ENG1501/201/0/2022

Tutorial Letter 201/0/2022

Foundations in English Literary Studies

ENG1501
Year module

Department of English Studies

Feedback Tutorial Letter for Assignment 01.

Open Rubric
Dear Students
In this tutorial letter, you will find the general feedback on Assignment 1. Please read the entire
letter in conjunction with the individualised comments on your assignment, and in conjunction with
the assignment feedback video available on myUnisa.

1. A very important note on PLAGIARISM

Many of you unfortunately submitted assignments that contained work that had been copied from
somewhere else. In many cases, you did not acknowledge using a source, and therefore
presented someone else’s work as your own. This is plagiarism.

Q: What is plagiarism?
A: Plagiarism is the act of taking words, ideas and thoughts of others and presenting it as your
own. It is a form of theft which involves a number of dishonest academic activities. For
instance, if you submit work written by someone else as your own assignment, it is
plagiarism. This includes any work you find on the internet, as well as assignment answers
shared via WhatsApp, Telegram, e-mail, etc.

Q: What can happen if I commit plagiarism?

A: If you commit plagiarism, the University can open a disciplinary investigation. This could lead
to you being unable to continue your studies.

Q: Where in Unisa’s policies is plagiarism discussed?

A: It is discussed in the Disciplinary Code, which appears on the myStudies website and is
given to all students at registration. Students are advised to study the Disciplinary Code,
especially chapter 3 (1.19). Plagiarism is also discussed in Unisa’s Policy on Copyright
Infringement and Plagiarism, which all students are expected to read.

Q: Where can I find these policies?

A: The Unisa Disciplinary Code can be found by following this link:
https://www.unisa.ac.za/static/corporate_web/Content/Apply%20for%20admission/Docu
ments/Unisa-Students-Disciplinary-Code-25-April-2014.pdf
The Unisa Policy on Copyright Infringement and Plagiarism can be found by following this
link:
https://www.unisa.ac.za/static/corporate_web/Content/Apply%20for%20admission/Docu
ments/Policy_copyright_infringement_plagiarism_16November2005.pdf

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Q: Where can I learn more about what plagiarism is and how to avoid it?
A: You can use this free online course:
https://sites.google.com/a/unisacommscience.co.za/writing-for-academic-
integrity/plagiarism

Q: If I plagiarise in my assignment, will I still receive marks for it?

A: No. You are not entitled to receive any marks for work that has been plagiarised. Remember
that in this module, you do not need to use any external sources to complete your
assignments. In fact, no external sources will have the right answers. You simply need to
work through all the study material, do all the learning activities, and participate in your e-
tutorials on myUnisa, and then you’ll be able to answer the questions using your own
knowledge and skills.

REMEMBER: If you plagiarise in Assignment 02 and Assignment 03, you will again be penalised
for it. In addition, disciplinary action can be taken against you, and you could
even be suspended from studying at any university in South Africa for up to
10 years! Don’t risk it. Be honest and do your own work!

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2. How to study for ENG1501 the right way
There are unfortunately people out there who exploit Unisa students by pretending to help. Be
wary of websites such as stuvia.co.za, raetse.co.za, togetherwepass.co.za, etc., as these are
often used by people who pretend to be helping but are just after your money. Use the acronym
STUDY to keep yourself alert and focused:

S Sounds too good to be true: If it sounds too good to be true, it is! Remember, no one
can ‘guarantee’ that you will pass a module by selling you ‘study notes’ and ‘study help’.
Real study groups run by serious fellow students will not ask you for money or airtime and
will not allow plagiarism.

T Truth: Individuals outside of Unisa who pretend to have some special access to your
lecturers and insight into the study material (including future exams) are not telling the
truth. ONLY your lecturers have access to exam papers. We would never share these with
outside individuals. The same goes for the exam scope. Trust only the official info that
lecturers send out via myUnisa.

U Unscrupulous individuals: Some untrustworthy leaders or owners of study groups and

websites will often attempt to undermine what your lecturers tell you. For instance, when
your lecturers send out announcements warning you against dishonest study groups and
plagiarism, these individuals will try and dismiss our advice by saying things like, ‘The
lecturers send these messages every semester’. This is to try and trick you so that you pay
for something that will not help you pass this module. If you receive SMSs advertising
‘workshops’ or ‘tutorials’ for Unisa modules, be extra careful if they are offered at a price.
Unisa will not make you pay for additional study packs and tutorial sessions.

D Do the module properly: Shortcuts will not help you pass ENG1501. However, following
the study plan and working through all the study material will. Each student is assigned to
an e-tutor, who offers weekly online tutorials on myUnisa. So go to your virtual
classroom! There you can participate in a range of activities and receive feedback from
your e-tutor. You can trust your e-tutor on myUnisa, because they are guided by your
lecturers. If you participate in your e-tutorials, you’ll find yourself working through the
module content at a steady pace that leaves you prepared for the assignments and exams
– on time! For help with finding your e-tutor site, find the relevant step-by-step guide under
the Additional Resources on the ENG1501 myUnisa site.

Y Your own work: Copying anyone else’s work – including the ‘model answers’ given by some
individuals in the study groups, or on social media platforms such as Telegram and
WhatsApp, or on websites – is plagiarism, even if you only use it to ‘guide’ your own
answers. Unisa uses sophisticated plagiarism detection software (such as, for instance,
Turnitin) to check whether students have copied from another source. We receive copies
of these supposed ‘model answers’ from students, so we can check whether you have
plagiarised. If you plagiarise, you will fail. Why take the risk? Rather do your own work!

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3. Resources that can help you while studying for ENG1501

• Your study material (all tutorial letters).
• Your e-tutor offers free, weekly tutorials on myUnisa (which is zero-rated for data).
• The ENG1501 Livestream Library on myUnisa offers helpful videos made by your lecturers.
• Guides on finding the e-reserves and your e-tutor are available under the Additional
Resources on myUnisa.
• You can contact your lecturers via e-mail on ENG1501@unisa.ac.za.

4. Feedback on Assignment 01

‘Testimony’ – Chris Mann

Completing the assignment

In order to complete this assignment, you should have worked through the section on poetry in
Tutorial Letter 501 (your Study Guide) as well as Tutorial Letter 102, both of which provide you
with essential information and guidance on responding to poetry and writing about it.

You had to answer in full sentences, and you should have supported your answers by quoting
from the poem.

You could use an example from a poem only once; you could not use the same example for each
of your answers.

Note: You must have noticed that each question included a mark allocation. This was to indicate
how much you should have written to support your answer. One mark represented one main point
or reason. If a question counted four marks, that means that you needed to supply four points or
reasons.

Remember that a feedback video on this assignment has also been uploaded in the Multimedia
Library on the ENG1501 myModules2022 site. Make sure that you watch the video, as it serves
as a companion resource to this feedback tutorial letter.

Below we have provided some suggested answers to the assignment questions. Because the
analysis of literature is open to interpretation, you may have included other ideas. You should,
however, always remember to provide evidence from the text (quotations of words or phrases) to
support what you say in your answer.

1. Refer stanza 1 and 2.

1.1 Based on the first stanza of the poem, how do you think the speaker feels about the
person he is addressing? Is this feeling different from how he felt in the past? Explain. (2)

The speaker addresses someone whom he used to love a long time ago, but does not love
anymore: ‘I do not love you anymore. / I used to […] (line 1-2). When they were young, they were
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in love, but they are not in love anymore.

1.2 The word ‘but’ in line 7 indicates a shift in the poem. What change occurs here? (1)

In the first stanza, the speaker says that he used to love the addressee when they were younger,
but he feels different now. The ‘but’ in line 7 introduces another dimension to the relationship –
although he no longer loves her in the same way as he did at the beginning, when he thinks back
to all they have shared, he learns a different truth.

1.3 In lines 9-11, the speaker mentions numerous aspects of life that have influenced his
relationship with the addressee. Describe one of the life events that the speaker
mentions. What did the experience teach the speaker and his partner about love? (3)

The speaker reflects on experiences that have been both full fulfilling and difficult, including the
‘bliss and strain of parenting’ (line 9), the struggle of working and losing jobs, as well as the loss
of loved ones through illness and death. The speaker reflects on the fact that these contrasting
experiences he has shared with his partner have helped him to ‘reach a truth’ (line 12) – he now
understands that love is about much more than what he thought it meant in his youth. The speaker
and his partner have known each other through the gamut of human experiences, not only the
good ones, and have come to realise that love means more than they initially believed.

2. Refer to stanzas 3 and 4.

2.1 How does the speaker describe his beloved in the third stanza, and what do these
descriptions reveal about her? (4)

The speaker calls her ‘subtle fingered’ (line 16) and humorous’ (line 16), as well as ‘oblivious’ (line
18) to some noises (like a telephone ringing). This suggests that she is artful (as does the
reference to her easel) and that she is witty or light-hearted. Linked to the description of her as
‘oblivious’ to noises that could interrupt her, it sounds as though she is whimsical and creative.

2.2 Explain the image of her ‘plenteous horn’ (line 24) in your own words. In your answer,
refer to the image of the ‘cornucopia’ (see: https://www.britannica.com/art/cornucopia).
(2)

The ‘plenteous horn’ calls to mind a ‘cornucopia’, the horn of abundance from Greek mythology.
This links to the flowery imagery used in the poem. It is a symbol of her contribution to the
relationship – she nourishes and provides for the speaker. The ‘plenteous horn’ is a symbol of
abundance.

3. Give an outline of the imagery used in the poem – what kind of images are used, and
what is the effect of these images? Quote at least two examples to support your reading.
(4)

The speaker uses images of flowers throughout the poem. He refers to ‘jasmine’ (line 4), ‘starlight’
(line 5) and ‘white camellia’ (line 26) in particular. He also refers to ‘the streets of spring’ (line 4)
and ‘sky of leaves’ (line 5) which can also be linked to flowers and plants. Flowers have
connotations of growth, (love) blossoming, and flourishing. These images suggest both a
sweetness (of first love) as well as link to the idea of growth explored in the poem.

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4. Identify a prominent sound device used in the poem. Name the device, quote at least two
examples from the poem, and explain the effect it has. Remember to underline or
highlight the relevant sounds in your answer. (3)

The poet uses alliteration in the first stanza, for example: ‘The scent of jasmine in the streets of
spring’ (line 4) and ‘the press of starlight through a sky of leaves’ (line 5). The use of alliteration
contributes to the lyrical quality of the poem.

5. The tone of the poem changes from the first stanza to the last stanza. Identify and explain
the tone in the first and last stanza and reflect on the change that occurs. Your answer
should include one word to describe the tone in the first stanza, with a reason for your
answer, and one word to describe the tone in the last stanza, with a reason for your
answer. Explain how the tone has changed. Be specific: happy/sad are not acceptable
answers. (3)

In the first stanza, the tone is nostalgic or reminiscent. The speaker expresses that although he
used to love the addressee, he does not feel the same way anymore. He thinks back longingly to
the time when their love was young and new.

In the final stanza, the tone is again nostalgic for what she used to look like, but in addition it ends
with the expression of how much more meaningful their love is now. The tone of the last few lines
is that of elation at being in a relationship with this person who is so special to him that it
‘cloudbursts’ through his heart. In this stanza, the tone is that of happiness and appreciation of
the beloved.

The tone in the poem changes from longing and nostalgia for the past when their love was young
and new, to a deep appreciation for the changes they have gone through together, and how that
realisation can lead to a much deeper love.

6. Identify and explain the main theme of the poem. Refer to the title of the poem to support
your analysis. (2)

The title of the poem, ‘Testimony’, suggests that the poem will give evidence or proof of
something. The speaker begins by saying that he no longer loves his beloved, as he did in the
past, but then explains that in fact their love is much stronger now. The theme of the poem is love
and how it can grow and develop in a relationship as two people face many challenges together.
The poem gives ‘testimony’ to this love by recounting how it was in the beginning, and how it is
now.

Sub-total: 25 marks
Use of language, organisation, and overall structure of assignment: 25 marks
Total: 50

END

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