EduNews Magazine EdUnews May/June 2014 | Page 9

without anyone stopping you” as well as (b) “the state of not being affected by the thing mentioned”. Step four: Brainstorm the topic. Let us say you use the definitions referred to in Step three. The core of each definition needs to be part of your brainstorming exercise: (a) “do or say what you want without anyone stopping you” and (b) “the state of not being affected by the thing mentioned” What do these definitions have in common? Answer: Nothing stops the subject from being, doing or saying. This should be the thread that keeps your assignment together. This sounds so like Elsa, doesn’t it? List all the quotations that prove that Elsa acts, speaks and is with or without limitation. As a guide, look for any part of the dialogue or stage directions where you see that Elsa evokes a shocking reaction in the reader. In order to do this, you will have to read the play again. Now, do it with a highlighter and a notepad next to you. Thereafter, do the same with each of the other characters. The more effort you put into the preparation stages, the easier it will be to formulate your personal response which is a prerequisite for this paper. Step five: Now you have a framework for your assignment. Remember, you do not have to agree with your examiner. However, if you use the definitions as they are, you may not have a choice. If you change the definition slightly, you may disagree with my conclusion. It is, therefore, very important to set the perimeters of the essay in your introduction. After you have jotted down all the possi