How to write a text response

Inheritance

Sample question“Nugget is the most unselfish member

of the family”.

Discuss this statement with reference to the play

Introduction Ask questions about the topic

Define key words if necessary

State your contention and indicate the direction your discussion will take

A good introduction… shows that you understand the topic

through your rewording of the topic shows your point of view on the topic but

does NOT use first person(eg. In my opinion/I think/I believe)

Indicates the main supporting points that you will include in your paragraphs

Example of an introductionHannie Rayson’s play, Inheritance, highlights a range of issues that affect rural communities in northern Victoria. With respect to the inheritance of the family farm, Allandale, the play’s characters show their true colours in their pursuit for ownership of the property. While all the others are driven by selfish motives, Nugget is the only character who thinks about his family in the debate about who gets the farm. In contrast to Girlie, Maureen and his own siblings, Julie and William, Nugget has a genuine love for Allandale and is willing to make many personal sacrifices in order to keep peace in the Hamilton/Delaney family.

Body paragraphs Three to four paragraphs using TEEL

Topic sentenceState in the first sentence the point you are

makingto support your position

Elaboration/ExplanationDiscuss the point in more detail

Evidence/ExampleInclude a quotation, paraphrase a quotation, or cite a specific example from the text tosupport the main point

LinkMake a connection to the original contention

A good body paragraph… Is specific and includes supporting

evidence

Relates your answer to the original topic

Example of a body paragraphMaureen Delaney is a self centred character whose primary focus is gaining political power with her ignorant views. While Lyle is suffering severe depression and is notably losing control of his life, his wife’s only comforting words are ‘I’m putting in a sixty-hour week – for what? We’re going down the toilet and you won’t do a damn thing about it” (pg. 25). Maureen’s ambition is most clearly noted in the epilogue of the play, where she sells Allandale for the benefit of her campaign. Her greed for power is what drives Maureen throughout the play and unlike Nugget, her egoism is clear.

Conclusion Summarise your main arguments and

restate your contention End strongly

A good conclusion does not use exactly the same words if

possible does not introduce any new points restates the contention and briefly

summarises the main points