P.E.E. Paragraphs

English Homework - Gabriella Parker

Write a P.E.E Paragraph Identifying Literary and Linguistic Techniques for Teacher and Student Extract and Pages 53-57 (Drummer Hodge)

Teacher and Student

In the discourse between the teacher and the student named Alex, the teacher uses the rhetorical interrogative “ Is that a threat?” in order to take control of the power balance between the two in response to Alex’s ‘cheekily’ phrased interrogative “What if I don’t answer?”. This shows the assertion of dominance the teacher is applying over the student, challenging his disobedient behaviour in order to imply that there will consequential repercussions if Alex is in fact challenging his authority.

Drummer Hodge 

In direct contrast with the Teacher and Student, Hector uses a much more relaxed approach to analysing poetry. By using the loose interrogative, “ Any thoughts?” as an agenda-setting coax, his teaching style is more of a gentle encouragement that allows Posner’s personal interpretation to be expressed. In this way, it is clear to infer that there is an almost symmetrical power balance between Hector and Posner in their discourse, and it appears to be more of a conversation than a lesson.

Relationship Bewteen Irwin and Posner

English Homework - Gabriella Parker

Discuss how Irwin and Posner’s relationship is presented in this exchange.

Discuss how Irwin and Posner’s relationship is presented in this exchange

It is clear from Irwin and Posner’s colloquy in the beginning of Act Two that the underlying tension caused by their shared interest in Dakin still plays a major role in their relationship and how they interact with each other.The ellipsis used in Posner’s question “He liked you…didn’t he?” creates a feeling of anticipation, whilst the following tag question adds an insistent nudge of doubt which has the overall effect of Posner gently drawing a response out of Irwin. In retrospect of Posner’s motivation of getting information out of Irwin for a potential article, the audience/reader begins to understand that Posner has become more astute in his ability to manipulate people for his own gain. It becomes clear that Posner would like the answer to the question for more than his article, however, with his insistent drive to gain a response and his use of the word “need” when referring to why he wants the information. The word gives connotations of a more desperate desire to have his questions answered. Their rivalry over Dakin’s affection is a heavy underlying subtext that runs throughout their conversation. In this way it is possible to infer that Posner has learned from Irwin’s examples, taken on his ideologies and is now using it against him.

Impactful linguistic techniques are used often in their exchange to accentuate the barely constrained resentment that is apparent between the two. An example of this is the forceful interrogative “You’re miked, aren’t you?” which borders on being declarative in the context as it is a rephrasing of a previous question, which shows Irwin’s shocked anger at Posner’s attempt to exploit him, by repetitive inquiry, almost like an interrogation. Posner responds in kind to Irwin’s curt dialogue, using simple sentences such as “It didn't work out.” when asked sensitive questions, which portrays Posner as being to-the-point and nonchalant, much like Irwin’s detached approach to anything emotional. The most prominent example of impact is when Irwin uses the taboo language; “Now fuck off.”, which almost comes as a climatic point to their contention, as the language is as shocking as it is contemptuous. This slip of professionalism and aggression shows the audience/reader that Irwin feels threatened and is lashing out in contrast to Posner’s carefree attitude.

The use of elevated lexis plays with Irwin’s tendencies as a teacher, as Posner needs to ask the definition of “meretricious”. Irwin's response of “eye-catching, showy, false”, an asyndetic listing of synonyms which is often associated with teachers explanations, is very reflective of Irwin’s own personality. The overall effect of this exchange shows the power imbalance between the two, with Irwin seemingly more superior in intelligence. This misleads the audience into resuming their usual impression of Posner, an unassuming person with very little manipulative intent. In effect, the revelation that Posner is in fact trying to trick Irwin becomes even more of a shock, and draws attention to the change in their relationship.

Vocatives are also very powerful in expressing the relationship between the two. Whilst in the previous section of the book, Posner seldom took part in taunting Irwin with the title “sir”, as the other boys did, in this exchange Posner uses the vocative to sound ‘appealing’ and to remind Irwin of their previous relationship as teacher and student - almost mocking, now that it is clear that Irwin is no longer a teacher. In response, Irwin refuses to sign Posner’s book with his first name David, and instead with his last; a very impersonal gesture, which he acknowledges pointedly as “unfriendly”.

In conclusion, it is both ironic and slightly upsetting for an audience member/reader to find that Posner has become most effected by Irwin’s teachings, and has turned into a manipulative person who tricks people for his own gain. This mirroring of Irwin’s personality, and the fact that Posner uses Irwin’s own tricks against him, shows that Posner has adopted the traits of a person he dislikes in order to get what he wants. It might even be possible that Posner became like Irwin because Dakin was interested in him. It is obvious Posner loathes Irwin’s teaching style by his comment on Cambridge; “I thought I’d got somewhere, then found I had to go on.” which reflects Hectors sentiments about examinations and education, and how it would be more helpful to prepare them for life rather than an exam. Despite his distaste for the man and his methods, Posner has become exactly like Irwin in order to survive the harsh realities of the world. This might be a reflection of Irwin’s own development of personality, and in this way their relationship is an interesting yet bitter portrayal of two men who never got what they wanted even though they fought for it, so instead turn to manipulation.

Tasks A,B and C

English Literature and Language Homework - Gabriella Parker

Friday 16th October 2015

Task A

Write an opening to a dystopian novel where you imagine your school in the distant future.

It’s 2235. My name is Resident 451, faction number 19. This is my story.

DO NOT IGNORE THIS MESSAGE

Day 623, Post Neurone Sector, 

If you are receiving this, my theory was correct.

595 days after the war broke out, I was taken out of Holding. For those of you receiving this in Cent. 021, Holding refers to the process of “cryogenic freezing”, a phrase used by your century according to my data core. They year is 2224, I am registered as 372, faction number 18.

 This message is the first attempt to contact prior residents.

Attached to this message is the mathematical theorem for what a person of your century would call “time travel” or “inter-dimensional skip”, as is the most recent translation.

My reason for this is simple: I ask that you stop the events that will occur on May 16th, 2045.

If I have calculated this correctly, this will reach Sarah H.Blackwood at co-ordinates 45.7° latitude, 122.3° longitude, on February 24th, 2015.

Do not ignore this.

Do not give up.

Your task is imperative to ending this war.

Good luck.

• 2224

I was 15 when I received this message. Half way through an episode of The Simpsons with an empty can of Coke in my right hand. What would you have done? Exactly. I trashed the email and updated my firewall, didn’t think much of it. It took 8 days for the next message to come through. Same anonymous sender, same absurd bullshit. Again, I ignored it.

Except, it didn't end with my ignorance.

It didn’t end when I got a new laptop, set up a new account. It didn't end when my parents decided the best thing for a healthy growing teenager was to move country.

It didn't end when I moved out, or when I got my degree in Astronomical Physics. It didn’t end when I was offered a job at the most prestigious Astronomical Research lab in the world.

It took 5 years for me to realise that the messages were right.

The heavy glaze of the sun creates a dazed shimmer around the glass dome, which splinters the light into shards. There are no birds here. No trees. No wind.

The air is thick, humid with the sticky heat, it consumes me, makes me heavy as I take my first step, my second.

I stagger, right myself, try again. Carry on down the path I’ve walked so many times, but never like this.

It’s dizzying, how much has changed, whilst still looking familiar. It’s like a disarray of dreams sewn on in patches to the sight in front of me, little sections of normality pressed into the cement of bizarre.

The key card is in my hand, a little slash of plastic, pressing into the flesh of my palm. It feels exactly like a lie you’d tell your parents, a little rectangle of guilt and nervousness denting my hand. I knew what I was here for, what I had to do.

It felt like getting away with the lie when the key card slipped through the machine, and the button flashed green.

I pushed through the doors, keeping my head high, taking slow, practiced steps. She’d told me this is what I had to do. Nervousness would get me killed. Doubt would get me killed. Anything that differed from precision would get me killed.

I knew this, but my eyes drifted. Looked through the glass to my right.I saw Charlie out of the corner of my vision. Kate. Andrew. Hooked up to those vile machines, faces gaunt in the sterile glow of the screens. To think this is where I learned what would save them. Some kind of sick irony to it, I’ll admit.

I didn’t let myself get distracted again.

I know what I have to do.

It was 2023 before I had programmed the technology necessary to respond.

By then it was far too late.

Task B

Write a TV documentary voice over where you introduce your school or college.

Survival 101: College

I’m sure you’ve all heard advice from parents, teachers and friends exactly what to do to prepare for college.

You’ve seen the magazine articles, and the back-to-school adverts and the posters and the check lists.

But are you ready for the wilderness? Are you ready to drink your own pee to survive? Or carve out a camel to keep warm?

Okay, so I’m kidding.

 Maybe. 

But in all seriousness, you’ll need more than your pencil case and a rough knowledge of how enzymes work in order to survive this place.

Is everybody sitting comfortably?

Then I’ll begin.

This is St Brendan’s Sixth Form College.

Oh, yes, it looks lovely and welcoming from the outside.

But don’t be fooled.

Here be dragons.

Wait.

Wrong movie.

Ignore that.

Where was I.

Ah, yes.

Don’t be fooled, young ones.

This is a dangerous wilderness where you need your wits about you.

You’ll need a strategy. A back up strategy. You need it all planned out for optimum chances of success.

Luckily for you we’ve got it all figured out.

The perfect formula for college survival.

Step one….

Task C

Write an analytical commentary where you compare choices of languages, style and form.

In both pieces, I attempted humour in order to engage my young adult audience. However, in my novel introduction I used more complex lexis and descriptive language in order to create visual imagery in the audience. I ranged between complex and simple sentence structures in order to avoid a monotonous tone. In my documentary piece, I kept a light-hearted tone and simple sentences to avoid overloading my audience with information. In my dystopian piece, I switched between time periods to keep the audience’s attention and open questions they’d want answers to. I also alternated between high frequency and low frequency lexis in order to add character to the first person. I used modern references that would be appropriate to my audience in both pieces. In my documentary I included relatable experiences that would engage the audiences attention.