"It is ingrained in the human nature that in periods of social and political change and upheaval, individuals and communities will seek justice and restoration. To what extent do the texts you studied explore this idea through characterisation and setting?"
My teacher has overwhelmed us, stating it requires "12 body paragraphs."
Thanks in advance for your help!
Heyy, Infectmarshroom.
I'd say 12 paragraphs is a bit ridiculous and unrealistic to replicate for the HSC examination. I generally recommend 3 - 4 paragraphs (probably 4 for this assignment) depending on how many text's you have to discuss. By doing 3-4, you're ensuring you have ample textual analysis and a detailed, cohesive discussion. Perhaps ask your teacher to clarify what they meant, because I can't imagine anybody doing 12 paragraphs.
Regarding structure, our teacher recommends discussing them in chronological order of their context so we can discuss how themes have evolved - allowing us to readily draw connections between texts. For your essay, I think it might be interesting to
simultaneously talk about setting and characterisation. For instance, how you may discuss a symbiotic relationship between a character and their setting, allowing for an analysis of pathetic fallacy. This way you can cut down 6 paragraphs to 4.
Eg: Para 1: Text 1 (Setting + Characterisation)
Para 2: Text 2 (Setting + Characterisation)
Para 3: Text 3 (Setting + Characterisation)
Para 4: Text 4 (Setting + Characterisation)
I'm unsure what text's you're studying but maybe a setting is looking particularly grim and so a character may be enraged and such be determined to seek justice and restoration.
I hope this has helped. If you do take my advice check with your teacher and other markers at your school because at the end of the day, they're the ones grading the paper.
Cheers