All Quiet on the Western Front

Year 11 Exam Preparation

ATTACKING THE TASK
1. Analyse the question.
2. Break the question into smaller sections.
3. Know the text.
4. Structure the genre.


1. Sample question:
Setting can often function in a text by opposing one world against another.
Discuss how opposing settings, such as Home and War are used to develop and
shape the main character within the novel.

2. Break the question into smaller sections:
a. Who is the main character?
b. How does this main character change or act differently in these two
settings? Does or has their values changed?
The answers to these questions will therefore invite an essay of about 5-
6 paragraphs.

3. Knowing the text: (this takes time and preparation, so get busy!)
You must read the novel and understand the characters. You cant expect to pass
this assignment without knowledge of the text.





4. How to write the analytical expository:
Before you write your introduction, you need to decide how you are going to approach
this task. This task has less options as you already have the settings that need to be
used for the task, however, here is a suggestion for the structure:
Structure: For this particular question, you are exploring two settings (home and war
itself), so this part is already decided for you. In relation to the task I would explore what
Paul was like at home before the war (one paragraph), what Paul is like at War (this
may explore several settings here front, hospital, etc.) and then discuss Paul when he
returns back home. These ideas would become your paragraphs within the essay. The
main purpose is to prove that the setting of war has changed Paul and shaped who he
has become.

So, now that we have decided on how to attack the essay, lets start writing and
preparing for the exam!
Introduction (50-100words)
A brief description about the topic that the novel is exploring. For this particular
novel, it would be war. It could be a statement, or reflection upon the context and
beliefs that the novel in written in.
Introduce the novel and author a brief summary and explanation of the novel.
You may want to link it to the context that the novel is written in (going against the
ideologies about war or Paul himself).
Now you need to develop your thesis. Remember, this comes directly from the
question and is the statement you will be proving throughout your whole essay;
however, you need to ensure that it is linked into the introduction and not just
thrown in randomly. Do not forget your thesis at all while writing.
o Eg: Throughout the novel, Remarque has used opposing settings, such as
home and war, to help shape and develop the main character, Paul.
After your thesis, you need to make a summary statement to link to the next
paragraph or summarise the assignment.
o Eg: It is through these conflicting settings that the reader witnesses how
the war has changed Pauls values and beliefs and turned him into a
young man with nothing left to live for.
Each paragraph should now explore the ideas that have been introduced in your
introduction. You MUST remember to link your paragraphs to the THESIS at all
times.
Dont forget to use:
T= Topic Sentence (introduces the purpose of the paragraph)
E= Explanation (explain what the paragraph is exploring)
E= Elaboration (provide more analysis and depth link to thesis)
E= Evidence (quotes and evidence from the novel to justify your statements)
S= Summary or linking sentence (link to thesis and the next paragraph)
You must also remember to:
Use your quotes appropriately (place them into the sentence)
Provide page numbers when using a quote and put the quote in quotation
marks.
USE the quote do not just put a quote in a sentence and then not explain what
the quote is showing. ANALYSIS is very important in this particular assessment
task.
Find two examples (arguments from the novel) for each paragraph then find the
quote (s) in the novel that helps to prove this.
To NEVER end your paragraph on a quote
To never use I, we, us, you, me, etc this is academic writing.
To avoid using the phrase This quote shows.... This quote proves...
Now that you have considered these vital elements, you can start your first
paragraph.





Paragraph one (100-150 words): (exploration of how Paul was before he went to
war this would discuss concepts like his innocence, Kantorek, young, nave)
This paragraph will focus on how Paul was before he signed up for War. It would be in
this paragraph that you would explore his patriotic values (and naivety). You would make
mention of Kantorek and the ideology at the time of this novel (glorification of war).
In order to make sure you have everything, ask yourself the following:
- What is Paul like at the beginning of the novel?
- What values does he have?
- How does he feel about war itself?
- Who is he at home before the war?
Now, its time to structure your paragraph.
o Topic Sentence this needs to introduce the paragraph and content.
o Eg: Within the novel All Quiet on the Western Front, Remarque has used
the character, Paul, in order to expose the horror of war and how it can
change a young man into a mere shadow of his former self. At the
beginning of the novel, Paul is a young, innocent and patriotic 18 year old
boy...
o After your topic sentence, you must now provide evidence of how this
setting helps to develop this theme in the novel.
o This is where you will provide evidence from the novel, remembering to
ALWAYS link back to the thesis prove what kind of man he was
before the war.
o Find your second argument another example that helps to prove your
statement you may mention Kantorek, Pauls feelings towards his family.
o Now you must provide quotes and evidence to justify the statements.
o Concluding sentence: Here you must link the paragraph to the thesis (or
next paragraph).
Eg: Paul believes that war is a great honour and it is with this
positive attitude that he ventures to the frontline willingly, however,
he soon realises that all is not what it may have seemed .
This process will be the same for each paragraph break them down and follow
the same thought process as provided by paragraph one.
It is the middle section of the paragraph (your evidence) that YOU are responsible
for. YOU MUST find the evidence from the novel that helps to back up what you
are saying. Do not make a comment without providing evidence that proves your
statement.


Paragraph Two: (This paragraph will now look at what Paul has become at war
what does he now believe and how are his values/beliefs different? how is he
different at war (you may look at different moments and settings within war)
Dont forget to ask yourself those questions!
So, once again you will follow the same structure as paragraph one:
o Topic sentence
o Pauls patriotic and nationalistic values are soon changed when he
arrives to war. It is here that he soon realises Kantoreks banter is
no longer useful and that the people back home like his
schoolmaster have betrayed his trust.
o Explanation, Elaboration and evidence (Find the moments within the text
that help to prove that in this setting Paul has become a different character
from before the war mention animal characteristics, loss of hope, cannot
mourn, etc.).
o Remember to add 2 arguments (evidence from the novel).
o Summary sentence remember link back to thesis and next paragraph.

Paragraph Three: (This paragraph should now explore how these changes are
evident when Paul returns home so discuss what happens upon his return and
how he is different).
Dont forget those questions!
o Topic sentence: You can do this one on your own.
o Explanation, Elaboration and Evidence (from the novel).
o Concluding/summary sentence.



Three (3) paragraphs will probably be the maximum that you will do. Remember, you
only have 500-700 words, so you may not even get to 3 paragraphs.

Conclusion
Conclusions are often the most difficult part of an essay to write, and many writers feel
that they have nothing left to say after having written the paper. A writer needs to keep in
mind that the conclusion is often what a reader remembers best. Your conclusion should
be the best part of your paper.
A conclusion should
stress the importance of the thesis statement,
give the essay a sense of completeness, and
Leave a final impression on the reader.
You may want to start your conclusion with the following: In conclusion...
This can often help to get you started and ready to summarise and complete the essay.
Remember, your conclusion is really a summary of what you have said in your essay
and why it has been important in proving your thesis.
So, perhaps:
o Start with an overall statement about the novel and author (what is the message
of the novel)
o eg: In conclusion, Remarques novel All Quiet on the Western Front is a
sophisticated and powerful novel, that shows the true horrors and
meaninglessness of war through the use of the main character, Paul.
Now link to what you have proven about this character:
o This complex character positions the reader to accept and acknowledge
that war is not something to honour, but rather a horrible massacre of
innocent lives. Paul provides the reader with a sense of sympathy and
sorrow, especially upon his return to his family.
o
Now, end with an overall and powerful statement about the character and the novel.
o Remarque powerfully exposes the truth and reality of war and its power
upon a once innocent and nave man.
It is a very hard section to write, but remember it is just a summary of what your essay is
about. You can do it!!! Dont worry if it is not the best, just aim to finish the essay.


So, there you go... that should be enough to get you started. You must plan and
prepare for this Year 11s if you wish to do well. I cant tell you what evidence to
provide as this is what you MUST prepare yourself.

GOOD LUCK You all can do this. I have great faith in you all. Remember, do not
stress about this. Go in there relaxed and calm. You know what you are doing.