Here's a breakdown of the possibilities:
1. Questions with overlapping themes:
* Yes, you can often combine two questions into one PEE if they explore the same overarching theme or idea. For example, you might have two questions:
* "How does Shakespeare present the theme of love in Romeo and Juliet?"
* "How does Shakespeare explore the consequences of violence in Romeo and Juliet?"
You could combine these into a single PEE paragraph that focuses on how love and violence are intertwined in the play, arguing, for example, that Shakespeare uses the tragic consequences of love-fueled violence to highlight the destructiveness of hatred.
2. Questions that are too broad:
* Sometimes, you might be given two broad questions that could benefit from being combined. For example:
* "What is the significance of setting in Pride and Prejudice?"
* "How does Austen use characterization to convey her message in Pride and Prejudice?"
You could combine these into a single PEE paragraph that explores how setting contributes to Austen's characterization. You might argue that the social settings of balls, country estates, and London create opportunities for Austen to showcase character flaws and virtues, ultimately revealing her message about social expectations and the importance of self-awareness.
3. Questions with distinct focuses:
* It's generally not advisable to combine questions that focus on entirely different aspects of a text. For example:
* "How does the use of imagery contribute to the atmosphere of the poem 'The Raven'?"
* "What is the significance of the speaker's psychological state in 'The Raven'?"
Combining these into one PEE would be difficult because they require separate analyses. You would need to write two separate PEE paragraphs, one for each question.
Key Considerations:
* Make sure the combination makes sense: The combined argument should be logical and cohesive.
* Don't sacrifice depth: Avoid cramming too much information into one PEE paragraph. It's better to write two separate paragraphs if necessary.
* Check the question wording: Pay attention to the specific instructions and the number of points you need to address.
Ultimately, the best way to decide whether to combine two questions into one PEE is to carefully analyze their relationships and ensure that the combined argument is clear, focused, and supported by evidence.