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hey artydreams! so when it comes to my essay writing, i tend to list off ideas on how i can best support my contention in a way takes more than surface-level plot info into consideration. in the examples i've provided below, where the prompt discusses
power, structures, oppression, marginalisation, i took those key ideas and pulled out examples from the text i could work with
(prejudice, patriarchy, conforming) when working with topic sentences i find that overarching themes and ideas are easier to discuss than plot-based or character-based topic sentences, as i am able to draw from many areas of the text that don't necessarily need to be in chronological order. i feel like very specific topic sentences often leave no wiggle room for broader analysis or interpretation (in my pg my topic sentence revolves around prejudice > i've explored the contrasting explorations of prejudice in both texts, one text exploring racial prejudice and the other exploring religious prejudice)
as for a methodical approach to topic sentences, finding those key words in your contention and linking them to key ideas explored within the texts can help you with forming the arguments that are deeper than surface level/plot points
tldr; i'd focus on theme and idea based topic sentences over plot or character based, as it allows you to explore a range of evidence and not necessarily in a way that retells the plot, and gives you more wiggle room to broaden your ideas instead of being restricted to one idea
my example ;
Prompt: Power in society is reinforced through structures designed to oppress marginalised groups. How is this explored in both texts? Contention: Both ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ (TKAM) and ‘The Crucible’ are representations of how societies oppress marginalised groups to maintain the places of those in power.
1. The contrasting explorations of prejudice within both texts reveals how biased thought affects one’s beliefs and actions.
2. The patriarchal social environments evident in both ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ and ‘The Crucible’ depict how societies value men in powerful positions instead of women.
3. Both authors’ exploration of the consequences people suffer for not conforming represent the broader power the majority have in influencing the actions of others.
i'm not sure if this will apply to you really bc i'm in year 11 butttt hopefully this made some kind of sense and helped you in SOME way honestly not sure lmao but wish you the best (: