CAPE LITERATURES IN ENGLISH UNIT ONE

COMPARISON AND CONTRAST PROSE ESSAY

THE DEVELOPMENTAL MODEL

"Narrative technique is the primary vehicle of thematic development in works of

fiction."
With reference to ONE Caribbean AND ONE British, American, OR Postcolonial work
of fiction that you have studied, discuss the extent to which you agree with this
statement.
Total 40 marks

1. INTRODUCTION
Background information on the two books - (3 or 4 sentences)
General statement on a specified theme - 1 or 2 sentence(s)
Thesis statement: This essay explores the profound issue of identity in Ramsey’s Aunt Jen
by examining Jen, Ma and Sunshine and in Adichie’s Purple Hibiscus through Eugene,
Ifeoma and Kambili.

2. First Body Paragraph

Topic sentence: Ramsey constructs Jen as a Jamaican woman who is fragmented between
her native and Eurocentric identity in her novel, Aunt Jen.
Analysis of Devices 1-3
Device # 1 - 3 - textual evidence by quoting the key phrase or word and immediately
analyzing the device using a mixture of your opinions and a secondary source.

A Concluding sentence which links the discussion back to the theme (optional)

3. Second Body Paragraph

Topic sentence: Similar to Ramsey’s treatment of Jen in Aunt Jen, Eugene in Adichie’s
Purple Hibiscus perfectly captures the essence of a postcolonial subject who has an identity
crisis between their native and Eurocentric identities.
Analysis of Devices 1-3
Device # 1 - 3 - textual evidence by quoting the key phrase or word and immediately
analyzing the device using a mixture of your opinions and a secondary source.

A Concluding sentence which links the discussion back to the theme (optional)

4. Third Body Paragraph

Topic sentence: Furthermore, Ramsey’s characterization of Ma in her novel, Aunt Jen,
encapsulates pride in Jamaican culture and identity.
Analysis of Devices 1-3
Device # 1 - 3 - textual evidence by quoting the key phrase or word and immediately
analyzing the device using a mixture of your opinions and a secondary source.

A Concluding sentence which links the discussion back to the theme (optional)
5. Fourth Body Paragraph
Topic Sentence: On the other hand, Adichie masterfully renders the successful balance
between the real self and role self through the vehicle of Ifeoma in Purple Hibiscus.
Analysis of Devices 1-3
Device # 1 - 3 - textual evidence by quoting the key phrase or word and immediately
analyzing the device using a mixture of your opinions and a secondary source.

A Concluding sentence which links the discussion back to the theme (optional)

6. Fifth Body Paragraph

Topic Sentence: Similar to Ifeoma, Sunshine, Jen’s daughter, represents the balance
between the true self and false self in Aunt Jen.
Analysis of Devices 1-3
Device # 1 - 3 - textual evidence by quoting the key phrase or word and immediately
analyzing the device using a mixture of your opinions and a secondary source.

A Concluding sentence which links the discussion back to the theme (optional)

7. Sixth Body Paragraph

Topic Sentence: Finally, Kambili in Purple Hibiscus, like Sunshine, is another example of a
balanced postcolonial character.
Analysis of Devices 1-3
Device # 1 - 3 - textual evidence by quoting the key phrase or word and immediately
analyzing the device using a mixture of your opinions and a secondary source.

A Concluding sentence which links the discussion back to the theme (optional)

8. Conclusion
Topic sentence: In conclusion, Ramsey and Adichie examined the construction of the
postcolonial identity through the vehicles of Jen, Ma and Sunshine in Aunt Jen and Eugene,
Ifeoma and Kambili in Purple Hibiscus.
An evaluative statement
 CAPE LITERATURES IN ENGLISH UNIT ONE
Drama ESSAY

THE DEVELOPMENTAL MODEL

“The theatrical appeal of The Taming of the Shrew depends primarily on Shakespeare’s
skilful use of irony.”
Discuss the extent to which this is an accurate assessment of The Taming of the Shrew.
Total 40 marks

1. INTRODUCTION
Background information on playwright and play (3-4 sentences)
Devices are used to highlight the themes in a work of literature and they work together to
create theatrical appeal. (middle stance)
General statement on marriage
Thesis statement: In this essay, the theme of marriage will be examined through the
following couples: Petruchio and Katherine, Lucentio and Bianca, and Hortensio and the
widow.

2. First Body Paragraph

Topic sentence: The relationship between Petruchio and Katherine is constructed as a
master-servant one and is presented as an ideal marriage in Shakespeare’s Taming of the
Shrew.
Analysis of Devices 1-3
Device # 1 - 3 - textual evidence by quoting the key phrase or word and immediately
analyzing the device using a mixture of your opinions and a secondary source.

A Concluding sentence which links the discussion back to the theme (optional)

3. Second Body Paragraph

Topic sentence: Contradistinctive to the domineering relationship between Petruchio and
Katherine, Lucentio and Bianca have a marriage of equality in terms of power.
Analysis of Devices 1-3
Device # 1 - 3 - textual evidence by quoting the key phrase or word and immediately
analyzing the device using a mixture of your opinions and a secondary source.

A Concluding sentence which links the discussion back to the theme (optional)

4. Third Body Paragraph

Topic sentence: In a similar manner to Petruchio and Katherine’s relationship, Hortensio and
the Widow also have a marriage that is characterized by one partner being more dominant.
Analysis of Devices 1-3
Device # 1 - 3 - textual evidence by quoting the key phrase or word and immediately
analyzing the device using a mixture of your opinions and a secondary source.

A Concluding sentence which links the discussion back to the theme (optional)

5. Conclusion
Topic sentence: In conclusion, Taming of the Shrew is an examination of power and gender
dynamics within the institution of marriage through the vehicle of a juxtaposition between the
three main couples; Petruchio and Katherine, Lucentio and Bianca and Hortensio and the
Widow.
An evaluative statement
 CAPE LITERATURES IN ENGLISH UNIT ONE

COMPARISON AND CONTRAST POETRY ESSAY

THE DEVELOPMENTAL MODEL

With reference to at least THREE poems by ONE British, American, OR Postcolonial

poet that you have studied, discuss the extent to which poetry is used as an effective
vehicle for exploring social or personal issues.
Total 40 marks

1. INTRODUCTION
Background information on poet and World War One
General statement on trauma
Thesis statement: In this essay, the theme of trauma will be explored in Wilfred
Owen’s poetic compositions ‘S.I.W’, ‘Disabled’ and ‘Mental Cases’.

2. First Body Paragraph

Topic sentence: In the poem, ‘S.I.W’, Owen explores the traumatic experience of war
by rendering a soldier who is driven to suicide.
Analysis of Devices 1-3
Device # 1 - 3 - textual evidence by quoting the key phrase or word and immediately
analyzing the device using a mixture of your opinions and a secondary source.

A Concluding sentence which links the discussion back to the theme (optional)

3. Second Body Paragraph

Topic sentence: Contradistinctive to Owen’s treatment of trauma and suicide in
‘S.I.W’, the link between disability and trauma is examined in the poetic work,
‘Disabled’.
Analysis of Devices 1-3
Device # 1 - 3 - textual evidence by quoting the key phrase or word and immediately
analyzing the device using a mixture of your opinions and a secondary source.

A Concluding sentence which links the discussion back to the theme (optional)
4. Third Body Paragraph
Topic sentence: In a similar manner to ‘S.I.W’ and ‘Disabled’, the issue of trauma is
investigated through the poetic presentation of post-traumatic stress disorder and
mental disability in ‘Mental Cases’.
Analysis of Devices 1-3
Device # 1 - 3 - textual evidence by quoting the key phrase or word and immediately
analyzing the device using a mixture of your opinions and a secondary source.

A Concluding sentence which links the discussion back to the theme (optional)

5. Conclusion
Topic sentence: In conclusion, Wilfred Owen masterfully renders various aspects and
effects of trauma through the vehicle of various literary devices in ‘S.I.W’, ‘Disabled’
and ‘Mental Cases’.
An Evaluative Statement: In a few sentences respond to the following questions: ‘In
your opinion, which of the poems best captures the theme? Why?”