Looking for Alibrandi

1. …Text response essays… Looking for Alibrandi

2. Text response essays Being able to write a text response essay is a skill and one that you will be expected to have mastered by the end of the year! So what exactly do text response essays do and why do we write them?

3. When writing a text response essay you will… • Have an introduction, at least three to five paragraphs and a conclusion • Respond to a theme/idea/event, etc. in a particular text • Analyse the text (using SHRIMP) • Present your arguments about the text • DO NOT retell the story

4. Use quotes and evidence to back up your argument about the text • Use formal language • Use present tense to discuss your argument • NEVER use first person e.g. I think... • Be convincing • Be specific – refer to actual events in the novel

5. Let’s do it ourselves! • Imagine that you have been given the topic: In the novel ‘Looking for Alibrandi’, Josie must learn to deal with a whole range of issues. How and why does Josie change?

6. Write a clear, coherent response to this topic. It is important that you prepare for it as well as you can. Use this checklist to help you. • What is the question actually asking you to do? Underline the words or phrases in the topic that are important. In this case the question is asking you to decide whether Josie changes and if so what causes her to change. The topic implies that she changes from something to something else.

7. Ways of defining…(this is practice for you until you get into the exam) • Dictionary definition of terms • Define as a concept or idea • Synonyms BEFORE you write your introduction it is important to know what your body paragraphs are focusing on.

8. Make a list of the issues that the topic has raised. Good questions to ask about a topic might include: How? Who? Where? Why? When? Which? The answers will be in the text. • Make a list of at least three key ideas/quotes/examples/opinions that will formulate a response relevant to the question.

9. You might like to do this by putting your ideas on paper, like this:

11. Writing the essay Introductions Introductions are an important part of the essay as they set the tone for your piece. They are also the first opportunity that you have to persuade your reader. The introduction always provides three things: Definition: identify key terms/ideas in the topic Interest: grab the reader’s attention Direction: hints at what the paragraphs are about; your contention/line of reasoning.

12. You must always do these three things. You can remember them by: DID I DO? The introduction must also always include the name of the text: Looking for Alibrandi (underlined or inverted commas) and the name of the author(Melina Marchetta).

13. FORMULATING A RESPONSE: • From the table formulate a paragraph responding to the essay question for all FOUR of your responses. • These will form the body of your essay: INTRODUCTION Paragraph one Paragraph two Paragraph three Paragraph four CONCLUSION Your FOUR responses will be expanded into FOUR detailed paragraphs responding to the question

14. FORMULATING A RESPONSE: Introductions Introductions are an important part of the essay as they set the tone for your piece. They are also the first opportunity that you have to persuade your reader and summarise your key points (four responses that are expanded in your essay’s BODY paragraphs). REMEMBER: Author, title and your main contention

15. PRACTICE In the novel Looking for Alibrandi, Josie must learn to deal with a whole range of issues. How and why does Josie change?

16. PRACTICE • What is the question actually asking you to do? In the novel Looking for Alibrandi, Josie must learn to deal with a whole range of issues. How and why does Josie change? This question is asking you to decide whether Josie changes and if so what causes her to change. The question implies that she changes from something to something else.

17. FORMULATING A RESPONSE: Introductions Now that you have planned your four responses to the essay question, attempt to write an introduction.

18. PRACTICE • Underline the words or phrases that are important. Write a synonym for each of the words you have highlighted in the question. Extensive vocabulary is important. deal - issues – change – CONFRONT PROBLEMS TRANSFORM RESOLVE

19. PRACTICE...Improve the following introduction... Topic sentence including main contention In Melina Marchetta’s novel, Looking for Alibrandi, Josie confronts and resolves a number of problems she has in her life. Josie’s attitudes towards her family and friends alter as she learns more about them and tries to understand them. Outline your main arguments Include a summary of supporting ideas that will be explored in greater detail in your BODY paragraphs Clincher Ultimately, Josie is not the same girl at the end of the novel as she was at the beginning.

20. Paragraphs • Your paragraphs are where you develop your main ideas. Each paragraph has a main idea/major argument. This major argument is discussed in detail and proved with evidence (usually a quote). • Remember the ‘TEA- (shrimp)-C’ structure for paragraphs.

21. FORMULATING A RESPONSE: • Write FOUR responses to this question: • These FOUR responses will be your focus for FOUR different paragraphs in the body of your essay. • Number your responses from the strongest to weakest. This will be the order of your paragraphs for the body of your essay.

22. PRACTICE...Improve the following paragraph... • In the novel, Looking for Alibrandi, Melinda Marchetta explores how Josie is initially embarrassed about being Italian but throughout the text she becomes proud of her Italian heritage. Topic sentence • Include supporting ideas and quotes from the text • This is highlighted when Josie finds Tomato Day suffocating labelling it “National Wog Day” and embarrassing, as she wonders, “How many other poor unfortunates our age were doing the same?” (p.171). However, this changes through hearing Katia’s story and realising the importance of her heritage. • **NEW EVIDENCE REQUIRED! READ p.220-226 and incorporate supporting detail to this statement Evidence / Examples SHRIMP to analyse Explain HOW and WHY Josie changes using SHRIMP EXPLAIN what your evidence is Showing,How the author has constructed meaning, how has the Reader has been positioned, why your evidence is Important, the author’s Main Messages or Purpose Restate or reword the topic sentence. Add one or two words to make it different from the topic sentence. Clincher

23. FORMULATING A RESPONSE: • For EACH response complete the following table:

24. Conclusions • Conclusions are important as they leave a final impression on your reader. They also have rules. • Have interest (it’s your last chance to impress the reader). • Summarise your total view. • Have a punch-line/final comment

25. Sample conclusion Josie’s transformation from schoolgirl to young adult is the result of a number of major events in her personal and school life. Indeed, without these influences, Josie’s heightened understanding of herself and others would never have occurred. In reflecting on these experiences and understanding their impact on her life, Josie’s transformation is complete. Be specific with evidence and examples from your BODY paragraphs

26. Now it’s your turn! • Have a go writing an essay. Use the question I’ve used here as your first ‘practice’ essay. Remember to plan it carefully. “We are caught in the middle of two societies.” Looking for Alibrandideals with a number of characters who are caught in the middle. Discuss.