TEEL
with bells and whistles
Notes supplied by Helen Anderton, Northcote HS.
The case of
the text response essay
The Text Response Essay
Intro
Body
Conclusion
The Text Response Essay
Intro
Body
Conclusion
T
E
E
L
T
E
E
L
The Text Response Essay
Intro
Body
Conclusion
T
E
E
L
Topic Sentence
Elaboration of Argument
Evidence
Link back to Contention
The Text Response Essay
Intro
Body
Conclusion
L
I
E
S
L
I
E
S
T
E
E
L
Topic Sentence
Elaboration of Argument
Evidence
Link back to Contention
The Text Response Essay
Intro
Body
Conclusion
L
I
E
S
Link your opening sentences to the topic
Indicate the author and title
Establish a contention
Signal/signpost your arguments
T
E
E
L
Topic Sentence
Elaboration of argument
Evidence
Link back to contention
The Text Response Essay
Intro
Body
Conclusion
L
I
E
S
Link your opening sentences to the topic
Indicate the author and title
Establish a contention
Signal/signpost your arguments
T
E
E
L
Topic sentence
Elaboration of argument
Evidence
Link back to contention
R
R
R
R
R
R
The Text Response Essay
Intro
Body
Conclusion
L
I
E
S
Link your opening sentences to the topic
Indicate the author and title
Establish a contention
Signal/signpost your arguments
T
E
E
L
Topic Sentence
Elaboration of argument
Evidence
Link back to contention
R
R
R
Restate contention
Restate arguments
Round off essay
Montana 1948
• “David grows up over the summer of 1948.”
Discuss
Format of Text Response Essay
• Introduction:
(LIES)
Link opening sentence to topic
Indicate text & author if appropriate
Establish contention
Signposts #1, #2, #3, #4
Paragraphs 1-4:
(TEEL)
Topic sentence
Explanation
Evidence
Link
Conclusion:
(Triple R)
Re-state the contention
Re-state argument(s)
Round off essay
Introduction
When we first meet David Hayden he is still an
innocent child, immersed in hunting, shooting
and fishing and the carefree life that such a town
as Bentrock had to offer. His Uncle Frank is his
hero embodying all the golden characteristics
However,
it is does
the revelation
that his father
not have . of Frank’s immoral
actions that confront and shock David and take
forever his innocent
view that
of the
. around
David learns
theworld
people
him are not what they seem
;
he discovers
that the law is
for the dominantand
fewthat the good can be the ones
who are punished for crimes they did not commit .
However, one of the most confronting things
David learns is that we all harbour the potential
within us to commit cruel and immoral acts .
Link
opening
sentence
to topic
(general)
Establish
contention
Signpost
#1
Signpost #2
Signpost #3
Signpost #4
Paragraph #1
With the revelation of Uncle Frank’s crimes
David becomes aware that people are not what
The
from grace of his Uncle Frank shows him
they fall
seem.
that people you love and revere can harbour a dark
and vile side. But his rejection of Frank, “good old
Uncle Frank was gone forever”, is contrasted with his
growing awareness of his father as a person of
courage and moral integrity. He is able to construct
an understanding that the childhood dream of a Wild
West sheriff can be replaced by a father who is able
revelations
to be respected as an These
upholder
of the are
law rites-ofin a far
passage
transitionsway.
for the emerging adolescent who is
more meaningful
David.
Topic
sentence
Explanatio
n
Evidence
Link
Paragraph #2
David also learns that the power invested in those
with privileged positions enables them to
manipulate and control the law for theirDavid
own ends.is
immersed in the Hayden dynasty and sees how
Julian’s manipulation of the sheriff ‘s position enables
him to have the power ‘he wanted, he needed’. The
benefit of such control becomes evident when Frank is
incarcerated in the basement rather than placed in the
But it is the
jail. This preferential treatment in itself symbolises his
cover-up of Frank’s death and the collusion with
privileged situation.
others of position in the town to cover up his
crimes that bring about David’s realisation that the
law works for the privileged few.
Topic
sentence
Explanatio
n
Evidence
Link
Paragraph #3
David’s growing awareness of how the law can be abused
is consolidated as he comes to terms with the fact that
often it can be the good who are punished rather than
As the
carbreak
pullsthe
away
those
who
law. from their house, leaving Bentrock
forever, David notes that they were the ones who received “the
shitty end of the stick”. Isolated from their community, all ties
severed with their family they say their goodbyes, “The number
of people seemed so small that it diminsihed my parents’ years
in Bentrock.” Frank’s crimes are never exposed and his death is
covered up. Marie’s death remains unpunished and there is no
indication that the inherent racism towards and marginalisation
Davidwill
carries
understanding with
of the Indigenous people
ever bethis
atoned.
him into his adult life and as a history teacher knows “that
the record of any human community might omit stories of
sexual abuse, murder, suicide…”
Topic
sentence
Explanatio
n
Evidence
Evidence
Link
Paragraph #4
Perhaps the most significant sign of David’s
maturing is his realisation that we all have the
Davidus.and his parents visit
potential forWhen
evil within
Julian’s ranch after Frank’s crimes are revealed
David is filled with a swirling mix of emotions. When
David shoots a magpie he notes: “Looking in the
dead bird’s eye, I realised that these strange
unthought of connections – sex and death, lust and
violence, desire and degradation – are there deep in
David’s
own
actions,
coupled with his growing
even
a good
heart’s
chamber.”
awareness of the wrongs committed by his Uncle
Frank, give him new insights into human
behaviour.
Topic
sentence
Explanatio
n
Evidence
Link
Conclusion
As David signals to us in the prologue, the
summer of 1948 contains events and realisations
that move David away from the innocence of his
understandings
of who
childhood andHis
intonaive
the adult
world.
people are and how society works are shattered.
However,
importantly,
he
discovers
understandings about himself and the world in
which he lives that truly signify a more mature
and reflective view of how people think and act.
Re-state
contentio
n
Re-state
argument
s
Round off
essay