Assignment Panic? Never!

I know a lot of you are starting to face the hand-in horror of Friday. Here are a couple of helpful hints; take a deep breath and read them through!



If you're writing on the Press poem:


I suggest that paragraph 1 should set up your understanding of the speaking voice - who is the speaker and what is their position on the refugees? Once you've explained some of the complexities around what is said versus what is implied in this poem, your analysis will flow a lot smoother.

Now, take my worksheet of questions that I gave you in class, and turn a couple of your favourite points into one paragraph each. Remember, whenever you're trying to make a point, it helps if you use a quote from the poem (properly referenced, of course!) to back up your ideas. Don't just drop a quote in cold - use it in a sentence. Make it work for you.

Above all else: don't rush your points. Take the time to do your ideas justice. You have 3 pages - use them! Remember my 3 critical analysis questions and APPLY them.

If you're writing on the Conrad:

This is a lovely, but broad essay topic - like Marlow, you will need to navigate your own path through the jungle of ideas. You HAVE to use quotes from the text in this! They will act like road signs and draw your reader back to the text, making your final mark that much higher.

Remember: one idea per paragraph. If you speak of the "heart of darkness" being the literaral geographical space of Africa as represented by Colonial Europeans, don't suddenly begin referring to the brutality that lies in the Coloniser's own hearts - it mixes ideas! You need to insert a nice, fresh paragraph break. That way, your marker won't get theme-claustrophobia.

Please remember to reference all quotes using Harvard conventions: ".....quote....." (Author surname, year of publication: page number).

Your essay will consist of three or four main points (ideas as to what the "heart of darkness" might refer to) and, for each one, one or two strong links to the text supporting your argument. It will mean re-reading several sections of the book to find the right quotes. Yes, RE-READING!

Remember, I am happy to look at drafts, but not on Thursday. If anyone asks me for help on Thursday, I may take payment in fingers.

We’re back!

…and I’m sure you missed me dreadfully. Unfortunately, we hit a bit of a snag these past 2 weeks, as hyper active VC internet filters cut our access to the blog. But, after fighting the good fight, I’ve managed to get us up and running. You can thank me in chocolate (or, better yet, first class essays).

Also, hello there to the little cluster of non-Cape Townian readers we’ve sprouted! I've had three emails from non VC students...and that's just this week. Although I unfortunately won’t be able to critique your essays and work like I do with my own students, you’re very welcome to work along with us. You're also very welcome to leave comments on the posts.

So, what’s been happening at VC Cape Town?

Macbeki, for one. Fifteen of us went on Tuesday night and watched Macbeth…SA style. It was many things – overly long and hard to hear, yes, but highlights included the disgruntled ‘previously advantaged’ porter, Macbeki’s overly-zealous verbal referencing and Lady Manto’s drunken “come, you spirits” speech. Let’s do it again!

On an academic front, boy have we hit crunch time, people. Midterms, essay deadlines and the pressure of reading the novels in time has taken hold. REMINDER: you are writing your English midterm on Friday 20th March, the same day your two UNISA essays are due. It's a lot to juggle, but please don't drop any of those balls.

On that note, come and talk to me if you feel things are getting to you, ok? I promise to only get slightly mad to hear you still haven’t bought the book, etc. Rather let’s fix it while we’ve got time than stick our heads in the proverbial sand. It’s only going to get crazier.

Of course, there are some things I can't do for you: attend class for you, read your novels for you, make your notes. If you're not doing that....eish, sweetheart.

I'll post a couple of assignment hints this weekend for you. Check this space!