A Streetcar Named Desire- Question Structure

Description

Edexcel English Language and Literature: A Streetcar Named Desire. This mindmap includes how to structure your Streetcar response, although it isn't written in stone; you can manipulate it however you like as long as you fulfil the criteria.
Grace Fawcitt
Mind Map by Grace Fawcitt, updated more than 1 year ago
Grace Fawcitt
Created by Grace Fawcitt almost 6 years ago
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Resource summary

A Streetcar Named Desire- Question Structure
  1. The Assessment Objectives
    1. AO1
      1. Terminology and written expression
        1. Try to employ a range of terms across different elements of language and literature
          1. Phonology
            1. Consonance/ assonance/ sibillance/ fricative/ plosive
            2. Word choice
              1. Noun/ verb/ adjective/ adverb/ preposition etc.
                1. Try not to just use 'noun'- consider the type e.g. abstract noun, dynamic verb, post-modifying adjective
              2. Figurative language/ imagery
                1. Metaphors/ extended metaphors
                  1. Consider the imagery linked to Blanche's name- death, surreal, decay- compared to that of Stanley and Stella
                    1. Click the paperclip for a mind map on names in Streetcar

                      Attachments:

                  2. Similes
                  3. Sentence mood/ structure
                    1. Declarative/ imperative/ interrogative/ exclamative
                      1. Short/ minor sentences, multi-clausal sentences
                        1. These are often good to compare- Stanley's monosyllabic elliptical sentences and Blanche's elaborate multi-clausal sentences
                        2. If you're totally unsure on how to describe the quote you're using, state the sentence mood- e.g. 'declarative'- rather than just 'sentence'
                        3. Turn taking/ length of turn
                          1. Upwards/ downwards convergence/ divergence
                            1. Note the lack of accommodation on Blanche and Stanley's part
                              1. Represents the conflict between the Old South and New America
                    2. AO2
                      1. Analysis and evaluative comments
                        1. While you are given an extract to consider, you should also look for examples throughout the play- look for nuances and subtleties that you can comment on, such as symbols and motifs
                          1. Ensure that you look at alternate readings of a quote
                            1. Some quotes will have different connotations to a contemporary audience compared to an audience at the time
                              1. Some quotes hold a certain ambiguity- they could be interpreted in multiple ways, so comment on this
                          2. AO3
                            1. Context
                              1. Play/ theatricality
                                1. Remember to acknowledge that Streetcar is a *play*, not a novel- it doesn't have chapters, it has scenes; characters are seen and heard, so consider costume, symbols and sounds.
                                  1. Click the paperclip for mind maps on theatricality ^

                                    Attachments:

                                2. Williams' life
                                  1. Williams often included elements of his own life in his work, such as his homosexuality and family life
                                    1. Click the paperclip for mind maps on biographical and historical context

                                      Attachments:

                                  2. Historical context
                                    1. The Civil War, the Second World War, and women's rights all play a role in this work, amongst other factors, so be sure to acknowledge their influence
                                    2. Things to remember
                                      1. Make sure you use context 'consistently'
                                        1. Every paragraph needs to have contextual information that is relevant to your point
                                        2. Don't just add any old context at the end of your paragraphs
                                          1. e.g. Williams presents Stanley's soldier mentality as a form of entrapment. Also, Williams had a sister called Rose.
                                            1. For this example, a better piece of context would be a link to the influence of WW2, which occurred just 2 years prior to the play
                                            2. Make it relevant to your point and integrate it into your response
                                    3. The introduction
                                      1. Present your argument linked to the steer
                                        1. When you first read the question, consider synonyms for your stee
                                          1. E.g. male dominance- superiority, control, power, authority, command
                                        2. Place the extract in context
                                          1. What has just happened? This could be in the previous scenes, or literally just before the extract
                                          2. Suggest Williams' possible intentions or messages within the extract
                                            1. Add some contextual information, however try to save the good stuff for your paragraph
                                            2. The paragraphs
                                              1. 1. Topic sentence
                                                1. Include a sentence which references your argument linked to the steer
                                                2. 2. Evidence from extract
                                                  1. Bring in evidence from the extract- don't be quick to dismiss the resource they've provided, they provided it for a reason!
                                                  2. 3. Link to other parts of the play
                                                    1. Include a link to another part of the play, preferably in a different scene
                                                      1. The examiners want to see your knowledge of the play, and that won't happen if you only mention one scene
                                                    2. 4. Context
                                                      1. Include *relevant* contextual information in every paragraph, be it biographical, historical, situational, political or cultural
                                                        1. The mark scheme mentions consistency with context, so be consistent with it! Integrate throughout your paragraphs, ensuring its relevance and that it aids your argument
                                                      2. 5. Purpose/ message
                                                        1. Consider why Williams would include this moment in the play, and why he uses the language he does
                                                        2. 6. Return to the question steer
                                                          1. Always link back to the question steer to highlight that you have in fact been discussing it, especially if you have an obscure or subtle argument
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