys from 9T and 9A and sharing their yummy kai of hot dogs and ice-cream for desert!
Only sorry we couldn't stay for the 'haka' showdown, but little man Oscar was up way past his bed time :)
We had the most wonderful time catching up with the boys from 9T and 9A and sharing their yummy kai of hot dogs and ice-cream for desert!
Only sorry we couldn't stay for the 'haka' showdown, but little man Oscar was up way past his bed time :)