Year 12 – “The Time Traveler’s Wife” Essay Task
Re-read Henry’s narrative on pages 1-4 from “How does it feel?” to “…she cannot
follow”. Use linguistic and literary approaches to examine how Niffenegger presents
time travel in this extract. Go on to explore how she presents time travel within the
novel as a whole.
Advice:
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Annotate the extract first so you give detailed close analysis of the language used.
Explore HOW the author communicates her vision of time travel and Henry’s experience
and understanding of it.
Think about other instances in the rest of the novel where we find out more about the
effects and nature of time travel, from Henry as well as from Clare, Alba and others.
Remember to use the notes from our lesson on “Time Travel According to Henry
DeTamble”. This may form a useful structure to your essay (but don’t forget an
introduction & conclusion as well!).
Use the cone to help you structure your approach and remember Comment, Quote,
Analysis (TQE/PEE).
Use the list of terminology below as a starting point (any terms you don’t know, try to
find out their meaning and use them):
 Syndetic / asyndetic listing
 Coordinating / subordinating conjunction
 Connectives
 Compound/complex/simple/minor sentence
 Personal pronouns
 1st/2nd person
 Typography
 Pre-modifier
 Proper noun
 Concrete noun
 Abstract noun
 Lexical set
 Indexical sign
 Coinage
 Oxymoron
 Metaphor
 Foregrounding
 Sentence mood (declarative, imperative, exclamatory, interrogative)
 Manner
 Field specific lexis
 Intertextuality
You should aim to spend 1 hour writing the essay in exam conditions as this will replicate
what you will need to do in the module exams at the end of the year. Please leave your work
on my desk at the end of the lesson (name on top!).