Model Answers on “How to Melt the Arctic” (expository essay):
1. Identify TWO ways in which the writer achieves coherence in this selection. Support each
technique with a specific reference from the text. (6 marks)
The author of the essay “How to Melt the Arctic” uses certain techniques throughout his writing to
achieve coherence. First of all, pronoun reference present throughout the piece gives the piece a
natural flow. The phrase “The Arctic” is mentioned many times in the essay but is regularly replaced
by pronouns such as “it” and other synonyms such as “the region.” This avoids the unnecessary
repetition of “Arctic” which would if present make the writing both monotonous and dull. Secondly,
another way the author creates coherence in the essay is through the use of transitions. Various
transition such as “Another”, “The next”, and “finally” help ideas to flow smoothly into each other in
a way that is logical and makes sense. This is what coherence is all about.
2. Identify TWO different methods of essay development in this piece and explain how each helps
the writer to achieve his purpose. (6 marks)
The expository essay “How to Melt the Arctic” uses different methods of essay development to
achieve purpose. One method of development used is process analysis. The writer lays out, step by
step, how to melt the arctic. For example, in the second paragraph he says “For starter, is it essential
to identify the process- the engine- for melting the Arctic. Then it will be possible to outline the steps
that lead to actually doing it.” This helps to achieve his purpose of entertaining his audience as he is
providing both humour and satire exploit ring the serious subject of climate change and global
warming. Another method of essay development the writer uses is example/illustration. For
example, in the second last paragraph the writer gives many examples of what we can do to melt the
Arctic. He says “Make fun of science at every opportunity. Ignore the fact that there are people living
in the Arctic” just name a few. This helps to promote change in the reader because there is such a
strong overtone of sarcasm that the reader easily realizes that these examples are happening every
day and that the writer really doesn’t promote these things, rather he denounces them.
Model Answer on “A Story of War and Change” (narrative/personal essay):
3. Identify TWO different aspects of the writer’s style in essay “A Story of War and Change” and
explain how each is effective in helping the reader convey the subject matter of the writing. (6
marks)
War paramedics have a very fast-paced job and the writer of this personal essay uses elements of his
writing style to effectively convey this panic-stricken work environment and the stress that
accompanies this job. Firstly, a lack of paragraphing is one element of style that the writer uses. The
essay is written in one single paragraph. By not having separate paragraphs there are no breaks in the
writing. This helps to convey to the reader how a war paramedic has no breaks in his or her job. Once
they are out in the field they are forced to keep up with fast paced action because there very well
could be people’s lives on the line. Another aspect of style that the writer employs is the use of short
sentences. “I don’t stop. I clean my mouth, his mouth and start all over again” is an example of the
short sentence structure used throughout the essay. By using short, choppy sentences like this the
writer coveys the feeling of stress and panic of a war paramedic while trying to make quick decisions
on the job. In this job the paramedic is not able to take their time while evaluating each decision so
the use of short, choppy sentences are effective in communicating this.
Model Answer on “On the Road to Berlin” (descriptive essay):
4. Identify TWO different empathic devices used by the author in this essay and explain how each
is used effectively. Support your response with specific references from the text. (6 marks)
Pyle effectively uses both parallel structure and short sentences to add emphasis to words and
phrases important to his overall purpose and tone in the essay. His use of parallel structure throughout
the essay is evident especially in lines such as: “There were tanks….There were jeeps…There were
toothbrushes…” This use of parallel structure effectively emphasizes the vast array of refuse, litter and
debris deposited across the beach in the wake of the D-Day invasion. This helps the writer to fulfill his
purpose of informing the reader of the wastefulness of war. The writer also uses the emphatic device
of short sentences effectively in this piece to help convey his tone. For example, he uses sentence
structures like “The good luck emblem. Sure, hell yes. And we could afford it” when talking of a jellyfish
that he saw when coming upon the beach scene shortly after the D-Day invasion. Short sentences like
this help to pause the reader and more easily decipher the writer’s critical and condescending attitude
towards regarding the wasteful and unfortunate reality of war. The writer’s use of emphatic devices
are indeed effective in both establishing purpose and reinforcing tone.