By Julie Tagg Let’s take a look at the theme of love in Shakespeare and how you would respond to this essay question. “Twelfth Night” is a play that revolves around the theme of love. In your essay, you are required to explore two different types of love depicted in the play. Additionally, you should… Read More Theme of Love in Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” Essay
This novel, despite its seemingly simple narrative, addresses a number of significant issues or themes that are prevalent in Caribbean society. The role of education and women in society One of the most important themes explored in the story is the role of education and women in society. Through Anjanee’s story, the author reveals that… Read More Themes in “For the Life of Laetitia” by Merle Hodges Essay
Understanding the value of themes in literature by Julie Tagg (Think and Write for CSEC English) Definition of theme A theme in literature is a concept or message that is explored throughout a work. Literary themes are universal in nature, meaning that they are ideas that not only apply to the specific characters and events… Read More What is the function of themes in literary works?
Julie Tagg Symbolism is a powerful literary technique that is used by writers to represent abstract ideas through the use of physical objects or phenomena. A symbol is a tangible thing that stands for or represents an intangible concept, idea, or thought. A strong symbol is one that shares key characteristics with whatever it is… Read More What is symbolism in literature?
In the novel, there are instances where objects or events seem to hold a deeper meaning. These instances are known as symbols. Here are some examples from the book that illustrate this concept: – The Home Economics teacher tries to hang up a picture of a Happy Family, but it keeps falling down. Although this… Read More Symbols in “For the Life of Laetitia” by Merle Hodge
THEME: LOVE As the exams are approaching, it is crucial to start preparing early. One of the best ways to prepare is to practice with sample questions. Practicing with sample questions will help you to identify areas where you need to focus more and reinforce what you have already learned. Additionally, you should gather all… Read More ENGLISH B SAMPLE QUESTION AND RESPONSE for Poetry – Love
Lacey and the Community Lacey, a young girl, is facing several challenges in her life. Her Maths teacher, Mrs. Lopez, doesn’t seem to like her and makes it clear that she wasn’t wanted at the school. Lacey has already proved her talent by winning a place in a government secondary school, but Mrs. Lopez’s foreign… Read More Conflict – Merle Hodge “For the Life of Laetitia”
Julie Tagg, April 12, 2024 In the novel, there are two important settings that play a crucial role in shaping the story – Ma’s home in Sooklal Trace and Cephas’s house in the city. The author takes us on a vivid journey to Ma’s home during Christmas preparations, which is a lively and welcoming space… Read More Setting – Merle Hodge “For the Life of Laetitia”
Julie Tagg @thinkandwriteforcsecenglish | April 03, 2024 The play “Anansi” provides a vivid portrayal of the Atlantic slave trade in the year 1791. During this time, thousands of African individuals were forcibly taken from their homes and transported across the ocean to the West Indies, where they were sold to plantation owners. The play focuses… Read More Drama as history in “Anansi” by Alistair Campbell
Julie Tagg: April 03, 2027 The play explores the theme of disguise, which is portrayed by blurring the line between reality and fantasy. The protagonist, Girl, is forced to endure the cruelty of her slave owners and uses her imagination as a coping mechanism to keep her spirit alive. In one scene, she is confined… Read More Disguise in the play “Anansi” by Alistair Campbell
Alistair Campbell “Anansi” [by Julie Tagg, April 03, 2024] Antagonists, protagonists, and main characters The play centers around a young girl who is on board a ship as a slave. At the beginning of the story, the girl is hopeless and distraught due to the system of slavery that she finds herself in. However, as… Read More Use of language and features of writing -Anansi
Personification In this play, Girl narrates her journey from Africa and describes the river as having human qualities that carry her further and further away from her mother on its great brown back. This personification not only shows the force of nature but also highlights how Girl is helplessly separated from her birthplace. The playwright… Read More Personification in Alistair Campbell’s “Anansi”
Similes and metaphors play an important role in the play. They bring out the playwright’s perspective on the characters, highlight the key issues of the play and help the audience to better visualize the images to be conveyed. To illustrate Girl’s struggle and devise a method of survival, Woman tells her to “weave your little… Read More Similes and Metaphors in Anansi by Alistair Campbell
Julie Tagg| Think and Write for CSEC English The play cleverly incorporates the symbols of the Spider and Tiger to emphasize their notable strengths. The Tiger, as portrayed in the “Forest Stories”, is depicted as a “strong” and “bold” character akin to the white slave masters of the era. Meanwhile, the Spider, known as Anansi,… Read More Symbols in Alistair Campbell’s “Anansi”
Imagery Throughout the play, the author uses vivid images of darkness, death, and light to convey the emotional weight of the story. These images are intended to evoke strong feelings in the audience and bring to life the dehumanizing experiences of the slaves on board the ship. For instance, when the character Girl recounts their… Read More Alistair Campbell’s “Anansi” – Use of Imagery
Irony Irony is used to reinforce meanings. In the play, Campbell uses irony and this has a direct impact on the lessons of morality that arise out of its contents. He also uses irony to demonstrate the transfer of power among characters for greater audience appeal. The play explores the conflicting views on the treatment… Read More Alistair Campbell’s Anansi – Using Irony
Anjanee and Lacey: Both girls are from rural backgrounds and attend the same school. They face a great deal of pressure at school because of the challenges of being “country” children. Anjanee commits suicide because she cannot find inspiration or hope from her family. With the help of her family, Lacey recovers from her nervous… Read More Merle Hodge “For the Life of Laetitia” – Comparing the main characters
Exploring the plot in the novel The story is about Laetitia Johnson’s first year at secondary school. She is called Lacey for short and lives with her grandmother, cousins and other family members since her mother, Patsy, migrated to New York. Lacey’s father, Cephas shows little interest in his daughter. But later when he finds… Read More Merle Hodge “For the Life of Laetitia” The Plot
Julie Tagg| March 24, 2024 •Learning Objectives: In this section you will: • discover the major themes of the play • recognise how the major themes reflect the slave trade experience • explore the connections between themes • explore how the themes and conflict add to the dramatic function of the play CONFLICT, THEMES, AND… Read More Analysis of the themes in the play “Anansi” by Alistair Campbell
Julie Tagg| March 19, 2024 CONTRASTING CHARACTERS Character stereotypes Campbell creates some of his characters without names. But these characters have an identity. They include Boy, Girl, Woman, Her, King, Sailor, Tiger, and others. Arguably, this is the playwright’s attempt at developing different stereotypes on board the slave ship and in ‘The Forest of Stories’.… Read More Alistair Campbell’s ‘Anansi” – Character Analysis
Short Stories for CSEC English B https://youtu.be/tfCK-y-_0uo
Learning Objectives: By the end of the reading you should be able to: There are several scenes in the play. One scene takes place aboard ‘The Good Ship Hope’ and the other in ‘The Forest’. The scene on the ship shows the experiences that the slave girl and the Boy share as they travel though… Read More Alistair Campbell’s “Anansi” The Plot
Julie Tagg There are three main types of writing in a story or novel. The three modes of writing are combined when writing the story. Dialogue may give description and narration and vice versa. Did you know? When you read a story or a novel, you are working in partnership with the author to create… Read More Features of the Story or Novel
Julie Tagg, March 8, 2024 Historical Context The stories of Anansi and his trickery are integral to the oral literature of the West Indies and the traditions of storytelling. The enslaved West Africans brought these stories of Anansi to the Caribbean. Anansi is the trickster hero who enjoys his power over all the other animals… Read More Alistair Campbell’s Anansi
By Julie Tagg Humour Language Use of songs Characterization Storytelling
By Julie Tagg Human cruelty Ignorance Traditions Women in Society Slavery Colonialism Hope The value of oral traditions and culture Human Resilience Attitude to power and authority
By Julie Tagg What is Parallel Structure? Parallel structure is the use of the same grammatical form for items in a series, list, or any other type of construction within a sentence. This means that when you are listing items, presenting ideas, or creating comparisons, each element in the sentence should follow the same grammatical… Read More The Importance of Parallel Structure in Grammar
As language enthusiasts, we all strive to communicate effectively and accurately. However, it is not uncommon to stumble upon some challenges with grammar along the way. In this blog post, we will explore a few common grammar errors made by language learners and provide examples to help you avoid them. 1. Subject-Verb Agreement: One of… Read More 13 Common Grammar Errors to Avoid
Julie Tagg. Let us delve into a topic that often sparks debates among grammar enthusiasts: split infinitives. You might have heard of them before, but do you truly understand what they are and how to use them effectively? To begin with, let’s clarify what an infinitive is. In English, an infinitive is the base form… Read More Split Infinitives: Breaking the Rules with Style
In the realm of language and communication, understanding the fundamental building blocks is essential. The 8 parts of speech serve as the foundation upon which our thoughts and ideas take shape. Whether we are crafting an essay, engaging in a conversation, or simply expressing ourselves, a solid grasp of these parts of speech empowers us… Read More The 8 Parts of Speech: A Guide to Effective Communication
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So you may think it is difficult to generate short stories or the framework for a novel or you are like me and having “writer’s block.” The truth is that most stories are created based on everyday experiences or past events. Take a minute and look at these ideas. Leave a comment below if I… Read More How to Come Up with Meaningful Short Stories
Julie Tagg February 7, 2024 Literary Fiction allows you to focus on artistic prose, layered themes, character study, and introspection. Literary fiction – sub-genre of short stories which has strong emphasis on artistic or stylistic prose, layered themes, character study, and introspection. It is often elevated and poetic, with careful attention to language and imagery. The… Read More What are the Different Types of Short Stories?
Julie Tagg February 6, 2024 Three types of story settings Writing different types of settings requires attention to detail, atmosphere, and the specific needs of your story. Here’s how to write three common types of settings: Realistic Setting: Research: Conduct thorough research to ensure accuracy and authenticity in depicting real-world locations. This includes details such… Read More Types of setting in a novel or short story
Julie Tagg February 6, 2024 The setting of a story refers to the time, place, and overall environment in which the events of the narrative unfold. It includes details such as the geographical location, historical period, social context, and the atmosphere or mood of the story. The setting serves as a backdrop against which the… Read More What is the setting in a story?
Julie Tagg Teachers who intend to utilize the 5 E model should understand that this framework is best suited for units that span two to three weeks. It is essential to plan each stage of the model to incorporate one or more lessons. The 5E Model enables students to employ inquiry-based methods to link new… Read More Planning the 5E Model
The 5 E model of instruction is an inquiry-based learning approach that enables students to build knowledge and meaning from their experiences. It encourages students to ask questions, determine which information will enhance their understanding, and engage in self-assessment. Fast Facts: 5 E Instructional Model The constructivist model of learning, known as the 5 E… Read More What is the 5E Model of Instruction?
In summary: the basic essay format consists of – an introduction, – body paragraphs, and – a conclusion. The introduction grabs the reader’s attention and introduces the main claim or thesis statement. The body paragraphs develop the main points of the thesis statement, providing evidence and support for each point. Each paragraph includes a topic… Read More Basic Essay Format
Resource Materials for Teachers and Students
