If you are browsing the site because it’s more appealing than sitting down and figuring out what 6 paragraphs you’ll write for each of the Hamlet questions I gave you, that’s OK. Being here is better than being on facebook (from an educational perspective anyway). It’s ok, you don’t have to close the facebook tab.
Anyway, I just want to draw your attention to the links section which is on the left hand side of the screen. Almost every year you are given the opportunity to discuss some aspect of our education system/your experiences of education in Paper 1 so if you get a chance click on the links and soak up some ideas from some brilliant writers. See the education blog and www.nataliemonroe.com
Another excellent link is to www.joe.ie but you should specifically search for articles by William Nestor. His style of writing is exactly what you’re going for if asked to write a magazine article and he deals with a lot of topics relevant to young people like yourselves (piggytails or no piggytails, I don’t think I fit into that category anymore). I also really like Eoin Butler’s style of writing, a childhood arch-enemy of mine who now writes for the Irish Times magazine – check out his website www.eoinbutler.com
Some general news sites to make use of are www.guardian.co.uk ; www.huffingtonpost.com ; www.irishtimes.com ; www.bbc.co.uk ; www.rte.ie and today I found an interesting article on why teenagers are such rebels – to read it click on http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/7511842/Fourteen-the-most-dangerous-age.html
Finally, the most amazing English department website in the country (which makes my whole effort look pretty pathetic – sob!) is this one from St. Columba’s College in Dublin.
That’s all for now but check back occasionally, I may send you looking elsewhere for inspiration. Now close the facebook tab and get back to work!
Evelyn.
p.s. Here’s a really funny blogger talking about the LC – this is the style of writing you want to aim for in Paper 1. Full of self-mockery, lighthearted yet true to life – click LC blog.
p.p.s. Here’s a more ‘serious’ look at strategies for doing well in LC English, most of which I’ve said to you already. Don’t be put off by his tone – it sounds like he never did anything BUT study for the entire year! Click here to read it.
