Wednesday, 5 August 2015

(7/3) How to unpack a prompt

Five step to unpacking a prompt

  1. Underline key words
  2. Define the Key Words and find synonyms (Used when defining your understanding of the theme in the intro)
  3. Paraphrase the prompt (Employed to demonstrate an understanding of the prompt and the direction your essay is taking in regards to the prompt)
  4. What do the texts say about the prompt? What is the central message for each text in relation to the prompt? (A sentence demonstrating the relationship between the two central messages becomes your thesis statement)
  5. List as many ideas regarding the prompt and relating to the text. (These become the ideas within your body paragraphs)

 

1) Underline key words

The key words are central to understanding what the question is requesting of you, underlining the key words is also important in highlighting the central theme alluded to by the prompt.

People primarily become outsiders because they are different to those around them.

The central theme in the prompt above is the ideas of the outsider and its relationship to difference. Outlining an interpretation of these key words is the key to depth and complexity within your essay.

 

2) Define the ‘Key Words’ in terms of the prompt and find synonyms

}  Outsider: when someone becomes isolated within the culture/society the exist within

}  People around them: Any person an individual engages with regularly

}  Difference: possessing characteristics that are different to the people around them in some way.

 

3) Paraphrase the prompt

 

}  Demonstrates an understanding of what the prompt is asking.

}  Illustrates your interpretation of the prompt.

 

It is due to difference that people become isolated by the individuals around them.

 

4) What do the texts say about the prompt? What is the central message for each text in relation to the prompt?

THR: Individuals are isolated due to the inability of their contemporaries to understand and embrace difference.

MAaN: Individuals are isolated due to the fear of difference evident within the common mass.

 

Note: Your Thesis outlines the link between these central messages in relation to the prompt

Example Thesis: Both THR and MAaN make the suggestion that an individuals position as an outsider extends from an inherent difference. However where THR suggests that isolation is due to ignorance and a hesitation to embrace difference MAaN makes the claim that perhaps a fear of difference leads to isolation.

5) List as many ideas regarding the prompt, relating to the text and expanding from the thesis.

Some of these ideas will be expanded upon within the BPs

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