Year 10 English

The Story of Tom Brennan - J.C. Burke

Thematic Essay

________________ is/are a key aspect of The Story of Tom
Brennan. Discuss.

Eg) Family relationships are a key aspect of The Story of Tom Brennan.
Discuss.
Conflict is a key aspect of The Story of Tom Brennan. Discuss.

Themes: fear, drink driving and the effects on family and community,
friendship, conflict, identity, family relationships, grief and loss

Write an essay using the TEEL method between 700 - 800 words.


Remember the following key aspects of essay writing/planning:

- No use of I
- Introduction should include: Title, author, text type (novel), setting,
contention, ideas/arguments you will be discussing
- Conclusion should include: Title, author, text type (novel), contention,
summary of main arguments (do not simply copy out your introduction)
- Embed your quotations within your sentences. Quotations should be no
longer than six words at a time.
- Avoid using repetitive language. Use a thesaurus or a dictionary to help you
vary your vocabulary. Think about the metalanguage associated with a novel
(Sheet on SIMON) and use these terms in your response.
- Carefully read through the question and underline the key terms. What is it
asking you? What do you need to address in your response?
- Stay in PRESENT tense throughout your response. eg) instead of
demonstrated write demonstrates, shown would be shows.




*****This essay needs to be hand-written. You can plan this on your laptop,
but your final copy needs to be submitted in writing on the due date.












DIMENSION: Writing
ASSESSMENT: Persuasive
Essay
VH H M
(at
sta
nda
rd)
L VL Not
Sho
wn
Create an informative (expository)
text with a sustained voice for a
specific purpose and intended
audience (relevance of your
response to the set
question)(ACELT1815)


X

Create sustained informative
(expository) text engaging in a
reflection about themes and issues
within Tom Brennan (knowledge
of theme, plot, characters
etc.)(ACELT1814)


x

Analyse and evaluate text
structures and language features
of literary texts and clearly show
your knowledge through
embedding quotations and
analysis of key aspects of the text
to support your response
(ACELT1774)





X

Understand how paragraphs can
be arranged for different purposes,
audiences, perspectives and
stylistic effects (paragraphing,
clear introduction, body
paragraphs and conclusion)
(ACELA1567)


X

Shown knowledge of spelling,
grammar and punctuation
(ACELA1573)

X

Review, edit and refine essay for
control of content, organisation,
sentence structure, vocabulary
(has edited their work, has used
metalanguage, varies vocabulary)
(ACELY1757)

X





A+ A B+ B C+ C D+ D E+ E UG
92-
100
83-
91
75-
82
70-
74
65-
69
60-
64
55-
59
50-
54
45-
49
40-
44
<40


Marks: 24 /30

Well done, Renee. Youve written a good essay that explores the theme of
drink driving in detail and the way it impacted a variety of characters. 0The
structure of your essay was very good. Youve included a clear introduction,
paragraphs and conclusion. In addition, the key characters/issues you chose
to discuss in your paragraphs were very well thought out and pertinent to the
chosen theme, well done. Youve provided strong analysis and embedded
some excellent quotes into your work. There were a couple of instances
where your word choice could have been a bit better (experienced rather than
underwent, for example). Make sure you proofread numerous times to make
sure your work is fluent and makes sense. Further to this, there were a couple
of instances where you forgot to put in commas and full stops when they were
necessary. It is very important that you get into the habit of this now. Lastly, it
is important you include two to three key quotes as examples in each
paragraphs, as there wasnt any in your paragraph about Joe. You have a
very solid understanding of the TEEL structure, which is excellent, and you
have approached the essay with a very analytical mind. Well done on a great
essay, Renee!