All of the following answers are from the 2014 LC Mock, but are from different questions. This wouldn't be possible in the exam, but I found it necessary to focus on both a factual and fictional piece, and include a question about images.
2014 Mocks - Q A
1) For the entirety of this text, the author tries- and ultimately succeeds- to prove the point that The Avengers was, rightly and justly, a successful film, providing many valid and interesting points in doing so.
Firstly, Jennifer Doll identifies the basic 'wham-bam' appeal of the blockbuster. She mentions the star-studded "celebrity ensemble" of the cast, the "spectacular special effects", and the universally appealing plot, in the first paragraph. As the movie does, Doll tries here to grab our attention instantly with immediate, and, if somewhat superficial, undeniably exciting ideas. The writer justifies the success of this "cartoonish mission" by recognising the human desire to identify famous characters, herself putting the actor's name ("Tony Stark") before the character's ("Ironman"). She also acknowledges the undeniable appeal of a universally understandable plot "that can be comprehended on different levels and by audiences of wide-ranging ages". In displaying the film's thrill appeal, Doll begins to justify its success.
The writer also describes the appealing thread of morality that is stitched throughout the film. She addresses the enjoyment that surrendering "any cynical or indifferent thoughts we might have" to enjoy "basic moral tales" invariably brings. In this case, morality is found in the "giant, potent, special-effects-laden lessons" of human frailty- even the superheroes "(quibble).. Like childish, average people". Equality is cited as prominent- the women are "no less powerful than their male counterparts"- and Doll sells acceptance here, saying that it's "impossible" to be a superhero; that even these "cartoonish" films can "give is something to believe in". The author shows that the didactic aspects of the film are as attractive in their moral appeal as "fables" were long ago, feeding, as they do, the human hunger for leadership and direction.
Ultimately, the author develops the idea that The Avengers indulges in a world of fantasy. This is an almost ideal world, wherein "the heroes win and the alien attackers are pushed back". Unlike in real life, evil is not subtle or lurking, "but comes right at our heroes, talking and spluttering with red-tinged teeth!". The Avengers depicts, as Doll states, "the world the way we wish it could be", where "right overcomes wrong" and the "good guys" succeeds against "evil". The film is portrayed by the author as being an escape from the subtleties of good and bad, of grey areas and 'on-balance-really-quite-ok' guys that reality so often confuses us with. Doll justifies the success of The Avengers by showing its function as an escape from reality- one which all creative works aspire to.
In conclusion, the author makes some very interesting points and provides convincing evidence that justifies the film's success effectively.
14/15
Text B
Q 2
I absolutely agree that the text and accompanying images in this piece combine to effectively create an air of tension and worry in this passage.
A heavy emphasis was put, in bot images and text, on Sherlock's individuality and loneliness, creating an intense, concentrated atmosphere. Sherlock's only "intellectual equal" is his enemy, Moriaty, whose demise is pivotal to Sherlock's career. His patently solitary struggle against Moriaty is echoed in the monologue of Sherlock's speech, and the unyielding focus on the protagonist in images A and B. In image A, Watson is turned towards Sherlock, hanging on his every word. While Watson's face is turned, Sherlock's stares defiantly forward- Watson's face is acting, as his character does in the text, as an almost purely compositional element to alert the audience to Sherlock. In image B, the detective walks down a solitary lane, entirely alone. The intensely personal nature of these texts and images add a human drama to their meaning.
Both the images and text in this piece are very dramatic. Moriaty is not just a clever man- he is a "genius", a "philosopher", an "abstract thinker". Of course, the villain's brilliance is not used for stealing sweets, either- Moriaty is the "deep organising power which forever stands in the way of the law", the creator of "over forty mysteries". Similarly extreme are the images that accompany this text. In image A, Sherlock is not merely smoking a pipe- his knotted brow and raised eyebrow almost suggest that he's using the pipe as a regulator for his thoughts. In image B, a man is not simply going for a stroll- instead he is embarking on a personal journey, on a symbolically straight, single path. He is surrounded by the fog of his thoughts but is undeniably sure of direction. The pure drama of both images and text here provide an extremely tense air in the piece.
Lastly, a sense of battle is well-established in this piece, through both written and visual elements. Sherlock's language is strategic and almost aggressive- "if we move at all prematurely, you understand, they may slip out of our hands and evade capture even at the last moment". Sherlock has a rigid, military posture in image A, and the exact diagonal of his hand cupping his pipe echoes a military salute. In image B, his posture is again upright and exact, as he marches down his single, certain path, like a soldier to battle. The elements of an intense cognitive battle is exaggerated and prominent in this piece, and adds a very dramatic and tense air to the piece.
The mixed media of images and text combine perfectly in this piece to create a very tense, foreboding atmosphere.
15/15
"Shows good involvement with the text, but may be too long".
She was right- my section B suffered after all this.
Text 1
3) The author of this text succeeds in simultaneously informing and engaging the reader throughout her article, using both her subject matters and her language effectively to do so.
Doll's article is engagingly fast-paced and quippy, in terms of both substance and style. She uses short, digestible paragraphs (the second paragraph is just 14 lines long) , and easily glides from fact to idea, almost effortlessly gliding from the "tech appeal" of the film to it's- somewhat more substantial-moral lessons. In terms of her language use, Doll is concise. She uses short, snappy terms- "bangs, smashes, and impressive fight scenes"-which grab the reader's attention. Any statistics she provides are presented in a quippy, pleasing manner- "more than $640 million in the first ten days". The reader's enjoyment is enhanced by Doll's informative yet snappy style.
While the writer's style is informative, it manages to maintain an air if drama. Doll does bot focus on small figures or facts- the film takes in "more than $64 million" in its first ten days and has "spectacular" special effects. Doll focuses on the extremes of the film rather than its subtleties- evil "comes right at our heroes, talking and sputtering with red-tinged teeth". Her use of adjectives throughout the piece is similarly dramatic- we see what should be the basic fact of the "special effects" in the film enhanced and exaggerated by Doll's use of the word "jaw-dropping", for example. The content and style of this piece, while informative, succeeds in adding a dramatic enjoyment to its reader's experience.
Another factor that makes the style and content of this piece entertaining is the author's personal, informal tone. We see her personal insights- "maybe they give us something to believe in. Maybe we need that" - and opinions- "That is also why movies work. We want something bigger than us." Even in her most factual moments, the presence of the writer can be felt- a direct quote from the film ("..red on her ledger") is followed immediately by Doll's opinion- "Her flaws only serve to make her a more empowering role model." Stylistically, Doll constantly refers to her audience as "we", automatically drawing the reader in and adding a personal touch to the piece. She uses such personal words as "wish" and "imagine". The presence of the author throughout this informative piece adds an entertaining aspect to its otherwise factual appeal.
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