Plato, Not ProzacHigher Close Reading

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Understanding

Explain briefly why the writer believes that “Modern times are a puzzle.”

“Most people in Western countries are richer and healthier today than they have ever been.”

“people are less happy and fulfilled than their forebears. They feel discontented.”

Those living in developed countries enjoy more economic and technological benefits than ever before. (1)

However, they are more unhappy than in the past. (1)

Answer

Technique Evidence Explanation of how the technique works

(this must be specific and detailed).

Analysis

Show how the writer uses in these lines two features of sentence structure to emphasise his point of view.

Repetition of ‘Their lives are made’ at the start of consecutive sentences helps to highlight the many ways that technological advances have improved people’s lives. We would expect this to lead to happiness.

Balanced sentence at the end of paragraph two ‘All they know . .. at least solace.’ The first part of this sentence underlines the material prosperity enjoyed by many; the second part connects this to a yearning for fulfilment. This helps to emphasise the contrast between our prosperity and our unhappiness.

Show how the imagery in lines 21-23 conveys the unsatisfactory nature of “these efforts”.

Quote the image Identify the literal root Say what it is being compared to Explain the effect of this

comparison( ensuring that you link back to the question at this point).

Imagery

“They might seem to work for a time but, like most mere coverings, they become worn or frayed and the shape of the original problem starts to show through.”

‘These efforts’ are compared to ‘mere coverings’. This simile suggests a piece of material that is used to disguise something. This is being compared to how quick fixes are used to hide the emptiness many feel without addressing the underlying problems. The comparison is extended by saying the ‘coverings’ become ‘worn or frayed’. This suggests that these quick fixes only work for a while; just like a material covering will become damaged and expose the original problem, so our emptiness will again surface.

How effective do you find the imagery in lines 26-29 in describing the writer’s beliefs about the importance of philosophy?

Evaluation- say that it is successful/ effective/ skilful. Give personal response- ‘I find this effective because . . .’

In fact, modern Westerners are like thirsty people drinking from a muddy puddle on the banks of a great river of clear water, as if they simply had not noticed the river’s existence, or did not know they could drink from it. The river in question is philosophy.

Modern Westerners- thirsty people Quick fixes- muddy puddle Philosophy- great river of clear water.

The writer’s use of imagery is effective in conveying the importance of philosophy in curing the problems of modern life.

Identify, in the linking sentence, two words or phrases, one pointing back and one pointing forward.

Link the backward pointing one with the relevant part of the previous paragraph.

Link the forward one with the relevant parts of the following paragraph.

You must have followed all four of these steps to be awarded two marks.

Linking question

Astonishingly, though most people at one time or another ask themselves some of these questions, they almost never turn to the immensely rich tradition of philosophical debate to see what our culture’s greatest minds had to say about them.

Astonishingly, though most people at one time or another ask themselves some of these questions, they almost never turn to the immensely rich tradition of philosophical debate to see what our culture’s greatest minds had to say about them.

‘These questions’ refers back to the topic of the previous paragraph- the questions about life considered by philosophy.

‘almost never turn to the immensely rich tradition of philosophical debate’ introduces the topic of the new paragraph- reasons why people fail to engage with philosophy.

Explain why “All the great philosophers have insisted on the fundamental importance of independent thought”.

There are great benefits for coming to your own opinion on a topic. As you have taken the time to reach that opinion, it is more likely to be long lasting. In contrast, if you simply accept someone else’s opinion, it is less likely to last.

Show how the writer’s use of language in line 51-61 makes clear his contempt for ‘heteronomy’. Refer to more than one language feature in your answer.

Imagery- ‘easily taken off the shelf’. The writer is comparing the quick fixes of

‘heteronomy’ to shopping for products at a supermarket. This clearly ridicules the belief that we can purchase an easy solution to major problems created by modern life as easily as we would buy toothpaste. It also contains allusions to the consumer culture that creates many of these problems and encourages the false solutions of ‘heteronomy’.

Sentence structure –The final sentence ‘It is like dieting . . .or labour.’

A colon is used to introduce a list of ‘external’ methods of dieting. These are all relatively quick fixes that do not require the individual to demonstrate strength of character. This list helps to emphasises the amount of easy solutions that people will turn to instead of looking at ‘autonomy’. This is reinforced by the list of what these external solutions do not require form us’ no will power . . .’ The repetition of ‘no’ is effective in highlighting how little these solutions require from he individual. It also provides a strong climax to the paragraph by outlining that ‘heteronomy’ is a lazy solution.

Show how the writer’s word choice in lines 62-68 makes clear the contrast between philosophy and the usual way.

Philosophy is described as ‘open-minded’. This has connotations of freedom and creativity. This suggests that philosophy is not restricted and does not follow a set pattern.

‘The usual way’ is described as ‘pre-packaged’. This has unappealing connotations of something with little vitality, of conformity. This suggests that this way does follow a set pattern and encourages everyone to think in the same way.

How effective do you find any two aspects of the final paragraph in concluding the writer’s argument?

Identify two different features- imagery, ideas, tone, sentence structure- and explain how they reiterate key ideas from earlier in the passage.

Imagery of ‘muddy puddles’ and ‘the river flowing nearby’ effective returns to the passages key image: people turning to harmful quick fixes instead of philosophy, which would help to cure their thirst for meaning in their life. This is the writer’s main argument throughout the passage.

He also returns to the key idea of ‘independent thought’. People will not be forced to drink form this river; it is up to them to choose: ‘if they accept the invitation’.

Consider the attitude displayed by each writer to modern life.

Referring to important ideas in the passages, identify the key areas on which they agree.

You may answer this question in continuous prose or in a series of developed bullet points.

Comparative Question

Identify the key ideas of passage one. Use your answers to understanding questios

to help you. Have some short quotations as evidence.

Step One

Identify the key ideas of passage two. Use your answers to understanding

questions to help you. Jot down short quotations.

Step Two

Find areas where they agree Put your notes into an answer.

Step Three

Consider the attitude displayed by each writer to Scotland’s relationship with alcohol.

Referring to important ideas in the passages, identify the key areas on which they agree.

You may answer this question in continuous prose or in a series of developed bullet points.

For tomorrow

Compose your answer in the form of a mini-essay or developed bullet points

Step Four