CRITICAL ESSAY How to Unpack and Answer the

CRITICAL ESSAY How to Unpack and Answer the Prompts

Part 1: UNPACK THE PROMPT 1) Identify KEY WORDS (use highlighter) DISCUSS THE IDEA(S) DEVELOPED BY THE TEXT CREATOR(S) ABOUT AN INDIVIDUAL S ATTEMPT TO RECONCILE THE DESIRE TO ACT INDEPENDENTLY THE NEED FOR SECURITY. 2) Denotation of the WITH key words: Attempt = to make an effort at; try Reconcile = to cause one to accept or be resigned to something not desired Desire = to wish or long for Act = to do something; behaviour Independently = not relying on another or others for aid or support. Need = a requirement, necessary duty, or obligation Security = freedom from care, anxiety, doubt, fear, danger

Unpack the Prompt 2) CONNOTATION of KEY WORDS (do all words) Accept one’s past i. e. Two people reunite after a break-up In war, to bring two sides into peace Harmony restored Reconcile friendly To make things better conflict To give in even If you don’t want to

Unpack the Prompt 3) Does the prompt have multi-prongs? AND , OR , AND/OR (with = and) 4) Considering your “unpacking” to reword complicated prompts if doing so helps you understand the prompt. 5) Turn the prompt into a question: i. e. Under what circumstances would an individual give into the need of security over his or her desire to be free and independent?

Part 2: ANSWER THE PROMPT! CRITERIA for an ANSWER: DO NOT: Ø NO EVIDENCE Ø NO DEFINITION DO: Ø Make it ARGUABLE (there needs to be an opposite answer) Ø Answer should be SOPHISTICATED and INSIGHTFUL Ø Answer would have LAYERS to answer if fully Ø 3 -4 sentences that would be written as a compound-complex sentence.

PART 3: EVIDENCE Once you have your ANSWER, find the TEXT that best supports / justifies your answer! The more you read, and the more you know in terms of the details, the better your evidence choice can be. Try to focus on ONE text for an in-depth discussion!