LITA3
Love through the ages:
how to write the essay
(this method is tried and tested with
99.9% effectiveness. I think.)
Disclaimer: there is a 0.1% chance you do use this and somehow manage to fail the
exam. I'm not to blame.…read more

You will be tested on the 4 Aos :
· AO1- Ability to write ­ a clear coherent manner. You can just chuck in a few fancy words to gain extra
marks.
· AO2 - Form/Structure/Language ­ analyze it properly. Make sure you have understood the text. Reread
the text if you don't.
· AO3 - Compare/contrast- the reason why there are TWO extracts! Oh, and don't forget all that wider
reading. All those books your teachers shoved at you (ahem!) and forced you to read. It comes in use
here...
· AO4 ­ Context- and finally, historical and social context to show off your brilliant understanding of love
through the ages.
The 4 C's:
communicate - tell the examiner you know what you are doing (or at least pretend you do) and use good
literary terms
critical ­ a really close analysis of the texts
compare - use wider reading. It has to be relevant though otherwise its useless.
context - put in something about attitudes of that time, how it might be received now, critical reception etc
when analysing an extract think about...
1. subject or theme: what kind of love is it talking about?
2. Speaker/situation: is it 1st person narrative? Omnipresent narrative?
3. Form: what is the overall structure of the extract? Is the layout in a specific way? Eg. Sonnets are sometimes
two stanzas with one posing a problem and the other proposes a solution.
4. Ideas and messages about love: `below the surface' or `between the lines'.
5. Tone and atmosphere: what is it about the writing that creates effect? Long sentences: lots of thoughts,
calm and collected. Short sentences: frenzied thinking pattern, breathlessness etc.
6. Imagery (particularly in poetry): what kinds of visual imagery does the author use? Similies, metaphors,
pathetic fallacy personification etc.
7.Vocabulary: individual words and their connotations. E.g: `flat' could mean a smooth surface and the
connotation is that it could be boring, uninteresting etc.
8. Rhyme, rhythm and sound effects: rhyme scheme. Flowing or jerky etc.
9. Conclusion: sum up effects and details of style.…read more

1. analysis
8. Bring in wider reading.
2.come up with topic
compare/contrast FSL.
sentences. e.g: both extracts
(AO3) use similar structure of an
argument to proclaim the
'carpe diem' attitude towards
love.
7. Evaluate both texts. add
historical and social context. Successful essay writing!
different contextual
receptions of each text. Ttie in You can use your own structure
3. come up with ideas: e.g.
Feminist, Marxist, but make sure these things are women had no choice but to
Psychoanalytical and other included! submit to mens will.
relevant views
(AO4)
6. extract 2: 5. extract 1:
Topic sentence Topic sentence
Evidence Evidence
Point Point
Evaluation Explanation
Explanation Evaluation
(AO2) (AO2)…read more

And finally....…read more