The step-by step guide to…

1. The step-by step guide to… … writing an analytic paragraph which answers a question! Connection to a place is fundamental to an individual’s sense of belonging. To what extent is this concept of belonging shown in Chapter 1 of T J Winch’s Swallow The Air?

2. STEP 1 – UNPACK THE QUESTION Connection to a place is fundamental to an individual’s sense of belonging. To what extent is this concept of belonging shown in Chapter 1 of T J Winch’s Swallow The Air? STEP 1: UNPACK THE QUESTION! Connection = belonging / a link / relationship / bond / Place =location / site / ‘home’ / space / Fundamental= important / basic / essential / vital Individual = person / identity / self / person Sense = feeling / perception / impression / awareness Belonging = fitting in / feel at home / feel safe / feel secure in yourself / feeling good To what extent= how much / how important is / how “obvious” Concept =idea / understanding / perception / point of view

3. STEP TWO: RE-WRITE THE QUESTION!in simpler – longer sentence(s) Just how much is it shown - In chapter 1 of S.T.A. – that ‘having a bond to a particular location is really important to a person feeling good’ ?

4. STEP THREE: WRITE THE (THESIS) STATEMENT SENTENCE: • In chapter 1 of Swallow The Air, a significant concept shown is that a strong connection to place is fundamental to an individual’s sense of belonging.OR… • In Swallow The Air (ch 1), the concept that a connection to place is fundamental to an individual’s sense of belonging is shown to a large extent.OR… • In Swallow The Air (ch 1), an individual’s connection to a place is shown, to a large extent, as being fundamental to an individual’s sense of belonging.

6. Final paragraph… In Swallow The Air (ch 1), an individual’s connection to a place is shown, to a large extent, as being fundamental to an individual’s sense of belonging. In the first chapter, TJ Winch creates recurring images which reveals the special places and features of May’s local beach. May takes special notice of the sand, the water and the sky as she explores her rock pool. Although Billy is on the beach too, May is not focused on her brother at all. Her focus in on the place – and not on her brother. All alone, May makes a close inspection of the beach as she "looks for her usual spot” in the rock pool. The simplesentence structure and the inclusion of the adjective “usual”shows the unmistakable idea that this is a place that May visits on a regular basis. The “usual” spot is a place where May feels she belongs. The simple reference to the “usual spot” contrasts to Winch’s use of poetic language in”…the heaving sand… the lilac sky… the shimmered waves”.The frequent emotive language, colour motifs and symbols create recurring imagery ofthe intricate features of the beach. Winch creates close-up images of all the special places and this shows the close relationship that May has with this place. The recurring imagery of the features of the beach, and May’s intimate knowledge of her “usual spot”, clearly reveals that connection to place is fundamental to May’s sense of belonging.