Professional Courses
Industry-relevant training in Business, Technology, and Design to help professionals and graduates upskill for real-world careers.
Categories
Interactive Games
Fun, engaging games to boost memory, math fluency, typing speed, and English skillsβperfect for learners of all ages.
Typing
Memory
Math
English Adventures
Knowledge
Enroll to start learning
Youβve not yet enrolled in this course. Please enroll for free to listen to audio lessons, classroom podcasts and take mock test.
Interactive Audio Lesson
Listen to a student-teacher conversation explaining the topic in a relatable way.
Timed Analytical Essay Requirements
Unlock Audio Lesson
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Lesson
Today, we'll kick off by discussing the key aspects of your upcoming timed analytical essay. Can anyone recall how long the essay should be?
Is it supposed to be around 750 to 1000 words?
Exactly! This length is crucial for presenting a well-thought-out argument. Now, what are some key components you believe should be included in your essay?
A strong thesis statement!
And using evidence to support our claims!
Right! Remember, a powerful thesis encapsulates your argument clearly. The acronym TEA β Thesis, Evidence, Analysis β can help you remember this structure! Let's dive deeper into how you can effectively analyze texts.
How do we connect themes to broader issues in our essays?
Great question! You'll want to draw connections between the text's themes and relevant real-world issues or universal ideas. This will deepen your analysis and make your essay more insightful. Let's summarize: a good essay needs a clear thesis, solid evidence using TEA, and thematic connections.
Reflective Commentary Essentials
Unlock Audio Lesson
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Lesson
Now that we've covered the essay, letβs talk about your reflective commentary. What do you think is the purpose of writing a reflective commentary?
To explain our thought process while writing the piece?
Exactly! Itβs a chance to articulate your learning process. Remember the acronym RAGE β Reflection, Articulation, Growth, and Evaluation. Can someone explain how this might apply to your commentary?
We can reflect on what we learned, articulate the challenges faced, and evaluate our strengths and weaknesses.
Spot on! Don't forget to include specific MYP objectives that your work meets. This helps connect your individual learning to broader educational goals.
What if we had difficulties while writing? How do we address that in our writing?
A valuable part of reflection is being honest about challenges. Discussing how you overcame these obstacles shows growth and resilience. Letβs summarize: RAGE can guide your reflective commentary!
Revision Process
Unlock Audio Lesson
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Lesson
Before you submit your writing piece for your e-Portfolio, revision is key. What are some methods you use when revising your work?
I usually read it out loud to check for flow.
I focus on the feedback I get to revise.
Both are excellent strategies! Reading aloud helps identify awkward phrasing, while feedback provides perspective. Remember the acronym CHIPS β Check, Highlight, Improve, Proofread, Submitβ to help organize your revision process. Can anyone elaborate on improving while revising?
I try to enhance my thesis and make sure all my evidence supports it.
Perfect! Ensuring coherence and clarity is essential. Always ask yourself, 'Does this contribute to my argument?' Letβs summarize: Use CHIPS for effective revision!
Setting Goals Based on Reflection
Unlock Audio Lesson
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Lesson
As you reflect on your learning, itβs important to set goals for improvement. Whatβs one goal you think would be beneficial for your writing based on our discussions?
Maybe I should focus on integrating evidence more effectively.
I want to work on crafting better thesis statements.
Outstanding goals! Theyβre both measurable and specific. When setting goals, consider the SMART criteria β Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound. Can anyone think of how they might make their goals SMART?
I could say, 'I will include at least three pieces of evidence per essay in the next month of writing.'
Exactly! Thatβs a SMART goal. Letβs summarize: Use SMART criteria when setting your goals for improvement!
Introduction & Overview
Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.
Quick Overview
Standard
The section details two primary assessment components: a timed analytical essay demonstrating mastery of integrated skills across various texts, and the preparation of a revised writing sample accompanied by a reflective commentary showcasing individual growth and understanding of MYP objectives.
Detailed
In this section, the focus is on two essential assessment components critical for demonstrating integrated mastery and readiness for the MYP e-Portfolio. First, students will engage in a timed analytical essay of approximately 750-1000 words, where they will analyze one or more texts, connect themes to broader issues, construct a strong argument with a clear thesis, and utilize evidence effectively. This exercise encapsulates IB assessment criteria such as knowledge and understanding, organizing, producing text, and using language. Secondly, students will select a piece of their strongest work, revising it for clarity and precision, and crafting a reflective commentary that highlights their learning process. This commentary will include an analysis of how the work meets specific MYP objectives, the challenges faced during creation, areas for growth, and future goals for development. This multi-faceted approach not only evaluates individual capabilities but also prepares students for future academic pursuits.
Audio Book
Dive deep into the subject with an immersive audiobook experience.
Timed Analytical Essay
Unlock Audio Book
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book
You will complete a timed analytical essay (approximately 750-1000 words, reflecting exam conditions and time limits). This essay will require you to demonstrate your ability to integrate multiple analytical skills from across the modules.
Detailed Explanation
In this part of the assessment, you need to write an analytical essay under timed conditions, meaning you need to finish it in a set amount of time, similar to a test. The essay should be between 750 and 1000 words. You will be tasked with showing your knowledge and analytical skills that you have gained over the course of the modules. Specifically, you will need to analyze a text or multiple texts by demonstrating an understanding of narrative elements, poetic devices, figurative language, and rhetorical strategies.
Examples & Analogies
Think of this essay as preparing for a sports competition where you must showcase everything you have practiced. Just like an athlete needs to use their speed, strength, and strategy to win a race, you will need to utilize your writing, analytical, and organizational skills to craft a strong essay under the pressure of a ticking clock.
Connect to Broader Themes/Issues
Unlock Audio Book
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book
Discuss how the text(s) explore a significant theme (e.g., identity, power, transformation) or address a global issue (e.g., human rights, environmentalism).
Detailed Explanation
Here, you need to connect what you write about in your essay to larger themes or issues that matter beyond the text itself. For instance, if youβre discussing a story that features a characterβs struggle with their identity, think about how that connects to the real-world theme of identity in society. This step is about understanding that literature reflects wider social issues, so when you analyze a text, you should also think about what bigger ideas it is exploring.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine discussing a movie where the main character doesnβt fit in at school. While the plot focuses on their personal challenges, you can relate this to the broader theme of how society treats individuals who are seen as different. This deeper understanding can enrich your essay and make your arguments more compelling.
Construct a Strong Argument
Unlock Audio Book
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book
Formulate a clear, debatable thesis statement and develop it through well-structured body paragraphs, each with a strong topic sentence.
Detailed Explanation
A thesis statement is the main argument of your essay, and it should be clear and debatable, meaning that someone could disagree with it. Each paragraph in your essay should start with a topic sentence that directly relates to and supports your thesis statement. This organization helps make your argument easy to follow and ensures that each part contributes to the overall message of your essay.
Examples & Analogies
Think of a thesis statement like the main storyline of a TV show. Each episode (paragraph) should support that storyline by either advancing the plot or adding depth to the characters. If every episode goes off in a different direction unrelated to the main tale, viewers will get confused about what the show is really about.
Effectively Use and Analyze Evidence
Unlock Audio Book
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book
Select relevant textual evidence and integrate it seamlessly, providing insightful analysis that explains how the evidence supports your claims.
Detailed Explanation
In your essay, you will need to use quotes or references from the text to support your arguments. It's not just enough to drop a quote inβyour goal is to explain how that piece of evidence backs up what you're saying in your essay. This means analyzing the evidence and discussing its significance in the context of your argument.
Examples & Analogies
Consider a detective solving a mystery. They donβt just collect clues; they need to explain how each clue points to the solution of the case. In a similar way, you need to show how the evidence you present helps to 'solve' or support the main question or argument in your essay.
Maintain Academic Register
Unlock Audio Book
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book
Demonstrate consistent use of precise academic language, accurate literary terminology, and strong command of grammar, punctuation, and spelling under timed conditions.
Detailed Explanation
Using a formal academic tone is crucial for your essay. This means that the language should be precise, and you should use terminology that is appropriate for literature analysis. Additionally, you need to pay close attention to grammar, punctuation, and spelling, ensuring that your writing is clear and free from errors.
Examples & Analogies
Think of writing your essay like preparing a formal presentation. Just as you would dress appropriately and speak clearly to convey your message effectively, academic writing demands a certain level of formality and attention to detail to communicate your ideas clearly and professionally.
Sample for Personal E-Portfolio Entry
Unlock Audio Book
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book
You will select one piece of your strongest analytical or creative writing from this academic year ...
Detailed Explanation
In this part of your assessment, you need to choose your best piece of writing from the year, whether it's an essay, a poem analysis, or a narrative. After selecting the piece, youβll revise it carefully to improve it based on feedback and your own reflection. Along with the revised work, you will write a reflective commentary explaining how it meets specific MYP criteria, what you learned from the writing process, and your goals for the future.
Examples & Analogies
Think of this process like a chef revisiting their best dish. They do not just serve it as is; they taste it again, make improvements, and add a special ingredient. Your reflective commentary acts as a recipe card, highlighting the features that make your writing strong and the ingredients you want to improve in the future.
Definitions & Key Concepts
Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.
Key Concepts
-
Integrated Mastery: The ability to use various skills together in an academic context.
-
Timed Analytical Essay: An essay written under timed conditions that requires analytical skills.
-
Reflective Commentary: A piece that discusses the learning process and self-assessment.
-
Revision Process: The iterative process of reviewing and improving written work.
-
SMART Goals: Structured goals that guide personal learning and development.
Examples & Real-Life Applications
See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.
Examples
-
A student analyzes a poem and connects its themes of loss to societal issues, demonstrating a strong analytical connection.
-
In a reflective commentary, a student discusses the challenges faced while writing their essay and how they improved their thesis statement through peer feedback.
Memory Aids
Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.
π΅ Rhymes Time
-
When writing your essay, make it quite clear, / Your thesis shines bright, let it be near!
π Fascinating Stories
-
Imagine exploring a treasure map (your essay) while carrying a compass (your thesis). Without the compass, you can't find your way through all the clues (your evidence)!
π§ Other Memory Gems
-
To remember the revision process, think CHIPS: Check, Highlight, Improve, Proofread, Submit.
π― Super Acronyms
SMART helps you plan your goals
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Relevant
- Time-bound.
Flash Cards
Review key concepts with flashcards.
Glossary of Terms
Review the Definitions for terms.
-
Term: Analytical Essay
Definition:
A structured essay that requires students to analyze a text or texts, presenting an argument based on textual evidence.
-
Term: Thesis Statement
Definition:
A clear, debatable statement that communicates the main argument of an essay.
-
Term: Reflective Commentary
Definition:
A personal reflection that accompanies a piece of work, discussing the learning process and self-assessment.
-
Term: Revision
Definition:
The process of reviewing and making improvements to a piece of writing to enhance clarity and coherence.
-
Term: SMART Goals
Definition:
Goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.