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HSC Stuff => HSC English Stuff => HSC Subjects + Help => HSC English Extension 1 => Topic started by: elysepopplewell on January 28, 2016, 09:30:01 pm

Title: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on January 28, 2016, 09:30:01 pm
Before you can ask a question, you'll have to make an ATAR Notes account here. Once you've done that, a little 'reply' button will come up when you're viewing threads, and you'll be able to post whatever you want! :)

Hey!

As you may be familiar with if you have looked through the other English forums, English is my passion. Extension 1 English was my favourite of the English courses. This largely has to do with the fact that I studied: After the Bomb. My prescribed texts were: The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, Waiting for Godot and Sylvia Plath's poetry.

However! If you didn't study After the Bomb, I'm hoping to still be useful to you. Even if I can't be helpful (never say never), your peers will be. So let's use this thread as a way of asking questions about everything general. Don't hold back if something you want to ask is text related. We are one big ATAR Notes HSC family here, so anything you ask should be answered in a friendly and open environment.

Private message me if you need, but I'd love for you to post openly here so that everyone can see the response.
Title: Re: 45 in Extension 1 English: Ask me anything!
Post by: tcjae1 on January 30, 2016, 07:18:09 pm
hey there!
im doing After the bomb, and im having trouble with my Waiting for Godot prac essay.

The question is:

On its first staging in 1953, a reviewer of 'Waiting for Godot' wrote 'we were waiting for this play of our time'. To what extent does this statement resonate with your own interpretation of the play? In your response engage with both the text as well as relevant socio-political and ideological standings.

Thanks in advance  :)
Title: Re: 45 in Extension 1 English: Ask me anything!
Post by: elysepopplewell on February 01, 2016, 06:51:51 pm
hey there!
im doing After the bomb, and im having trouble with my Waiting for Godot prac essay.

The question is:

On its first staging in 1953, a reviewer of 'Waiting for Godot' wrote 'we were waiting for this play of our time'. To what extent does this statement resonate with your own interpretation of the play? In your response engage with both the text as well as relevant socio-political and ideological standings.

Thanks in advance  :)

Hey! Wow this is such an interesting essay question. Your teacher has worded the last part of the question really well, I like it.
So, first of all, the reviewer is making a pun on the play's title. The reviewer is also responding to the fact that like the protagonist's, the viewers of the text were also in a completely paralysed, waiting, state. The Cold War was so much about waiting - waiting for a bomb to drop - waiting for a solution - waiting for a new time. Sounds like Vladimir and Estragon! Also, the politics involved a bit of banter - just like the text in the play! So in those ways - the statement resonates with me understanding of the play! Also, in the play, they say "All of mankind is us." In this way, the play is made universal. Just as the reviewer uses the shared possessive "our," inferring humankind, the protagonists also feel that the condition is shared.

So in there, there is mention of the sociopolitical side of things. The play, in many ways, was a catalyst for recognising the futility of the war by theatre-goers. So that is what the reviewer is recognising as the importance of the piece. Also, remember that this is a satire! It shed such a brutally truthful light on something so, so serious, even life-threatening.

If you want to take another interpretation, you can talk about the rise of nihilism during this time. This means that you espouse the interpretation that either Godot or Pozzo is a deity (whether you pick Pozzo or Godot to be the deity, you will find these two are very different interpretations!).

You could also take on the perspective of this being totally a metanarrative for economic systems. Who is the communist in all of this? Who is the victim of government here? Who is brutalised? Who is let down?

Does this make much sense to you? Post back to be and we can keep teasing out some more ideas! :)
Title: Re: 45 in Extension 1 English: Ask me anything!
Post by: bmcclean on February 05, 2016, 09:05:10 pm
Hey!
I do E1 and E2 and love both, I genuinely really enjoy both courses. I'm good at essay writing, in English Advanced I will usually get 95%-100%. However E1 essays are my downfall! I understand the themes and topics and texts but I just can't seem to get the standard of essay to get those top marks. Do you have any tips for specifically writing E1 essays? How can I practice writing for E1?


Thanks in advance  :) 
Title: Re: 45 in Extension 1 English: Ask me anything!
Post by: jonkhalil99 on February 06, 2016, 10:19:52 am
Before you can ask a question, you'll have to make an ATAR Notes account here. Once you've done that, a little 'reply' button will come up when you're viewing threads, and you'll be able to post whatever you want! :)

Hey!

As you may be familiar with if you have looked through the other English forums, English is my passion. Extension 1 English was my favourite of the English courses. This largely has to do with the fact that I studied: After the Bomb. My prescribed texts were: The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, Waiting for Godot and Sylvia Plath's poetry.

However! If you didn't study After the Bomb, I'm hoping to still be useful to you. Even if I can't be helpful (never say never), your peers will be. So let's use this thread as a way of asking questions about everything general. Don't hold back if something you want to ask is text related. We are one big ATAR Notes HSC family here, so anything you ask should be answered in a friendly and open environment.

Private message me if you need, but I'd love for you to post openly here so that everyone can see the response.

Hey There!!
I'm doing the After the Bomb Module too, texts being, Waiting For Godot, An Artist of the Floating World and Sylvia Plath's poetry.

I need to hand in an essay by Friday answering the question,
"In After the Bomb, composers not only critique their personal and political values but also manipulate textual forms and features in response to their times. Evaluate this statement with reference to Waiting for Godot and a text of your own choosing."

Firstly, I don't have a related text yet organised and secondly I am not too sure how I should structure my response to this question.
Should I be worried??  ???

Will appreciate any kind of help you can provide!
J
Title: Re: 45 in Extension 1 English: Ask me anything!
Post by: elysepopplewell on February 07, 2016, 10:33:08 am
Hey!
I do E1 and E2 and love both, I genuinely really enjoy both courses. I'm good at essay writing, in English Advanced I will usually get 95%-100%. However E1 essays are my downfall! I understand the themes and topics and texts but I just can't seem to get the standard of essay to get those top marks. Do you have any tips for specifically writing E1 essays? How can I practice writing for E1?


Thanks in advance  :)

Hey! I'm thrilled to hear about your passion for English. Your scores in Advanced are awesome! Keep that up. In saying this, I see why you don't find it as easy in Extension 1. My experience was that I found it easier to write for Advanced, even though the course was more demanding (because you move between modules, in Ext 1 you stick to the one!).

Okay! First of all, have you tried to write an integrated essay? It's common in Advanced essays that paragraphs (with two texts) are structured like this:
Intro
Para 1 - thesis 1 and text 1
Para 2 - thesis 1 and text 2
Para 3 - thesis 2 and text 1
Para 4 - thesis 2 and text 2
Conclusion.

In Extension, the markers want you to take a standard structure and totally manipulate it to show a wonderful way with words. That's why you do Extension 1: You are better than just "good" with words. So I recommend that in Extension 1 - you start working with integrated paragraphs. You'll hear from some people that Extension markers only give the top marks to integrated paragraphs - I don't think this is true. Nothing in any criteria says this is true. However, the criteria does imply that you need to write more than a standard stock essay. You need to take big ideas, and really thread them through your texts - it needs to be seamless. So my number 1 tip for you is to play around with integrated essays - if you haven't already. Have you? Let me know. It is something I toyed with all year but I couldn't master it. Then after trials I thought "my essay is missing something...that missing something is a killer structure." So I scratched everything, started fresh, and wrote a very dense and complicated integrated essay - and I'm so proud of it haha. For some people, writing in an integrated manner is easy. I mean, orally, when comparing two texts, you flick back between texts without thinking. You just need to put that into written form.


Now, as for preparing...
This is sooooo hard! I'm sorry to say it. The reason being that, in Advanced, you can have a crack at predicting questions and be fairly close to the mark. Each year, the Extension 1 HSC exam is so different from the year before. It's difficult to pick - but look at the patterns. When you have an essay that you love - you need to prepare for exams by applying it to each past question available to you. Ask your teacher for the past half yearly papers and the past trial papers too. Use everything at your disposal.

I suggest that you prepare an essay...and more. By this I mean, you need to have an essay that you are proud of and love working with. It should be flexible but strong, it should have a thesis statement that you love, etc. But also, have a set of notes at home with other ways of viewing the text. Have prepared textual evidence that isn't in your essay, have perspectives stored in your mind (applying different paradigms for example, so in After the Bomb you could look at something from the perspective of a male or female, then look at a text from the view of a socialist, then a capitalist, so on and so on). This way, although you specialise in your essay, you have some extra knowledge that you can draw on if you are ever caught in a tricky situation because the Extension 1 essays can seem so wild. Usually, your in school assessments will be preparing you for your general understanding of the text rather than for the exams. So use this as an opportunity to make your textual understanding perfect, and then throughout the year, apply this knowledge to different questions, different essay styles, different perspectives, etc.

My last tip for you bmcclean, is to think "what are the markers expecting of me that differentiates me from an advanced student to an extension student? What differentiates this essay from an advanced essay?" The idea is, in extension you talk about metanarratives, critical perspectives, you read scholarly articles, there's no flimsy concept based stuff (*cough* Area of study *cough*). This is dense, textual analysis at the highest level that you can turn out.

Does this give you a bit more direction? Talk to me about it, let me know! If this has given you more questions - ask them too! Thanks for posting :)
Title: Re: 45 in Extension 1 English: Ask me anything!
Post by: elysepopplewell on February 07, 2016, 10:52:45 am
Hey There!!
I'm doing the After the Bomb Module too, texts being, Waiting For Godot, An Artist of the Floating World and Sylvia Plath's poetry.

I need to hand in an essay by Friday answering the question,
"In After the Bomb, composers not only critique their personal and political values but also manipulate textual forms and features in response to their times. Evaluate this statement with reference to Waiting for Godot and a text of your own choosing."

Firstly, I don't have a related text yet organised and secondly I am not too sure how I should structure my response to this question.
Should I be worried??  ???

Will appreciate any kind of help you can provide!
J

I love that you signed off with "J." That is so After the Bomb in tone haha. I love it!

Okay, should you be worried? No! Unless worrying makes you inspired to not procrastinate, in which case, yes worry! But you are so early on in the piece - no matter how crappy the essay you turn in is, you will get enough feedback to give you direction to accelerate you into the next assessment. However, you obviously want to produce work at your best level so that you receive feedback to that level.

Now, your essay question is awesome, It's so broad and it's perfect for you at this stage because you're gathering your thoughts on each text for the first time in essay form.

So, you're structure. Start with an introduction. Introduce some non-text specific ideas first - show that you know the era. This is how I started my essay (Note: This was the last ever extension 1 essay I composed, my first essay introductions looked nothing like this haha - but I'm showing you to give you an idea of how you eventually should structure your essay.)

As a response to the shift in global consciousness that occurred in the wake of the second worldwide war, composers of the after the bomb era grappled with evocative ideas. Conservative morals of political compliance, gender roles and obedience to an omniscient God that characterised common ways of thinking before the atomic bomb are challenged by the texts of the post bomb era. Samuel Beckett’s play Waiting for Godot and Stanley Kubrick’s Dr Strangelove reflect incredulity towards conservative ways of thinking and the perceived truths. Similarly, Sylvia Plath’s poetic anthology Ariel and the 1959 Kitchen Debate between Richard Nixon and Nikita Khrushchev represent opposing discourses of social importance. By drawing on common perceptions and social dichotomies, composers seek to challenge ways of thinking.

So open your introduction with non-text specific stuff. Flesh out the ways of thinking in the next sentence, then introduce your texts. Once you have an awesome introduction, you will have direction for the rest of the essay.

For your ORT? Have a look at these:

Picture book - The Wall: Growing up Behind the Iron Curtain by Peter Sis.
Film - The Lives of Others (such an intense movie, you'll be on the edge of your seat)
The Kitchen Debate between Khruschev and Nixon.
Propaganda Film - Duck and Cover
Graphic Novel - When the Wind Blows
Film - Dr Strangelove

I ended up using Dr Strangelove for my Waiting for Godot ORT. It's a very distorted, black comedy film (that I wouldn't watch for its comedic value because it's not my thing, but it's awesome for ATB in terms of new structures, satire, politics, personal). But any of the above are great. The Kitchen Debate works best with Plath's poetry.

Just take it easy, even if you sit down today and only write a killer introduction and a full essay plan - just do a paragraph each night for the week (ideally, more, so you can spend the last days editing) and you'll get through it. When you break it down like that it no longer seems to be something to worry about, does it? :) Just make a plan and stick to it. This is a great opportunity for feedback and experimentation. Use that to your advantage! :)
Title: Re: 45 in Extension 1 English: Ask me anything!
Post by: bmcclean on February 08, 2016, 10:05:37 am
Yes! Super helpful answer. I have tried a little bit to work with integrated answers but haven't focussed on that particularly, I will now. Thanks, Brianna.
Title: Re: 45 in Extension 1 English: Ask me anything!
Post by: elysepopplewell on February 08, 2016, 12:01:41 pm
Yes! Super helpful answer. I have tried a little bit to work with integrated answers but haven't focussed on that particularly, I will now. Thanks, Brianna.

It's definitely a skill that needs to be worked on over time!
Title: Re: 45 in Extension 1 English: Ask me anything!
Post by: jonkhalil99 on February 08, 2016, 07:58:46 pm
I love that you signed off with "J." That is so After the Bomb in tone haha. I love it!

Okay, should you be worried? No! Unless worrying makes you inspired to not procrastinate, in which case, yes worry! But you are so early on in the piece - no matter how crappy the essay you turn in is, you will get enough feedback to give you direction to accelerate you into the next assessment. However, you obviously want to produce work at your best level so that you receive feedback to that level.

Now, your essay question is awesome, It's so broad and it's perfect for you at this stage because you're gathering your thoughts on each text for the first time in essay form.

So, you're structure. Start with an introduction. Introduce some non-text specific ideas first - show that you know the era. This is how I started my essay (Note: This was the last ever extension 1 essay I composed, my first essay introductions looked nothing like this haha - but I'm showing you to give you an idea of how you eventually should structure your essay.)

As a response to the shift in global consciousness that occurred in the wake of the second worldwide war, composers of the after the bomb era grappled with evocative ideas. Conservative morals of political compliance, gender roles and obedience to an omniscient God that characterised common ways of thinking before the atomic bomb are challenged by the texts of the post bomb era. Samuel Beckett’s play Waiting for Godot and Stanley Kubrick’s Dr Strangelove reflect incredulity towards conservative ways of thinking and the perceived truths. Similarly, Sylvia Plath’s poetic anthology Ariel and the 1959 Kitchen Debate between Richard Nixon and Nikita Khrushchev represent opposing discourses of social importance. By drawing on common perceptions and social dichotomies, composers seek to challenge ways of thinking.

So open your introduction with non-text specific stuff. Flesh out the ways of thinking in the next sentence, then introduce your texts. Once you have an awesome introduction, you will have direction for the rest of the essay.

For your ORT? Have a look at these:

Picture book - The Wall: Growing up Behind the Iron Curtain by Peter Sis.
Film - The Lives of Others (such an intense movie, you'll be on the edge of your seat)
The Kitchen Debate between Khruschev and Nixon.
Propaganda Film - Duck and Cover
Graphic Novel - When the Wind Blows
Film - Dr Strangelove

I ended up using Dr Strangelove for my Waiting for Godot ORT. It's a very distorted, black comedy film (that I wouldn't watch for its comedic value because it's not my thing, but it's awesome for ATB in terms of new structures, satire, politics, personal). But any of the above are great. The Kitchen Debate works best with Plath's poetry.

Just take it easy, even if you sit down today and only write a killer introduction and a full essay plan - just do a paragraph each night for the week (ideally, more, so you can spend the last days editing) and you'll get through it. When you break it down like that it no longer seems to be something to worry about, does it? :) Just make a plan and stick to it. This is a great opportunity for feedback and experimentation. Use that to your advantage! :)

Haha thanks!! Thank you sooooo much for the very speedy and helpful response!! This is honestly so awesome! :D
Title: Re: 45 in Extension 1 English: Ask me anything!
Post by: tcjae1 on February 08, 2016, 08:00:06 pm
Thank you so much! This is a great starter for my essay!
Title: Re: 45 in Extension 1 English: Ask me anything!
Post by: elysepopplewell on February 09, 2016, 09:48:12 am
Thank you so much! This is a great starter for my essay!

I'm glad - post back any time!
Title: Re: 45 in Extension 1 English: Ask me anything!
Post by: sophiek_ on February 15, 2016, 07:57:32 pm
Hi!
I'm doing ATB too and the same prescribed texts as you did.
I have to give a presentation on the topic Fear, Espionage, Propaganda and Rebels: How the World Faced the Cold War Era.
I decided to focus my presentation around how the social and political reactions to the cold war produced fear and prompted the start of a culture of Espionage, Propaganda and Rebels.
 I'm using Plaths poetry but I've found it difficult to analyse and find aspects of the social and political reactions to the bomb in it. I was wondering if you have any advice on how to approach Plath in this context and more generally.
I also noticed that you used it in conjunction to the Kitchen Debate, which I'm also doing as an ORT, and I was wondering how you compared and contrasted these two texts and how you got them to work together?
Thank you  :) :)
Title: Re: 45 in Extension 1 English: Ask me anything!
Post by: elysepopplewell on February 22, 2016, 01:05:35 pm
Hi!
I'm doing ATB too and the same prescribed texts as you did.
I have to give a presentation on the topic Fear, Espionage, Propaganda and Rebels: How the World Faced the Cold War Era.
I decided to focus my presentation around how the social and political reactions to the cold war produced fear and prompted the start of a culture of Espionage, Propaganda and Rebels.
 I'm using Plaths poetry but I've found it difficult to analyse and find aspects of the social and political reactions to the bomb in it. I was wondering if you have any advice on how to approach Plath in this context and more generally.
I also noticed that you used it in conjunction to the Kitchen Debate, which I'm also doing as an ORT, and I was wondering how you compared and contrasted these two texts and how you got them to work together?
Thank you  :) :)

Hi Sophie!

Have you had a look at my extension essay? It is downloadable in the "free notes" section of the website. The Kitchen Debate and Plath's poetry was a lot of fun to analyse, I must say. The essay should show you my exact links (if you can't find the essay, message back and I'll link it to you). Because you have several of Plath's poems to choose from, I could choose little snippets from whichever ones suited me to suit the Kitchen Debate. So, I talked about capitalism. Obviously this is a big theme in the Kitchen Debate, but particularly in the Applicant too. So that was a great link to make there. That was probably my largest link. There was definitely a female perspective in the essay because that is what Plath's personas present. I talked about Morning Song and about Fever 103 (which is a difficult poem, so I just took the bits that were most relevant to me). So I essentially espoused a female perspective, and talked about the way capitalism has an enormous impact on a female's experience in the ATB era, and how the ways of thinking from the top of the political spectrum filtered down into a female's personal life.

In Plath's poetry, you really need to dig deep into the connections between political and the personal (adapt the personal to be social as well - they are very very deeply linked). So, the male-dominated politics of the time was very strong in sending a message that women were housewives (The Kitchen Debate says this explicitly). That role was forced upon them from a high level, which is why Plath feels the need to burn the sources of oppression at the beginning of Fever 103 to move from an "aguey" hell state to paradise. In terms of the housewife idea again, Morning Song is perfect for describing how removed Plath felt from the stereotype that was so oppressive. She couldn't sit comfortably in the image of a mother and housewife because it was so structured to perfection in a social manner, that the hardship of it was so covered. Plath uses the titular homophone morning/mourning here too.

So think of Plath as the bottom of the spectrum here.
It goes like this in my head:
Men in politics who feel superior.
Men in society who are still being affected by politics, but are still above women.
Women who are to serve the men (this is super prevalent in The Applicant).
Plath - here place in the hierarchy is difficult. You could say she is more oppressed than other women because she mentally is oppressed by the stereotypes, whereas other women are complacent (not all - of course - but in general at the time).

If you want to take a race perspective, you change the hierarchy again. But on a gendered perspective, this is how I saw it. So everything that happens in politics filters down. My FAVOURITE part of the ATB era was the domestic response. There was a magazine published in 1959 - Life magazine - that featured a couple who spent their honeymoon in a fallout shelter. It's so kitsch, I love it. The Cold War meant that the political situation filtered down into domestic lives, and people were told that the greatest strength against the dangers of the War was family stability. So everything was geared towards the home - which is why Plath's position is so fascinating because she defied all of this in her poetry because she refused to accept this pawn-like state.


Let me know if you need any more fleshing out!
Title: Re: 45 in Extension 1 English: Ask me anything!
Post by: Chemystery on February 28, 2016, 05:32:44 pm
Hii there!
At the moment I'm about half way through the Prelim course and need to do a comparative essay about the values within Beowulf (the  Seamus Heaney translation) and the two adapted texts of Gareth Hind's graphic novel and Robert Zemeckis' film. Not sure if you've done these texts, but any help on how to set up this extended response will be greatly appreciated!

Module: Texts, values and culture
"Gareth Hind's graphic novel 'Beowulf' and Zemeckis' 2007 film 'Beowulf' effectively engage a modern audience while retaining the cultural values and themes of the original text, the Old English poem 'Beowulf'.

Discuss with particular reference to the three battle scenes and use evidence from the text to support your answer
."

Thank you!  :)
Title: Re: 45 in Extension 1 English: Ask me anything!
Post by: elysepopplewell on February 29, 2016, 10:06:22 am
Hii there!
At the moment I'm about half way through the Prelim course and need to do a comparative essay about the values within Beowulf (the  Seamus Heaney translation) and the two adapted texts of Gareth Hind's graphic novel and Robert Zemeckis' film. Not sure if you've done these texts, but any help on how to set up this extended response will be greatly appreciated!

Module: Texts, values and culture
"Gareth Hind's graphic novel 'Beowulf' and Zemeckis' 2007 film 'Beowulf' effectively engage a modern audience while retaining the cultural values and themes of the original text, the Old English poem 'Beowulf'.

Discuss with particular reference to the three battle scenes and use evidence from the text to support your answer
."

Thank you!  :)

Hey! Thanks for posting!
So, I didn't do any of these texts :( However, I have a few tips for this comparative study.
You need to talk about the time period of the original text as well as the modern context. How? You need to universalise the themes. You should talk about the human condition, the universal cultural experiences of humans, the unchanging nature of human emotions through time, etc, etc. This will be your main connector between the periods.
So, you need to talk about what you relate to in the modern texts that you wouldn't relate to in the original. Is it the setting? The nature of conflict? Then you need to talk about how the modern texts reshaped these things to make the text accessible to you. Then, you tie it all together with connecting human emotions, condition, experience, etc!

Hopefully this will help you out a little. I studied Romeo and Juliet and Westside Story, then Pygmalion and My Fair Lady for this section of the course. I talked about how Romeo and Juliet is inaccessible to the typical modern audience because of its contextual base, its form (Medieval play) and the language. Westside Story is set in New York, in musical theatre, discussing the cultural difference of two colliding families in contemporary language. This only enhances the original themes of Romeo and Juliet, not replaces them. The human experience of conflict and love resonates deeply between the texts.

Let me know if you want to flesh this idea out more!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: blaran on March 25, 2016, 02:07:41 pm
Hi! I've topped English every year since Year 7, and I'm also topping English Advanced.... but Extension 1 is my downfall. I grasp all the concepts of After the Bomb, but analysin the text and discussing its meaning doesn't seem to be enough. I also need to provide not only context but contextual EVIDENCE (e.g. quotes from Adlai Stevenson or Simone de Beauvoirfor Plath) and discuss the purpose of the author (???? why is Sylvia Plath a poet??? idk why don't you ask her) and structural techniques and whatnot.

I was hoping you might be able to help me out with an essay scaffold. Traditionally, I've used PETE or PEAL or Point 1 (topic sentence, context, point, quote, analysis, conclusion) but this seems to be inadequate :/ Any help would be much appreciated!!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on March 25, 2016, 07:26:11 pm
Hi! I've topped English every year since Year 7, and I'm also topping English Advanced.... but Extension 1 is my downfall. I grasp all the concepts of After the Bomb, but analysin the text and discussing its meaning doesn't seem to be enough. I also need to provide not only context but contextual EVIDENCE (e.g. quotes from Adlai Stevenson or Simone de Beauvoirfor Plath) and discuss the purpose of the author (???? why is Sylvia Plath a poet??? idk why don't you ask her) and structural techniques and whatnot.

I was hoping you might be able to help me out with an essay scaffold. Traditionally, I've used PETE or PEAL or Point 1 (topic sentence, context, point, quote, analysis, conclusion) but this seems to be inadequate :/ Any help would be much appreciated!!

Hey there! Your teacher is doing you a favour by forcing you to elevate your response by using contextual evidence as well! This isn't such a bad thing. I did it too! Particularly, I focused on philosophical and scholarly quotes.

You can read my own essay here to look at how I structured it, but also how I spoke about Plath. When I was doing my HSC last year, I actually used [url-=http://atarnotes.com/forum/index.php?topic=160266.0]this guide[/url] to help me write the essay. You'll find similarities in our structure!

Any advice I have for you at this stage is completely contained in those two links because one is exactly what helped me, the other is what my end product was! Have you had a look at them before? If not, have a quick squiz :)

I 100% recommend integrated paragraphs for Ways of Thinking! Are you doing this already? For Extension 1, it isn't just enough to follow your own structure, you have to manipulate scaffolds to present complicated ideas in a succinct way :)

After looking at the two links, let me know if you have another other questions. But, I think they might help you a lot :) Or maybe they will give you more questions? hahah! Let me know, always here to help!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: William Chen on March 31, 2016, 01:54:36 am
Hey, I do ATB and I have an essay and creative in around 4 days. Just wondering how much synthesis or integration you need for the texts. Do you need to have one narrow thesis that applies for all texts, or can you have a broader one, and then talk about every one individually. Also, for the creative, we are given the stimulus (strange I know) of a man looking across the sea. How clear does your creative have to be when linking to "after the bomb? Like I don't want to write some bs about someone looking at a Rocket, or Vietnam or something. But I'm afraid a marker might be really subjective and think my references are too subtle

P.S thanks in advance since I'm not too sure how to reply to your comments. A bit of a noob
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on March 31, 2016, 10:09:54 am
Hey, I do ATB and I have an essay and creative in around 4 days. Just wondering how much synthesis or integration you need for the texts. Do you need to have one narrow thesis that applies for all texts, or can you have a broader one, and then talk about every one individually. Also, for the creative, we are given the stimulus (strange I know) of a man looking across the sea. How clear does your creative have to be when linking to "after the bomb? Like I don't want to write some bs about someone looking at a Rocket, or Vietnam or something. But I'm afraid a marker might be really subjective and think my references are too subtle

P.S thanks in advance since I'm not too sure how to reply to your comments. A bit of a noob

Hey William! Don't worry, we all start as noobs :)
If you want to reply to someone, you can just do exactly what you did to post her originally, or you can click "quote" at the top of my textbox. Quoting will make a little blue box at the top of your response when it is posted so that users can see who you're talking to.

Okay, so creative first. Your creative writing needs to have direct links to the ATB period. It needs to be set in that period, or it needs to be a reflection of that period, or it needs to adapt the ways of thinking in a new setting. The bottom line is: The ways of thinking of the era have to be ridiculously clear. You seriously need to, more than anything, show that you know several ways of thinking that commonly characterised the ATB era. As for the stimulus, your stimulus incorporation doesn't need to be ATB specific in itself. I mean, you can change the person looking across the sea to simply be your main character. You don't need to make a metaphor of the sea. But, if you want to, you can. If you don't want to change the story you have planned, your best bet is to make the stimulus metaphorical, recurring, a motif, something like that.

As for the essay:
This is difficult to say because so much of it is hear-say. What I mean by this is, some people say that you cannot get a band 6 in Extension unless you write a thoroughly integrated essay. For these earlier assessments, you need to find out what your teacher expects. My own teacher believed that you could write wonderful essays without them being thoroughly integrated in every paragraph. So, for the internal assessments, I worked really hard on making sure that I was linking the texts with WAYS of THINKING. To me, that was more important that anything else. All throughout my internal assessments, this was my aim and I always did really well. It wasn't until I got to the HSC exams that I thought, "ok, time to do this integrated thing." Then I wrote a thoroughly integrated essay that is downloadable on this website. More than anything, you need to link ways of thinking. This is your best bet.

Let me know if this makes sense to you. If you have more questions, post back :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: William Chen on March 31, 2016, 09:12:04 pm
Hey William! Don't worry, we all start as noobs :)
If you want to reply to someone, you can just do exactly what you did to post her originally, or you can click "quote" at the top of my textbox. Quoting will make a little blue box at the top of your response when it is posted so that users can see who you're talking to.

Okay, so creative first. Your creative writing needs to have direct links to the ATB period. It needs to be set in that period, or it needs to be a reflection of that period, or it needs to adapt the ways of thinking in a new setting. The bottom line is: The ways of thinking of the era have to be ridiculously clear. You seriously need to, more than anything, show that you know several ways of thinking that commonly characterised the ATB era. As for the stimulus, your stimulus incorporation doesn't need to be ATB specific in itself. I mean, you can change the person looking across the sea to simply be your main character. You don't need to make a metaphor of the sea. But, if you want to, you can. If you don't want to change the story you have planned, your best bet is to make the stimulus metaphorical, recurring, a motif, something like that.

As for the essay:
This is difficult to say because so much of it is hear-say. What I mean by this is, some people say that you cannot get a band 6 in Extension unless you write a thoroughly integrated essay. For these earlier assessments, you need to find out what your teacher expects. My own teacher believed that you could write wonderful essays without them being thoroughly integrated in every paragraph. So, for the internal assessments, I worked really hard on making sure that I was linking the texts with WAYS of THINKING. To me, that was more important that anything else. All throughout my internal assessments, this was my aim and I always did really well. It wasn't until I got to the HSC exams that I thought, "ok, time to do this integrated thing." Then I wrote a thoroughly integrated essay that is downloadable on this website. More than anything, you need to link ways of thinking. This is your best bet.

Let me know if this makes sense to you. If you have more questions, post back :)

Ah thanks. Also, just to clarify, writing with absurdist elements like WFG would be seen like a form of cheating by the markers? E.g having an overall vague plot (like Maralinga bomb testings or something), but having traces of absurdist messy bits all around to show mental turmoil, uncertainty, that sort of stuff. Bad idea?

For the essay, I'll emphasis on linking to context, but include some integration at the end of every second paragraph. I might work on integration later after I get the half yearlies out of the way, since I did fairly well in my first assessment last term so I'll just use that as a blueprint and edit it

Thanks
PS Also how much can you write in an hour?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on April 01, 2016, 07:49:57 pm
Ah thanks. Also, just to clarify, writing with absurdist elements like WFG would be seen like a form of cheating by the markers? E.g having an overall vague plot (like Maralinga bomb testings or something), but having traces of absurdist messy bits all around to show mental turmoil, uncertainty, that sort of stuff. Bad idea?

For the essay, I'll emphasis on linking to context, but include some integration at the end of every second paragraph. I might work on integration later after I get the half yearlies out of the way, since I did fairly well in my first assessment last term so I'll just use that as a blueprint and edit it

Thanks
PS Also how much can you write in an hour?


I mean, it's not cheating. My concern for that is if you have a fragmented plot, in an exam conditions (rushed, messy writing, etc) then it becomes difficult to follow. It is easier to follow absurdist pieces when they are acted or in print because it is so visually clear. You can definitely do this in an exam, but I can't promise that it will be effective because of the way it is delivered. I don't think it is a bad idea, but your execution would have to be very clear in order to convey this to a marker well.

That sounds like a perfect plan for your essay! Once the half yearly is out of the way, you have some more time to play with structure before the next assessment!

Typically, I wrote about 30-35 words per minute. So when it came to an hour, I could write almost 2000 words. This depends on whether or not I'm making up the words as I go, if I'm writing from memory, if I'm in an exam (adrenaline kicks in and I write quickly), how neat I'm being, etc. With all of those factors in mind: I'd write about 1900 words an hour.

I hope your studying is going well!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Acing on April 10, 2016, 11:50:02 am
Hi,

I'm in year 11 and our topic is "Existentialism", and our prescribed texts are: "Brazil" (film) and "The Trial" by Franz Kafka. I have an assignment coming up that is worth 40% and I need a related text for it. I found some I liked but unfortunately they were on the HSC prescription list. Help! I need to find a related text!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on April 11, 2016, 07:12:32 am
Hi,

I'm in year 11 and our topic is "Existentialism", and our prescribed texts are: "Brazil" (film) and "The Trial" by Franz Kafka. I have an assignment coming up that is worth 40% and I need a related text for it. I found some I liked but unfortunately they were on the HSC prescription list. Help! I need to find a related text!

Hi there! You could actually study the work of Jean-Paul Sartre himself by using his own publications as an ORT. It would be tricky, but I think it would definitely be rewarding!

I haven't read it myself, so I'm not sure of the length, level, anything like that, but I do know that some friends of mine have read The Stranger by Albert Camus. He has another book called "The Plague." Existentialism isn't an easy topic but it's very interesting. Plus, if you are studying After the Bomb in year 12, you'll have a great understanding of one of the major ways of thinking!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Acing on May 30, 2016, 07:59:40 pm
Hi,

We have a tutorial-style assessment coming up. The task is:

Discuss how elements of Existentialism are seen in ONE text of your choosing.

You discussion of the text is to be presented in a 5-6 minute tutorial. After each tutorial there will be the opportunity for questions. The use of teaching aids and text extracts are welcome.


I've chosen my text and I'm happy with it, but I don't know how to start it. It is 5-6 minutes and I don't want to bore everyone six feet under, but I don't want to loose marks by not hitting the criteria. I was wondering if you could help me set the structure so I can maximise interactivity (umm, how did I do this?!) and hit the criteria.

Thank you!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on May 31, 2016, 08:41:29 pm
Hi,

We have a tutorial-style assessment coming up. The task is:

Discuss how elements of Existentialism are seen in ONE text of your choosing.

You discussion of the text is to be presented in a 5-6 minute tutorial. After each tutorial there will be the opportunity for questions. The use of teaching aids and text extracts are welcome.


I've chosen my text and I'm happy with it, but I don't know how to start it. It is 5-6 minutes and I don't want to bore everyone six feet under, but I don't want to loose marks by not hitting the criteria. I was wondering if you could help me set the structure so I can maximise interactivity (umm, how did I do this?!) and hit the criteria.

Thank you!

Hello! Thank you for posting your question :) You've got such an amazing task right here because you are delivering a tutorial, and teaching something is one of the best ways to learn and understand it. So there is a lot of merit to this task!

A tip: A big part of these speaking tasks is to be super engaged and prepared. People might even look at you thinking that you're over prepared or just being a total actor, but your teacher will be looking at you and then looking at their marking sheet and giving you top marks. The reason is, in these tasks, actually knowing your stuff is just one section of the assessment. You need to extend yourself physically (actions, tools, etc) and also verbally (a funny accent of a professor? loud and confident? Take on a character, even if that character is just a teacher version of yourself! If you can really take a leap here, you set yourself apart from the other people in your class immediately. I'm saying all this and assuming you're not a drama student. Maybe you're a natural speaker and you know all of this already  :P

A possible way to start is perhaps by taking a quote from a famous existentialist, and then laughing at how bizarre it sounds, then in fact breaking it down and applying it to your text. Then at the end, round it back up to the quote again and show your readers a thinking like, "Hey! Existentialism can make sense when you put the right thinking hat on."

Similarly, another way to start is by using an important quote from the text, and then fleshing it out throughout, and then finishing with that quote again in a way that shows your students that you have totally enlightened them because they don't see the same quote now, the way they did at the start.

Enough about quotes, another idea is to perhaps ask the class what they understand about a certain part of the text. Whether it be about the text specifically (this depends on whether or not your class have read the text) or about a situation in the text, totally lifted from its context. Perhaps ask them what they would do in this context, etc. Then bring it to the text and talk about how an existential way of thinking determines so much of a lifestyle.

Describing sources of existentialism is an impressive way to show your knowledge of the topic. This could be anything from existentialist scholars, to actual real life historical circumstances that lead to the rise of existentialism. What failed that lead to existentialism rising? Is existentialism appealing today? What prompted the writer to write about this?

To be engaging, throw yourself out there, ask questions (rhetorical or real), use hand actions, maybe use a slideshow, some posters (old school), or any of that kind of stuff.

Try to invite the audience into it a lot, whether that be through questions or laughter.

I hope this gives you a bit of an idea. It's a little difficult without knowing your text, but ultimately, this may only give you an idea, and then it's up to you! I'm sure you'll do wonderful. The fact that you've reached out for some ideas shows that you really care about this! :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on May 31, 2016, 08:45:00 pm
Hi,

We have a tutorial-style assessment coming up. The task is:

Discuss how elements of Existentialism are seen in ONE text of your choosing.

You discussion of the text is to be presented in a 5-6 minute tutorial. After each tutorial there will be the opportunity for questions. The use of teaching aids and text extracts are welcome.


I've chosen my text and I'm happy with it, but I don't know how to start it. It is 5-6 minutes and I don't want to bore everyone six feet under, but I don't want to loose marks by not hitting the criteria. I was wondering if you could help me set the structure so I can maximise interactivity (umm, how did I do this?!) and hit the criteria.

Thank you!

Hello! Thank you for posting your question :) You've got such an amazing task right here because you are delivering a tutorial, and teaching something is one of the best ways to learn and understand it. So there is a lot of merit to this task!

A tip: A big part of these speaking tasks is to be super engaged and prepared. People might even look at you thinking that you're over prepared or just being a total actor, but your teacher will be looking at you and then looking at their marking sheet and giving you top marks. The reason is, in these tasks, actually knowing your stuff is just one section of the assessment. You need to extend yourself physically (actions, tools, etc) and also verbally (a funny accent of a professor? loud and confident? Take on a character, even if that character is just a teacher version of yourself! If you can really take a leap here, you set yourself apart from the other people in your class immediately. I'm saying all this and assuming you're not a drama student. Maybe you're a natural speaker and you know all of this already  :P

A possible way to start is perhaps by taking a quote from a famous existentialist, and then laughing at how bizarre it sounds, then in fact breaking it down and applying it to your text. Then at the end, round it back up to the quote again and show your readers a thinking like, "Hey! Existentialism can make sense when you put the right thinking hat on."

Similarly, another way to start is by using an important quote from the text, and then fleshing it out throughout, and then finishing with that quote again in a way that shows your students that you have totally enlightened them because they don't see the same quote now, the way they did at the start.

Enough about quotes, another idea is to perhaps ask the class what they understand about a certain part of the text. Whether it be about the text specifically (this depends on whether or not your class have read the text) or about a situation in the text, totally lifted from its context. Perhaps ask them what they would do in this context, etc. Then bring it to the text and talk about how an existential way of thinking determines so much of a lifestyle.

Describing sources of existentialism is an impressive way to show your knowledge of the topic. This could be anything from existentialist scholars, to actual real life historical circumstances that lead to the rise of existentialism. What failed that lead to existentialism rising? Is existentialism appealing today? What prompted the writer to write about this?

To be engaging, throw yourself out there, ask questions (rhetorical or real), use hand actions, maybe use a slideshow, some posters (old school), or any of that kind of stuff.

Try to invite the audience into it a lot, whether that be through questions or laughter.

I hope this gives you a bit of an idea. It's a little difficult without knowing your text, but ultimately, this may only give you an idea, and then it's up to you! I'm sure you'll do wonderful. The fact that you've reached out for some ideas shows that you really care about this! :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Jimmy Barnes on June 14, 2016, 06:53:22 pm
I recently read your article on memorising english essays for your HSC and you said you did it for extension 1 as well. I currently memorise all my essays but I was wondering how you did it for extension 1 as the course is notorious for creating questions that are very difficult to memorise for? What was your approach?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on June 14, 2016, 07:11:37 pm
I recently read your article on memorising english essays for your HSC and you said you did it for extension 1 as well. I currently memorise all my essays but I was wondering how you did it for extension 1 as the course is notorious for creating questions that are very difficult to memorise for? What was your approach?

This is a super valuable question! I approached it by committing the body paragraphs to memory. By this I mean, the quotes, the techniques, the analysis, the links, etc. I always try to pick my quotes to be VERY important to a text - this way they aren't just a little side comment that doesn't reveal much, but in fact the quote can be analysed from all kinds of perspectives. So, universal quotes made this a lot easier when adapting to the essay question. I think I also took a leap with the idea that it would be about the personal or the political, and I was going to do my best to agree/but disagree with the question if I needed to. So I made sure there were personal elements and political elements so that I could argue something like, "Yes the political is important, but the personal provides the foundations for what becomes political" (definitely in language a whooooole lot better than that). The last thing I suggest, which I know isn't as relevant to you studying comedy, was I knew my "ways of thinking" (the module) and exactly which ones I wanted to discuss, so I was ready to slide them into the introduction, no matter what the essay question was.

Basically, I think that you need to identify what the most definites are for a question. By this I mean, there will be a stimulus, it will be about ways of thinking (for my module), and so on. Then identify what is likely: key words from the rubric. Then the rest you need to luck out on, or you need to prepare your evidence to various possibilities to try and be as best prepared as possible.

I worked out my essay question fairly well but definitely not directly - this was just based on researching past papers and reading the rubric. So it took some pretty definite researching, but I was a lot more clued in with a memorised essay after I had tried to approach the question earlier on :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: arleee on July 07, 2016, 07:43:14 am
Hey,
I'm trying to get ready for Trials at the moment and I have no clue how to study for this subject! Do you have any hints about how to make them? Also, what are your tips for writing essays in exams - its my downfall!
Thanks a bunch,
Arlee
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on July 07, 2016, 11:44:30 am
Hey,
I'm trying to get ready for Trials at the moment and I have no clue how to study for this subject! Do you have any hints about how to make them? Also, what are your tips for writing essays in exams - its my downfall!
Thanks a bunch,
Arlee

Hey! Are you hoping to use a planned essay/creative? This was my approach. So I spent these holidays polishing off my work. Making sure my analysis was strong, I touched on all of the right things, and had a thesis statement prepared. I did the same for my creative. Then, in the two weeks leading up to the exam, I was whipping out past papers to see what would throw me and what I was prepared for. Ext 1 is notorious for being the "unpreparable exam" but that didn't stop me from trying, and I think it proved effective!

If you aren't the kind who wants to use a planned essay, make sure you have plenty of evidence from your ORTs and set texts that you can apply to various themes and perspectives to create a really cohesive and well-supported essay in the exam!

If you're looking for tips for memorising essays, I wrote about how I did that here!

Let me know what you think. What areas are you particularly thinking about?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: cmbarnes on July 13, 2016, 11:56:10 am
Hi,

I'm doing Romanticism for Texts and Ways of Thinking, and my teacher recommended doing an artwork as one of my related texts. My analysis of the prescribed texts (Frankenstein, Bright Star and Coleridge's poetry) is generally really well done, I just struggle with the related texts, especially the artwork. With the trials coming up I'm concerned about making sure the integrity of my argument isn't let down by my analysis of the artwork, so I was wondering if anyone had any feedback or advice on how best to analyse an artwork and its use as a representation of (Romantic) Ways of Thinking.

The artwork I'm using is The Raft of Medusa by Theodore Gericault.

I was also wanting to know how many texts I should be talking about in an essay. I know that generally, the question will ask for two prescribed texts and two ORT's, but should I talk about more than this in order to achieve a Band 6 response? And does one of Coleridge's poems count as one prescribed text, or should I be doing two of his poems?

Thank you,
Chelsea 
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Jess S on July 14, 2016, 05:31:50 pm
Hey there!
Where do you begin to improve an ATB creative?! / how do you write a good ATB creative and how many prepared creatives should we have for trials?
Thank you.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Lauradf36 on July 19, 2016, 10:05:52 am
In general with English Extension essays, just wondering how much of the essay should be based on prescribed texts and how much should be on related texts? One of my teachers said they are just as, if not more, important. Which makes me freak out because I feel like I have prioritised them a lot less...  :-\ :-\ :-\ thoughts?? Advice??

Thanks so much! These discussion boards are a life saver xx
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on July 19, 2016, 11:27:06 am
Hi,

I'm doing Romanticism for Texts and Ways of Thinking, and my teacher recommended doing an artwork as one of my related texts. My analysis of the prescribed texts (Frankenstein, Bright Star and Coleridge's poetry) is generally really well done, I just struggle with the related texts, especially the artwork. With the trials coming up I'm concerned about making sure the integrity of my argument isn't let down by my analysis of the artwork, so I was wondering if anyone had any feedback or advice on how best to analyse an artwork and its use as a representation of (Romantic) Ways of Thinking.

The artwork I'm using is The Raft of Medusa by Theodore Gericault.

Hey! I'm so sorry I missed this and it's been like a week! With the influx after the lectures we held last week, I missed a bunch of comments and unfortunately this was one! I promise to be more on the ball next time! So, I didn't study romanticism, so take what I'm saying with a grain of salt. The image sounds like a great idea for a related text. If you feel really uncomfortable studying a visual image, then I suggest against it. You need to play to your strengths! But, if you are willing to have a crack at this, then by all means! So, with a visual text, I think it is important to go beyond the classic technique=effect. I mean, try linking techniques, or try acknowledging a technique, and then recognise the several effects that the technique has. Essentially, be willing to break out from the one technique = one effect notion, and be ready to be linking and joining things all over the place! Which leads me to the next section...
Quote
I was also wanting to know how many texts I should be talking about in an essay. I know that generally, the question will ask for two prescribed texts and two ORT's, but should I talk about more than this in order to achieve a Band 6 response? And does one of Coleridge's poems count as one prescribed text, or should I be doing two of his poems?

Thank you,
Chelsea

I don't recommend talking about more than 4 texts in an Extension essay in detail. I think if you do more, your scope will be limited and you won't be able to dive into each text in the same way that other students may be able to. But, don't limit yourself to 4 texts if you want to bring in a fifth text for a comparative purpose, but not necessarily to completely analyse. So, you have two prescribed, two related, and there's another related in the back of your mind that is a testament to similar values, ideas, etc. If you are studying poetry, you're likely to focus on maybe 2 or 3 poems, but you want to bring in a fourth just for a sentence or two to enhance your ideas. How many poems are there for Coleridge? I had 6 (I think) poems for my module as the single "prescribed text" and I talked in depth about 3 to show that I understood not just the individual poem, but the oeuvre.

But, that's getting more complicated.

I stuck to two prescribed texts and two related texts and that was plenty for me! I really enjoyed that structure because it was balanced, and I wasn't kidding myself about how much I could fit in an exam, it sat perfectly.

I hope this makes sense! If not, please ask back and I can think of this in a new light :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on July 19, 2016, 11:32:32 am
Hey there!
Where do you begin to improve an ATB creative?! / how do you write a good ATB creative and how many prepared creatives should we have for trials?
Thank you.

Hi there Jess! I only ever used one prepared creative! Remembering more than one is a very big task, which is great if you can do it, but I spent my time committing to making one creative the best it could be. It is incredibly hard to do this for extension because they always drop bombs (I promise that was an unintended bomb) with creative stimuli. Soooo, I had my single creative, and then I picked at it until I worked out which parts I would leave flexible to the stimulus. In other words, I'd think of possible alternate endings, starts, etc. So even though I had one creative, I considered ways to adjust it incase I needed to for a stimulus!

In terms of improving what you have...have you got a completed creative already? Consider the ways of thinking - are they strong enough? This is an enormous deal! You must show the ways of thinking as your number one responsibility. Make sure all of the contextual details are correct because the marker will know if its not, thus lowering the integrity of your response :(

Be confident with it, really try your best to know it well enough that you are comfortable in altering it in an exam, even under the pressure!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on July 19, 2016, 06:00:27 pm
In general with English Extension essays, just wondering how much of the essay should be based on prescribed texts and how much should be on related texts? One of my teachers said they are just as, if not more, important. Which makes me freak out because I feel like I have prioritised them a lot less...  :-\ :-\ :-\ thoughts?? Advice??

Thanks so much! These discussion boards are a life saver xx

I'm not so sure about the related text being MORE important. In Advanced, most teachers will say to privilege your prescribed text in a 70/30 ratio, or 60/40. Some suggest 50/50. In Extension, I think 60/40-50/50 is both acceptable. You can be creative with it too. For example, two of my three main arguments only talked about one prescribed and one related, and then the third argument just featured the other related and the other prescribed. So I didn't split mine into related or prescribed, but into whatever text fit my argument. If you're thinking "how does that work??" then you can read my essay here to get an idea! Thanks for asking your questions, I'm positive you're not the only one thinking this!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: trixqwe on July 21, 2016, 11:32:21 pm
Hi there!

I'm planning on using Godot as one of my texts for my ATB essay, and I was going to discuss the idea: disillusionment with the world leading to the stagnant nature of life
Sadly, I'm really stuck in terms of coming up with supportive quotes :( I was planning on using the notion of 'hell' to show disillusionment, but I was wondering if you knew of better (or stronger) evidence to support the idea.
Also, do you perhaps know of any self-selected texts that deal with the notion of disillusionment with life? I'm trying to find one that relates but so far I'm having no luck :(

Thankyou so much for taking the time to help, it is greatly appreciated!!!   :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on July 21, 2016, 11:58:25 pm
Hi there!

I'm planning on using Godot as one of my texts for my ATB essay, and I was going to discuss the idea: disillusionment with the world leading to the stagnant nature of life
Sadly, I'm really stuck in terms of coming up with supportive quotes :( I was planning on using the notion of 'hell' to show disillusionment, but I was wondering if you knew of better (or stronger) evidence to support the idea.
Also, do you perhaps know of any self-selected texts that deal with the notion of disillusionment with life? I'm trying to find one that relates but so far I'm having no luck :(

Thankyou so much for taking the time to help, it is greatly appreciated!!!   :)

I think the problem with Godot and that thesis is that for such a long time, they don't necessarily show disillusionment on the surface. They just keep waiting. You can take some of their humour to show their disillusionment though, like hanging themselves for an erection. They are so unstimulated (pardon the pun) in their environment, so disillusioned, that they want to hang themselves for a bit of fun. So the disillusionment is there, but you have to dig a bit for it. A moment of disillusionment that comes to mind for me also is when they all fall in a pile. I think there's bags? This is off the top of my head - I think it is towards the time of that Lucky makes the speech. You'll have to have a look, I can't remember off the top of my head :(

Keep in mind that disillusionment, although a sad feeling, isn't always expressed in a sad way. (This could be a follow up thesis!). Satire often makes a comedy out of a disillusionment - like Dr Strangelove, the film. That talks about the disillusionment with the American government and the entire world situation and how the whole damn thing was in incompetent hands. So there's a lot of working with that idea too as a set text.

The Wall: Growing up behind the Iron Curtain, by Peter Sis, deals with disillusionment until the Berlin wall comes down and things get exciting. It's a picture book/graphic novel. A good read! And there's a Youtube commentary on it by the author himself.

They are my suggestions! You're on the right track for sure!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: senara on July 31, 2016, 01:28:36 pm
Do you think it's risky to do a related text that is very recent and not from the post war era but is based on the era? (if that makes sense) for example, revolutionary road
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on July 31, 2016, 02:13:04 pm
Do you think it's risky to do a related text that is very recent and not from the post war era but is based on the era? (if that makes sense) for example, revolutionary road

Are you considering the book or the film? Both work! Goodnight and Goodluck is a prescribed text that wasn't made in the target era, but depicts the era. The film of Revolutionary Road is the same! As long as you can flesh out the ways of thinking, you're in with a good shot!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: senara on August 05, 2016, 10:22:26 pm
Hey I read your Article on related texts for After the Bomb. I really like the sound of "The 1959 newlyweds that spent their honeymoon in a fallout shelter – featured in LIFE magazine". I was just wondering where can I view the article? Do you possibly have a link?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Lauradf36 on August 06, 2016, 11:35:17 am
Random question: someone told me that if you're studying a bunch of poems as one of your core texts (e.g. we're doing Wordsworth), they can ask you to use specific poems from the syllabus? Is that right??
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: ssarahj on August 06, 2016, 12:29:41 pm
Hey I read your Article on related texts for After the Bomb. I really like the sound of "The 1959 newlyweds that spent their honeymoon in a fallout shelter – featured in LIFE magazine". I was just wondering where can I view the article? Do you possibly have a link?

Hey senara! I did a quick google for this, check out this link and see if it's the right article you're looking for... (Elyse might be able to give you a better idea about where to find it if this isn't it) :)
https://books.google.com.au/books?id=2UkEAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA51&ots=IUYMPmDOer&dq=life+magazine+mininson&pg=PA51&redir_esc=y&hl=en#v=onepage&q&f=false
 

Random question: someone told me that if you're studying a bunch of poems as one of your core texts (e.g. we're doing Wordsworth), they can ask you to use specific poems from the syllabus? Is that right??

Hey Lauradf36! From my understanding the essay questions for Ext 1 are concept based for each module, not text based, since each module has a a variety of texts in which not everyone does the same combination + related texts. So in short, they can't ask you to write about a specific poem for Ext 1! (thank god  ;) )
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Lauradf36 on August 06, 2016, 02:54:35 pm
Quote

Hey Lauradf36! From my understanding the essay questions for Ext 1 are concept based for each module, not text based, since each module has a a variety of texts in which not everyone does the same combination + related texts. So in short, they can't ask you to write about a specific poem for Ext 1! (thank god  ;) )

Thank you, that puts my heart at rest!!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: senara on August 08, 2016, 08:29:32 pm
Hey senara! I did a quick google for this, check out this link and see if it's the right article you're looking for... (Elyse might be able to give you a better idea about where to find it if this isn't it) :)
https://books.google.com.au/books?id=2UkEAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA51&ots=IUYMPmDOer&dq=life+magazine+mininson&pg=PA51&redir_esc=y&hl=en#v=onepage&q&f=false



Heyy Ssarahj!
Thank you for the link! I saw this one as well but wasn't sure if it was the right one. Thanks again!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on August 09, 2016, 12:12:18 pm
Hey I read your Article on related texts for After the Bomb. I really like the sound of "The 1959 newlyweds that spent their honeymoon in a fallout shelter – featured in LIFE magazine". I was just wondering where can I view the article? Do you possibly have a link?

Hey! The link above is perfect! But I did miss your original post, sorry for the late reply! Here is a link to some awesome commentary on the honeymoon: http://io9.gizmodo.com/in-1959-a-pair-of-newlyweds-spent-their-honeymoon-in-a-452401167
Also good commentary here: http://www.conelrad.com/atomic_honeymooners.html

And here is an article from the time, which is really  cool! The title of the square is "newly weds survive bomb shelter ideal" http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1959/07/26/page/176/article/newlyweds-survive-bomb-shelter-ordeal

It's such a cool related text! Or even if it isn't used for a related, it's very cool for getting your head around the era.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: caitie145 on August 09, 2016, 03:12:14 pm
Hey!

So for this course my school elective is Module B: ways of thinking and the selected area is Romanticism. Since we are doing British Romaticism i asked my teacher about doing Edgar allen poe as a related text however he is american and she said that it could be good but in the actual hsc they tend to be more conservative and like British related texts..so i was wondering if it would be a really bad idea to do a short story by poe considering he is american as a related text.

Thanks !
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on August 09, 2016, 05:44:32 pm
Hey!

So for this course my school elective is Module B: ways of thinking and the selected area is Romanticism. Since we are doing British Romaticism i asked my teacher about doing Edgar allen poe as a related text however he is american and she said that it could be good but in the actual hsc they tend to be more conservative and like British related texts..so i was wondering if it would be a really bad idea to do a short story by poe considering he is american as a related text.

Thanks !

Do you think your teacher is suggesting this based on some kind of rumour about the way markers think? Or do you think she's genuinely speaking in your best interests, based on fact? Rumours about the way that markers perceive different things are rife. I didn't study romanticism, so I'm not speaking from experience. But, if the BOSTES FAQ doesn't mention it, then I tend to think that you're fine to make the decision yourself based on whichever texts you like best. Someone who studies romanticism will be better versed on this than I, but it is definitely my opinion that if British Romanticism is something you're discussing in class, but the module doesn't talk about American Romanticism, then you won't face prejudice from the marker. :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: oliviarebekah on August 09, 2016, 08:56:02 pm
Hey! I am also doing Romanticism at my school, and i have chosen the Scarlet letter as one of my related texts which is American romanticism! my teacher seemed fine with this, i have just put a small section in my introduction detailing the differences between British and American Romanticism.
Just thought the different perspectives from different teachers may be helpful!
-Olivia


Hey!

So for this course my school elective is Module B: ways of thinking and the selected area is Romanticism. Since we are doing British Romaticism i asked my teacher about doing Edgar allen poe as a related text however he is american and she said that it could be good but in the actual hsc they tend to be more conservative and like British related texts..so i was wondering if it would be a really bad idea to do a short story by poe considering he is american as a related text.

Thanks !
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: oliviarebekah on August 09, 2016, 09:06:32 pm
Hey Guys! I am currently looking to work my extension creative writing piece based on Romanticism into my discovery creative writing, just so i only have one to learn, however the way my story is written, in letter form, I am really struggling to do this? Do you guys have any tips? Are you learning the same piece for both or two separate ones?
-Olivia
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on August 10, 2016, 09:47:24 am
Hey! I am also doing Romanticism at my school, and i have chosen the Scarlet letter as one of my related texts which is American romanticism! my teacher seemed fine with this, i have just put a small section in my introduction detailing the differences between British and American Romanticism.
Just thought the different perspectives from different teachers may be helpful!
-Olivia

Excellent advice! Thanks for chiming in - it's a bit out of my depth! What do you both think about romanticism as a course in total? Do you enjoy it?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on August 10, 2016, 09:49:49 am
Hey Guys! I am currently looking to work my extension creative writing piece based on Romanticism into my discovery creative writing, just so i only have one to learn, however the way my story is written, in letter form, I am really struggling to do this? Do you guys have any tips? Are you learning the same piece for both or two separate ones?
-Olivia

I used the same creative for Extension and AOS - although I did After the Bomb. I did a speech, and added more contextual stuff to the Extension essay, and left that context stuff out for the AOS essay. I also added some more complicated metaphors (only slightly complicated) because I had an increased word limit to do so. Are you considering embedding your letter (AOS piece) into a larger short story for Extension? Or are you looking to just increase the length and complexity of the Extension letter?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: ssarahj on August 10, 2016, 09:59:25 am
Hey Guys! I am currently looking to work my extension creative writing piece based on Romanticism into my discovery creative writing, just so i only have one to learn, however the way my story is written, in letter form, I am really struggling to do this? Do you guys have any tips? Are you learning the same piece for both or two separate ones?
-Olivia

Hey oliviarebekah! Just to add to what Elyse said.... If you are trying to use the same piece ensure that the integrity of both pieces is still really high, in other words make sure that your discovery doesn't become superficial or unclear! Don't try and force it. You could try to use the same setting, letter format and character/s (since you would know a lot about the Romantic context/your characters already) but possibly change the actual plot of your story to suit discovery.
I personally am going to try and work my Discovery piece into my Extension 1 piece by the actual HSC, but I know that I just don't have the time to do it properly by Trials  :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on August 10, 2016, 12:36:42 pm
Hey oliviarebekah! Just to add to what Elyse said.... If you are trying to use the same piece ensure that the integrity of both pieces is still really high, in other words make sure that your discovery doesn't become superficial or unclear! Don't try and force it. You could try to use the same setting, letter format and character/s (since you would know a lot about the Romantic context/your characters already) but possibly change the actual plot of your story to suit discovery.
I personally am going to try and work my Discovery piece into my Extension 1 piece by the actual HSC, but I know that I just don't have the time to do it properly by Trials  :)

Spot on! Making sure that you meet the requirements of the different courses must be the most important thing in your mind when you're adapting creatives! By adding a bunch of contextual stuff for my extension creative, I drowned on the discovery naturally, and then made a few adjustments to the kind of "reflective" part where I was revealing the discoveries in the AOS creative, to make it more true to the ways of thinking in Extension!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: kassidyfisher on August 13, 2016, 10:03:27 pm
Hey Fam,
My school marks extremely harsh on extension 1 essays and creatives, and gives very little helpful feedback. Now come trials, my exam is on tuesday, and I have limited resources, as my teachers are all busy.
I am currently doing genre, specifically science fiction.
I got a 20/25 for my essay (but now have different texts due to different ones being prescribed for trials) and an 18/25 for my creative with no feedback.
This equals me being extremely stressed out and I have no Idea how to make any of them better!
Any advice??
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on August 14, 2016, 01:44:33 pm
Hey Fam,
My school marks extremely harsh on extension 1 essays and creatives, and gives very little helpful feedback. Now come trials, my exam is on tuesday, and I have limited resources, as my teachers are all busy.
I am currently doing genre, specifically science fiction.
I got a 20/25 for my essay (but now have different texts due to different ones being prescribed for trials) and an 18/25 for my creative with no feedback.
This equals me being extremely stressed out and I have no Idea how to make any of them better!
Any advice??

That's super bizarre that you haven't been given any feedback. I'm sure other people in your class feel this way too? With creatives specifically, perhaps you could organise with your peers to swap creatives and give each other feedback? This would be a win/win situation for you and your peers. Have you hunted through the internet for past essays and creatives? You could also make a new science fiction thread here on ATAR Notes, and perhaps other science fiction pals will come out of the shadows to give you a hand!

Do you have any concerns about your creative personally? Are you dissatisfied with the ending, or the setting, or the features of the genre? Or is your grammar that you think is pulling you down? I think you need to be really critical of your own work right now and decide what is letting you down, and then target that.

Happy to offer some advice!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Sssssrr on August 31, 2016, 06:57:14 pm
hey,
would having one theorist per paragraph be enough or should i have more?
thanks
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on August 31, 2016, 07:20:48 pm
hey,
would having one theorist per paragraph be enough or should i have more?
thanks

It entirely depends on your approach to the essay! However, this sounds perfect! Some essays are directed by theorists and philosophers entirely, which would likely require more emphasis. My essay probably included maybe...3? It wasn't a huge emphasis in my essay, although in retrospect I definitely could have improved in that area. So 4 sounds sweet to me!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: kassidyfisher on October 24, 2016, 02:55:28 pm
Hello!
I just have a quick question :)
I am doing E1 and my elective is Science Fiction. How likely is it that they will prescribe? Just because I am only discussing 2 of the texts, and I was wondering if they have ever prescribed before?
Thanks
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on October 24, 2016, 03:53:41 pm
Hello!
I just have a quick question :)
I am doing E1 and my elective is Science Fiction. How likely is it that they will prescribe? Just because I am only discussing 2 of the texts, and I was wondering if they have ever prescribed before?
Thanks

Hey Kassidy! To my knowledge, they haven't prescribed specific texts to talk about before. I studied After the Bomb, and there were more than 3 prescribed texts available, but you only studied three in class. So, if Science Fiction is the same, I imagine that they wouldn't be able to specify a text to discuss simply because they don't know exactly which texts you've studied and which you haven't. I took a leap of faith and didn't prepare my third prescribed text. I focused on just two! :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: biancadunn_ on October 24, 2016, 03:57:46 pm
Hello!
I just have a quick question :)
I am doing E1 and my elective is Science Fiction. How likely is it that they will prescribe? Just because I am only discussing 2 of the texts, and I was wondering if they have ever prescribed before?
Thanks

Hi!
I'm not sure how much help I'll be as my elective is Romanticism but my teacher always just gave us general advice (both for advanced and E1) that we shouldn't predict the hsc and should know out texts enough that we could write about all of them just in case there was ever a time when they did specify prescribed texts. Maybe have a bit of a plan for the other texts and see what you can carry across from the texts you have prepared already? My teacher requested us to put all our texts into a table (text, example, technique, explanation, critic).

In saying that, looking at past papers for E1 I've never seen a question where they specify texts so I doubt they would (and definitely hope so too). On that note, obviously your studies would have been different to mine but I studied a collection of poems and am only writing about 2 poems from those (which counts as 1 prescribed text) and about a novel, Frankenstein, and then my 2 related texts (1st is an artwork and 2nd is another poem) and am going in with all of those prepared as I have done all year. It would be unfair if they did, you have to find related texts that work with both the prescribed texts you've chosen and the study area, and they also don't know which texts you studied! So I'd say it's unlikely...
Sorry if that wasn't much help!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: biancadunn_ on October 24, 2016, 04:05:37 pm
Hey!

So for this course my school elective is Module B: ways of thinking and the selected area is Romanticism. Since we are doing British Romaticism i asked my teacher about doing Edgar allen poe as a related text however he is american and she said that it could be good but in the actual hsc they tend to be more conservative and like British related texts..so i was wondering if it would be a really bad idea to do a short story by poe considering he is american as a related text.

Thanks !

If you can justify it, why not! I'm also doing Romanticism, and for each of our related texts we had chosen our teacher checked them with BOSTES and they apparently gave her some advice for us and a yay or nay, maybe ask your teacher to do the same? I'm doing an artwork by an English artist and a poem by Keats. One thing our teacher always told us to be careful of was making it to gothic rather than romantic, but like I said if you can back it up and recognise it is American, and it fits with your prescribed texts I don't see why not :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on October 24, 2016, 10:11:09 pm
If you can justify it, why not! I'm also doing Romanticism, and for each of our related texts we had chosen our teacher checked them with BOSTES and they apparently gave her some advice for us and a yay or nay, maybe ask your teacher to do the same? I'm doing an artwork by an English artist and a poem by Keats. One thing our teacher always told us to be careful of was making it to gothic rather than romantic, but like I said if you can back it up and recognise it is American, and it fits with your prescribed texts I don't see why not :)

Do you know what kind of criteria these approving people at bostes were going off? If you know, please share! It could be very valuable for other students in the next cohort who are yet to pick a related text :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Lauradf36 on October 25, 2016, 08:50:57 pm
Do you guys normally do the essay or creative 1st?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on October 25, 2016, 09:14:40 pm
Do you guys normally do the essay or creative 1st?

I think I did the essay first! I think I decided on the spot in the exam based on the question :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: caninesandy on October 27, 2016, 02:34:00 pm
I took a leap of faith and didn't prepare my third prescribed text. I focused on just two! :)

That makes me feel better because that is what I am doing...
*cough* haven't *cough* read *cough* Frankenstein *COUGH*  ;D
I swear I'll read it after the HSC  8)

Also, is is necessary, or is it okay, to mention quotes or ideas from other texts which are not the main ones you are talking about?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on October 27, 2016, 03:22:56 pm
That makes me feel better because that is what I am doing...
*cough* haven't *cough* read *cough* Frankenstein *COUGH*  ;D
I swear I'll read it after the HSC  8)

I'm just going to pretend I didn't read that!!!! ;)
Quote
Also, is is necessary, or is it okay, to mention quotes or ideas from other texts which are not the main ones you are talking about?

I think that it can really elevate your response to draw on other sources. I did after the bomb, so for me, I found it useful to talk about other texts that had influenced the ones I was analysing, talking about different philosophies, historical events, etc. To me, that was really helpful in lifting the "ways of thinking" I was describing :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: mmmm675 on October 27, 2016, 06:32:50 pm
Hello! I'm doing ATB with Godot, Spy & Good night and Good luck. I'm VERY late to this thread (better late than never I guess) and have been going through the structure of the past HSC papers. Is it almost guaranteed that it will be 2 prescribed, 2 additional? Is it very rare that they ask for 3 prescribed? Could they just ask for 2 prescribed and 1 additional?

Sorry if this has already been asked!

Also how many paragraphs should I be aiming for? Thanks!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on October 28, 2016, 03:28:13 pm
Hello! I'm doing ATB with Godot, Spy & Good night and Good luck. I'm VERY late to this thread (better late than never I guess) and have been going through the structure of the past HSC papers. Is it almost guaranteed that it will be 2 prescribed, 2 additional? Is it very rare that they ask for 3 prescribed? Could they just ask for 2 prescribed and 1 additional?

Sorry if this has already been asked!

Also how many paragraphs should I be aiming for? Thanks!

I suppose the safest way for me to answer this is to give you the worst case scenario: they break pattern, and give you a specified, irregular requirement for texts. I put my bets on two prescribed and two related texts, that's the way I prepared last year and it's how I suggest people prepare this year. But also, at this point in the game, I wouldn't be trying to pick up another text anyway.

Prepare at least two prescribed texts really well, and at least two related texts really well. If you can bring in a few other sources like philosophers, other texts (if they have influenced, or been influenced by, your set texts), then I think you're setting yourself up for greatness!

Welcome to the Ext 1 thread :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: aoife98 on October 29, 2016, 12:43:49 pm
Do you think it's necessary to have two creatives prepared or is one enough?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: cmbarnes on October 29, 2016, 01:12:30 pm
Hey!

So for this course my school elective is Module B: ways of thinking and the selected area is Romanticism. Since we are doing British Romaticism i asked my teacher about doing Edgar allen poe as a related text however he is american and she said that it could be good but in the actual hsc they tend to be more conservative and like British related texts..so i was wondering if it would be a really bad idea to do a short story by poe considering he is american as a related text.

Thanks !

Hi!

I'm also doing Romanticism, and was considering a text by Edgar Allan Poe as a related. However my teacher was unsure as to whether it would be appropriate due to the time in which he was writing, and the Gothic nature of his works. However if you can find explicit examples of Romanticism within his work, and justify its relation to your prescribed texts, then there shouldn't be an issue! I ended up doing an artwork and poem for my related texts instead, as they better fit with my prescribed texts and were easier to analyse in relation to Romanticism.

Good luck though, I'm sure you'll smash the exam!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: cmbarnes on October 29, 2016, 01:16:41 pm
Do you think it's necessary to have two creatives prepared or is one enough?

I would say that it really depends on the flexibility of your creative! Really, your story should be flexible enough to suit a variety of questions. I've found out the hard way just how difficult it can be to mould a HIGHLY SPECIFIC creative to a question/stimulus that has no relation to it whatsoever. It also depends on how much you think you're likely to remember under exam conditions, it's definitely far easier to remember one creative than two!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Lauradf36 on October 29, 2016, 01:36:46 pm
Do you think it's necessary to have two creatives prepared or is one enough?

I personally have two as there are two very different paradigms of Romanticism, the elective I'm doing - political and natural. But it would depend as well if that's the same in the elective you are doing.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on October 29, 2016, 03:26:27 pm
Do you think it's necessary to have two creatives prepared or is one enough?

Adding two cents here - I only went in with one creative, and it did limit me. The creative was as broad as it gets, but with Extension you just never know. I did ATB, and I suppose there are two kind of paradigms: personal and political (this is just a rough break down). You can definitely make links between the two - but I favoured the personal side of things. If I had planned it from the beginning, I would have had two creatives. Do I think it's actually necessary? Not at all. I still did really well with the creative that I felt limited me. It's all about adaptability. :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Blissfulmelodii on October 30, 2016, 09:25:34 am
So as we all probably know the extension 1 English exam is tomorrow and I currently have 2 essays and 2 creative writing pieces prepared but I am unsure about which ones I should focus on and learn. My elective is Science fiction and I have one essay about the importance of characterisation and another about the human condition. Should I learn both or just one of them and which one would be more beneficial?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Stayz1337 on October 30, 2016, 02:09:45 pm
Hey!

Was wondering if you had any tips on what constitutes a 'good extension ATB creative.'
I'm also going out on a bit of a limb and am bringing in only one that my teachers have approved. It is broad also, not in terms of context but in terms of that it really just explores the nexus between political and personal spheres. However, it's just not 'it,' in my opinion? I know it's too late to write an entirely new one but even dependant on the question tomorrow, I feel I don't quite get to what extent the WOT are to be reflected within our pieces and how to respond to the stimuli given.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: ml125 on October 30, 2016, 04:05:56 pm
So as we all probably know the extension 1 English exam is tomorrow and I currently have 2 essays and 2 creative writing pieces prepared but I am unsure about which ones I should focus on and learn. My elective is Science fiction and I have one essay about the importance of characterisation and another about the human condition. Should I learn both or just one of them and which one would be more beneficial?
If you have two essays prepared - I think it would be best that instead of focusing on one or the other that you make sure you know both to some extent - as with extension you can never be sure as to what might happen on the day. That being said, I personally don't memorise essays so someone like Elyse should be able to provide better advice relating to this. If anything, if you feel like one of them encompasses the majority of the rubric as opposed to the other I'd say to go with that one - but make sure you still know a basic structure for your other essay.

Hey!

Was wondering if you had any tips on what constitutes a 'good extension ATB creative.'
I'm also going out on a bit of a limb and am bringing in only one that my teachers have approved. It is broad also, not in terms of context but in terms of that it really just explores the nexus between political and personal spheres. However, it's just not 'it,' in my opinion? I know it's too late to write an entirely new one but even dependant on the question tomorrow, I feel I don't quite get to what extent the WOT are to be reflected within our pieces and how to respond to the stimuli given.
A 'good extension ATB creative' should encompass most, if not all, parts of the rubric - in particular making connections to each of the four key paradigms [scientific, religious, philosophical, economic]. It should be deeply grounded in contextual understanding - so the time period should be very obvious to the marker. At this point, what I'd suggest is to brainstorm ways you could potentially fit the aspects of the rubric into your creative piece - maybe look at past questions for guidance? The key words of the question should be integrated into your response in such a way that the marker doesn't have to go out of their way to look for it - they should be able to pick it up straight away without having to read over it again. However, I'd recommend any interpretation of given stimuli to be metaphorical - a literal interpretation should only ever be used if you're struggling to find any other way to fit it into your creative piece. What I would suggest in the exam is to look at the key terms of the question and throughout your response - whenever you make any sort of connection to it - to place emphasis on it, perhaps dwell on it a bit longer than intended to alert the marker that you are addressing the question. :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: mmmm675 on October 30, 2016, 04:07:06 pm
Hello! Thanks for your reply & also another super quick question

How many quotes should I have? I'm aiming for three paragraphs and two texts in each paragraph. Should I go 6 quotes each paragraph or 4?
Thanks!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: ml125 on October 30, 2016, 04:18:33 pm
How many quotes should I have? I'm aiming for three paragraphs and two texts in each paragraph. Should I go 6 quotes each paragraph or 4?
Thanks!
Honestly, I'd say to keep the number of quotes you use in each body paragraph to a minimum - however to make sure that you explore these quotes in further depth. 6 quotes per paragraph in depth would be overkill in terms of word count - 4 should be a good number to aim for considering the structure you're using. In the end, it all really depends on how fast you write in the exam.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: caninesandy on October 30, 2016, 04:58:25 pm
Hi guys, I am doing Romanticism and was reading over the markers' notes from previous years and I don't quite understand one bit - 'In weaker responses, candidates often relied on explaining how individual elements of Romanticism, such as a belief in Imagination or Nature, were reflected in the texts, rather than a broader view of the ways of thinking present in the historical period. '
Could someone please explain?
Thank you :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on October 30, 2016, 05:22:15 pm
So as we all probably know the extension 1 English exam is tomorrow and I currently have 2 essays and 2 creative writing pieces prepared but I am unsure about which ones I should focus on and learn. My elective is Science fiction and I have one essay about the importance of characterisation and another about the human condition. Should I learn both or just one of them and which one would be more beneficial?

I don't think it's worth memorising both for each section tonight - that's sooo much pressure. I would commit one to memory as much as possible, and have the other as best known to you as possible so that you can draw on it if you need! I also think in an exam, you'll surprise yourself with exactly how much you do remember! :)

Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on October 30, 2016, 05:24:59 pm
In response to this question...
Hey!

Was wondering if you had any tips on what constitutes a 'good extension ATB creative.'
I'm also going out on a bit of a limb and am bringing in only one that my teachers have approved. It is broad also, not in terms of context but in terms of that it really just explores the nexus between political and personal spheres. However, it's just not 'it,' in my opinion? I know it's too late to write an entirely new one but even dependant on the question tomorrow, I feel I don't quite get to what extent the WOT are to be reflected within our pieces and how to respond to the stimuli given.
I think this does a stellar job at explaining everything:

A 'good extension ATB creative' should encompass most, if not all, parts of the rubric - in particular making connections to each of the four key paradigms [scientific, religious, philosophical, economic]. It should be deeply grounded in contextual understanding - so the time period should be very obvious to the marker. At this point, what I'd suggest is to brainstorm ways you could potentially fit the aspects of the rubric into your creative piece - maybe look at past questions for guidance? The key words of the question should be integrated into your response in such a way that the marker doesn't have to go out of their way to look for it - they should be able to pick it up straight away without having to read over it again. However, I'd recommend any interpretation of given stimuli to be metaphorical - a literal interpretation should only ever be used if you're struggling to find any other way to fit it into your creative piece. What I would suggest in the exam is to look at the key terms of the question and throughout your response - whenever you make any sort of connection to it - to place emphasis on it, perhaps dwell on it a bit longer than intended to alert the marker that you are addressing the question. :)

I will add, that if you're looking for a checklist, this is it:
-Contextual accuracy
-Ways of thinking explored: not just one way of thinking, several, and make them come from the paradigms mentioned above.
-Careful control of the manipulation of language.

To me, these three things sum up the characteristics of the best responses I have read!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Sssssrr on October 30, 2016, 05:26:42 pm
hey!
I'm currently revising my intro for ways of thinking:navigating the global, does this sound ok, "Globalisation is potent catalyst of 21st century paradigms, imbuing a plethora of challenges to a contemporary anthropocentric society. Composers engage in diverse ways of thinking about the repercussions of Globalisation, delving into the ethereality of humanity, identity, and the ‘local’, notion’s which are inevitably dwarfed by the rapid progression of globalisation" - do you have any tips on anything that needs work here?
thanks!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on October 30, 2016, 05:27:53 pm
Hi guys, I am doing Romanticism and was reading over the markers' notes from previous years and I don't quite understand one bit - 'In weaker responses, candidates often relied on explaining how individual elements of Romanticism, such as a belief in Imagination or Nature, were reflected in the texts, rather than a broader view of the ways of thinking present in the historical period. '
Could someone please explain?
Thank you :)

Take me advice with a grain of salt because I'm making assumptions here about the romanticism course: I think they are saying that students are relying too much on the common characteristics/styles of the texts, rather than actually probing the ways of thinking. So, the way of thinking isn't "nature" - although that may be a strong stylistic feature of the text. The ways of thinking are actually the motivational drives for the work - what accelerates characters, what joins or discharges relationships, what drives society. All of the above. That's the way of thinking, which is what the module demands. The markers are saying that rather than relying on talking about elements of Romanticism texts, talk about the IDEAS within them, and then how they are displayed through the elements.

Does this make sense? :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on October 30, 2016, 05:35:38 pm
hey!
I'm currently revising my intro for ways of thinking:navigating the global, does this sound ok?
thanks!

"Globalisation is Apotent catalyst of 21st century paradigms, imbuing a plethora of challenges to a contemporary anthropocentric society. Composers engage in diverse ways of thinking about the repercussions of Globalisation, delving into the ethereality of humanity, identity, and the ‘local’, notion’s which are inevitably dwarfed by the rapid progression of globalisation." I do really enjoy this: You talk about the time, the who, the what, and I'm assuming the how is yet to come when you bring in some texts. How are you going to pair the texts with this? It is my suggestion that you bring in the texts one by one, and pair them with a particular way of thinking they explore. Is this in line with your plan? :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Sssssrr on October 30, 2016, 05:48:02 pm
"Globalisation is Apotent catalyst of 21st century paradigms, imbuing a plethora of challenges to a contemporary anthropocentric society. Composers engage in diverse ways of thinking about the repercussions of Globalisation, delving into the ethereality of humanity, identity, and the ‘local’, notion’s which are inevitably dwarfed by the rapid progression of globalisation." I do really enjoy this: You talk about the time, the who, the what, and I'm assuming the how is yet to come when you bring in some texts. How are you going to pair the texts with this? It is my suggestion that you bring in the texts one by one, and pair them with a particular way of thinking they explore. Is this in line with your plan? :)
i currently have my the texts paired, each with their respective ideas? so texts 1 and 2  - idea 1 and texts 3 and 4 - idea 2 ?
do you think one by one would be more effective?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on October 30, 2016, 06:16:02 pm
i currently have my the texts paired, each with their respective ideas? so texts 1 and 2  - idea 1 and texts 3 and 4 - idea 2 ?
do you think one by one would be more effective?

That works wonderfully! And then a sentence at the end to sum it up sounds perfect. This genuinely sounds like a uniquely perfect introduction - I think you should be really chuffed with it! Are you doing textually integrated paragraphs or a paragraph per text, with concepts weaved throughout?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Sssssrr on October 30, 2016, 06:21:16 pm
That works wonderfully! And then a sentence at the end to sum it up sounds perfect. This genuinely sounds like a uniquely perfect introduction - I think you should be really chuffed with it! Are you doing textually integrated paragraphs or a paragraph per text, with concepts weaved throughout?
ok thanks so much!
at the moment i have a paragraph per text with concepts throughout, though i do understand how the makers value integration, so i might work on that tonight
thanks for your help!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on October 30, 2016, 06:59:01 pm
ok thanks so much!
at the moment i have a paragraph per text with concepts throughout, though i do understand how the makers value integration, so i might work on that tonight
thanks for your help!

It might be worth just linking textually in a few points, but conceptual integration is the MOST important!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: caninesandy on October 30, 2016, 08:19:09 pm
Take me advice with a grain of salt because I'm making assumptions here about the romanticism course: I think they are saying that students are relying too much on the common characteristics/styles of the texts, rather than actually probing the ways of thinking. So, the way of thinking isn't "nature" - although that may be a strong stylistic feature of the text. The ways of thinking are actually the motivational drives for the work - what accelerates characters, what joins or discharges relationships, what drives society. All of the above. That's the way of thinking, which is what the module demands. The markers are saying that rather than relying on talking about elements of Romanticism texts, talk about the IDEAS within them, and then how they are displayed through the elements.

Does this make sense? :)

Thank you :)
So, using the 'nature' example, instead of just talking about the fact that nature was a feature of Romanticism I should go further to things like why and the impacts on people's lives and how nature influenced their way of thinking or how it became part of it?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: jaya6602 on October 30, 2016, 09:11:46 pm
Hi!
Just a question with after the bomb
If they ask a question about enduring relevance, how would you talk about it without sounding superficial
For example, without saying, we still have nuclear weapons today
Or is that not superficial to begin with
Thank you so much :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: nihilism on October 30, 2016, 09:42:03 pm
Hi, for After the Bomb, what would be an example of a really broad thesis statement?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on October 30, 2016, 10:33:02 pm
Thank you :)
So, using the 'nature' example, instead of just talking about the fact that nature was a feature of Romanticism I should go further to things like why and the impacts on people's lives and how nature influenced their way of thinking or how it became part of it?

I think both of those end options work - using nature as a motif is a convention - but we have conventions for a reason. Conventions are there to convey something: what is it conveying? A way of thinking :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on October 30, 2016, 10:34:42 pm
Hi!
Just a question with after the bomb
If they ask a question about enduring relevance, how would you talk about it without sounding superficial
For example, without saying, we still have nuclear weapons today
Or is that not superficial to begin with
Thank you so much :)

I'd talk about the time as setting a tone for a new world order...so many schools of thought were born in this time that exist today. Nihilism, rejection of mainstream religion, suspicion of politics, all of those things exist prevalently today, and they were all ways of thinking produced in the ATB era :)

Hi, for After the Bomb, what would be an example of a really broad thesis statement?

Perhaps something really broad like: "In the ATB period, one's personal agenda could not be separated from their political agenda." :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: mbdtHSC on December 17, 2016, 12:37:58 am
Hi, anyone have any suggestions for Romanticism related texts that would work well with A Vindication of the Rights of Woman? Or where to start some wide reading? :)

Thanks
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on December 17, 2016, 08:53:10 am
Hi, anyone have any suggestions for Romanticism related texts that would work well with A Vindication of the Rights of Woman? Or where to start some wide reading? :)

Thanks

Someone mentioned to me the other day that they used the picture book called "Old Mother Hubbard and her Dog" by Sarah Catherine Martin. I've just found an online copy of it here and they used A Vindication of the Rights of Woman as well :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bsdfjnlkasn on January 03, 2017, 11:06:19 pm
Hey there,

I wasn't sure where to put this but I was really intrigued by the kitchen debate (both the video and transcript) and was wondering if there were any similar videos that showed capitalism and communism in direct conversation (seeing Nixon and Khrushev as direct embodiments respectively)? An entertaining video that clearly illustrated the dynamic between the two leaders and their views. Hoping to watch something similar soon.

Any recommendations would be appreciated!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on January 04, 2017, 02:47:38 pm
Hey there,

I wasn't sure where to put this but I was really intrigued by the kitchen debate (both the video and transcript) and was wondering if there were any similar videos that showed capitalism and communism in direct conversation (seeing Nixon and Khrushev as direct embodiments respectively)? An entertaining video that clearly illustrated the dynamic between the two leaders and their views. Hoping to watch something similar soon.

Any recommendations would be appreciated!

Ooh, love the Kitchen Debate! I wish I could think of something similar off the top of my head...Here's an article by the NY Times if you haven't already read it. I love the title of it.

When you google "communism vs capitalism debate cold war" The Kitchen Debate comes up, in several resources. Now I realise how funny it is that I can hardly find any resources of Communism Vs Capitalism in direct conversation from the period...it really makes the era seem all the more immature, in a muted stand off with nuclear arms? Hmmm..

There are plenty of current debates though. Debate.org always has some really good, modern day debates, and there's plenty about capitalism and communism and all of them raise really good points that could help with grasping the ideologies of the era!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bsdfjnlkasn on January 12, 2017, 10:15:10 pm
Hey Elyse,

I was just wondering how relevant a creative piece on Perm-36 (or any of the camps which remained operational until the Gorbachev era) would be to the ATB module? I'm really interested in the GULAG camps and how their essential premise of productivity stood as a facade for the inhuman realities which lie within them.

This gives a decent summary of what the camps were: http://gulaghistory.org/nps/onlineexhibit/stalin/ but i'm sure you've heard of them

I'm thinking of having a political prisoner as my protagonist as this is probably the best way to cover all the relevant paradigms. Do these starting points seem promising and personal enough to be unique (i.e. something worth basing a creative off)? If so, i'll probably contact you again to run a plot/draft past you  :)

I'll be happy to hear any of the advice you have to offer  :)

P.S. Feel free to be critical of this proposal, if there are better/broader ideas that I should consider instead, I will!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on January 16, 2017, 07:52:26 pm
Hey Elyse,

I was just wondering how relevant a creative piece on Perm-36 (or any of the camps which remained operational until the Gorbachev era) would be to the ATB module? I'm really interested in the GULAG camps and how their essential premise of productivity stood as a facade for the inhuman realities which lie within them.

This gives a decent summary of what the camps were: http://gulaghistory.org/nps/onlineexhibit/stalin/ but i'm sure you've heard of them

I'm thinking of having a political prisoner as my protagonist as this is probably the best way to cover all the relevant paradigms. Do these starting points seem promising and personal enough to be unique (i.e. something worth basing a creative off)? If so, i'll probably contact you again to run a plot/draft past you  :)

I'll be happy to hear any of the advice you have to offer  :)

P.S. Feel free to be critical of this proposal, if there are better/broader ideas that I should consider instead, I will!

I can't be critical - I love this idea! In ATB - people tend to focus on one or the other: political or personal. It's because most people have a preference - some students love everything political abut the era whereas others love the shift in person ideologies. With this concept, you're using the setting as a sure-fire way to engage with the politics of it all, and then you will use the plot and the character to explore the more personal ways of thinking (which may well be inextricably linked to the politics). So you're ticking lots of boxes!

I think that being quite specific about the camp brings uniqueness - I haven't read any stories of this setting yet!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bsdfjnlkasn on January 16, 2017, 10:09:29 pm
I can't be critical - I love this idea! In ATB - people tend to focus on one or the other: political or personal. It's because most people have a preference - some students love everything political abut the era whereas others love the shift in person ideologies.

Amazing, thank you so much for your feedback and support!!
As you can probably tell, I haven't settled for either "side" yet so I guess this piece should keep it open enough for me to enjoy both  ;)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on January 17, 2017, 09:57:03 am
Amazing, thank you so much for your feedback and support!!
As you can probably tell, I haven't settled for either "side" yet so I guess this piece should keep it open enough for me to enjoy both  ;)

Yes, exploring both sides is critical, ENJOYING both sides is a bonus! Leave no boxes unturned, so don't abandon one for the other. Keep both sides open to exploration and you'll definitely put yourself above the rest! I can't wait to hear more about this :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: jeremy.khoupongsy on January 27, 2017, 09:53:51 pm
Hey,
I was wondering how I should structure my paragraphs for a general essay. Should I use TEEL, or is there another way to structure paragraphs?
Thanks.
Title: Re: 45 in Extension 1 English: Ask me anything!
Post by: bsdfjnlkasn on January 27, 2017, 11:03:18 pm
So think of Plath as the bottom of the spectrum here.
It goes like this in my head:
Men in politics who feel superior.
Men in society who are still being affected by politics, but are still above women.
Women who are to serve the men (this is super prevalent in The Applicant).
Plath - here place in the hierarchy is difficult. You could say she is more oppressed than other women because she mentally is oppressed by the stereotypes, whereas other women are complacent (not all - of course - but in general at the time).



HEY  :)

I know this is a major throw back, but my browsing (lol procrastination) has led me to stumble upon and think about your proposed hierarchy for men and women on the home front. Super cool idea by the way  8)

I was just curious about the reasons that led you to place men/women with greater political awareness lower than those who were less informed. My take was that, men who felt the consequences of the political turmoil more personally would be perceived as weak and even dissenting. The implied doubt that comes with this obviously poses a threat to the governing powers and the public who (thoughtlessly) follow, making them for the most part unpopular (to put it lightly). Of course, we can see the consequences of these decisions amplified through Plath's experience which is why I see (and agree) with her place in the 'hierarchy'. Was this sort of the line of thought you were conveying?

Even if our thoughts were in two completely places, I'd love to hear your reasons for the order and maybe even thoughts on my interpretation (if you'd call it that haha).

Anyway, thanks for reading and hoping to hear back soon ;D
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on January 28, 2017, 04:27:23 pm
Hey,
I was wondering how I should structure my paragraphs for a general essay. Should I use TEEL, or is there another way to structure paragraphs?
Thanks.

Hey! Welcome to the forums :)
There are so many different structures you could use for Extension. If it helps, you can read my own essay here. I changed my structure about two weeks before the HSC exam. All year, I had a reasonably un-integrated paragraph style and then I changed it up at the last minute. TEEL is always a good starting point, but then you should be looking to change it up by doubling up techniques for a single quote, or giving the example then the effect, then vice versa. In Extension, it is expected that you'll respond to questions in a unique and effective way that shows your own personal style, so you'll have to find a structure that works and then be ready to change it up and manipulate it! :)
Title: Re: 45 in Extension 1 English: Ask me anything!
Post by: elysepopplewell on January 28, 2017, 04:41:16 pm

HEY  :)

I know this is a major throw back, but my browsing (lol procrastination) has led me to stumble upon and think about your proposed hierarchy for men and women on the home front. Super cool idea by the way  8)

I was just curious about the reasons that led you to place men/women with greater political awareness lower than those who were less informed. My take was that, men who felt the consequences of the political turmoil more personally would be perceived as weak and even dissenting. The implied doubt that comes with this obviously poses a threat to the governing powers and the public who (thoughtlessly) follow, making them for the most part unpopular (to put it lightly). Of course, we can see the consequences of these decisions amplified through Plath's experience which is why I see (and agree) with her place in the 'hierarchy'. Was this sort of the line of thought you were conveying?

Even if our thoughts were in two completely places, I'd love to hear your reasons for the order and maybe even thoughts on my interpretation (if you'd call it that haha).

Anyway, thanks for reading and hoping to hear back soon ;D

This is absolutely the best kind of procrastination!

My hierarchy here is about the people least affected by politics, to the most. So, men in politics have the most power, they're the least likely victims. Men in the rest of society who don't have that direct control over politics, are the second group of least affected. Now, I'm being verrrrry basic here, because class or mental ability also come into these factors. But, men in general society are the next group. Followed by women. I would argue that because women were underrepresented (or like, not represented) in politics, seldom held positions of power in workplace or elsewhere, so voices were hardly heard on gendered issues.

So, for that reason, I think that men in politics had the most power, followed by men in society (purely because of their representation in politics, workplace, families and social context, and then women.

Plath had other experiences, characterised by being an artist of words, an educated woman, tortured creatively in her relationship, and her mental state.

Keen to know what you think, love a good ATB discussion :)
Title: Re: 45 in Extension 1 English: Ask me anything!
Post by: bsdfjnlkasn on January 28, 2017, 08:46:33 pm
This is absolutely the best kind of procrastination!

My hierarchy here is about the people least affected by politics, to the most. So, men in politics have the most power, they're the least likely victims. Men in the rest of society who don't have that direct control over politics, are the second group of least affected. Now, I'm being verrrrry basic here, because class or mental ability also come into these factors. But, men in general society are the next group. Followed by women. I would argue that because women were underrepresented (or like, not represented) in politics, seldom held positions of power in workplace or elsewhere, so voices were hardly heard on gendered issues.

So, for that reason, I think that men in politics had the most power, followed by men in society (purely because of their representation in politics, workplace, families and social context, and then women.

Plath had other experiences, characterised by being an artist of words, an educated woman, tortured creatively in her relationship, and her mental state.

Keen to know what you think, love a good ATB discussion :)


Ahhh ok, thanks for clearing that up  :)! Well I don't have much to discuss now because I completely agree with where you're coming from haha. I'll definitely let you know if I have anything else to say (because I've been staring at my screen for 10 minutes) and we can pick up from there - maybe we'll end up discussing something completely different who knows  ;D

Title: Re: 45 in Extension 1 English: Ask me anything!
Post by: elysepopplewell on January 30, 2017, 02:42:34 pm

Ahhh ok, thanks for clearing that up  :)! Well I don't have much to discuss now because I completely agree with where you're coming from haha. I'll definitely let you know if I have anything else to say (because I've been staring at my screen for 10 minutes) and we can pick up from there - maybe we'll end up discussing something completely differing who knows  ;D

I look forward to it! Having these kinds of discussions is very good practice for essay writing, because in the Extension course you have that freedom to be a bit banterous in your essays!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: sohum jain on January 30, 2017, 06:34:04 pm
Hi
I have a few general questions about study and exam technique,
 1. how would you suggest studying essay/creative writing?
 2. Are there any resources you would recommend studying in regards to prose design, structuring creative writing/essays, manipulating language?
3. How do you suggest improving understanding of ways of thinking, key paradigms, and incorporate them in a less-than-explicit manner in your creative?
4. On a more personal note, what are your favourite books? Both for enjoyment and analysis?
5. What is the best way to study for longer term development as a writer?
6. How do you go about approaching an essay/ creative writing piece?
7.  What do you think constitutes a good essay/creative writing piece? (sorry if this overlaps a bit with stayz1337s' question) What do you think markers/teacher look for in specific, when marking their essays?
Lastly, how do you improve your ability to write description/ bring sophistication to your writing?
I apologise if the questions seem a bit vague, or even silly. As a new senior student, and member of atar notes, I hope you'll forgive me, if my questions aren't appropriately formatted, or are posted in the wrong thread.
Thank you
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on January 31, 2017, 06:46:56 pm
Hi
I have a few general questions about study and exam technique,
I apologise if the questions seem a bit vague, or even silly. As a new senior student, and member of atar notes, I hope you'll forgive me, if my questions aren't appropriately formatted, or are posted in the wrong thread.
Thank you

Hey there!
Welcome to the forums! You've absolutely put all of this in the right spot, I'm more than happy to help! I'll respond in bold to the questions below:

 1. how would you suggest studying essay/creative writing?
I think that both of these need to be progressive throughout the year. With your creative, start early, and constantly edit and evolve the work to become something you really enjoy. As the year goes on you will learn lots more about context, techniques, and so on, so it's important that the work does evolve with the new knowledge you gain. As for the essay, I understand it's difficult until you have studied all of the texts to create an essay to edit. So I suggest you read as many extension essays as you can to see the way people are conceptually approaching the texts you study, and then you'll be able to formulate ideas to take into the texts as you study them for the first time.
 2. Are there any resources you would recommend studying in regards to prose design, structuring creative writing/essays, manipulating language?
Not particularly, admittedly. There's no go-to resource I recommend in relation to this kind of thing, but just studying different scholarly readings about the texts, or texts from that period, online. Google Scholar might be a good place to start, or sometimes typing in your text name and then "university" net to it into google will give you those higher-order-thinking responses.
3. How do you suggest improving understanding of ways of thinking, key paradigms, and incorporate them in a less-than-explicit manner in your creative?
This is something that develops over the year, but I definitely recommend reading widely. Although your texts may express some of the key ways of thinking of the era, they may not express them all and you'll want to know the others in case they are what you want to explore in your creative. So read widely, even in terms of non-fiction. In fact, especially in terms of non-fiction. Often, describing the context alone in a creative will set the climate for expressing the ways of thinking.
4. On a more personal note, what are your favourite books? Both for enjoyment and analysis?
One of my all time favourite books is Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale. Both for enjoyment and for analysis. I haven't brought myself to read it again yet, though.
5. What is the best way to study for longer term development as a writer?
Reading widely is definitely key. Reading the kind of writing you'd like to write, but also other styles and genres. There's a lot to learn! If you're interested in Fiction, John Marsden's book "Everything I know about writing" is fabulous - I recommend it to all HSC students doing creative writing.
6. How do you go about approaching an essay/ creative writing piece?
My own Extension 1 creative piece came as a sequel to my Ext 2 piece. My Ext 2 piece was a short story of about 6000 words, and my creative for Ext 1 was a speech made by the same protagonist, except ten years later! Finding very unique little niches in your set genre/period is the way to go, I think. Find a situation that is very interesting to you, and just read as widely as you can about that, and then bring it to life. Essay writing was something I struggled with in Ext 1, I wrote very basic, non-integrated essays nearly all year before I decided I needed a rehaul before my HSC exam, and in that two week period before the exam I overhauled everything!
7.  What do you think constitutes a good essay/creative writing piece? (sorry if this overlaps a bit with stayz1337s' question) What do you think markers/teacher look for in specific, when marking their essays?
Essays, markers look for: exploration of ways of thinking, sophistication of analysis, sophistication of expression, and sophistication of ideas expressed by you!
Creatives, markers look for: originality, exploration of ways of thinking, control and manipulation of form and expression, and engagement.
The marking criteria available online for both of these shows the specific criteria for each band, but this is the way I always thought of it :)

Lastly, how do you improve your ability to write description/ bring sophistication to your writing?
Again, reading widely. The more sophisticated and admirable language you are exposed to, the better. This means reading other essays or creatives, published works of fiction or non-fiction, as well as scholarly writing. I think it's best to read short stories, and online articles, because they are small and easy to read quickly, but are also usually packed with great language!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: 1tankengine on February 04, 2017, 11:57:42 am
Hi, I have a tutorial presentation for the elective Navigating the Global and I am struggling to find a related text.
The Objective is:
The Board of Studies is reviewing their prescriptions list for English Extension 1.
You are to present a related text that you believe could be incorporated in the Prescribed Text list for the elective – Navigating the Global.
The presentation should be presented to a panel of experts and be between 6-8 minutes. You must incorporate ICT in the presentation.
I was wondering if there were any related texts that come to mind.
Thanks
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: ssarahj on February 04, 2017, 12:48:38 pm
Hi, I have a tutorial presentation for the elective Navigating the Global and I am struggling to find a related text.
The Objective is:
The Board of Studies is reviewing their prescriptions list for English Extension 1.
You are to present a related text that you believe could be incorporated in the Prescribed Text list for the elective – Navigating the Global.
The presentation should be presented to a panel of experts and be between 6-8 minutes. You must incorporate ICT in the presentation.
I was wondering if there were any related texts that come to mind.
Thanks

Hey there! I hope you're enjoying Navigating The Global so far, I loved it so much 😃 What are your prescribed texts? Even though your assessment doesn't specifically mention it, I think it would make sense to choose a related text that you want to use for the rest of the year. I have a few related texts that I can suggest but it would make more sense to know your prescribed first.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: ash_mcalpine on February 04, 2017, 03:30:56 pm
Hey,

Currently, I need to prep my knowledge on the paradigms in regards to Waiting for Godot. I've tried reading articles and what not but I just can't get my head around the main themes and ideologies explored in the text :) :), anything would help!

Thanks heaps!! :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: 1tankengine on February 04, 2017, 03:44:17 pm
Hey there! I hope you're enjoying Navigating The Global so far, I loved it so much 😃 What are your prescribed texts? Even though your assessment doesn't specifically mention it, I think it would make sense to choose a related text that you want to use for the rest of the year. I have a few related texts that I can suggest but it would make more sense to know your prescribed first.

Hi, yeah I really am enjoying the elective but i'm finding it a bit hard to wrap my head around it. My prescribed are - Lost in Translation by Sofia Coppola, Journey to the Stone Country by Alex Miller and White Tiger by Aravind Adiga. Thanks  :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: ssarahj on February 04, 2017, 04:22:34 pm
Hi, yeah I really am enjoying the elective but i'm finding it a bit hard to wrap my head around it. My prescribed are - Lost in Translation by Sofia Coppola, Journey to the Stone Country by Alex Miller and White Tiger by Aravind Adiga. Thanks  :)

Awesome 😃 Don't worry I remember feeling exactly the same as you this time last year! For better or worse, Extension English modules seem to have so much depth of content and so many ways of approaching it that you're pretty much always trying to get your head around something, even the day before the exam! So embrace that.  😀

I used (and loved) the short story Love and Honour and Pity and Pride and Compassion and Sacrifice by Nam Le as well as the film The Rocket by Kim Mordaunt. There was definitely more resources and academic papers for Love and Honour, I found it harder to do contextual research for The Rocket, but they were both perfect for my essay (I used Adiga's novel and Levertov's poetry).

Here were some of my other short-listed texts:
- We Need New Names, NoViolet Bulawayo
- The Darjeeling Ltd, Wes Anderson
- The Global Soul, Pico Iyer
- Shaun Micallef's Stairway to Heaven, Shaun Micallef
- The Joy Luck Club, Amy Tan
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: 1tankengine on February 04, 2017, 04:31:53 pm
Awesome 😃 Don't worry I remember feeling exactly the same as you this time last year! For better or worse, Extension English modules seem to have so much depth of content and so many ways of approaching it that you're pretty much always trying to get your head around something, even the day before the exam! So embrace that.  😀

Thanks for the confidence boost, it's comforting to know I'm not the only one!

I used (and loved) the short story Love and Honour and Pity and Pride and Compassion and Sacrifice by Nam Le as well as the film The Rocket by Kim Mordaunt. There was definitely more resources and academic papers for Love and Honour, I found it harder to do contextual research for The Rocket, but they were both perfect for my essay (I used Adiga's novel and Levertov's poetry).

Here were some of my other short-listed texts:
- We Need New Names, NoViolet Bulawayo
- The Darjeeling Ltd, Wes Anderson
- The Global Soul, Pico Iyer
- Shaun Micallef's Stairway to Heaven, Shaun Micallef
- The Joy Luck Club, Amy Tan

Thank you so much! You have saved my Extension English 1 hopes!  ;D
I'll be sure to look into those texts and see which one will best apply to my understanding of the topic. Again, thank you.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: ssarahj on February 04, 2017, 04:48:02 pm
Hey,

Currently, I need to prep my knowledge on the paradigms in regards to Waiting for Godot. I've tried reading articles and what not but I just can't get my head around the main themes and ideologies explored in the text :) :), anything would help!

Thanks heaps!! :)

Hey! Just as a preface I'm not heaps familiar with your text however my advice would usually be to read as much as you can including all the Spark Notes and Cliff Notes and all the other simplified notes you can get your hands on. But since you've already made a solid effort at that I think one of the best things that you can do is to try and have a conversation with someone (maybe your teacher or class mates) and literally just chat about everything you know about Waiting for Godot. Just talk it out. Samuel Beckett's stuff can be pretty hectic and hard to grasp, so verbalising it may help you to solidify knowledge you didn't realise you had. It might sound a bit ineffectual but give it a go and see if it helps 😃
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on February 04, 2017, 05:48:01 pm
Hey,

Currently, I need to prep my knowledge on the paradigms in regards to Waiting for Godot. I've tried reading articles and what not but I just can't get my head around the main themes and ideologies explored in the text :) :), anything would help!

Thanks heaps!! :)

Hey there! You're asking a big question, it's Beckkett after all ;)

So much of Waiting for Godot's paradigms are about your interpretation. Following on from Sarah's suggestion about having a conversation about the text: What/Who do you think Godot is?

The most obvious answer for a lot of people is Godot is representative of God, or a deity. What are the complications with this? I mean, the name denotes it. But also: Godot never arrives (spoiler). So, does God never arrive? Is this a metanarrative for the existential crisis of the cold war? Everyone is waiting for a Heavenly saviour, everyone's waiting around, kicking dirt, just waiting to be saved - and that religious figure never delivers? So this is one of the main ways of thinking here: the religious way of thinking. This manifests itself in the text in more ways than just "What is Godot" but I think that question is a great place to start. Lucky's speech definitely suggests this reading. I suggest this article for some easy reading on this concept.

Another reading of the text would say that Godot is a socio-economic paradigm. We look at the relationship between Pozzo and Lucky and we very much see an exploitative relationship, a master and a slave. This can be seen that Pozzo is the embodiment of the aristocracy in capitalism, and Lucky is the embodiment of the working class. Later in the text, Pozzo returns as blind, Lucky is the same as before, except on a shorter rope so that they are more equal. Is this the start of communism in the text? Equality?

Vladimir and Estragon can be seen as the working class as well - they complete each other, they do as they are instructed to be promised something good (the arrival of Godot) but this never delivers. Thus, their belief in the coming of Godot is actually their oppressor and not just their saviour. Surprisingly, there's a good Prezi on this that I think would be worth checking out because it has quotes from the text there as well.

On perhaps the simplest viewing: we could say that Godot is just the embodiment of an empty promise. You could say the entire Cold War is an empty promise, with governments lying to their own people about their superiority, about the promise of elitism, capitalism, socialism, equality, and the promise of an ending war.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: QC on February 04, 2017, 08:12:51 pm
Hi, I have an idea for the setting of my ATB creative but I don't really know what will happen/what perspective I should take, any ideas would be great thanks :)
My setting is during the Cuban Missile Crisis, as the soviets tried to get Missiles to Cuba, the  US started to drop depth charges if they saw submarines on the radar in order to get them to rise to the surface as they had a blockade on soviet missiles from Cuba. One time this happened (possibly the first time) a soviet sub thought that it was US fire and that WWIII had broken out. Because of this, they were going to launch their own nuclear weapons in retaliation but required unilateral approval from the three officers in command as they were too low to contact Moscow for info. It turns out that 2 of them agreed but 1, Vasili Arkhipov, didn't and in effect saved the world from nuclear annihilation. I'm not sure how to make this setting into a story/ what would really happen. Thanks.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on February 04, 2017, 11:50:49 pm
Hi, I have an idea for the setting of my ATB creative but I don't really know what will happen/what perspective I should take, any ideas would be great thanks :)
My setting is during the Cuban Missile Crisis, as the soviets tried to get Missiles to Cuba, the  US started to drop depth charges if they saw submarines on the radar in order to get them to rise to the surface as they had a blockade on soviet missiles from Cuba. One time this happened (possibly the first time) a soviet sub thought that it was US fire and that WWIII had broken out. Because of this, they were going to launch their own nuclear weapons in retaliation but required unilateral approval from the three officers in command as they were too low to contact Moscow for info. It turns out that 2 of them agreed but 1, Vasili Arkhipov, didn't and in effect saved the world from nuclear annihilation. I'm not sure how to make this setting into a story/ what would really happen. Thanks.

Hey there! The Cuban Missile Crisis is an excellent facet of the Cold War to focus on! It has always been my own preference when writing to focus on personal situations, or personal relationships, amidst a political backdrop. Would you be interested in focusing on a human experience amidst this backdrop? You could write some sort of romance like The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, where the romance kind of sits as a subplot that encompasses humanity. Or you could play into gender or race here, perhaps by being an African American woman who had intelligence the US needed but wasn't taken seriously? Or, we could look into Vasili Arkhipov particularly, and this is interesting! We can look into this character and why that decision was made. I don't know if the real reasons are readily available online? But, a suggestion is looking into creating a story about the personal reasons that Arkhipov said no. I'm actually really excited just thinking about reading it. Your imagination could run wild here, you could use flashbacks or diary entries. It could be about his wife's miscarriage because of the immense anxiety she felt about the war, causing other medical issues. It could be because of Arkhipov's faith, thus bringing in a religious paradigm. There are sooo many things you could work with for this.

I'm really excited to see what you do with this, let me know what you think, or maybe this has given you some new ideas! :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: QC on February 05, 2017, 12:18:57 am
Hey there! The Cuban Missile Crisis is an excellent facet of the Cold War to focus on! It has always been my own preference when writing to focus on personal situations, or personal relationships, amidst a political backdrop. Would you be interested in focusing on a human experience amidst this backdrop? You could write some sort of romance like The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, where the romance kind of sits as a subplot that encompasses humanity. Or you could play into gender or race here, perhaps by being an African American woman who had intelligence the US needed but wasn't taken seriously? Or, we could look into Vasili Arkhipov particularly, and this is interesting! We can look into this character and why that decision was made. I don't know if the real reasons are readily available online? But, a suggestion is looking into creating a story about the personal reasons that Arkhipov said no. I'm actually really excited just thinking about reading it. Your imagination could run wild here, you could use flashbacks or diary entries. It could be about his wife's miscarriage because of the immense anxiety she felt about the war, causing other medical issues. It could be because of Arkhipov's faith, thus bringing in a religious paradigm. There are sooo many things you could work with for this.

I'm really excited to see what you do with this, let me know what you think, or maybe this has given you some new ideas! :)
Hi, thanks it gave me a quite a few ideas, am I allowed to use Arkhipov as a character? Is it bad to follow the real life events to much? Someone told me that it is better to use a random person like a journalist or a spy or something, if it is ok to use the guy then that would make it much easier since I can use the real life events as a guide since I srsly suck at creative writing haha.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on February 05, 2017, 06:57:44 am
Hi, thanks it gave me a quite a few ideas, am I allowed to use Arkhipov as a character? Is it bad to follow the real life events to much? Someone told me that it is better to use a random person like a journalist or a spy or something, if it is ok to use the guy then that would make it much easier since I can use the real life events as a guide since I srsly suck at creative writing haha.

You can definitely use the real events, but you need to fabricate the details that you don't have access to. Although your content may be factual, your presentation is creative. I suggest that any boring details you could definitely swap for embellished ideas. You don't want to be inaccurate in what you say, but you can, as an author, fill in the blanks of society and wonder what could have been.

Alternatively, you could write the entire thing like an allegory which would be immensely interesting to read!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: ash_mcalpine on February 05, 2017, 04:14:59 pm
Hey there! You're asking a big question, it's Beckkett after all ;)

So much of Waiting for Godot's paradigms are about your interpretation. Following on from Sarah's suggestion about having a conversation about the text: What/Who do you think Godot is?

The most obvious answer for a lot of people is Godot is representative of God, or a deity. What are the complications with this? I mean, the name denotes it. But also: Godot never arrives (spoiler). So, does God never arrive? Is this a metanarrative for the existential crisis of the cold war? Everyone is waiting for a Heavenly saviour, everyone's waiting around, kicking dirt, just waiting to be saved - and that religious figure never delivers? So this is one of the main ways of thinking here: the religious way of thinking. This manifests itself in the text in more ways than just "What is Godot" but I think that question is a great place to start. Lucky's speech definitely suggests this reading. I suggest this article for some easy reading on this concept.

Another reading of the text would say that Godot is a socio-economic paradigm. We look at the relationship between Pozzo and Lucky and we very much see an exploitative relationship, a master and a slave. This can be seen that Pozzo is the embodiment of the aristocracy in capitalism, and Lucky is the embodiment of the working class. Later in the text, Pozzo returns as blind, Lucky is the same as before, except on a shorter rope so that they are more equal. Is this the start of communism in the text? Equality?

Vladimir and Estragon can be seen as the working class as well - they complete each other, they do as they are instructed to be promised something good (the arrival of Godot) but this never delivers. Thus, their belief in the coming of Godot is actually their oppressor and not just their saviour. Surprisingly, there's a good Prezi on this that I think would be worth checking out because it has quotes from the text there as well.

On perhaps the simplest viewing: we could say that Godot is just the embodiment of an empty promise. You could say the entire Cold War is an empty promise, with governments lying to their own people about their superiority, about the promise of elitism, capitalism, socialism, equality, and the promise of an ending war.


Thanks so much, I was also thinking to specifically explore the circular structure of the play that captures the essence of humanity (seen through all the characters) as a means of repetition and then to directly relate that to the philosophical paradigm e.g.. questioning of God, satirical humour that subverts to nihilism and the establishment of existentialism. And to maybe then explore the uncertainty of the era through the substance of time- then linking that directly to the cold war and what you suggested about 'waiting'? I'm not too sure as this is kind of just random babbling and procrastination- would love it if you could let me know if i was going in the right direction!! Thanks!!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on February 05, 2017, 06:51:22 pm

Thanks so much, I was also thinking to specifically explore the circular structure of the play that captures the essence of humanity (seen through all the characters) as a means of repetition and then to directly relate that to the philosophical paradigm e.g.. questioning of God, satirical humour that subverts to nihilism and the establishment of existentialism. And to maybe then explore the uncertainty of the era through the substance of time- then linking that directly to the cold war and what you suggested about 'waiting'? I'm not too sure as this is kind of just random babbling and procrastination- would love it if you could let me know if i was going in the right direction!! Thanks!!

Hey Ash! You're definitely heading in the right direction. I find that Standard and Advanced students are likely to take on the techniques in the text, rather than the techniques in the form. In both Standard and Advanced, it is incredibly important that you take on form - but it is even more important in Extension. I think this is because a lot of the texts have so much merit to their form and structure that you'd be selling yourself short by not touching on it! The circular structure is a great place to focus on, and the idea of the substance of time is a huge idea to grapple with - admittedly it wasn't in my own analysis but I'd be very interested to see what you do with it. You're definitely on the right track, no qualms here! :) Let me know if you want to touch base and check in with anything, I'm happy to help :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: QC on February 06, 2017, 10:45:14 pm
Hey, I'm trying to write my entire first draft of my story today because I'm v far behind so if you could respond quickly that would be great. I have decided to try and follow the events of what happened in real life during Arkhipov's mission focusing on his ways of thinking about the war and his decisions as the creative element. As he was the captain of the fleet of 4 submarines making a mission, I'm not sure to what level his information about the cold war should be. Would he have known about the Cuban Missile Crisis? That 40+ nukes had already gone to Cuba? I'm also trying to make his decision really difficult for him by emphasising the many hypocrisy's of the west and possibly a religious element as USSR was atheist but not sure how to include that. 
Thanks
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on February 07, 2017, 02:13:05 am
Hey, I'm trying to write my entire first draft of my story today because I'm v far behind so if you could respond quickly that would be great. I have decided to try and follow the events of what happened in real life during Arkhipov's mission focusing on his ways of thinking about the war and his decisions as the creative element. As he was the captain of the fleet of 4 submarines making a mission, I'm not sure to what level his information about the cold war should be. Would he have known about the Cuban Missile Crisis? That 40+ nukes had already gone to Cuba? I'm also trying to make his decision really difficult for him by emphasising the many hypocrisy's of the west and possibly a religious element as USSR was atheist but not sure how to include that. 
Thanks

Hi Aroon, I have never taken to study Arkhipov so you probably know more than me. You can have a look at this great resource I found, it might help with working out exactly how much people knew about different things. It's a great resource and hopefully it answers some questions for you. If you still have questions after reading this, let me know. I'm happy to do my best to help, but you have introduced Arkhipov to me, I didn't know of him before. So I'm learning too :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: QC on February 07, 2017, 02:27:30 am
Hi Aroon, I have never taken to study Arkhipov so you probably know more than me. You can have a look at this great resource I found, it might help with working out exactly how much people knew about different things. It's a great resource and hopefully it answers some questions for you. If you still have questions after reading this, let me know. I'm happy to do my best to help, but you have introduced Arkhipov to me, I didn't know of him before. So I'm learning too :)
Oh sorry, haha, I was trying to get a general feel for how much a general/commander would know but thanks, this was a useful read, also just wanting to get perspective of what the common person knew etc.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: QC on February 07, 2017, 02:39:20 am
Do you think it would be better to write it as a series of 2 or 3 letters or as a story, it feels kinda choppy writing it as a story however, the letter format would entail some form of knowledge of the future as he is writing in the future so idk. I'm also having a plot point that they can hear the radio transmissions through a receptor and they hear of the US invading Cuba and forming a blockade etc. I'm planning to make the main character think of this as hypocrisy of the west as the US stood for freedom, democracy and non-inference into political uprising as Cuba had become a communist state without the requirement of Russian "intervention" is this actually hypocrisy since they were doing it in order to defend democracy and the west
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bowiemily on February 07, 2017, 09:15:06 am
Do you think it would be better to write it as a series of 2 or 3 letters or as a story, it feels kinda choppy writing it as a story however, the letter format would entail some form of knowledge of the future as he is writing in the future so idk. I'm also having a plot point that they can hear the radio transmissions through a receptor and they hear of the US invading Cuba and forming a blockade etc. I'm planning to make the main character think of this as hypocrisy of the west as the US stood for freedom, democracy and non-inference into political uprising as Cuba had become a communist state without the requirement of Russian "intervention" is this actually hypocrisy since they were doing it in order to defend democracy and the west

Hey Aroon! This is my first time answering someone on the forums, so apologies if this is a little messy!
I wrote my own creative as a series of letters and diary entries, so there is no reason why you can't do so. It may actually help you to develop such a complex character, as the letter will contain his voice and opinion so clearly that your reader won't be able to miss the parallel to Western/US ideals. However, if you find that your piece is plot driven rather than character driven, I would say write your story as a narrative. Otherwise, bits of the plot can fall between the spaces of your letters. An authentic letter doesn't try to explain everything that's happened. So, if you think this may be a problem, perhaps write the majority of your story as a narrative and include a letter at the end, to really show that characters voice.
I hope this helped  :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: phebsh on February 21, 2017, 09:20:47 am
Hi, does anyone have any good recommendations for related texts for comedy? Thanks! :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on February 21, 2017, 10:18:09 pm
Hi, does anyone have any good recommendations for related texts for comedy? Thanks! :)

Hey! I asked my friend who studied this in 2016 and he replied, "I studies Inglorious Bastards by Quentin Tarantino, and Utopia by Sir Thomas More, as well as three episodes of Black Adder and Jasper Fforde's The Eyre Affair."

Hopefully this gives you a hand :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: lauraodonohoe on February 26, 2017, 12:24:13 pm
Hi!

I'm doing After the Bomb for extension. So far for my first task I used a Guardian article on the Rosenbergs and a George Orwell magazine article called 'As I Please' for my ORTs. I found these texts were great to analyse contrastingly against one another and against Sylvia's oeuvre however I don't know if I'm narrowing my focus too much by looking only at journalistic styles. Any opinions would be great!

Thanks  :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: stephjones on February 26, 2017, 07:33:58 pm
Hi! I'm studying Science Fiction this year and I haven't really been able to find a lot of notes from other people on the genre, so I'm a little bit lost on what sort of related texts I should use to link to Bladerunner and Neuromancer (and Dune, but I hopefully won't use that). I've never really been into the Sci-fi genre so I honestly have no idea what sort of texts would relate to these, so if anyone has any ideas that would be great!!

Also I was recommended Fahrenheit-451, but my teacher told me that it would be used A LOT, and I was wondering if that could impact negatively on my results?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on February 27, 2017, 05:07:47 am
Hi!

I'm doing After the Bomb for extension. So far for my first task I used a Guardian article on the Rosenbergs and a George Orwell magazine article called 'As I Please' for my ORTs. I found these texts were great to analyse contrastingly against one another and against Sylvia's oeuvre however I don't know if I'm narrowing my focus too much by looking only at journalistic styles. Any opinions would be great!

Thanks  :)

Hey Laura :) These sound like really good related texts. I haven't heard of many people using these so props to you! The only reason why you might be limiting yourself, that I can think of, is if the question for the essay relates to form specifically and implies something more creative. But hey, in saying this, I used a political debate and I never questioned "what if the essay relates to form specifically and implies something more creative."

Although it's wonderful to have two strong related texts right now, I think it could be beneficial to have more studied, even briefly. This'll widen your perspective on the era, the issues, give you ideas for creatives, but also give you something to fall back on if you get to trials and realise that your related texts aren't as wonderful as you thought in term one (I'm not predicting this will be the case - it just was for me because I grew so much as an E1 student in this time that I re-evaluated things). It's not difficult to explore other related texts in E1 - there's some very short propaganda films, short stories, posters, visuals, poems..it goes on. So without having to read an entire novel, you could still widen your reading if you're even slightly concerned about being limited with your current selection. And if you're considering changing/gaining related texts, now is the time! Or...after half yearlies. Then it is the time!

So, I wouldn't be too concerned about being limited by text type, but I'd be using this stage in the game to keep reading and assessing your related texts. Always be critical with your work in Ext 1, and it sounds like you are! Always re-evaluate if you're still growing, test your related texts against tricky questions...so on. Good luck :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bananna on February 28, 2017, 11:43:21 am
Hi :)
what do you think of "artist of the floating world" by Kazuo Ishiguro as a related text for Sylvia Plath's "Ariel" (ATB) ?
I haven't read it yet, but I know a quick summary. (The teacher marking hasn't read it either)
I can't find much analysis on it on the net, though--I like to reference other perspectives on the text//utilise analysis that I haven't thought of.

what do you think?
thanks :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: chloe9756 on February 28, 2017, 06:37:10 pm
hey i'm doing atb and want to centre my creative surrounding japan. what are some political, social, religious, philosophical paradigms that i could address?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bsdfjnlkasn on February 28, 2017, 06:43:04 pm
Hi :)
what do you think of "artist of the floating world" by Kazuo Ishiguro as a related text for Sylvia Plath's "Ariel" (ATB) ?
I haven't read it yet, but I know a quick summary. (The teacher marking hasn't read it either)
I can't find much analysis on it on the net, though--I like to reference other perspectives on the text//utilise analysis that I haven't thought of.

what do you think?
thanks :)


Hey i'm not too sure if you can do Ishiguro's Artist because it is in fact a prescribed text for the module  :(
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bananna on February 28, 2017, 08:32:29 pm

Hey i'm not too sure if you can do Ishiguro's Artist because it is in fact a prescribed text for the module  :(

Oh, I didn't know that.. :/

Thanks for letting me know, though  :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on March 01, 2017, 02:05:18 am
Hi! I'm studying Science Fiction this year and I haven't really been able to find a lot of notes from other people on the genre, so I'm a little bit lost on what sort of related texts I should use to link to Bladerunner and Neuromancer (and Dune, but I hopefully won't use that). I've never really been into the Sci-fi genre so I honestly have no idea what sort of texts would relate to these, so if anyone has any ideas that would be great!!

Also I was recommended Fahrenheit-451, but my teacher told me that it would be used A LOT, and I was wondering if that could impact negatively on my results?

Hey Steph,

This is a good question. The way I see it is, if 300 essays come in with the same prescribed text, it's all about what you do with the text rather than what it is. So when you come in with a common related text, it is again, all about what you do with the text. I do wonder if there is a little bit of prejudice in a marker's mind so when they come to a text they haven't seen yet, it feels refreshing. But, bringing in a unique text doesn't guarantee you any kind of marks - you could write about the most obscure text and write awfully. So I don't see it as though you'll automatically be marked down for using a common related text, but perhaps you'd be doing yourself a service by extending and choosing an uncommon text that doesn't have a lot of readings online, so you're forced to come up with something original? But, this is all hypothetical, of course. I don't think I can say you will be definitely disadvantaged. It's all about what you do with it :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on March 01, 2017, 02:14:05 am
Hi :)
what do you think of "artist of the floating world" by Kazuo Ishiguro as a related text for Sylvia Plath's "Ariel" (ATB) ?
I haven't read it yet, but I know a quick summary. (The teacher marking hasn't read it either)
I can't find much analysis on it on the net, though--I like to reference other perspectives on the text//utilise analysis that I haven't thought of.

what do you think?
thanks :)

Hey! I think one of the unique things about English is you can analyse all on your own, and you'll take on some really unique ideas that you might not have if you approached the text for the first time with someone else's analysis. But, you can get to a stage where it's difficult to dig deeper without getting ideas to bounce off from other people - so it does make it difficult when you don't know people who have read it, or if you can't find much online about it. I always think it's best to do the initial analysis on your own, and then bounce on other people's ideas to make your analysis richer. So, that's my thoughts, essentially :) Buuuuut, I did my discovery related text without any other available analysis online. So, it is possible! I just enjoy the process more when you can bounce off others :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on March 01, 2017, 02:23:22 am
hey i'm doing atb and want to centre my creative surrounding japan. what are some political, social, religious, philosophical paradigms that i could address?

Hey! It really depends on exactly when you'd like to focus on. These are some things that come to mind for me when I think of Japan in this time:
-Complete turmoil, heart break, devastation
-Ongoing health effects
-A city, but also, a country, and also, a culture, trying to rebuild themselves from rubble.
-The shift into anti-nuclear campaigns post bomb, but still amidst the Cold War
-A very long standing traditional country, destroyed by modern technology.
-Global interactions, Japan and other countries at this time.
-Shinto, I believe, is the main religion in Japan.

I'd select a decade your most interested in and find a google summary of it, that way you can pin down the precise details you'll need to write a great creative :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bananna on March 01, 2017, 07:08:35 am
Hi :)
I've decided on reading Hiroshima by John Hersey as a related text for Plath.
Does that sound okay?
Just wondering, how would I analyse a non-fiction text?
What sort of techniques should I be looking for before reading it?
Thank you!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on March 02, 2017, 01:44:26 am
Hi :)
I've decided on reading Hiroshima by John Hersey as a related text for Plath.
Does that sound okay?
Just wondering, how would I analyse a non-fiction text?
What sort of techniques should I be looking for before reading it?
Thank you!

Hey! Sounds good to me :)

I'd be looking at emotive language, elements of recounting (are each of the reflections in sequential order or do they flash back and forth), rhetorical questions, quotations, the formality of the language, imagery, tone...

Essentially, I would be looking at language form (syntax, paragraph structure) as the initial reading, and then look into the techniques of dialogue (I believe your book is 6 or so recounts?) and then anything else we usually look for in fiction may be prevalent too, like imagery, similes, etc.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bananna on March 02, 2017, 07:33:54 am
Hey! Sounds good to me :)

I'd be looking at emotive language, elements of recounting (are each of the reflections in sequential order or do they flash back and forth), rhetorical questions, quotations, the formality of the language, imagery, tone...

Essentially, I would be looking at language form (syntax, paragraph structure) as the initial reading, and then look into the techniques of dialogue (I believe your book is 6 or so recounts?) and then anything else we usually look for in fiction may be prevalent too, like imagery, similes, etc.

awesome, thank you :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bananna on March 04, 2017, 06:51:39 am
Hi
can I use John Hersey's Hiroshima as a related text for Ways of Thinking After the Bomb?
I think its a prescribed text for the module  :-\
but I'm not completely sure...how do you check?
please let me know if its suitable
thanks,
bananna
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on March 05, 2017, 08:26:29 am
Hi
can I use John Hersey's Hiroshima as a related text for Ways of Thinking After the Bomb?
I think its a prescribed text for the module  :-\
but I'm not completely sure...how do you check?
please let me know if its suitable
thanks,
bananna
Hello :)
Here is the document with the prescribed texts, move down to page 31 to see Ways of Thinking.

This is what the BOSTES FAQ says..."Students will not be disadvantaged by using a text from the Prescribed Texts list, provided it is relevant to the module/elective concerned." The link to that document is here. However, I would ask your teacher what he or she thinks about this, because it is a prescribed text from the module you are studying. It's not like you're studying Discovery and chose a related text from the Module C prescribed list, yknow? I don't want to spread misinformation, so I'd ask your teacher for their opinion.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: stephjones on March 05, 2017, 06:27:13 pm
I only just saw that you replied to this, but thank you! I decided to go with Fahrenheit, just because I read it and really liked it, and it linked in well with my other related texts (which are less common haha), but thank you! (:
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bananna on March 05, 2017, 08:44:38 pm
Hello :)
Here is the document with the prescribed texts, move down to page 31 to see Ways of Thinking.

This is what the BOSTES FAQ says..."Students will not be disadvantaged by using a text from the Prescribed Texts list, provided it is relevant to the module/elective concerned." The link to that document is here. However, I would ask your teacher what he or she thinks about this, because it is a prescribed text from the module you are studying. It's not like you're studying Discovery and chose a related text from the Module C prescribed list, yknow? I don't want to spread misinformation, so I'd ask your teacher for their opinion.

Thank you! I'll ask my teacher and post what she says :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on March 06, 2017, 01:37:57 am
Thank you! I'll ask my teacher and post what she says :)

Let me know! I'd be keen to know what she says, because this question does get asked a fair bit and it's a bit of a grey area.

I only just saw that you replied to this, but thank you! I decided to go with Fahrenheit, just because I read it and really liked it, and it linked in well with my other related texts (which are less common haha), but thank you! (:

Yay! Good for you. I'm excited to hear how you go with it :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bananna on March 06, 2017, 07:44:32 pm
hi, my teacher said I'd have to change it for the HSC, so I could probably do it for my upcoming class task.

But I am really scared, because my mid-yearlies are coming up and I have no related texts...please help!!!  :'(

I wanted to use the same essay for my HSC because it would be easier

but I have no direction at the moment :(
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on March 06, 2017, 07:53:24 pm
hi, my teacher said I'd have to change it for the HSC, so I could probably do it for my upcoming class task.

But I am really scared, because my mid-yearlies are coming up and I have no related texts...please help!!!  :'(

I wanted to use the same essay for my HSC because it would be easier

but I have no direction at the moment :(

Hey bananna, have you looked at the list of related texts that I used? The link attaches also to my own ATB essay, so you can see the way I used them. Some of the related texts suggested are available online and are quite short, so you could access them easily while you're cramming!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bananna on March 06, 2017, 08:14:12 pm
Hey bananna, have you looked at the list of related texts that I used? The link attaches also to my own ATB essay, so you can see the way I used them. Some of the related texts suggested are available online and are quite short, so you could access them easily while you're cramming!

I have, but none of them really appeal to me or I'm thinking of using them as my 2nd related text (for waiting for godot or spy who came in from the cold)
i'm having a lot of trouble finding something i could use for Plath
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on March 06, 2017, 09:38:06 pm
I have, but none of them really appeal to me or I'm thinking of using them as my 2nd related text (for waiting for godot or spy who came in from the cold)
i'm having a lot of trouble finding something i could use for Plath

I used the Kitchen Debate for Plath and it worked well. You could also look at Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique. That's a great text to link to Plath. Or, some Germaine Greer publications also will work as a nice contrast, still highlighting some similarities. This is all following the gendered way of thinking though, although each text explores more than just that!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Mary_a on March 13, 2017, 04:53:42 pm
Hey,

I am studying Romanticism for the HSC, I honestly love this topic so much. I am a bit curious about how to  adress related texts for the different prescribed texts.

For Coleridge: John Keats-La Belle Dame Sans Merci (my favourite poem)

For Frankenstien: I'm thinking of Wuthering Heights

however,

For A Vindication Of The Rights Of Woman: I have no idea. I am really unsure what to select and how to incorporate a related for this text.

Do you happen to have any ideas or advice I can use in regards to Romanticism related?

Thank you so much,

Mary x
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bananna on March 16, 2017, 04:22:21 am
hi,
when you quote a philosopher/essayist in a piece, must they be well-known?

also, can you quote essayists in advanced?
Reason I'm asking is that we're always encouraged to do so in ext 1, but never hear of it in adv

thank you!!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on March 16, 2017, 05:31:49 am
hi,
when you quote a philosopher/essayist in a piece, must they be well-known?

also, can you quote essayists in advanced?
Reason I'm asking is that we're always encouraged to do so in ext 1, but never hear of it in adv

thank you!!

No they don't have to be well known, but yes you certainly can quote them in Advanced! You'll most likely see quoting scholars in Advanced in Module B, but it can be done in other modules too :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bananna on March 16, 2017, 04:19:08 pm
No they don't have to be well known, but yes you certainly can quote them in Advanced! You'll most likely see quoting scholars in Advanced in Module B, but it can be done in other modules too :)

thank you!
also, we have a task just on plath -1 poem and 1 related
in my first plath paragraph, i have 2 quotes from the same person--simone de beauvoir
i feel like they enhance my piece but,
is that fine or should I seek some variety?
thanks!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bananna on March 16, 2017, 05:55:59 pm
hi
also, (sorry for asking so many questions),
i want to compare Plath's (prescribed) arrival of the bee box and hiroshima by john hersey
one of the way s i want to do this is compare Plath's questioning of the unnatural role of women in society (and then provide a feminist reading of the poem) and the victims of hiroshima questioning the unnatural power of the bomb.

my question's got to do with how the construction of character explores ideas about power.

here are my topic sentences :

Influenced by a growing defiance of conservative societal values, composers writing in the post-bomb period pursue questions of the unnatural power of women in a patriarchal society. Such is true of Plath, a confessional poet, grappling with her identity alone, as a female in the early ‘60s.

While Plath confronts the post-war mentality of the unnatural treatment of a woman in a pre-dominantly male society, the victims of Hiroshima struggle to understand the extent of the unnatural power of the bomb that changed their lives.


is that a strong enough link (exploration of the natural/unnatural)?
should I provide a feminist viewpoint for Hiroshima as well?

thank you!


Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on March 16, 2017, 11:13:54 pm
thank you!
also, we have a task just on plath -1 poem and 1 related
in my first plath paragraph, i have 2 quotes from the same person--simone de beauvoir
i feel like they enhance my piece but,
is that fine or should I seek some variety?
thanks!

No i think that's definitely fine! :)

hi
also, (sorry for asking so many questions),
i want to compare Plath's (prescribed) arrival of the bee box and hiroshima by john hersey
one of the way s i want to do this is compare Plath's questioning of the unnatural role of women in society (and then provide a feminist reading of the poem) and the victims of hiroshima questioning the unnatural power of the bomb.

my question's got to do with how the construction of character explores ideas about power.

here are my topic sentences :

Influenced by a growing defiance of conservative societal values, composers writing in the post-bomb period pursue questions of the unnatural power of women in a patriarchal society. Such is true of Plath, a confessional poet, grappling with her identity alone, as a female in the early ‘60s.

While Plath confronts the post-war mentality of the unnatural treatment of a woman in a pre-dominantly male society, the victims of Hiroshima struggle to understand the extent of the unnatural power of the bomb that changed their lives.


is that a strong enough link (exploration of the natural/unnatural)?
should I provide a feminist viewpoint for Hiroshima as well?

thank you!

I just want to be clear on what you mean by the unnatural position? Do you mean, the position of women who have broken the bounds of the place the patriarchal demands sits them? What do you mean by unnatural? What is the unnatural treatment?

The link seems great, and your writing is very well articulated, but I just don't know what you mean by unnatural..

Providing a feminist critical theory to Hersey's work could be beneficial for linking, but don't force it if it isn't natural. You could be a little intersectional with this as well, and take on a marxist (class-based) reading that links the two together, if one lends itself to the other more.

Let me know your thoughts on unnatural and then I can be more critical in my advice to be more helpful! :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bananna on March 17, 2017, 07:21:20 am
No i think that's definitely fine! :)

I just want to be clear on what you mean by the unnatural position? Do you mean, the position of women who have broken the bounds of the place the patriarchal demands sits them? What do you mean by unnatural? What is the unnatural treatment?

The link seems great, and your writing is very well articulated, but I just don't know what you mean by unnatural..

Providing a feminist critical theory to Hersey's work could be beneficial for linking, but don't force it if it isn't natural. You could be a little intersectional with this as well, and take on a marxist (class-based) reading that links the two together, if one lends itself to the other more.

Let me know your thoughts on unnatural and then I can be more critical in my advice to be more helpful! :)



hi,
sorry, I think i realised later on that my wording was unclear and changed my t.s a little
i now mean that it is unnatural to have an all-male power structure in society, because the world is not all-male.
(does that make sense or should I articulate it further in my essay?)
thanks for the advice!
btw this is the paragraph can you please tell me what you think?
thank you!!

Influenced by a growing defiance of conservative societal values, composers writing in the post-bomb period pursue questions of the power of women in an unnatural patriarchal society. Such is true of Plath, a confessional poet, grappling with her identity alone, as a female in the early ‘60s. As Simone de Beauvoir remarks, “the destiny that society traditionally offers women is marriage”. Plath acknowledges this likelihood, but attempts to dismiss it within the connotations imposed upon the word “I ordered” bringing to light the dichotomous thematic concerns over power and subjugation, nonetheless, foreshadowing her superiority complex. The persona establishes her dominance over the bees in the truncated sentence “I am the owner”: a direct defiance of post-war societal values. However, the audience sees a tonal shift in the sixth paragraph, where the persona wonders “how hungry they are” and debates freeing them: alluding to the myth of Daphne. This volte-face succeeds her epiphany that the bees, like her, are victims. However, the persona does not consider herself a mother to the bees, rather, a ‘protector’; diction free from gender bias. This echoes the persona’s disengagement with her identity as a mother in ‘Morning Song’, utilizing sibilance as the baby “shadows our safety”. As De Beauvoir colloquially states, a woman may feel detached from her child as “she has no past in common with this little stranger”, which is why the persona of ‘Arrival of the Bee Box’ does not identify with the term ‘mother’. Hence, it is this power struggle the persona faces that allows Plath to attempt to understand the position of women in an unnatural patriarchal society.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bsdfjnlkasn on March 17, 2017, 08:30:33 pm



hi,
sorry, I think i realised later on that my wording was unclear and changed my t.s a little
i now mean that it is unnatural to have an all-male power structure in society, because the world is not all-male.
(does that make sense or should I articulate it further in my essay?)
thanks for the advice!
btw this is the paragraph can you please tell me what you think?
thank you!!

Influenced by a growing defiance of conservative societal values, composers writing in the post-bomb period pursue questions of the power of women in an unnatural patriarchal society. Such is true of Plath, a confessional poet, grappling with her identity alone, as a female in the early ‘60s. As Simone de Beauvoir remarks, “the destiny that society traditionally offers women is marriage”. Plath acknowledges this likelihood, but attempts to dismiss it within the connotations imposed upon the word “I ordered” bringing to light the dichotomous thematic concerns over power and subjugation, nonetheless, foreshadowing her superiority complex. The persona establishes her dominance over the bees in the truncated sentence “I am the owner”: a direct defiance of post-war societal values. However, the audience sees a tonal shift in the sixth paragraph, where the persona wonders “how hungry they are” and debates freeing them: alluding to the myth of Daphne. This volte-face succeeds her epiphany that the bees, like her, are victims. However, the persona does not consider herself a mother to the bees, rather, a ‘protector’; diction free from gender bias. This echoes the persona’s disengagement with her identity as a mother in ‘Morning Song’, utilizing sibilance as the baby “shadows our safety”. As De Beauvoir colloquially states, a woman may feel detached from her child as “she has no past in common with this little stranger”, which is why the persona of ‘Arrival of the Bee Box’ does not identify with the term ‘mother’. Hence, it is this power struggle the persona faces that allows Plath to attempt to understand the position of women in an unnatural patriarchal society.

Hey just a thought on how you've explained your use of unnatural - maybe use the word unjust as this makes your feminist reading of Plath's poem clearer without having to explicitly say that that's what you're doing  :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: stephjones on March 19, 2017, 08:52:45 pm
hey! I was just wondering, in terms of essay structure, is it okay to have less focus on your related texts? My teacher always says try to get an even amount of analysis in for each text, but would it be okay if I structured it like this? (give or take a few paragraphs)

P1 - Prescribed and related1
P2 - Prescribed and related2
P3 - Prescribed and related1
P4 - Prescribed and related2

or would it be better if I used one paragraph to integrate my two related texts? (:
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: ssarahj on March 19, 2017, 09:30:11 pm
hey! I was just wondering, in terms of essay structure, is it okay to have less focus on your related texts? My teacher always says try to get an even amount of analysis in for each text, but would it be okay if I structured it like this? (give or take a few paragraphs)

P1 - Prescribed and related1
P2 - Prescribed and related2
P3 - Prescribed and related1
P4 - Prescribed and related2

or would it be better if I used one paragraph to integrate my two related texts? (:

That structure seems fine by me! Go with whatever works the best for your ideas, that's where you're going to get your marks!! 😃
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: stephjones on March 19, 2017, 10:19:17 pm
That structure seems fine by me! Go with whatever works the best for your ideas, that's where you're going to get your marks!! 😃

awesome, thank you! (:
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on March 19, 2017, 10:45:20 pm
hi,
sorry, I think i realised later on that my wording was unclear and changed my t.s a little
i now mean that it is unnatural to have an all-male power structure in society, because the world is not all-male.
(does that make sense or should I articulate it further in my essay?)
thanks for the advice!
btw this is the paragraph can you please tell me what you think?
thank you!!

As suggested above, I think "unjust" is probably a better description than unnatural :) Of course, unjust is subjective as well, but it is more clear than unnatural :)

Influenced by a growing defiance of conservative societal values, composers writing in the post-bomb period pursue questions of the power of women in an unnatural patriarchal society Now I'm reading it here, I'm wondering if you need to describe the patriarchy at all, with unjust or unnatural - I think it could go without. Unjust is subjective and unnatural is not quite right. I don't think either add anything to your work. . Such is true of Plath, a confessional poet, grappling with her identity alone, no need for comma as a female in the early ‘60s. As Simone de Beauvoir remarks, “the destiny that society traditionally offers women is marriage” I'd say where this is quoted from. Which work of Beauvoir's did this come from?. Plath acknowledges this likelihood, but attempts to dismiss it within the connotations imposed upon the word “I ordered” bringing to light the dichotomous thematic concerns over power and subjugation, nonetheless, foreshadowing her superiority complex. The persona establishes her dominance over the bees in the truncated sentence “I am the owner”: a direct defiance of post-war societal values. However, the audience sees a tonal shift in the sixth paragraph, where the persona wonders “how hungry they are” and debates freeing them: alluding to the myth of Daphne. This volte-face succeeds her epiphany that the bees, like her, are victims of the.... However, the persona does not consider herself a mother to the bees, rather, a ‘protector’; diction free from gender bias. This echoes the persona’s disengagement with her identity as a mother in ‘Morning Song’, utilizing utilising* sibilance as the baby “shadows our safety”. Punctuation inside the quotation mark :) As De Beauvoir colloquially states, a woman may feel detached from her child as “she has no past in common with this little stranger”, which is why the persona of ‘Arrival of the Bee Box’ does not identify with the term ‘mother’. Hence, it is this power struggle the persona faces that allows Plath to attempt to understand the position of women in an unnatural patriarchal society.

Hopefully this gives you a hand - you've put a lot in a small space which we really need in E1, it's very dense and no waffle - which is great!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: stephjones on March 19, 2017, 11:57:17 pm
how many words/paragraphs would you aim for in an extension essay during an exam? I'm writing a practice one right now and I think I'm only going to be able to fit in three integrated paragraphs (because they're overly long!!) during the exam tomorrow and I'm a bit worried that it won't be enough :(
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on March 20, 2017, 12:23:07 am
how many words/paragraphs would you aim for in an extension essay during an exam? I'm writing a practice one right now and I think I'm only going to be able to fit in three integrated paragraphs (because they're overly long!!) during the exam tomorrow and I'm a bit worried that it won't be enough :(

That sounds okay to me Steph! Especially at this stage in the year - as the year goes on you will shift your structure, your analysis, and your ideas, and you might find it comes out differently. But with your exam tomorrow, this sounds perfect! Get some rest :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Mary_a on March 20, 2017, 08:43:22 pm
Hey Guys,

In an English Extension 1 Exam how many words.pages do you suggest for the essay/creative?

Thanks,

Mary x
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on March 21, 2017, 09:02:56 pm
Hey Guys,

In an English Extension 1 Exam how many words.pages do you suggest for the essay/creative?

Thanks,

Mary x

Hey Mary,

I won't suggest what I think is best because there's too many variables there, but I think my creative was about 1200 and my essay about 1500? :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: nadine.tan on March 30, 2017, 02:12:53 pm
Hi !!
I needed some help in identifying themes in the comic When the Wind Blows by James Patterson that link to The Spy who came in from the cold, and the poem Daddy by Sylvia Plath ?

Any help would be greatly appreciated !

thanks so much
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on March 30, 2017, 08:41:48 pm
Hi !!
I needed some help in identifying themes in the comic When the Wind Blows by James Patterson that link to The Spy who came in from the cold, and the poem Daddy by Sylvia Plath ?

Any help would be greatly appreciated !

thanks so much

For me, the two greatest themes in When the Wind Blows are utter belief in government, and the irony of that. The couple in the novel follow all of the instructions of the government almost as though they are following the instructions of a Bible. They are meticulous in their preparation. They die in the end. The irony of this, is that they believed and followed a government that had in many ways (if not at that moment, historically), gotten them into the situations they are now trying to save from. This isn't replicated in the Spy, but it definitely features in different ways. The idea of trust in government/authority is spilled all through the book. And, of course, the irony of it all. In Daddy, you could espouse the reading that Daddy is the government, a paternalistic creature. It's difficult and not something I've seen before, but by not making it her actual father, or any particular man in her life, you could make it about the government/patriarchy. Otherwise, you could keep Daddy as a personal figure, but relate the certain things she says to daily life under government, like when she says she barely dared to breathe or achoo.

Hopefully this helps, it's just a brainstorm from the back of my mind! :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: ash_mcalpine on March 30, 2017, 10:29:52 pm
Hey there, I was just wondering if you have any good ideas for  related texts, my elective is after the bomb and I have slaughterhouse 5 to pair with waiting for Godot, but I was bit stuck on a female/ family view to pair with Sylvia Plath's poetry- any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on April 02, 2017, 05:41:59 pm
Hey there, I was just wondering if you have any good ideas for  related texts, my elective is after the bomb and I have slaughterhouse 5 to pair with waiting for Godot, but I was bit stuck on a female/ family view to pair with Sylvia Plath's poetry- any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks!

Hey Ash! I wrote up all the related texts I used here - but for Plath, I paired it with The Kitchen Debate :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Supersuu951 on April 04, 2017, 01:41:39 pm
Hey,
I've got an English Extension 1 exam tomorrow and apparently there is a difference between paradigms and ways of thinking.
I just wanted to know if there was a difference and what that is.

Thank you
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bowiemily on April 04, 2017, 04:39:50 pm
Hey,
I've got an English Extension 1 exam tomorrow and apparently there is a difference between paradigms and ways of thinking.
I just wanted to know if there was a difference and what that is.

Thank you

I like to think of a paradigm as something contextually based. It's basically the overarching norm of structure within a certain society. For example, a 'religious paradigm' is the way that people generally understood religion within that period.
A way of thinking is more specific to a text. Keep in mind that authors can espouse their own ways of thinking by reinterpreting the ideas of a specific time period. They are, however, most probably conforming or responding to a paradigm of the time
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: ash_mcalpine on April 09, 2017, 05:15:28 pm
Hey, I have an imaginative writing piece based around the After the bomb period, and one of the main things that I am having trouble with in writing my story- is how to make a good response on the era without being cliche. I just would like some advice on how to approach it, whether it be based around an era e.g. McCarthyism  or  around an influential figure. Any help would be great (:
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on April 11, 2017, 06:56:50 pm
Hey, I have an imaginative writing piece based around the After the bomb period, and one of the main things that I am having trouble with in writing my story- is how to make a good response on the era without being cliche. I just would like some advice on how to approach it, whether it be based around an era e.g. McCarthyism  or  around an influential figure. Any help would be great (:

Hey Ash,

You can focus it around any thing you like. I can suggest things like McCarthyism, socialism, feminism, racism, etc. But that doesn't stop anything from being a cliche. When choosing subject matter, I really suggest choosing something you're interested in and won't be fussed by reading a lot more about it, or by choosing something you don't know much about but are prepared to learn lots about. Extension 1 creatives should be historically accurate, which is where all the research comes in! There's no point in you choosing a paradigm that seems less cliche to explore if you're not going to thrive on researching in order to improve the work - so pick something you love!

In terms of not creating a cliche: When someone says "tell me a cliche ATB story" nothing really comes to mind for me? I can't think of a stand out cliche I see in creative writings for Ext 1, and I've given feedback to many. If you're want to stand out (who doesn't) then consider writing something that isn't a short story - or a short story that uses elements of other text types. This could be what you need to reconcile the idea of being cliche! I wrote a speech and the markers I showed were enthusiastic about the treatment of gendered discourse in the form of a speech as opposed to a narrative as it gave a new forum for the same voice! Would you consider a new text type? :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: maria1999 on April 23, 2017, 01:40:07 pm
hey everyone!

I'm in the middle of choosing the extension 1 related text (for after the bomb) and was just wondering whether they needed to be actually made/published during the after the bomb time frame? So if I were to do something like "Revolutionary Road", would I be able to use the film as my related text and discuss and film techniques and such even though it was made recently? My teacher mentioned something about this and how it was better to use a text from the time, but I'm a little confused right now.

Any help would be much appreciated, thank you!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on April 25, 2017, 02:17:34 am
H
hey everyone!

I'm in the middle of choosing the extension 1 related text (for after the bomb) and was just wondering whether they needed to be actually made/published during the after the bomb time frame? So if I were to do something like "Revolutionary Road", would I be able to use the film as my related text and discuss and film techniques and such even though it was made recently? My teacher mentioned something about this and how it was better to use a text from the time, but I'm a little confused right now.

Any help would be much appreciated, thank you!
Hey!
No, the text doesn't need to be created in the ATB era, but it needs to reflect it. Revolutionary Road (Film) is definitely a viable option. Goodnight and Goodluck is on the prescribed text list and it isn't created in the ATB era, it was created in 2005. So, fear not :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Lumenoria on April 29, 2017, 07:04:58 pm
Hi, I'm studying Gothic Literature atm for English Extension 1 (prelim) and I have an essay due soon. We have to include a critical/published opinion within our essay, but I'm not sure how to go about this. The essay is about Dracula (compared to my related text) so I was wondering if you have any advice on how to introduce these opinions? Do I incorporate them in my body paragraphs to support my arguments? How exactly do I use them to support what I'm saying? And where do I get them?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on April 30, 2017, 10:40:33 am
Hi, I'm studying Gothic Literature atm for English Extension 1 (prelim) and I have an essay due soon. We have to include a critical/published opinion within our essay, but I'm not sure how to go about this. The essay is about Dracula (compared to my related text) so I was wondering if you have any advice on how to introduce these opinions? Do I incorporate them in my body paragraphs to support my arguments? How exactly do I use them to support what I'm saying? And where do I get them?

Hey there! To give you some very early pointers:
-These should be included in your body paragraphs! They could fit in your intro or conclusion if they served the purpose of summarising so you can explore them properly in the body, but essentially you'd see them in the body.
-They'd be used  to support your argument, or perhaps even to contradict your argument to show differing opinions. Perhaps it won't be a contradiction, but just a different perspective!
-Google your texts with the words "scholar" "university" "college" "academic" next to it and you'll get different search results each time. I find that doing this kind of thing takes you beyond sparknotes and what not. But you don't just need these opinions for your texts, you can find scholars on the context even! And then you can weave this into your response as well. Unfortunately I'm not familiar enough with Gothic Lit in order to suggest anyone in particular for you to search.
-So when you use them, you simply might use the scholar to support your opinion by bringing weight to it. You might use the scholar to say, "the text evidently was received in a similar way in the context of scholar blah blah as she says..." or, you could say, "In a feminist reading of the poem as provided by blah blah, the metaphor of the blah blah is seen in a new light..." OR, you could use the scholar to talk about the context and the text's reception within that. So many options! Using scholars is fun and I think that even just reading their work elevates your response because you start to emulate the higher order of thinking :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Lumenoria on April 30, 2017, 11:07:23 am

Hey there! To give you some very early pointers:
-These should be included in your body paragraphs! They could fit in your intro or conclusion if they served the purpose of summarising so you can explore them properly in the body, but essentially you'd see them in the body.
-They'd be used  to support your argument, or perhaps even to contradict your argument to show differing opinions. Perhaps it won't be a contradiction, but just a different perspective!
-Google your texts with the words "scholar" "university" "college" "academic" next to it and you'll get different search results each time. I find that doing this kind of thing takes you beyond sparknotes and what not. But you don't just need these opinions for your texts, you can find scholars on the context even! And then you can weave this into your response as well. Unfortunately I'm not familiar enough with Gothic Lit in order to suggest anyone in particular for you to search.
-So when you use them, you simply might use the scholar to support your opinion by bringing weight to it. You might use the scholar to say, "the text evidently was received in a similar way in the context of scholar blah blah as she says..." or, you could say, "In a feminist reading of the poem as provided by blah blah, the metaphor of the blah blah is seen in a new light..." OR, you could use the scholar to talk about the context and the text's reception within that. So many options! Using scholars is fun and I think that even just reading their work elevates your response because you start to emulate the higher order of thinking :)
That was so helpful, thankyou SO much <3 <3
Title: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Lumenoria on April 30, 2017, 10:56:36 pm
I've written my essay and it's almost 1600 words, but I swear to god I cannot cut anything out of it (limit is 1100). How do you cut stuff out without erasing content? My analysis is fairly long admittedly, but I feel like it's a necessary long if that makes sense. For instance, if I cut out bits from it, not all of the techniques in the quote will be covered if that makes sense. Right now, I swear all of the content is relevant to the thesis so I'm really struggling. All my paragraphs are over 300 words with 2-3 ish quotes in them. Any advice on this? Apologies for all the questions haha
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: maria1999 on May 04, 2017, 06:08:01 pm
hey guys
So I need to write a piece of creative writing for after the bomb and I have no idea where to really go with it. We have three stimuluses but if anyone can point me in the right direction in terms of themes to include or motifs that would be applicable to the era, it would much appreciated!
Thank you!!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bsdfjnlkasn on May 04, 2017, 07:04:37 pm
hey guys
So I need to write a piece of creative writing for after the bomb and I have no idea where to really go with it. We have three stimuluses but if anyone can point me in the right direction in terms of themes to include or motifs that would be applicable to the era, it would much appreciated!
Thank you!!

Hey Maria, would you mind posting up the stimulus to see what aspects of the rubric they would like you to focus on?
I suggest picking a narrative set clearly in the Cold War as it will definitely help centre your exploration of the ways of thinking. This may seem like super obvious advice but there's really an unlimited number of ways to try and capture, let's say existentialist/nihilistic thought in arenas that aren't explicitly set during the Cold War. So research up on some of the history, see which stories intrigue you and do some digging for what your chosen personality would have felt and how you can weave in the central questions of the time through the personal response you construct for them. I'm sure if you post up a brainstorm of some work that you've been thinking of that we can look over and give you some advice. But as the module is so broad it's hard for us to directly suggest something that you're looking for, especially when we don't exactly know what interests you haha. Do a bit of research, I'm sure you'll have fun and post back a brainstorm, plot summary, whatever you like and we can give it a look.

Hopefully this helped!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on May 04, 2017, 07:18:43 pm
I've written my essay and it's almost 1600 words, but I swear to god I cannot cut anything out of it (limit is 1100). How do you cut stuff out without erasing content? My analysis is fairly long admittedly, but I feel like it's a necessary long if that makes sense. For instance, if I cut out bits from it, not all of the techniques in the quote will be covered if that makes sense. Right now, I swear all of the content is relevant to the thesis so I'm really struggling. All my paragraphs are over 300 words with 2-3 ish quotes in them. Any advice on this? Apologies for all the questions haha

Hey there! You're not the first person to have this issue - don't worry! For me personally, I found the best way to do this was to take a few chunks that seemed to me like they took just a smidge too long to get to the point, and then I'd rewrite that sentence/those sentences. So if I saw there was a three sentence sequence that wasn't completely solid, I'd put it to the side and out of sight, and re-write the essence of those sentences until they fell into a shorter sequence. It's a bit of a tiresome task, but sometimes when you're looking at wording for too long, you just need to put it away, pull it a part, and let it fall back together again. If it doesn't quite make sense, I've used this cordial analogy before. This is the way I saw it essentially! If you aren't already, remember you can deal with two or three techniques concurrently to show how they compound, rather than doing it all one-per-sentence. Hopefully this gives you a hand!

hey guys
So I need to write a piece of creative writing for after the bomb and I have no idea where to really go with it. We have three stimuluses but if anyone can point me in the right direction in terms of themes to include or motifs that would be applicable to the era, it would much appreciated!
Thank you!!

Hey Maria! Welcome to the forums :)
Ok, I won't comment too much on the stimulus you've been given yet, and I'll just talk about the basics of an After the Bomb creative writing piece.
So, you need to tackle ways of thinking. Consider them in categories (paradigms, if you wish), and then find the ways of thinking within them. So, we can look at a scientific paradigm, a social, personal, political, or religious paradigm. Let's look closely at religious paradigms, for a second, to find ways of thinking within that. Taking 1960s America, per say, we see a Catholic President, JFK. Christianity, or religion in general, was often looked to as a bastion of safety in a very insecure world. So, we could call it a way of thinking, that people thought if they turned to religion, even if it was all they had, they would be saved. We could delve deeper: did they reallllly think that or was it a superficial cover up? But, you get the picture. Looking at political or economic ways of thinking, we can look into, who thought socialism was the best way of thinking? Who thought democracy was the best way of thinking?

In your response, you need to decide which ways of thinking you want to tap into. You can cover a lot, but you need to delve into a few. Alternatively, you could only delve into a few and make it really worth your while. It's not enough to graze over them, you need to explore. What are the implications of the ways of thinking? How do different ways of thinking interact? If it helps, here is my own ATB creative. See if you can identify some of the ways of thinking. I tried to tap into suburbia, womens rights, politics, as well as personal.

This hopefully gives you a starting point, but also probably a lot more questions! Soak this up and make a few brainstorms, and then let me know what your next move is and I'm happy to help :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: maria1999 on May 24, 2017, 04:10:20 pm
Hey Maria, would you mind posting up the stimulus to see what aspects of the rubric they would like you to focus on?
I suggest picking a narrative set clearly in the Cold War as it will definitely help centre your exploration of the ways of thinking. This may seem like super obvious advice but there's really an unlimited number of ways to try and capture, let's say existentialist/nihilistic thought in arenas that aren't explicitly set during the Cold War. So research up on some of the history, see which stories intrigue you and do some digging for what your chosen personality would have felt and how you can weave in the central questions of the time through the personal response you construct for them. I'm sure if you post up a brainstorm of some work that you've been thinking of that we can look over and give you some advice. But as the module is so broad it's hard for us to directly suggest something that you're looking for, especially when we don't exactly know what interests you haha. Do a bit of research, I'm sure you'll have fun and post back a brainstorm, plot summary, whatever you like and we can give it a look.

Hopefully this helped!
Hey Maria, would you mind posting up the stimulus to see what aspects of the rubric they would like you to focus on?
I suggest picking a narrative set clearly in the Cold War as it will definitely help centre your exploration of the ways of thinking. This may seem like super obvious advice but there's really an unlimited number of ways to try and capture, let's say existentialist/nihilistic thought in arenas that aren't explicitly set during the Cold War. So research up on some of the history, see which stories intrigue you and do some digging for what your chosen personality would have felt and how you can weave in the central questions of the time through the personal response you construct for them. I'm sure if you post up a brainstorm of some work that you've been thinking of that we can look over and give you some advice. But as the module is so broad it's hard for us to directly suggest something that you're looking for, especially when we don't exactly know what interests you haha. Do a bit of research, I'm sure you'll have fun and post back a brainstorm, plot summary, whatever you like and we can give it a look.

Hopefully this helped!

Hey!
I'm so so sorry about this hella late reply! This was such an awesome answer thank you so much! I'm literally a sad excuse for a human being and student and forgot completely about this task as its still a few weeks away. I will most definitely post the stimuli (when i figure out how to do that ahahah) I definitely want to look into the 1950's image of the suburban house wife as I think that's the most interesting idea yet and one of my prescribed text's is Sylvia Plath's poetry. I'll have a little brainstorm into that and definitely post back soon. Thanks again!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bsdfjnlkasn on May 25, 2017, 05:46:19 am

Hey!
I'm so so sorry about this hella late reply! This was such an awesome answer thank you so much! I'm literally a sad excuse for a human being and student and forgot completely about this task as its still a few weeks away. I will most definitely post the stimuli (when i figure out how to do that ahahah) I definitely want to look into the 1950's image of the suburban house wife as I think that's the most interesting idea yet and one of my prescribed text's is Sylvia Plath's poetry. I'll have a little brainstorm into that and definitely post back soon. Thanks again!


Awesome, no worries!

Your outlined idea sounds great, you should be really excited! Make sure you do lots of research to pick up the subtle details of the time (think clothing, technology, street scenes) and include them as you go :)
I had a creative writing task due last term and honestly, if I have any advice it would be to start NOW. It's so easy to push it into the back of your mind but the longer you have to refine, the better (and you also have the chance to upload your piece and have it marked by the awesome AN team) :) Also with uploading the stimulus - take a photo on your phone and attach it via the AN app, it's a handy little trick I often use :)

Anyway, if you have anymore questions then just send them through, I'm sure someone will be able to share their wisdom - good luck
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: scienceislife on May 25, 2017, 06:49:06 am
Is having two related texts, outside of the prescribed, enough for the HSC or should you have a 3rd just in case its a curveball kind of question?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bsdfjnlkasn on May 25, 2017, 04:51:29 pm
Is having two related texts, outside of the prescribed, enough for the HSC or should you have a 3rd just in case its a curveball kind of question?

Hey there,

At my school, the expectation is that we have 3 related texts that cover all the paradigms described in the EX1 syllabus (philosophical, religious, personal and economic - I think ???). I think if you have 2 really great relateds that have connections across your prescribed texts then that obviously saves you some work, but since the course is so complex you might even want to study more texts (I know, outrageous) as there's just so much to learn and say about your elective :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on May 25, 2017, 06:13:22 pm
Is having two related texts, outside of the prescribed, enough for the HSC or should you have a 3rd just in case its a curveball kind of question?

Just adding my own experience - I studied lots of related texts throughout the year (I've listed them here) so I was ready to draw on an older one if I needed. But, in the weeks leading up to the exam, I only studied two main related texts and went in guns blazing with them. It was good to have a back up on hand to draw on from a previously studied text, even if I didn't know it as well, but I was confident in my two related texts!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: maria1999 on May 30, 2017, 06:14:50 pm
hey guys!
I've a creative writing task coming up pretty soon and it's based around after the bomb. I was thinking about writing a story that centers around the image of the typical suburban housewife that starts to rebel from her role in society and in the home through small and subtle acts almost. Does this sound like something somewhat relatable to the era?. I also need it to link to the stimulus "They could not have known the horrifying truth"

Does this sound alright to start, or if anyone has any points with how to even remotely begin it would be muuuuuch appreciated! Thank you so much!

Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on May 30, 2017, 06:46:45 pm
hey guys!
I've a creative writing task coming up pretty soon and it's based around after the bomb. I was thinking about writing a story that centers around the image of the typical suburban housewife that starts to rebel from her role in society and in the home through small and subtle acts almost. Does this sound like something somewhat relatable to the era?. I also need it to link to the stimulus "They could not have known the horrifying truth"

Does this sound alright to start, or if anyone has any points with how to even remotely begin it would be muuuuuch appreciated! Thank you so much!

I see no problem with this! It sounds great :) If it helps, I wrote a speech for my creative that followed a housewife after she's decided to rebel, it might give you some ideas! You can download it here :) (I used the same one for discovery with some adjustments, that's why it's in the discovery section ;) Happy to explore ideas with you if you'd like!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: maria1999 on June 01, 2017, 01:12:50 pm
I see no problem with this! It sounds great :) If it helps, I wrote a speech for my creative that followed a housewife after she's decided to rebel, it might give you some ideas! You can download it here :) (I used the same one for discovery with some adjustments, that's why it's in the discovery section ;) Happy to explore ideas with you if you'd like!
Yep, I'll definetely have a read of the creative for ext. as well as advanced! I'll post back when i have something written for sure!! Thanks Elyse!!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: marcusgrahamm on June 01, 2017, 01:52:54 pm
How could I discuss the notion of Truth through Frankenstein's themes??
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bigsweetpotato2000 on June 19, 2017, 06:10:42 pm
HOW DOES ONE WRITE A REFLECTION SPEECH FOR FOUR MINUTES ABOUT A SELF COMPOSER CREATIVE?

Panicked,
Bigsweetpotato Farm
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bsdfjnlkasn on June 19, 2017, 09:33:39 pm
HOW DOES ONE WRITE A REFLECTION SPEECH FOR FOUR MINUTES ABOUT A SELF COMPOSER CREATIVE?

Panicked,
Bigsweetpotato Farm

Hey there,

We had to write a reflection statement for a creative writing task and I imagine that it's fairly similar to what you're being asked to do. I recommend you write the creative first and then work on your reflection. Or plan the themes you hope to explore and detail why you chose to do this. My reflection contained some analysis and I recommend you do this too as it will help you demonstrate an understanding of the Ways of thinking.

Post any more questions up if this didn't make sense, but my main advice is to jot down points of analysis that could help you in your discussion and maybe write about what influenced these choices. So bring in a discussion of some prescribed texts that helped you consolidate structure and thematic explorations and how you made the creative your own and why.

Hopefully some people can add more insight :)

Good luck!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: aocampo on June 29, 2017, 08:35:18 pm
Can anyone link me or post a good example of a literature review? My teacher is no help and I'm having issues writing mine, and need to do well considering it weighs 30% of my entire mark.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: maria1999 on June 29, 2017, 09:20:28 pm
hiya guys!
I seriously don't know what's wrong with me, but I can't seem to wrap my head around the spy who came in from the cold. If anyone out there has done it, could you maybe summeraise some key ideas or maybe even a thesis I could use when writing an essay. Your help would be muuuuch appreciated right now!! Thank you!!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on June 30, 2017, 07:33:01 pm
hiya guys!
I seriously don't know what's wrong with me, but I can't seem to wrap my head around the spy who came in from the cold. If anyone out there has done it, could you maybe summeraise some key ideas or maybe even a thesis I could use when writing an essay. Your help would be muuuuch appreciated right now!! Thank you!!
Heya Maria!
I studied this text (much to my dismay). What are your other texts? I can give you some suggestions to try and link with them, otherwise I'll only be saying what an online summary could!
Can anyone link me or post a good example of a literature review? My teacher is no help and I'm having issues writing mine, and need to do well considering it weighs 30% of my entire mark.

I haven't written a literature review for E1 before, and I haven't seen any! Is this the first time your school has run this task - or is it possible for you to grab hold of an exemplar from the last cohort?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bsdfjnlkasn on June 30, 2017, 10:06:31 pm
hiya guys!
I seriously don't know what's wrong with me, but I can't seem to wrap my head around the spy who came in from the cold. If anyone out there has done it, could you maybe summeraise some key ideas or maybe even a thesis I could use when writing an essay. Your help would be muuuuch appreciated right now!! Thank you!!

Hey there,

I've got some powerpoint slides which I think would be really useful for you!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: maria1999 on July 01, 2017, 05:54:38 pm
Hey there,

I've got some powerpoint slides which I think would be really useful for you!


man I seriously don't know how to thank you! You've effectively saved my ass for trials!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bsdfjnlkasn on July 02, 2017, 02:45:59 pm
man I seriously don't know how to thank you! You've effectively saved my ass for trials!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!

You're very welcome! Glad I could help :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bsdfjnlkasn on July 10, 2017, 08:10:31 pm
Hey there,

I have a powerpoint presentation and one of the dot points said a key feature of post modernism was the "Poetic singularity of events" what does that even mean? Any ideas would be super helpful :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bowiemily on July 12, 2017, 11:07:05 am
Hey there,

I have a powerpoint presentation and one of the dot points said a key feature of post modernism was the "Poetic singularity of events" what does that even mean? Any ideas would be super helpful :)


Thats an odd phrase
What I'm interpreting that as is the way the poets interpret events through the medium of their poetry, in turn making those events highly unique. This is as once a poet reinterprets, say, a historical event, they bring their own meaning to it. For example, if I brought a feminist reading to a historical event that had never been interpreted in such a way, I'm distorting its previous meaning. In doing so, I'm also creating a counter-narrative. Such an act may be defined as 'poetic singularity', as it is only achieved through and by the retrospective lens that text allows us.

However, I could be completely misinterpreting this. Would love to hear what other people think
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: maria1999 on July 14, 2017, 07:50:09 pm
hiya guys!
I'm trying to work my way through some after the bomb essay questions and I was looking at the 2015 HSC question which was
 "Our enemies are to be found abroad and at home. Let us never forget this."
I was wondering how could I argue this in relation to Waiting for Godot and Sylvia Plath in terms of thesis and themes? Any help would be much appreciated thank you!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on July 16, 2017, 04:16:53 pm
hiya guys!
I'm trying to work my way through some after the bomb essay questions and I was looking at the 2015 HSC question which was
 "Our enemies are to be found abroad and at home. Let us never forget this."
I was wondering how could I argue this in relation to Waiting for Godot and Sylvia Plath in terms of thesis and themes? Any help would be much appreciated thank you!

Hey maria! Definitely a difficult question in that year!

I studied these two texts and these are my ideas:
If I'm taking a gendered approach to analysing Plath's work, I would perhaps consider how contextually, the USA perceived the enemy as always being abroad, but actually an enemy of direct threat to Plath was the alive and working patriarchy within politics and society. So her poetry, in some ways, target this enemy. Also, she, in some ways, sees herself and her intellect as the enemy. You could interpret this to be the enemy of herself, as she cannot lay still and subservient like this (I see this particularly in the Bee Box poems in her oeuvre).

As for Waiting for Godot...more difficult. There's no obvious enemy for me in this one, so I approach it by looking into the alternative readings. There are some perspectives floating around that particular characters are representative of economic theories like capitalism and socialism. This can work if you take on the reading that any of these alternate readings hold water. Undoubtedly, it's really hard to approach the "abroad" in this text. I think perhaps you could say that again, contextually, the concern was on a threat from abroad, the red threat! But this text adequately deals with the idea that religion, trust, politics (depending on the reading you espouse), are all relevant here!

Remember that even if the text doesn't specifically address the terms like "abroad" - you can claim that the context from which the text was born does, and this is why the text gears it's angle towards something more internal.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: maria1999 on July 16, 2017, 05:18:34 pm
Hey maria! Definitely a difficult question in that year!

I studied these two texts and these are my ideas:
If I'm taking a gendered approach to analysing Plath's work, I would perhaps consider how contextually, the USA perceived the enemy as always being abroad, but actually an enemy of direct threat to Plath was the alive and working patriarchy within politics and society. So her poetry, in some ways, target this enemy. Also, she, in some ways, sees herself and her intellect as the enemy. You could interpret this to be the enemy of herself, as she cannot lay still and subservient like this (I see this particularly in the Bee Box poems in her oeuvre).

As for Waiting for Godot...more difficult. There's no obvious enemy for me in this one, so I approach it by looking into the alternative readings. There are some perspectives floating around that particular characters are representative of economic theories like capitalism and socialism. This can work if you take on the reading that any of these alternate readings hold water. Undoubtedly, it's really hard to approach the "abroad" in this text. I think perhaps you could say that again, contextually, the concern was on a threat from abroad, the red threat! But this text adequately deals with the idea that religion, trust, politics (depending on the reading you espouse), are all relevant here!

Remember that even if the text doesn't specifically address the terms like "abroad" - you can claim that the context from which the text was born does, and this is why the text gears it's angle towards something more internal.
Hey maria! Definitely a difficult question in that year!

I studied these two texts and these are my ideas:
If I'm taking a gendered approach to analysing Plath's work, I would perhaps consider how contextually, the USA perceived the enemy as always being abroad, but actually an enemy of direct threat to Plath was the alive and working patriarchy within politics and society. So her poetry, in some ways, target this enemy. Also, she, in some ways, sees herself and her intellect as the enemy. You could interpret this to be the enemy of herself, as she cannot lay still and subservient like this (I see this particularly in the Bee Box poems in her oeuvre).

As for Waiting for Godot...more difficult. There's no obvious enemy for me in this one, so I approach it by looking into the alternative readings. There are some perspectives floating around that particular characters are representative of economic theories like capitalism and socialism. This can work if you take on the reading that any of these alternate readings hold water. Undoubtedly, it's really hard to approach the "abroad" in this text. I think perhaps you could say that again, contextually, the concern was on a threat from abroad, the red threat! But this text adequately deals with the idea that religion, trust, politics (depending on the reading you espouse), are all relevant here!

Remember that even if the text doesn't specifically address the terms like "abroad" - you can claim that the context from which the text was born does, and this is why the text gears it's angle towards something more internal.
Thanks so much Elyse! I think I'd actually implode if I got that question haha
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on July 16, 2017, 11:58:22 pm
Hi just a question r.e Romanticism essay. Currently I am looking at Frankenstein by Shelley, Lime Tree Bower and Ancient Mariner by Coleridge and Chimney Sweep by Blake. Any suggestions for my 2nd ORT? I recently heard in your essay it is best to show the internal conflicts within the movement itself. For example, so far, in Frankenstein and Ancient Mariner I discuss the Romantic emphasis on idealism and how both texts explore the dangers if man's ambitions (idealism) go too far. I also go into the restorative and destructive powers of nature. In Lime Tree Bower I discuss the transformative powers of the imagination in nature while in Chimney Sweep I look into the proclamation of the individual and childhood as an innocent state free of society's corruption. Is there any ORTS you guys could suggest which either reflect the danger of individualism or any aspect of Romanticism I have not yet touched on.
Thanks :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bowiemily on July 18, 2017, 09:41:23 pm
Hi just a question r.e Romanticism essay. Currently I am looking at Frankenstein by Shelley, Lime Tree Bower and Ancient Mariner by Coleridge and Chimney Sweep by Blake. Any suggestions for my 2nd ORT? I recently heard in your essay it is best to show the internal conflicts within the movement itself. For example, so far, in Frankenstein and Ancient Mariner I discuss the Romantic emphasis on idealism and how both texts explore the dangers if man's ambitions (idealism) go too far. I also go into the restorative and destructive powers of nature. In Lime Tree Bower I discuss the transformative powers of the imagination in nature while in Chimney Sweep I look into the proclamation of the individual and childhood as an innocent state free of society's corruption. Is there any ORTS you guys could suggest which either reflect the danger of individualism or any aspect of Romanticism I have not yet touched on.
Thanks :)

Looks like your essay atm is male centric. Perhaps look for a female composer to make sure you're covering the full breadth of Romanticism. Wuthering Heights is fantastic, but very very long. My Last Duchess by Browning is written by a male, but definitely explores the exploitation of women for the sake of 'art' in the period. 
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on July 18, 2017, 09:43:41 pm
Looks like your essay atm is male centric. Perhaps look for a female composer to make sure you're covering the full breadth of Romanticism. Wuthering Heights is fantastic, but very very long. My Last Duchess by Browning is written by a male, but definitely explores the exploitation of women for the sake of 'art' in the period.

Interesting take thanks :) although Frankenstein is by Mary Shelley in case you may have got confused with percy shelley haha
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bowiemily on July 18, 2017, 10:00:42 pm
Interesting take thanks :) although Frankenstein is by Mary Shelley in case you may have got confused with percy shelley haha

No no, not confused. Just that she still writes using a male protagonist, and females are largely absent from the plot line. Whilst this is the basis for a large amount of feminist critique on the text in and of itself, it would still be beneficial to have an actual female voice within your work.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on July 18, 2017, 10:04:41 pm
No no, not confused. Just that she still writes using a male protagonist, and females are largely absent from the plot line. Whilst this is the basis for a large amount of feminist critique on the text in and of itself, it would still be beneficial to have an actual female voice within your work.

Oh okay that makes sense, could I ask you how you studied for the analytical side of Extension ie. did you have one base essay which you took into the exam and adpated to the question?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bowiemily on July 18, 2017, 10:08:48 pm
Oh okay that makes sense, could I ask you how you studied for the analytical side of Extension ie. did you have one base essay which you took into the exam and adpated to the question?

No I didn't. I basically had quotes that covered all parts of the syllabus, and wrote paragraphs based on such dot points. In the exam, I would pick the dot points that worked the best and write those. However, sometimes I felt like I needed to approach extension with a greater amount of originality, and so, would throw the dot points out the window. I can say that I had a fantastic contextual understanding of the period though, and as you said before, always debated intricacies within my essays. Once again, that may be why a female voice is important to your piece
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on July 18, 2017, 10:43:22 pm
No I didn't. I basically had quotes that covered all parts of the syllabus, and wrote paragraphs based on such dot points. In the exam, I would pick the dot points that worked the best and write those. However, sometimes I felt like I needed to approach extension with a greater amount of originality, and so, would throw the dot points out the window. I can say that I had a fantastic contextual understanding of the period though, and as you said before, always debated intricacies within my essays. Once again, that may be why a female voice is important to your piece

haha sounds really interesting :) what do you mean by throw the dot points out the window and debating intricacies - I am trying to show the conflict within the Romantic way of thinking eg. both the potential good and danger of the overreacher in frankenstein for instance. also how much of your essay should be contextual and how much textual references? sorry for the questions you just really seem to have a great understanding which would help me so much! And just quickly as well, by the syllabus dot points, did you mean this stuff:

Module B: Texts and Ways of Thinking
This module requires students to explore and evaluate a selection of texts relating to a
particular historical period. It develops their understanding of the ways in which scientific,
religious, philosophical or economic paradigms have shaped and are reflected in literature
and other texts.
Each elective in this module involves the study of at least two print texts, relating to a
particular historical period, that demonstrate the influence of particular ways of thinking on
literary and other texts. In addition, students explore, analyse and critically evaluate a range
of other texts that reflect these ideas.
Students explore the ways that values are inscribed in particular texts and how they are
reflected by texts. They consider whether and why texts are valued in their own time. They
also consider why and by whom those texts are valued today.

English Stage 6 Syllabus – Extension
Students develop a range of imaginative, interpretive and analytical compositions, including
some which explore the effects of particular paradigms for a range of audiences. These
compositions may be realised in various forms, modes and media. Students investigate
topics and ideas, engage in independent learning activities and develop skills in extended
composition.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: ash_mcalpine on July 20, 2017, 09:08:03 am
hey I had a question about one of my related for Mod B: After the bomb. So currently, I'm using the 1959 Kitchen Debate as a related to pair with Plath. I thought it worked really well as I could talk about disillusioned female roles but also the thematic themes of the 'modern' kitchen. However, i've had so many mixed opinions about using that text as "its non fiction from 1959" saying that it doesn't really reflect the changing thoughts of the time period. I was wondering if you had any advice about using it or not?

Cheers,
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on July 20, 2017, 11:00:23 am
hey I had a question about one of my related for Mod B: After the bomb. So currently, I'm using the 1959 Kitchen Debate as a related to pair with Plath. I thought it worked really well as I could talk about disillusioned female roles but also the thematic themes of the 'modern' kitchen. However, i've had so many mixed opinions about using that text as "its non fiction from 1959" saying that it doesn't really reflect the changing thoughts of the time period. I was wondering if you had any advice about using it or not?

Cheers,

Hey Ash! I used the Kitchen Debate as a related text for my HSC and I never had any qualms or advice against it. I think the text fully reflects the ways of thinking of the period: capitalism, socialism, women, men, powerful, powerless, technological advancement, national competition, etc. I think the text is full of ways of thinking, I don't think you're disadvantaged because it's a non fiction text :) You can download my essay here if you want to see how I used it :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: TheFreeMarketeer on July 20, 2017, 10:59:01 pm
Hey - the first essay I'm ever going to write for Extension 1 will actually be my trial and I have no idea how to do it.

Skimming over some past trials, I see they request 2 prescribed and 2 related. How would I organise the structure of my essay? Would you happen to have a sample essay scaffold?

Thanks guys.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: mersinah on July 22, 2017, 12:01:45 am
Hi!

I'm doing After the bomb for English Extension 1 and my trials begin in two weeks. My core texts are the Spy who came in from the cold (novel) and Waiting for Godot (absurdist play). My chosen related texts are a French modernist film called Hiroshima Mon Amour and an American documentary film Hearts and Minds. However, I have been advised by my teacher that it is not recommended to do two film forms within our related text selection. Is that true? If so, would you advise that I change one of my related's or keep them as is? In terms of composition they're entirely different but I would really appreciate your opinion. I'm a little apprehensive to change with trials coming up.

Thanks! :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: TheFreeMarketeer on July 23, 2017, 02:17:54 pm
Hi!

I'm doing After the bomb for English Extension 1 and my trials begin in two weeks. My core texts are the Spy who came in from the cold (novel) and Waiting for Godot (absurdist play). My chosen related texts are a French modernist film called Hiroshima Mon Amour and an American documentary film Hearts and Minds. However, I have been advised by my teacher that it is not recommended to do two film forms within our related text selection. Is that true? If so, would you advise that I change one of my related's or keep them as is? In terms of composition they're entirely different but I would really appreciate your opinion. I'm a little apprehensive to change with trials coming up.

Thanks! :)

Hey, good question.

I too am doing the After the Bomb elective and I'll have to concur with your teacher. You have to remember structure and form are just as important in this elective as is the content explored. This is because the post-WWII period entailed a deviation in traditional literary forms and if you do two films, you can't explore the impact it had on literary mediums such as poetry, picture books, short stories, etc...
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on July 24, 2017, 05:15:19 pm
Hi!

I'm doing After the bomb for English Extension 1 and my trials begin in two weeks. My core texts are the Spy who came in from the cold (novel) and Waiting for Godot (absurdist play). My chosen related texts are a French modernist film called Hiroshima Mon Amour and an American documentary film Hearts and Minds. However, I have been advised by my teacher that it is not recommended to do two film forms within our related text selection. Is that true? If so, would you advise that I change one of my related's or keep them as is? In terms of composition they're entirely different but I would really appreciate your opinion. I'm a little apprehensive to change with trials coming up.

Thanks! :)
Hey mersinah, I know a lot of students believe, or have been told, to not do the same text type for your related text in order to show some variety. Perhaps this holds water, but I was certainly never warned against it. In saying that, I never did double on the same text type anyway. But it was never something I was advised, and it's not something I've been able to find with weight from NESA. So, follow your teachers directions even if just for the internal assessments, I suggest! Also, I could never get my hands on Hiroshima Mon Amour. Where did you get it? I'd love to watch it!
Hey - the first essay I'm ever going to write for Extension 1 will actually be my trial and I have no idea how to do it.

Skimming over some past trials, I see they request 2 prescribed and 2 related. How would I organise the structure of my essay? Would you happen to have a sample essay scaffold?

Thanks guys.

Hey there! Well, firstly I'll link you to a deconstruction of my own essay here which was for ATB! Funnily enough, I used this guide when I wrote my Extension 1 essay! It was one of the only guides on ATAR Notes at the time for HSC and I find it very helpful. So there's two examples of how to structure! :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on July 26, 2017, 09:30:54 pm
Hey, I was just wondering what you guys recommend for structuring an Extension essay. I'm doing Romanticism and some guys structure them by the 4 paradigms (imagination, individual, idealism, nature) and interlink all the texts. I personally would find this quite difficult and a bit too jumpy and prefer to do it 1 paragraph = 1 text etc. and discuss the paradigms throughout. If i do that should i still intertextualise or is the 1st option better?
thanks!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: gkim1 on July 26, 2017, 10:26:22 pm
Hiya!

So, I'm not much of  creative writer - I'm more analytical - and I am struggling to write a Romanticism creative piece. Are there any ideas that someone could give me to maybe start me off ? Help would be super appreciated!

Thanks!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on July 26, 2017, 10:29:36 pm
Hiya!

So, I'm not much of  creative writer - I'm more analytical - and I am struggling to write a Romanticism creative piece. Are there any ideas that someone could give me to maybe start me off ? Help would be super appreciated!

Thanks!

I don't have much either but I would suggest looking into the context/history of the period and finding little examples that could make interesting stories eg. the Peterloo massacre :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: gkim1 on July 26, 2017, 10:37:32 pm
I don't have much either but I would suggest looking into the context/history of the period and finding little examples that could make interesting stories eg. the Peterloo massacre :)
Sounds interesting. I'll have a look! Thanks! :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: paigek3 on August 06, 2017, 09:16:31 pm
What is the best way to study for an ext1 english exam
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: maria1999 on August 07, 2017, 04:43:53 pm
What is the best way to study for an ext1 english exam
hey!
I'm not Elyse lol and I do struggle hella hard with this subject but I think I developed some strategies to make life easier.
So:
1. Know your context well. Like really well. I had to brush up with the after the bomb period as it is basically the cold war period which I studied in year 10 but forgot all about ahaha.This is super important for consolidating arguments as links to contexts are particularly important for essays in this subject and module. It's also very important for creatives as one of my criticisms was not actually specifying a date where my creative took place within the story.

2. Know your texts omg. I was so lazy with this and I'm cramming hard before the exam on Thursday but make sure you have a good understanding of the texts which your studying because ext.1 past essay questions aren't like advanced exams and you'll need to be able to adapt your knowledge of your texts to the question which is being asked of you.

3. I think my teacher told me this, but I don't remember. Try and organise your essay in ways of thinking which are being presented or ideas being explored perhaps? I've started to do this and I have found it is making essay planning much much easier.

4. Find as many past paper questions and either try and do them or do an essay plan on how to approach them.

That's all I can think of, all the best!

(edit) JUST realised that a lot of these are specific to after the bomb, so apologies if thats not your module hahaha
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: maria1999 on August 07, 2017, 04:49:36 pm
hey everyone!
I'm currently revising waiting for godot and I was wondering if anyone had any good quotes or scenes that really focus on class struggle? I know the whole Lucky and Pozzo dynamic is about that, but is there a scene or some excerpts which really capture this?
Thank you!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: taylorlucy on August 08, 2017, 01:06:10 pm
Hi! Is it ideal to be referencing quotes of academics/philosophers in an extension essay? Thanks! :-)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on August 08, 2017, 02:29:15 pm
Hi! Is it ideal to be referencing quotes of academics/philosophers in an extension essay? Thanks! :-)

I think it's a great way to improve the sophistication AND quality of your essay! I included them in mine :)

hey everyone!
I'm currently revising waiting for godot and I was wondering if anyone had any good quotes or scenes that really focus on class struggle? I know the whole Lucky and Pozzo dynamic is about that, but is there a scene or some excerpts which really capture this?
Thank you!

I didn't actually talk about class struggle in mine - because I don't think Lucky and Pozzo are a representation of that. However, I know of people have espoused this reading before, because I researched it to talk about the metanarratives of seeing the two of them as representative of the economic systems. I'm rusty now, but a lot of things online seemed to point to the seen where they fall into their baggage, and used that as a metaphor. So that might be a place to look! :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: paigek3 on August 08, 2017, 03:18:46 pm
Suggested word length and amount of pages used for creative and the essay?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on August 08, 2017, 03:23:59 pm
Suggested word length and amount of pages used for creative and the essay?

You have an hour for each (or at least we do) so definitely aim for at least 8 for each with 10 being the ultimate goal :) But remember with the essay to be less descriptive and make sure everything you are saying is stuff that will get you marks!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: paigek3 on August 08, 2017, 03:41:38 pm
You have an hour for each (or at least we do) so definitely aim for at least 8 for each with 10 being the ultimate goal :) But remember with the essay to be less descriptive and make sure everything you are saying is stuff that will get you marks!

Great thanks, do you know how many different paragraphs/ideas are recommended? 
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Evie mort on August 08, 2017, 05:28:45 pm
hey, just wondering how often (if ever) does the essay question ask for reference to 3 related texts? I've heard it's usually 2
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on August 08, 2017, 05:29:08 pm
Great thanks, do you know how many different paragraphs/ideas are recommended?

I personally structure my essays by each text eg. Para 1 Lime tree bower, Para 2 frankenstein para 3 chimney sweeper para 4 wuthering heights while making links in between eg. while coleridges LTB explores the transformative power of the creative mind of the individual, Mary Shelley in her novel Frankenstein highlights the potential flaws within man's creative genius.
Some people i know structure it as 1 para for each paradigm and how each text explores that but personally i just use my method because i find it simpler and less messy to follow but markers may like the second one equally!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on August 08, 2017, 05:30:11 pm
hey, just wondering how often (if ever) does the essay question ask for reference to 3 related texts? I've heard it's usually 2

Nah id be 100% certain it would be only 2, but if you want to prepare yourself just going over even a painting is a nice back up since you dont have to worry about memorising quotes. but yeah pretty sure it will only ask for 2
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Evie mort on August 08, 2017, 05:36:45 pm
Nah id be 100% certain it would be only 2, but if you want to prepare yourself just going over even a painting is a nice back up since you dont have to worry about memorising quotes. but yeah pretty sure it will only ask for 2

thanks! and is it generally be the same for prescribed texts, as in they'll only ask for 2?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: paigek3 on August 08, 2017, 06:08:33 pm
I personally structure my essays by each text eg. Para 1 Lime tree bower, Para 2 frankenstein para 3 chimney sweeper para 4 wuthering heights while making links in between eg. while coleridges LTB explores the transformative power of the creative mind of the individual, Mary Shelley in her novel Frankenstein highlights the potential flaws within man's creative genius.
Some people i know structure it as 1 para for each paradigm and how each text explores that but personally i just use my method because i find it simpler and less messy to follow but markers may like the second one equally!

Yeah that is what my plan of attack is for trials, but wasn't sure if others did so too. Glad to hear they do, thank you!!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: paigek3 on August 08, 2017, 06:10:04 pm
thanks! and is it generally be the same for prescribed texts, as in they'll only ask for 2?

From all the papers I have looked at they have only asked for two, would be a bit rough if they changed that but have you seen last year's paper (for ATB)? That seemed quite tough in contrast of previous years that have had broader questions asked
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on August 08, 2017, 06:10:48 pm
thanks! and is it generally be the same for prescribed texts, as in they'll only ask for 2?

Yep agree with paige should do! Can't see them changing it :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Evie mort on August 08, 2017, 06:40:57 pm
From all the papers I have looked at they have only asked for two, would be a bit rough if they changed that but have you seen last year's paper (for ATB)? That seemed quite tough in contrast of previous years that have had broader questions asked

Oh i haven't seen it as I'm studying language and gender, but hopefully they don't make it too tough for our trials and HSC. Cheers
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: paigek3 on August 08, 2017, 06:49:23 pm
Oh i haven't seen it as I'm studying language and gender, but hopefully they don't make it too tough for our trials and HSC. Cheers

Those were the questions for your topic :)

Question 15 — Elective 2: Language and Gender (25 marks)
‘Light can only be understood with the wisdom of darkness.’
To what extent has your understanding of language and values in Language and Gender been
shaped by considering both the darkness and the light in the texts you have studied?
In your response, refer to TWO prescribed texts and at least TWO texts of your own choosing.

Question 16 — Elective 2: Language and Gender (25 marks)
Compose a piece of imaginative writing that includes a significant character from ONE of yo
prescribed texts, an unexpected meeting and the line: I can’t say what I really mean.
Your response should reflect your knowledge and understanding of the elective Language a
Gender.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: justwannawish on August 08, 2017, 07:00:00 pm
“Freedom is at the heart of After the Bomb. Yet control is also crucial.” Write an essay in which you evaluate the extent to which this is true with reference to TWO prescribed texts AND at least TWO texts of your own choosing.

Does anyone have ideas of how to tackle this for Waiting for Godot and Sylvia Plath? could you look at the composers freedom in determining insights of ATB? Or would a more straightforward essay talk about how the Cold War has eliminated one's freedom and morality, and how the poliitcal desire for control has eradicated the meaning of human existence?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: TheFreeMarketeer on August 08, 2017, 07:06:52 pm
“Freedom is at the heart of After the Bomb. Yet control is also crucial.” Write an essay in which you evaluate the extent to which this is true with reference to TWO prescribed texts AND at least TWO texts of your own choosing.

Does anyone have ideas of how to tackle this for Waiting for Godot and Sylvia Plath? could you look at the composers freedom in determining insights of ATB? Or would a more straightforward essay talk about how the Cold War has eliminated one's freedom and morality, and how the poliitcal desire for control has eradicated the meaning of human existence?

Wow, that's a very interesting essay question - I think one way to approach this would be to do freedom as reflected in form.

In all honesty with you, this is very much an essay question that I'd disagree with. I'd pose that control has now place in the freedom, liberation and transcendence that permeated throughout ATB.

I'd really love a second opinion though.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: paigek3 on August 08, 2017, 08:12:05 pm
Wow, that's a very interesting essay question - I think one way to approach this would be to do freedom as reflected in form.

In all honesty with you, this is very much an essay question that I'd disagree with. I'd pose that control has now place in the freedom, liberation and transcendence that permeated throughout ATB.

I'd really love a second opinion though.

I can see all three stances discussed for this question. Personally I'd discuss the more straightforward opinion as the question stumbles me a bit, but if you want to stand out and give yourself a bit more of a challenge going against the statement would be interesting!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: zemilyx on August 09, 2017, 03:49:05 pm
hey, I was just wondering how many words most people write in extension exams for the creative and critical (I know its quality over quantity hahah, I'm just curious)?
I'm really struggling to incorporate every element my teacher wants into my essays in a reasonable word limit, and my trial exam is tomorrow.
thanks
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on August 09, 2017, 03:59:24 pm
hey, I was just wondering how many words most people write in extension exams for the creative and critical (I know its quality over quantity hahah, I'm just curious)?
I'm really struggling to incorporate every element my teacher wants into my essays in a reasonable word limit, and my trial exam is tomorrow.
thanks

As I said above aim for at least eight pages for each since you have an hour to write. If you can pump out ten pages that would be fantastic. So personally I prepare around 1,400-1,500 words for each so I have enough time to also adapt to whatever question/stimulus I could get :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Lumenoria on September 02, 2017, 11:37:34 pm
Hey,
I'm in prelim English Ext 1 and we have an upcoming essay which will evaluate two of our core texts, along with two related texts—so four different texts in the entirety of the response. I haven't ever had to integrate this amount of texts into an essay, so I was wondering if you could provide any tips in terms of structure? If it helps, we're studying the Gothic genre. Thank you so much!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: paigek3 on September 03, 2017, 09:20:23 am
Hey,
I'm in prelim English Ext 1 and we have an upcoming essay which will evaluate two of our core texts, along with two related texts—so four different texts in the entirety of the response. I haven't ever had to integrate this amount of texts into an essay, so I was wondering if you could provide any tips in terms of structure? If it helps, we're studying the Gothic genre. Thank you so much!

Hey I do after the bomb so i won't go too in depth but the structures I've found that have worked best for myself/people I know are either intergrated paragraphs e.g.
P1 - text 1 and 2
P2 - text 2 and 4
P3 - text 3 and 1
P4 - text 4 and 1
Or just single paragraphs that although tend to sound a little less sophisticated, they are a great way to welcome you to the idea of discussing four texts
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on September 03, 2017, 11:56:13 am
Hey,
I'm in prelim English Ext 1 and we have an upcoming essay which will evaluate two of our core texts, along with two related texts—so four different texts in the entirety of the response. I haven't ever had to integrate this amount of texts into an essay, so I was wondering if you could provide any tips in terms of structure? If it helps, we're studying the Gothic genre. Thank you so much!

Hey Lumenoria!

Great question. Genuinely, great question. I didn't do a four-text integrated essay until Year 12, and I wasn't even close to integrating any kind of sophisticated way until after my trials and about two weeks before my HSC. I restructured - everything. Funnily enough, an ATAR Notes guide helped me (AN wasn't even a thing during my HSC in NSW), and it is this one here. I restructured everything based on this model. It is skewed towards an ATB form, but hopefully it gives you some ideas about integrating the texts. You can be really creative with your structure in extension - but this is what I found to be very helpful, and then I manipulated it to my texts :)
Title: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Lumenoria on September 03, 2017, 05:50:06 pm
Hey Lumenoria!

Great question. Genuinely, great question. I didn't do a four-text integrated essay until Year 12, and I wasn't even close to integrating any kind of sophisticated way until after my trials and about two weeks before my HSC. I restructured - everything. Funnily enough, an ATAR Notes guide helped me (AN wasn't even a thing during my HSC in NSW), and it is this one here. I restructured everything based on this model. It is skewed towards an ATB form, but hopefully it gives you some ideas about integrating the texts. You can be really creative with your structure in extension - but this is what I found to be very helpful, and then I manipulated it to my texts :)

Alright, that seriously is helpful, thankyou so much! Just one more thing, if my teacher preferably wanted us to write in the block linear essay structure rather than integrated paragraphs, would I be comparing the first core with the first related and then the second core to the second related? In other words, am I supposed to be drawing similarities/differences only of the core text with its related, or for all of them as a whole? I don't even know if I'm making sense rn, I'm kind of at a loss right now hahahha :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on September 03, 2017, 06:31:59 pm
Alright, that seriously is helpful, thankyou so much! Just one more thing, if my teacher preferably wanted us to write in the block linear essay structure rather than integrated paragraphs, would I be comparing the first core with the first related and then the second core to the second related? In other words, am I supposed to be drawing similarities/differences only of the core text with its related, or for all of them as a whole? I don't even know if I'm making sense rn, I'm kind of at a loss right now hahahha

I totally see what you're saying!

To some extent - they all need to be compared. Otherwise it's like you've got two mini essays within a big essay, and the cohesion is lost. It really is up to you about how far you want to take it. You might integrated a prescribed and a related textually - talking about their medium and technical expressions, but you might compare two prescribed on an ideological point of view. So you do have a lot of freedom here! I spent hours on hours on hours working on my extension essay. Tessellating the evidence until it fits was a very long process for me, but that's just because I was following structures too much, when I should have just listened to what my texts were saying and linking them where it was natural and academic to do so.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on September 05, 2017, 07:18:56 pm
Hey guys, hoping I could get a bit of help with this question:
In Romanticism, composers not only transform human experience through imagination but also manipulate textual forms and features in response to their times.
Evaluate this statement with reference to TWO prescribed texts AND texts of your own choosing.
A) Does the focus of your essay have to be on the imagination or can it also include how the imagination offers a new way of experiencing nature... the idealistic imagination in Frankenstein etc...
B) I'm having trouble with the manipulation of textual forms and features... Does this sound right: For Lime Tree Bower discussing how previously in Neo-Classicism poetry was governed by technical precision and balance while the Romantics treasured free verse and a conversation style as seen in this poem and then also going into the use of imagery. For Wuthering Heights could I simply discuss the use of characterisation/characters as symbols for different ways of thinking eg. Catherine (Romanticism) vs Edgar (Enlightenment). Then for William Blake's Chimney Sweeper what I have is the use of dramatic monologue to highlight the individual aspect and raise awareness for the issues of chimney sweepers. And the contrast between soot (darkness, malevolence) and the end quote which is of him imagining himself running in green fields (the power of the imagination and condition of innocence). Finally, I am a bit confused on Frankenstein though - I really can't think of any obvious ones to use here. Finally - do I have to link all these textual manipulations back to imagination and human experience?

Thanks so much guys this will really help as its a tough question I really want to be well prepared for since it hasn't come up since around 2011. :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Lollzza on September 09, 2017, 08:53:16 am
Hey all I'm doing my prelims and I was wondering for a paragraph in an essay is it okay to talk about the two related texts? Or do I always need to pair them with prescribed?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: paigek3 on September 09, 2017, 01:08:04 pm
Is it okay if I use another prescribed text (that my school doesn't study) as my related text? Because my teacher wants me to do that
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: TheFreeMarketeer on September 11, 2017, 01:09:11 pm
Is it okay if I use another prescribed text (that my school doesn't study) as my related text? Because my teacher wants me to do that

I don't think it's allowed because markers don't know what prescribed text your school does and so, if the question asks for two prescribed and two related and you do two of the ones your school prescribed but also do a registered prescribed text as your related, than you'll be doing three prescribed texts overall.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on September 11, 2017, 01:14:39 pm
Is it okay if I use another prescribed text (that my school doesn't study) as my related text? Because my teacher wants me to do that

This is what the NESA FAQ says:
RELATED TEXTS
What are related texts?
Some modules in Stage 6 English courses require students to study texts of their own choosing, in addition to their prescribed texts. The study of these ‘related’ texts provides students with the opportunity to explore a wider variety of texts related to the particular module. Students draw their chosen texts from a variety of sources, in a range of genres and media.

How should related texts be selected?
In Stage 6 English courses, it is expected that students will take responsibility for the selection and study of related texts. While teachers may provide advice and guidance, student skills in independent analysis and investigation and their growing independence as learners will be strengthened through their own selection and study of related texts.

Can a text from the HSC Prescribed Texts list be used as a related text?
Students will not be disadvantaged by using a text from the Prescribed Texts list, provided it is relevant to the module/elective concerned.


So I'm conflicted about this. My instinct initially is to say no you can't use this as a related text because you might leave the marker thinking you haven't picked two related texts as the question asks (presuming the question will ask this). But these FAQ makes me think that it would technically be ok. Maybe check with your English coordinator for a second opinion.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: paigek3 on September 11, 2017, 05:02:44 pm
This is what the NESA FAQ says:
RELATED TEXTS
What are related texts?
Some modules in Stage 6 English courses require students to study texts of their own choosing, in addition to their prescribed texts. The study of these ‘related’ texts provides students with the opportunity to explore a wider variety of texts related to the particular module. Students draw their chosen texts from a variety of sources, in a range of genres and media.

How should related texts be selected?
In Stage 6 English courses, it is expected that students will take responsibility for the selection and study of related texts. While teachers may provide advice and guidance, student skills in independent analysis and investigation and their growing independence as learners will be strengthened through their own selection and study of related texts.

Can a text from the HSC Prescribed Texts list be used as a related text?
Students will not be disadvantaged by using a text from the Prescribed Texts list, provided it is relevant to the module/elective concerned.


So I'm conflicted about this. My instinct initially is to say no you can't use this as a related text because you might leave the marker thinking you haven't picked two related texts as the question asks (presuming the question will ask this). But these FAQ makes me think that it would technically be ok. Maybe check with your English coordinator for a second opinion.

Yeah I thought it was frowned upon I'm a bit iffy on using it. I wanted to use another one but my teacher made me use this one! Would a speech be an alright material to use as a related text? E.g. JFK's West Berlin speech
Title: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Lumenoria on September 14, 2017, 04:50:16 pm
Hey!
Sorry for asking so many questions, but I have my English Ext exams next Monday and I was wondering, for the essay, how would you suggest making links between the repressed female sexuality that was prevalent during the Victorian age to the evocation of fear and terror within Gothic Literature? I reckon the essay question will be about the evocation of fear and terror, but I want my thesis to be centralised around repressed female sexuality/ideals because it's a common theme that weaves throughout all 4 of my texts, which are - Dracula by Bram Stoker, Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, Turn of the Screw by Henry James and American Horror Story: Murder House. However, I'm at a loss as to how to execute this in an effective way. Or conversely, do you reckon it would be easier to approach this by centralising the essay around forms and features (general gothic conventions etc)? Also, when making references to context, how do you ensure you aren't being repetitive when linking to the general concept? I feel like the ideas conveyed are relatively similar in each of these texts, ao that's a major concern of mine - the last thing I want to do is be wasting words redundantly! I hope this is making sense to you. Any help would be appreciated deeply, thankyou :))
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bowiemily on September 15, 2017, 04:29:53 pm
Hey!
Sorry for asking so many questions, but I have my English Ext exams next Monday and I was wondering, for the essay, how would you suggest making links between the repressed female sexuality that was prevalent during the Victorian age to the evocation of fear and terror within Gothic Literature? I reckon the essay question will be about the evocation of fear and terror, but I want my thesis to be centralised around repressed female sexuality/ideals because it's a common theme that weaves throughout all 4 of my texts, which are - Dracula by Bram Stoker, Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, Turn of the Screw by Henry James and American Horror Story: Murder House. However, I'm at a loss as to how to execute this in an effective way. Or conversely, do you reckon it would be easier to approach this by centralising the essay around forms and features (general gothic conventions etc)? Also, when making references to context, how do you ensure you aren't being repetitive when linking to the general concept? I feel like the ideas conveyed are relatively similar in each of these texts, ao that's a major concern of mine - the last thing I want to do is be wasting words redundantly! I hope this is making sense to you. Any help would be appreciated deeply, thankyou :))

Hey there,
I think it would be best to write your essays around the general conventions of Gothicism, as that is what you would be expected to do if you were studying Genre in Year 12 Extension. Moreover, just by looking at your texts, it doesn't seem like their contexts would be too similar? Remember, you aren't supposed to talk about context in a general way - you should be quite specific when referring to the individuals author's context and the period in which they lived
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: justwannawish on September 23, 2017, 11:06:28 pm
Hi,
I was wondering how to tackle this question, it seems like a monster imo.
"Without art the human spirit would disintegrate into the anonymous statistics of history"
How do your 2 prescribed texts and 2 related texts show this statement to be true?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on September 23, 2017, 11:21:39 pm
Hi,
I was wondering how to tackle this question, it seems like a monster imo.
"Without art the human spirit would disintegrate into the anonymous statistics of history"
How do your 2 prescribed texts and 2 related texts show this statement to be true?


A monster indeed!

It really depends on your texts. But I studied ATB, and I'm inclined to talk about the human spirit as being the struggles of humanity (so essentially - the plot), the art as the way it's expressed, indicating the importance of the recreation of human experiences in literature/texts, and then using the end point to say that if stories were not told, history would be faceless.

This is approaching it when talking about the texts from the outside though, your texts might lend themselves to the expression of art and human spirit inside the text? I think Sylvia Plath would've been good for me for this, but not sure about how I would've done it for Waiting for Godot!

Definitely a monster. Do you think you'd take the first or second approach?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: justwannawish on September 24, 2017, 12:40:22 pm
A monster indeed!

It really depends on your texts. But I studied ATB, and I'm inclined to talk about the human spirit as being the struggles of humanity (so essentially - the plot), the art as the way it's expressed, indicating the importance of the recreation of human experiences in literature/texts, and then using the end point to say that if stories were not told, history would be faceless.

This is approaching it when talking about the texts from the outside though, your texts might lend themselves to the expression of art and human spirit inside the text? I think Sylvia Plath would've been good for me for this, but not sure about how I would've done it for Waiting for Godot!

Definitely a monster. Do you think you'd take the first or second approach?

I probably would have done the first one, seeing as The Spy or Waiting for Godot doesn't really align with the other two.

I was thinking about writing how these texts (aka art) are essential for documenting their era'/ concerns and how without them, insight into such difficult time periods would be minimised, which subsequently eliminates our understanding of humanity and how we adjust in such difficult time periods
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on September 25, 2017, 10:50:13 am
I probably would have done the first one, seeing as The Spy or Waiting for Godot doesn't really align with the other two.

I was thinking about writing how these texts (aka art) are essential for documenting their era'/ concerns and how without them, insight into such difficult time periods would be minimised, which subsequently eliminates our understanding of humanity and how we adjust in such difficult time periods

Sounds stellar to me! The only thing I think you need to flesh out (which you might already intend to do) is the "insight into such difficult time periods would be minimised" according to...? in the eyes of? I mean, I think you need to talk about the way modern citizens would look at it as black and white, but the texts give this period colour.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: paigek3 on September 25, 2017, 01:57:48 pm
Two questions

1. Can I use a speech as a related text or is that frowned upon in comparison with other forms e.g. novels, films
2. How many quotes should I prepare per text as a minimum?

Thanks!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bsdfjnlkasn on September 25, 2017, 09:27:35 pm
Two questions

1. Can I use a speech as a related text or is that frowned upon in comparison with other forms e.g. novels, films
2. How many quotes should I prepare per text as a minimum?

Thanks!

Hey there!

1. You can definitely use a speech :) The medium is really interesting because it allows you to know the composer's really well. You learn of their political perspectives/agenda and the rhetorical devices they employ to convince you of that. I assume you're doing after the bomb (sorry if you're not), so you can look at how the political and personal intersect in a way that is unique from your other texts. I'm sure the speaker's biography is up online, so that's definitely worth exploring as a part of your analysis :)

I haven't personally chosen to study a speech, but believe that it has a lot of potential. Maybe someone on the forums who has used a speech as their related could share with you some more tips on how to best analyse it :)

2. I don't think you can name an arbitrary number of quotes and be certain that that will get you through the exam. I recommend learning quotes that will allow you to explore the full breath of the text and enough so that you can be comfortable knowing that you can answer any question. You can gauge whether you know the text well enough by doing practice questions or at least planning responses to them. Whilst your doing that, take note if you find yourself resorting to the same arguments/evidence or feel that you're being forced to manipulate your arguments in strange ways just to make them fit. That could be a sign that you need more evidence to explore ideas that will then allow you to be comfortable answering the question with a whole new set of evidence. But if you were actually looking for a number, depending on the size of the text, I learn around 15 quotes but this definitely increases with larger texts like novels/plays. I tend to have the least textual evidence for my films.

Hopefully this helped. I wasn't too sure what you were exactly looking for so let me know if you want more things clarified - these were fairly generalised answers :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: paigek3 on September 25, 2017, 09:46:45 pm
Hey there!

1. You can definitely use a speech :) The medium is really interesting because it allows you to know the composer's really well. You learn of their political perspectives/agenda and the rhetorical devices they employ to convince you of that. I assume you're doing after the bomb (sorry if you're not), so you can look at how the political and personal intersect in a way that is unique from your other texts. I'm sure the speaker's biography is up online, so that's definitely worth exploring as a part of your analysis :)

I haven't personally chosen to study a speech, but believe that it has a lot of potential. Maybe someone on the forums who has used a speech as their related could share with you some more tips on how to best analyse it :)

2. I don't think you can name an arbitrary number of quotes and be certain that that will get you through the exam. I recommend learning quotes that will allow you to explore the full breath of the text and enough so that you can be comfortable knowing that you can answer any question. You can gauge whether you know the text well enough by doing practice questions or at least planning responses to them. Whilst your doing that, take note if you find yourself resorting to the same arguments/evidence or feel that you're being forced to manipulate your arguments in strange ways just to make them fit. That could be a sign that you need more evidence to explore ideas that will then allow you to be comfortable answering the question with a whole new set of evidence. But if you were actually looking for a number, depending on the size of the text, I learn around 15 quotes but this definitely increases with larger texts like novels/plays. I tend to have the least textual evidence for my films.

Hopefully this helped. I wasn't too sure what you were exactly looking for so let me know if you want more things clarified - these were fairly generalised answers :)

Perfect, thank you! And yes I am doing ATB :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: justwannawish on September 27, 2017, 07:09:45 am
Sounds stellar to me! The only thing I think you need to flesh out (which you might already intend to do) is the "insight into such difficult time periods would be minimised" according to...? in the eyes of? I mean, I think you need to talk about the way modern citizens would look at it as black and white, but the texts give this period colour.

Yep I'll definitely try to do that thank you!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on October 06, 2017, 12:52:39 am
Hey Elyse I was just wondering if you have any predictions as to any other ways the HSC can fuck the Extension students over with in the creative with its prompts haha! I'm personally feeling they may stipulate that you have to set your story during a significant historical event or include a significant historical figure as I don't think they have done this before? Do you think this could happen?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: paigek3 on October 07, 2017, 11:01:49 am
What is the correct formation sort of thing for introducing texts? Sooo many teachers have taught me different! Like do we underline the name of texts or 'put them in quotation marks'
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: mixel on October 07, 2017, 11:13:06 am
What is the correct formation sort of thing for introducing texts? Sooo many teachers have taught me different! Like do we underline the name of texts or 'put them in quotation marks'

Hey, as far as my teachers have told me the convention is single quotation marks for texts that are published alongside other texts in a compendium / anthology / collection or are otherwise short (so poems, short stories, short films), and underlining for substantial texts that have been published discretely from others.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: paigek3 on October 09, 2017, 07:36:20 pm
How many paragraphs do people do for essays roughly? Would 3 be alright if they're very long paragraphs aka full essay including intro and conclusion totalling 1400 words?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on October 09, 2017, 07:38:55 pm
How many paragraphs do people do for essays roughly? Would 3 be alright if they're very long paragraphs aka full essay including intro and conclusion totalling 1400 words?

I do:
INTRO
PRESCRIBED TEXT 1
PRESCRIBED TEXT 2
ORT 1
ORT 2
CONCLUSION
1.8k
:)
I'm guessing you do integrated essay structure if you have 3 paras?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: paigek3 on October 09, 2017, 07:49:08 pm
I do:
INTRO
PRESCRIBED TEXT 1
PRESCRIBED TEXT 2
ORT 1
ORT 2
CONCLUSION
1.8k
:)
I'm guessing you do integrated essay structure if you have 3 paras?

yussss, but 1.8k?? are you writing for the full hour and skimming close to not finishing, or finishing before, or using up some of your creative time?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on October 09, 2017, 07:55:34 pm
yussss, but 1.8k?? are you writing for the full hour and skimming close to not finishing, or finishing before, or using up some of your creative time?

well in the trial i wrote 13 pgs essay and 9 pgs creative and had 5 mins left i write crazy fast hahaha  :P
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: paigek3 on October 09, 2017, 08:06:08 pm
well in the trial i wrote 13 pgs essay and 9 pgs creative and had 5 mins left i write crazy fast hahaha  :P

That's amazing!!!!!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on October 09, 2017, 08:08:08 pm
That's amazing!!!!!

Hahah I guess but don't worry too much about length! If you can crack 8 pages for each that is plenty! And plus you don't want to be rambling and waffling on for too much anyway. It's better when your essay is succinct. My teacher just seemed to love it when you wrote heaps so I made sure to write plenty and I didnt waffle or anything but I definitely would have wrote a shorter conclusion in the hsc hahaah
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: carolinewang206 on October 19, 2017, 04:40:15 pm
How many paragraphs do people do for essays roughly? Would 3 be alright if they're very long paragraphs aka full essay including intro and conclusion totalling 1400 words?

I try and make my paras shorter so end up having 3-4 per paradigm so about 10 bodies in total. I reckon if it's what your comfortable with writing and can make sure your point doesn't get lost and that you keep coming back to the question then you're fine :)

But personally I find find it's also easier to make sure I'm always answering the question that way. My essay ends up being about 2200 words, but I'm able to write that in about 1 hour 3 mins
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on October 23, 2017, 01:36:50 pm
So I'm prepping for Extension a bit this week just because my next exam is Friday and so I have plenty of spare time. Does anyone have thoughts for the creative and the stimulus/prompt you reckon we will get? I can adapt my story with ease to everything except anything explicitly about the setting so hopefully fingers crossed that doesn't come up! I'm feeling like they may ask us to base our creative around a historical event or figure as they haven't done that yet and it would certainly catch people out! I'm just looking at my own creative now - it is set on a slave ship following the Abolition of the Slave Trade Movement and in essence follows a crewman's internal struggle in protesting against the injustice of slavery (the boat sinks at the end as a symbol of nature taking it's retribution on man's wrongdoings). Do you guys reckon this is placed within a historical event enough or would it have to explicitly be about the Abolition of the Slave Trade ie. set in the Parliament as it is happening? Also if it asked to be based off the life of a significant historical figure, does it have to be explicitly based off his/her life? My figure I would go with, Oloudah Equiano was a slave who campaigned for slave rights after being freed and basically I wanted to more focus on his experience on slave ship as to keep the majority of my story intact rather than his actual life. Would this be okay too? Just have a feeling that is the kind of prompt they could give us this year? Thanks :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: paigek3 on October 24, 2017, 11:34:08 am
So I'm prepping for Extension a bit this week just because my next exam is Friday and so I have plenty of spare time. Does anyone have thoughts for the creative and the stimulus/prompt you reckon we will get? I can adapt my story with ease to everything except anything explicitly about the setting so hopefully fingers crossed that doesn't come up! I'm feeling like they may ask us to base our creative around a historical event or figure as they haven't done that yet and it would certainly catch people out! I'm just looking at my own creative now - it is set on a slave ship following the Abolition of the Slave Trade Movement and in essence follows a crewman's internal struggle in protesting against the injustice of slavery (the boat sinks at the end as a symbol of nature taking it's retribution on man's wrongdoings). Do you guys reckon this is placed within a historical event enough or would it have to explicitly be about the Abolition of the Slave Trade ie. set in the Parliament as it is happening? Also if it asked to be based off the life of a significant historical figure, does it have to be explicitly based off his/her life? My figure I would go with, Oloudah Equiano was a slave who campaigned for slave rights after being freed and basically I wanted to more focus on his experience on slave ship as to keep the majority of my story intact rather than his actual life. Would this be okay too? Just have a feeling that is the kind of prompt they could give us this year? Thanks :)

I was thinking possibly a historical event too! Or maybe they might give us a visual stimulus as I notice that hasn't been used too much before? Not too sure about the historical figure question though, so maybe wait for someone with more expertise to answer that :P, buttttt I am hoping your wishes are also right!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bsdfjnlkasn on October 24, 2017, 09:45:35 pm
Hey there!

I am SO lost with preparing for extension english and would really love to hear from anyone who has a list of practice questions (both creative and critical) that they would be willing enough to share. It's just so hard to find papers for after the bomb and I don't want my first practice to be in the exam room. I hope you can all understand this, the exam is less than a week away and I think this is a great chance for all of us to work together and smash the exam :D

Let me know if you guys have anything!!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on October 24, 2017, 09:53:37 pm
Hey there!

I am SO lost with preparing for extension english and would really love to hear from anyone who has a list of practice questions (both creative and critical) that they would be willing enough to share. It's just so hard to find papers for after the bomb and I don't want my first practice to be in the exam room. I hope you can all understand this, the exam is less than a week away and I think this is a great chance for all of us to work together and smash the exam :D

Let me know if you guys have anything!!

I don't do ATB but here's some that aren't past HSC papers, if you have already looked at those:

Texts that focus on the anxieties of the Cold War years set up challenges for responders: challenges that often arise from the relationship between a composer’s concerns and the points of view within the texts from which these are presented (2010 Independent Trial)

While the texts in this elective cover a wide diversity of forms, they all engage with the personal and political concerns of the Cold War era and associated social and moral issues.’ Evaluate this statement. (2009 Independent Trial)

Aspects of political and social anxiety are the main concern of the elective After the Bomb. How are these aspects given significance in the texts studied for this elective? (2009 Catholic Trial)

Without art the human spirit would disintegrate into the anonymous statistics of history. How do your 2 prescribed texts and 2 related texts show this statement to be true?

An obvious consequence of this period and the events that shaped it is a loss of innocence which has been replaced with a sense of cynicism and despair. Evaluate to what extent the texts you have studied as part of the After the Bomb elective prove this statement to be true.

“Freedom is at the heart of After the Bomb. Yet control is also crucial.” Write an essay in which you evaluate the extent to which this is true with reference to TWO prescribed texts AND at least TWO texts of your own choosing.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: maevecouch on October 26, 2017, 07:43:53 am
As you suggested in the PM Elyse, here is my creatve writing. I completely scrapped my old one from my Mid Term exams and Trials as I was never truly happy with it. I'm doing Romanticism, so I hope that is ok. The story is based on William Waterhouse's "The Lady of Shallot" painting which in turn is based on Tennyson's poem by the same name. It's about 1320 words, as I'm not a fast writer so I'm also wondering if that is enough for Extension? Thank you in advance :)

I do not remember exactly when or why she caught my eye, but what I do recall is the overwhelming feeling of wonder that consumed me from the day I happened upon her. She was exotic and intangible. A creature of such beauty that caused even the Sun to hide it’s face in enviable shame.  Likewise, although the connection to her was immediately intense, I did not know the reasoning behind it.

She was the reason I visited my grandmother so often as a young child. Down the gravel path I would skip and my untamed pigtails, like loose reigns, would fly in the air after me. When I rapped the old cedar door of my grandmother’s cottage, a benevolent and bent old woman, with a face that frayed as she smiled at my return, appeared and ushered me in. Before I could even set my luggage down I looked her pleadingly in her watery grey eyes and displayed my own toothy smile in an attempt to get permission to see the lady on the lake. Much to my dismay, the lady remained permanently shut away in the study. Away from an inquisitive little girl and a world that would adore her. When I asked why she must be removed from this world, the only reply I got was the same stern expression from my grandmother tinged with a puzzling and deep sadness. So, when the house fell quiet, I would creep in and stare at the painting for as many moments as time would allow in order to take in the entire composition. Before me was a lady with long, golden locks floating in the air like the boughs of the willows lining the river beside my grandmother’s cottage. Her white dress was lengthy too, and pooled down the sides of her wooden craft in a careless yet graceful manner. The lake that so delicately cradled the boat was a woven tapestry and patchwork of the trees that skirted it and the slate sky above. Yet, what intrigued me the most was her equivocal expression. Her eyes looked beyond the frame out onto the torpid water. Her lips didn’t turn up in glee, nor did they turn down in sadness. My unseasoned mind could not decipher the artists purpose and refused to think beyond the constraints of the frame, hence why it frustrated me endlessly. Nevertheless, I longed to be there with her to offer my company because despite the beauty and freedom that she lavished in, she seemed awfully lonely. Was it because her world was only of oil, careful brushwork and canvas? Was that the reason my grandmother was so strangely sombre when the topic of her came up? The loneliness seeped through and immediately sunk into me like a winter chill that gnaws at one’s bones. In resolution, to thaw this lonesome frost that settled on the cottage, I vowed to visit her when I could so as to be there with her while she sat, suspended in animation on the lake and it’s patchwork trees. 

As my grandmother bent further under the burden of old age and her mind touched the fringes of senility, I was forced to study under the disciplinary eye of the preceptors. Here I learnt the theorems of Pythagoras and the maxims of Aristotle. While my mind absorbed the numbers and extracts from the tomes I read, my interest in the lady on the lake dwindled. I spent my youth inside studying the passages of philosophers and mathematicians; oblivious to the fall of the variegated leaves beyond the glass window and the flight of the swallows in the spring. No longer did I have the liberty or time to admire the petty paint strokes of an artist or the woman who once resembled a seraph but now was the meagre muse of one’s imagination.

The cottage must have been concreted in a chilled desolation due to my absence yet my adolescent self paid no attention until the day came when the gaunt branches of the willow bent too far and my grandmother passed away in solitude. While we cloaked her in dirt, bitter tears of regret swelled and hardened at the edge of my face as they met the winter frost. The adjacent river was hardened with ice when we later went to clear my grandmother’s house of the dust-clotted past belongings within. The door leading to that dreaded room matched the wood of the casket we buried her in but was forgiving as I placed my hands on it. Curiously, no creak sounded as I pushed it ajar, as if the house insisted on remaining silent. Even my footsteps on the cedar floor vibrated soundlessly. Through the crack in the door, I saw a blank space remaining where the lady once hung. With a fright I swung open the door completely. On the bed in the centre of the musty room she lay, covered by a delicate film of dormant dust motes.  I felt my heart flutter with an unprecedented mixture of relief and sadness. As I neared the image, a wisp of wind blew from the crevice in the opposite window, stirring the motes into a wheeling dance in the air above. Her expression was just as ambiguous as it had been before I had knowledge on the mechanics of language and numbers; when the world beyond my familial one was only a dream yet to be ventured. Her locks still skirted the white garb she wore that cascaded down the sides of the craft. The lake remained permanently stamped by the patchworked trees. I pick up the painting by its framed edges, handling it like a moth’s wing, but as I do so a slip of paper falls from the frames crevice behind the canvas. Placing the painting back down, I pick up the paper. Inked words unfurl across the stained and warped background. Addressed to my grandma, it reads;
  “Charlotte,
  Lovely daughter of mine, I know we have so much more of this earth to explore, but our lives obey the doctrine of time, and I fear my time here is nearing an
  ending horizon. If there is anything I pray you remember me by, it is this painting. Within the scene before you, remember me by our days of rambles by the
  willo’d stream and the rainy ones we spent inside reading the poems that livened our imaginations.  Minds filled by the lady in the Tennyson poem you so dearly
  enjoyed. The lady who, despite being cursed to never venture beyond her spire in Camelot, graced the night for the first and last time;
 
  "Down the river she came and found a boat / beneath a willow left afloat… She loosed the chain, and down she lay; the broad stream bore her far away… Lying,
  robed in snowy white… thro’ the noises of the night… singing her last song, the Lady of Shallot” (extract from Tennyson's poem)
 
  All my undying love,
  Your affectionate father, William”

The whispers of wind stir me from my reverie and bring me back to reality. I see the lady in the painting with sharpened eyes. I see the lantern hung about the neck of the bow and its lit flame that anticipates the approaching night. Three candles are positioned on the side of the craft, however two have been blown out and the third appears threatened by wind, a portentous warning of her nearing fate. The formulae in my mind dissipate as I sink into my childhood and the woman before me reforms into the divine being I once knew her by. The reasoning behind the connection to her I felt dawns on me. Fated to be locked up by a system. Cursed to obey. She studied the woven threads. I studied integers and strict philosophies. To break the hoarfrost, we both must venture beyond the willows; beyond the frame. In the memory of my grandmother.













Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on October 26, 2017, 11:50:26 am
Hey guys - just for Romanticism - I am confused as to what Idealism actually means in the context of our studies. There's two ideas I can find:
1. The belief that what we call the "external world" is somehow created by our minds.
2. The desire to transform/make the world better.
Any ideas as to whether both are correct or only one? Thanks :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: kemi on October 26, 2017, 12:08:44 pm
Hey guys - just for Romanticism - I am confused as to what Idealism actually means in the context of our studies. There's two ideas I can find:
1. The belief that what we call the "external world" is somehow created by our minds.
2. The desire to transform/make the world better.
Any ideas as to whether both are correct or only one? Thanks :)

Hi :)

Yes I believe what you've listed aligns with idealism. The Romantics envisioned a better, if not perfect society, which would be a product of innate human Reason and the power of the imagination. To me, they are a class of Utopian thinkers.

Hope that helps :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on October 26, 2017, 12:22:56 pm
Hi :)

Yes I believe what you've listed aligns with idealism. The Romantics envisioned a better, if not perfect society, which would be a product of innate human Reason and the power of the imagination. To me, they are a class of Utopian thinkers.

Hope that helps :)

Okay sweet thank you! I was also wondering (and Elyse if you had any opinions as well that would be great as I've seen you have posted a couple of things on this) for my Ext 1 essay, I am a bit confused as to how the integrated essay structure looks? Would it be doing 1 way of thinking eg. Individual and then throughout that whole paragraph discussing all texts I have studied as it just sounds really messy if you get it wrong haha! Was my essay I got you to mark Elyse integrated by nature due to the fact that all texts had to deal with the individual anyway? I just prefer to deal with each text in one paragraph and then if needed compare and contrast conceptually how they deal with ideas in relation to the other texts. So for instance, something like - While Coleridge highlights the power of the individual imagination, Shelley warns against this spirit of individualism through the construct of the 'Romantic overreacher'. Thanks so much :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on October 26, 2017, 04:26:16 pm
Hey Elyse sorry had another question - if the question for the creative stipulates we base it off a historical event and my story is about the experience of life in the midst of the Abolition of the Slave Trade (I was going to include a letter from the guy's wife documenting the work of the government in bringing about the act and info about how the social and political aristocracy opposed it) is this alright or does it actually have to be about the slave trade act itself? And similarly for if it is based off a historical figure - does it have to follow their life or can I be creative about it ie. in the case of mine Olaudah Equiano, he did a lot of post slave stuff but I was just going to do a fictional account of his experience on a slave ship after gaining a british education etc. and he is at this point in his actual life a crewman on a slaveship and so i was going to explore his want to help the slaves vs the malevolence of the other crewmen). Would really appreciate some thoughts :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: angewina_naguen on October 27, 2017, 10:52:39 am
Hello there, Elyse! I have the same prescribed texts for my HSC next year and I just started working with The Spy Who Came In From The Cold. I have a great understanding of the rubric because my teacher deconstructed it in depth but I am having trouble immersing myself in the novel itself. Do you have any particular recommendations in how I can approach reading the novel or ways to look at it for me to connect with it further?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Em444 on October 27, 2017, 05:50:11 pm
Hi!

I saw the question about the historical event/figure and now I have more questions- if we were asked to write about a historical figure would a letter from a fictional character to the historical figure work? Or could I use Coleridge as a historical figure and have him talking to someone about their experiences? I read somewhere that he talked to common people to gather stories for Lyrical Ballads, so could I make one up? And for the historical event I have a story that references the French Reign of Terror, it's not so much a first-hand description of it but the protagonist is pro-revolution, then he learns about the reign of terror and is disillusioned, but he then discovers that imagination and beauty can be the path to a free world instead.

My Romanticism creatives sound so weird when I describe them haha
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: kemi on October 27, 2017, 11:46:54 pm
Okay sweet thank you! I was also wondering (and Elyse if you had any opinions as well that would be great as I've seen you have posted a couple of things on this) for my Ext 1 essay, I am a bit confused as to how the integrated essay structure looks? Would it be doing 1 way of thinking eg. Individual and then throughout that whole paragraph discussing all texts I have studied as it just sounds really messy if you get it wrong haha! Was my essay I got you to mark Elyse integrated by nature due to the fact that all texts had to deal with the individual anyway? I just prefer to deal with each text in one paragraph and then if needed compare and contrast conceptually how they deal with ideas in relation to the other texts. So for instance, something like - While Coleridge highlights the power of the individual imagination, Shelley warns against this spirit of individualism through the construct of the 'Romantic overreacher'. Thanks so much :)

Hey sorry for belated reply

With integration, I do believe it's simply about linking the texts and then to Romantic ways of thinking as a whole. There's no single formula for this. I agree all texts in one para is messy - so break it up into ideas about the individual. Surely you can group your texts accordingly, as they will share common ground with certain ideas about the individual (you could also contrast them). And then make links back to the other authors/thinkers you have mentioned, like in the evaluative link at the bottom of the para to bolster it as a way of thinking - something all Romantics seem to advocate for.

Personally, I have not made paras based on ways of thinking i.e. solely nature, or the individual, etc... I've woven them into arguments I believe to be true of the Romantics - such as their desire to defy social and literary constraints, reimagine a better society and immortalise the soul. I've linked back to Nature, the imagination, the individual which are obviously key Romantic values. I've grouped texts according to their similarities and then made recurring 'grouping statements' where I refer to all composers and how their arguments fit nicely, or build on each other. They might even disagree of course.

So yea... sorry for rambling... there's no one way. Just make it clear, coherent and just do what you're comfortable with!! :)

*Praying for question that we can work with!!!!*
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on October 28, 2017, 12:12:08 am
Hey sorry for belated reply

With integration, I do believe it's simply about linking the texts and then to Romantic ways of thinking as a whole. There's no single formula for this. I agree all texts in one para is messy - so break it up into ideas about the individual. Surely you can group your texts accordingly, as they will share common ground with certain ideas about the individual (you could also contrast them). And then make links back to the other authors/thinkers you have mentioned, like in the evaluative link at the bottom of the para to bolster it as a way of thinking - something all Romantics seem to advocate for.

Personally, I have not made paras based on ways of thinking i.e. solely nature, or the individual, etc... I've woven them into arguments I believe to be true of the Romantics - such as their desire to defy social and literary constraints, reimagine a better society and immortalise the soul. I've linked back to Nature, the imagination, the individual which are obviously key Romantic values. I've grouped texts according to their similarities and then made recurring 'grouping statements' where I refer to all composers and how their arguments fit nicely, or build on each other. They might even disagree of course.

So yea... sorry for rambling... there's no one way. Just make it clear, coherent and just do what you're comfortable with!! :)

*Praying for question that we can work with!!!!*

No thank you so much for the lengthy reply! :) I already do link paradigms and also at times contrast how they are dealt with in texts as you said so hopefully that should be good! You're a legend!!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on October 28, 2017, 10:47:37 am
Hey sorry for belated reply

With integration, I do believe it's simply about linking the texts and then to Romantic ways of thinking as a whole. There's no single formula for this. I agree all texts in one para is messy - so break it up into ideas about the individual. Surely you can group your texts accordingly, as they will share common ground with certain ideas about the individual (you could also contrast them). And then make links back to the other authors/thinkers you have mentioned, like in the evaluative link at the bottom of the para to bolster it as a way of thinking - something all Romantics seem to advocate for.

Personally, I have not made paras based on ways of thinking i.e. solely nature, or the individual, etc... I've woven them into arguments I believe to be true of the Romantics - such as their desire to defy social and literary constraints, reimagine a better society and immortalise the soul. I've linked back to Nature, the imagination, the individual which are obviously key Romantic values. I've grouped texts according to their similarities and then made recurring 'grouping statements' where I refer to all composers and how their arguments fit nicely, or build on each other. They might even disagree of course.

So yea... sorry for rambling... there's no one way. Just make it clear, coherent and just do what you're comfortable with!! :)

*Praying for question that we can work with!!!!*
Okay sweet thank you! I was also wondering (and Elyse if you had any opinions as well that would be great as I've seen you have posted a couple of things on this) for my Ext 1 essay, I am a bit confused as to how the integrated essay structure looks? Would it be doing 1 way of thinking eg. Individual and then throughout that whole paragraph discussing all texts I have studied as it just sounds really messy if you get it wrong haha! Was my essay I got you to mark Elyse integrated by nature due to the fact that all texts had to deal with the individual anyway? I just prefer to deal with each text in one paragraph and then if needed compare and contrast conceptually how they deal with ideas in relation to the other texts. So for instance, something like - While Coleridge highlights the power of the individual imagination, Shelley warns against this spirit of individualism through the construct of the 'Romantic overreacher'. Thanks so much :)

Essentially, yes to all of the above! I learned how to write my Extension One English essay based off this guide (like, one of the only guides on AN about English when I did my HSC :')) and at first thought, ghee whiz that is so tightly structured but it works. Then two weeks before my exam I changed my entire structure from the most simplistic essay ever (completely non-integrated, like, one text per paragraph with one idea for each, no interaction between texts at all.) and worked at it every day to integrate it without being convoluted. I wouldn't mention the four texts in the one paragraph except for the intro. I think approaching one text per paragraph isn't a bad idea at all, especially if that is how you find it easiest to make the links - because afterall, cohesion is a part of the marking criteria! :)

Hey Elyse sorry had another question - if the question for the creative stipulates we base it off a historical event and my story is about the experience of life in the midst of the Abolition of the Slave Trade (I was going to include a letter from the guy's wife documenting the work of the government in bringing about the act and info about how the social and political aristocracy opposed it) is this alright or does it actually have to be about the slave trade act itself? And similarly for if it is based off a historical figure - does it have to follow their life or can I be creative about it ie. in the case of mine Olaudah Equiano, he did a lot of post slave stuff but I was just going to do a fictional account of his experience on a slave ship after gaining a british education etc. and he is at this point in his actual life a crewman on a slaveship and so i was going to explore his want to help the slaves vs the malevolence of the other crewmen). Would really appreciate some thoughts :)

Hello again ;) Well, a historical "event" I suppose implies a specific moment or happening, whereas a "significant period in history" would be more broad. So I think it really comes down to that wording. But the letter could be an excellent way to back yourself in this situation to provide enough for it to hit the stimulus. As for your second hypothetical stimulus, I also think that would be ok. E1 markers are creative and will see and note the links you make I'm sure, and they'll recognise your creative license to deviate from historical truth at times in order to promote the agenda they want from you in the exam. It really sounds like you've covered all bases here!

Hello there, Elyse! I have the same prescribed texts for my HSC next year and I just started working with The Spy Who Came In From The Cold. I have a great understanding of the rubric because my teacher deconstructed it in depth but I am having trouble immersing myself in the novel itself. Do you have any particular recommendations in how I can approach reading the novel or ways to look at it for me to connect with it further?

Hello and WELCOME to the forums! :)
I didn't like the Spy :( I read it and dragggged myself through it and when I got to the end I cried on the final pages. Like just a few tears, nothing too deep. I personally struggled to keep up with the characters and their interactions, I ultimately thought it was boring. What I did enjoy, were the few times there was a glimpse of real humanism, and the few great metaphors. So there's a scene with two trucks and a small car coming together in a collision, and then it kind of just vanishes in importance, but comes up again later. That amused me and I enjoyed it. But for the most part - I recommend just getting through it, and then you can go back and appreciate certain parts. The most human choices come towards the end of the novel, which is the part I could relate to and enjoy most. So hang in there!!

Hi!

I saw the question about the historical event/figure and now I have more questions- if we were asked to write about a historical figure would a letter from a fictional character to the historical figure work? Or could I use Coleridge as a historical figure and have him talking to someone about their experiences? I read somewhere that he talked to common people to gather stories for Lyrical Ballads, so could I make one up? And for the historical event I have a story that references the French Reign of Terror, it's not so much a first-hand description of it but the protagonist is pro-revolution, then he learns about the reign of terror and is disillusioned, but he then discovers that imagination and beauty can be the path to a free world instead.

My Romanticism creatives sound so weird when I describe them haha

Hahaha, interesting, not weird ;) Yes, all of this sounds great and you're thinking clearly about important events and links which is the main thing! No matter what, if you are making conscious clear links (this means in an exam room, taking a breathe and thennnn going for it), then you will be satisfying the criteria.

Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: shaw88 on October 28, 2017, 12:46:39 pm
Hello, (elyse) I was wondering if someone could help me out. This is a topic setence from a ATB essay from Cambridge Student. 'Hitchcock and Plath expand on their underlying concern with ‘domestic containment’ by exploring the individual’s struggle to reassert their identity amidst a post-war state of disorientation and disempowerment.'

However which paradigm does this relate too? How do personal identity/values relate to specific paradigms?

Thanks
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on October 28, 2017, 02:24:28 pm
Hey guys just had a question on the 2016 question:
‘Light can only be understood with the wisdom of darkness.’
To what extent has your understanding of the ways of thinking in Romanticism been shaped
by considering both the darkness and the light in the texts you have studied?
In your response, refer to TWO prescribed texts and at least TWO texts of your own choosing.

I just did this question and was wondering how many times you have to make the judgement on to what extent as I put in my intro to a significant extent for all my texts and so I don't know if I need to repeat that in my body paragraphs because at times it gets repetitive and wordy!
Thanks :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: paigek3 on October 28, 2017, 02:31:33 pm
Hey guys just had a question on the 2016 question:
‘Light can only be understood with the wisdom of darkness.’
To what extent has your understanding of the ways of thinking in Romanticism been shaped
by considering both the darkness and the light in the texts you have studied?
In your response, refer to TWO prescribed texts and at least TWO texts of your own choosing.

I just did this question and was wondering how many times you have to make the judgement on to what extent as I put in my intro to a significant extent for all my texts and so I don't know if I need to repeat that in my body paragraphs because at times it gets repetitive and wordy!
Thanks :)

I always wonder this too, cause whilst in legal putting it into every body is essential, this is more of a 'pretty' style of writing  ;D I reckon just in intro is fine but interested to hear what Elyse thinks :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on October 28, 2017, 02:37:52 pm
I always wonder this too, cause whilst in legal putting it into every body is essential, this is more of a 'pretty' style of writing  ;D I reckon just in intro is fine but interested to hear what Elyse thinks :)

Haha yeah I know same for Modern History - it is essential for proving your argument and answering the question. But if I put in the body paragraph it would be especially repetitive and wordy if I did it at the start and end, especially seeing the only contrast was Frankenstein as all my other texts used the darkness to emphasise the good of the light while she used the darkness to warn over the potential dangers of the light. But yeah we'll see what Elyse says :)

Also are you really going in with 3600 words memorised haha! Although my essay is around 1.8k, my creative is only 1.4k haha! Good luck!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: littleshreep on October 28, 2017, 02:38:48 pm
Does anyone have any advice on creative writing for ATB? I have a piece prepared and it has fit relatively well with previous questions, but still kinda worried about the whole adapting to absurd stimuli/questions situation. Also WHAT THE HECK WAS LAST YEARS CW QUESTION??? How would anyone respond to that, on the spot, it's crazy!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: paigek3 on October 28, 2017, 02:47:57 pm
Does anyone have any advice on creative writing for ATB? I have a piece prepared and it has fit relatively well with previous questions, but still kinda worried about the whole adapting to absurd stimuli/questions situation. Also WHAT THE HECK WAS LAST YEARS CW QUESTION??? How would anyone respond to that, on the spot, it's crazy!

I think number one thing is don't panic (easier said than done), and be creative when linking the stimulus to your own piece, particularly during reading time you can plan this in your head.

Last year's question thooooo holy craaappp!! I literally would've cried  ;D It has made me be wary of what they could throw as us though!! Worried they'll make us do it from the setting of a prescribed... but got a small idea if that does occur.

Just literally think of the most absurd prompts to do with the extension 1 prescription, ways of thinking, paradigms and prescribed texts, and figure ways to link your own

Good luck!!! I am terrified fml hahaha I hope we get something good
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on October 28, 2017, 03:03:41 pm
I think number one thing is don't panic (easier said than done), and be creative when linking the stimulus to your own piece, particularly during reading time you can plan this in your head.

Last year's question thooooo holy craaappp!! I literally would've cried  ;D It has made me be wary of what they could throw as us though!! Worried they'll make us do it from the setting of a prescribed... but got a small idea if that does occur.

Just literally think of the most absurd prompts to do with the extension 1 prescription, ways of thinking, paradigms and prescribed texts, and figure ways to link your own

Good luck!!! I am terrified fml hahaha I hope we get something good

FEAR NOT! This was the 2010 HSC Question for the creative:
Compose a piece of original imaginative writing using a setting from one of your prescribed
texts and incorporating these three terms:
a wish
a message
solitude
Your response should draw on your knowledge and understanding of the elective you have
studied.

Hopefully they won't repeat! Rime of an ancient mariner is set on a ship and has been analysed as a metaphor of the slave trade so do you reckon if it asked a setting, setting it on a boat could be ok? Maybe I'd make a reference to rime to make it clearer?
But anyway adding to Ella's advice, just go through all extension past papers and look at the creative prompts and think of how you can adapt your current creative and i would also recommend adapting to including a historical event/historical figure as there's a consensus on here that this may pop up. It's actually a fun exercise to do and is great prep for Monday :) Don't worry though! Usually they aren't that specific - you only had to include a character from your prescribed last year not even make them a main character and usually with visual stimulus' which is another chance this year, they allow you to interpret it metaphorically :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: carolinewang206 on October 28, 2017, 03:43:00 pm
how much is everyone planning on writing? I'm worried I'm doing too much, essay is 2200 and creative 1800.. time's not an issue, usually have between 8 and 15 minutes leftover, but as long as I'm on topic is that fine? xx
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: paigek3 on October 28, 2017, 03:45:14 pm
how much is everyone planning on writing? I'm worried I'm doing too much, essay is 2200 and creative 1800.. time's not an issue, usually have between 8 and 15 minutes leftover, but as long as I'm on topic is that fine? xx

My essay was a similar amount but I was sort of worried so cut it down to 1900, and my creative is 1500. I think if you are confident that you can finish on time and avoid going on a tangent then 100% write to the full capacity of your materials, will look very impressive too! How big is your writing/how many pages do you usually fill up?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on October 28, 2017, 03:48:41 pm
how much is everyone planning on writing? I'm worried I'm doing too much, essay is 2200 and creative 1800.. time's not an issue, usually have between 8 and 15 minutes leftover, but as long as I'm on topic is that fine? xx

I'm doing around 1.7-1.8k for essay and 1.4-1.5k for the creative. I'd be worried for you moreso just about the fact that the stimulus and questions can be quite specific so you need to make sure that you do have time (perhaps that 8-15 you usually have left over) to make sure you are explicitly adapting and answering what is set as the question. As you said, if your essay is that long, make sure you are making a point with everything you are saying and not being too repetitive :) For the creative, 1800 is definitely heaps (mines around 1.4-1.5k) but as long as its not heaps of description and moreso that many words to explore the complexity of romanticism or to fit in as many ideas as possible that's fine too! :) Just think of it like a discovery creative - you are essentially trying to fulfill bits of the rubric with every sentence! So make sure you are reflecting the ways of thinking of the romantic era in the majority of your sentences! Other than that yeah its all g as long as you have time to adapt to the painfully specific questions haha :) I could probably write more for the essay and creative eg. today i just did a practice essay and did 11pgs in 55 minutes so if i pushed (seeing my creative could get done in 45 or so) i could do heaps more but as i said i think it is about not just writing and writing but also taking time to still think and make sure what you write answers the question and is directly related to what is set :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: carolinewang206 on October 28, 2017, 04:05:38 pm
My essay was a similar amount but I was sort of worried so cut it down to 1900, and my creative is 1500. I think if you are confident that you can finish on time and avoid going on a tangent then 100% write to the full capacity of your materials, will look very impressive too! How big is your writing/how many pages do you usually fill up?

in exam booklet pages, i generally write bigger just because the lines are bigger so essay ends up being about 19 pages and creative around 16! thank you! :)

I'm doing around 1.7-1.8k for essay and 1.4-1.5k for the creative. I'd be worried for you moreso just about the fact that the stimulus and questions can be quite specific so you need to make sure that you do have time (perhaps that 8-15 you usually have left over) to make sure you are explicitly adapting and answering what is set as the question. As you said, if your essay is that long, make sure you are making a point with everything you are saying and not being too repetitive :) For the creative, 1800 is definitely heaps (mines around 1.4-1.5k) but as long as its not heaps of description and moreso that many words to explore the complexity of romanticism or to fit in as many ideas as possible that's fine too! :) Just think of it like a discovery creative - you are essentially trying to fulfill bits of the rubric with every sentence! So make sure you are reflecting the ways of thinking of the romantic era in the majority of your sentences! Other than that yeah its all g as long as you have time to adapt to the painfully specific questions haha :) I could probably write more for the essay and creative eg. today i just did a practice essay and did 11pgs in 55 minutes so if i pushed (seeing my creative could get done in 45 or so) i could do heaps more but as i said i think it is about not just writing and writing but also taking time to still think and make sure what you write answers the question and is directly related to what is set :)

The time taken is practices during which ive been responding to questions as well, so its 8-15 leftover is including the time thinking about how I'm going to incorporate various stimuli and elements of the question. The essay is all good in terms of not going off topic. My creative increased in length a lot from trials because I've added in more elements, strengthening motifs and covering the whole rubric and all that good stuff. Most questions I've been able to adapt pretty easily to, the only one I've had trouble with was last years ahaha, so would definitely need a bit of time to think about a question like that! What do you think the questions will be on this year? I think for the creative maybe something about the relationship between two romantic paradigms, (maybe the imagination and idealism?) with a visual stimulus, then the essay I have no idea but I hope they don't do the same question for all of the 'texts and ways of thinking' electives like they did last year!!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on October 28, 2017, 04:18:13 pm
in exam booklet pages, i generally write bigger just because the lines are bigger so essay ends up being about 19 pages and creative around 16! thank you! :)

The time taken is practices during which ive been responding to questions as well, so its 8-15 leftover is including the time thinking about how I'm going to incorporate various stimuli and elements of the question. The essay is all good in terms of not going off topic. My creative increased in length a lot from trials because I've added in more elements, strengthening motifs and covering the whole rubric and all that good stuff. Most questions I've been able to adapt pretty easily to, the only one I've had trouble with was last years ahaha, so would definitely need a bit of time to think about a question like that! What do you think the questions will be on this year? I think for the creative maybe something about the relationship between two romantic paradigms, (maybe the imagination and idealism?) with a visual stimulus, then the essay I have no idea but I hope they don't do the same question for all of the 'texts and ways of thinking' electives like they did last year!!

I personally loved last year's question! My least favourite question is this one: In Romanticism, composers not only transform human experience through imagination but also manipulate textual forms and features in response to their times. Evaluate this statement. > SO MANY COMPONENTS!
For predictions:
Creative - I think will be to include a significant historical event or figure and explore how Romanticism deals with elements of protest/change.
Essay - Harder to predict but I'm thinking maybe a quote on individualism and how Romanticism explores the spirit of individualism. However, if they wanted to keep it similar to the creative I'm guessing it may be similar to my trial question R.E how Romanticism is a protest against historical events/prevailing ideas

Also, one part of the rubric they have not tested in the essay yet is the bit about: "The individual's pursuit for meaning and truth" so perhaps it could be: To what extent was the Romantic period concerned with the individual's search for truth and meaning? That would be a great question haha - nice and broad
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: justwannawish on October 28, 2017, 06:47:03 pm
Essentially, yes to all of the above! I learned how to write my Extension One English essay based off this guide (like, one of the only guides on AN about English when I did my HSC :')) and at first thought, ghee whiz that is so tightly structured but it works. Then two weeks before my exam I changed my entire structure from the most simplistic essay ever (completely non-integrated, like, one text per paragraph with one idea for each, no interaction between texts at all.) and worked at it every day to integrate it without being convoluted. I wouldn't mention the four texts in the one paragraph except for the intro. I think approaching one text per paragraph isn't a bad idea at all, especially if that is how you find it easiest to make the links - because afterall, cohesion is a part of the marking criteria! :)

Hello again ;) Well, a historical "event" I suppose implies a specific moment or happening, whereas a "significant period in history" would be more broad. So I think it really comes down to that wording. But the letter could be an excellent way to back yourself in this situation to provide enough for it to hit the stimulus. As for your second hypothetical stimulus, I also think that would be ok. E1 markers are creative and will see and note the links you make I'm sure, and they'll recognise your creative license to deviate from historical truth at times in order to promote the agenda they want from you in the exam. It really sounds like you've covered all bases here!

Hello and WELCOME to the forums! :)
I didn't like the Spy :( I read it and dragggged myself through it and when I got to the end I cried on the final pages. Like just a few tears, nothing too deep. I personally struggled to keep up with the characters and their interactions, I ultimately thought it was boring. What I did enjoy, were the few times there was a glimpse of real humanism, and the few great metaphors. So there's a scene with two trucks and a small car coming together in a collision, and then it kind of just vanishes in importance, but comes up again later. That amused me and I enjoyed it. But for the most part - I recommend just getting through it, and then you can go back and appreciate certain parts. The most human choices come towards the end of the novel, which is the part I could relate to and enjoy most. So hang in there!!

Hahaha, interesting, not weird ;) Yes, all of this sounds great and you're thinking clearly about important events and links which is the main thing! No matter what, if you are making conscious clear links (this means in an exam room, taking a breathe and thennnn going for it), then you will be satisfying the criteria.



Hey Elyse,

Just wondering if I could use my discovery story and change the persona to Oppheimer if the stimulus required a historical figure? For an historical event, if it has to be specific, could I start with the dropping of the bomb and perhaps include some tensions from the war itself, or maybe have a couple of the Cuban Missile Crisis tensions entwined in the piece?

Do you have any suggestions on how to smoothly integrate it to my original creative?

Good luck for your exams :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: taylorlucy on October 28, 2017, 10:41:07 pm
Hi all! I do science fiction which is basically rendered non-existent in comparison to other electives, and I'm not sure how many people reading this will have studied sci fi too, but I'm going to post my creative piece here mostly because I need a title for it! This version of it is a little rough (there may be some tense issues as it is an edit of two slightly different stories being put into one story), and of course any feedback is very warmly welcomed, though I'm not posting it in the creative marking thread as I don't know what the post count for feedback is now? Anyway, if anyone could give it a quick skim and throw me some title ideas and any thoughts on improving the story, that would be so amazing! Thanks!  :)

Spoiler
To whoever you may be - in whatever past or future or world - if this letter has managed to reach you then it is essential that you read it to the end. My findings in the past 20-odd hours are absolutely fundamental to understanding the events unfolding in whatever society you are a part of. I implore you to do whatever you can to alert people in your time to the truth.
I must start with an introduction. My name is Francis Lalor, and it is presently April the 23rd, 2049. I work at Endine Consulting and Finances, commonly known as ECF. ECF is headed by Damien Endine: a man who is a household name in my world, but whether he even exists in your time I cannot know. Mr Endine paints himself as a God, but he is far from that – he is behind the demolition of all societies, in every past, every present and every future
The story starts yesterday morning, as I rode the elevator to the 38th floor of the ECF complex, my work bag slung over one shoulder and a coffee in each hand. As a first year associate, I had assumed being dubbed coffee-boy was merely a necessary part of the job; a nuisance; but I now realise it is because Mr Endine wants only his most ignorant employees to be anywhere near his private rooms. 
Yesterday was the first day that Mr Endine did not answer my 9am knock on his door.  Thinking no further, I proceeded into his room to place his coffee on his desk and leave. 
It was immediately evident that something was wrong. Upon entering the room, I was met with a dimly lit assortment of computers, files and locked drawers, but to my greatest surprise was the huge, transparent screen taking up the entire left wall of the room, that I realised to be Mr Endine's own lightscreen.
I should interrupt my own recount here to explain what a lightscreen actually is, because if you are in the past you will not have founded this technology yet and if you are in the future you may be so far beyond it that it is unrecognisable to you. Each citizen working in business in 2049, especially data analytics, possesses a light screen – a sheet of reinforced glass that contains all of one’s personal and professional data and necessary technology. Most peoples’ lightscreens are usually the size of an A4 sheet of paper, which is the government-allocated size. I've some as big as an A3 size belonging to citizens of higher social status. 
Mr Endine’s lightscreen had been left on, and so the whole wall was lit up with constantly moving numbers, notes, emails and data. Taken aback by the sheer scale and unfamiliarity of the screen, my curiosity caused me to linger longer than I should have. It only took a few seconds of scanning the information on the screen, however, to realise that none of it had anything to do with consulting or finance – and in fact all of the data was scientific, displaying variables, population counts and ‘experiment success’ rates. 
Before I could think twice, I had pulled my own lightscreen from my bag and aligned it with the edge of the wall – a function that allows multiscreening. The data instantly began displaying on my own device: data I knew it would retain for me to observe later. I managed 1 minute and 42 seconds worth of data collection before I heard the elevator arrive at the end of hall. I threw my lightscreen into my bag and hurried to the door. 
Holding both coffees once more, and standing outside the door as if I had been there all along, I had tried to seem as inconspicuous as possible. Mr Endine met me with an uncharacteristically hostile greeting - "You didn't go in there, did you?", to which I simply said "no". "Good", he replied, before whisking himself away into his room of secrets. He was a man who was hiding something.
I now sit in my own office at ECF, looking out my window to the empty street below me. The time reads 3:53am, marking over 18 hours spent analysing 102 seconds worth of collected data. My findings are as follows:
Mr Endine is a figurehead for the company who makes lightscreens, which is said to be a government-run enterprise but isn't: they go under the name of RFA, though it is unknown to me what this stands for. RFA utilises ECF, Mr Endine's faux-company, and many other similar corporations, to integrate lightscreens into the lives of employees. The glass of lightscreens is semi-permeable, absorbing dead skin cells on its surface and analysing them invisibly, sending all of the data they collect to RFA for processing, building a database of the genetic information of thousands of people. 
Where this comes into effect, however, is with the RFA's ability to manipulate the legitimate flow of time. They have formulae that will go to any specified second of any day that is any number of years to or from now, and can transmit information back and forth from the selected time within seconds. Because of this, there is no 'present' - my present exists simultaneously to yours, wherever you are.
This time travel technology works in conjunction with the RFA's collection of genetic information, as this DNA is analysed and then sent to the 'past'. So take, for example, Worker A. When Worker A is employed in any RFA facility, he is constantly being assessed, and a complete map of his chromosomal structure is constructed within only a few days of him first touching a lightscreen. This information is analysed, alongside the performance and potential of the individual at hand. The RFA then travel back in time to alter these scientific facts, which creates real time aberrations as a desired gene is inserted as a recessive allele in the DNA of Worker A's ancestor under the guise of ‘routine injections’ or an ‘annual doctor’s check-up’. This change will alter every offspring of that person as they exist in their own present time, and ultimately will be seen in Worker A's phenotype, as desired. 
Through this, the RFA handpick their employees, either genetically altering them to become hyper-intelligent and a leader of their oligarchy, or causing them to fall out of the company's ranks due to heart disease or chronic fatigue or whatever disease has been inserted into their DNA. Not only is Worker A's career dictated by this process, but his whole existence is at stake. You are a worker A; I am a Worker A.
The overall aim is to divide every society, in every past, present and future, into an elite, time-transcending oligarchy that rules a mass of unsuspecting citizens. It seems that their only true motives are as simple as that – power for the sake of power. They will, in fact, I'm sure in some time they already have created a monopoly on world finance and trade, becoming an unsurmountable supergiant under which every citizen will lose control of their lives. Perhaps in your time, you are already suffering.
This is, of course, only what I have found in my time. The RFA ultimately exists in every time period, controlling every possible situation that has arisen or may arise. There is a future somewhere, that already knows what has become of me. 
My life is surely in danger as I send this. I am sure the RFA itself will soon intercept this message, but hopefully not before someone who is in a position to help does. I do not know if I will exist tomorrow, or in your time, but all I can hope is that I become the coffee-boy who begins the process of bringing down the RFA's empire.
Your colleague, in every time,
Francis.

Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: carolinewang206 on October 28, 2017, 11:47:43 pm
I personally loved last year's question! My least favourite question is this one: In Romanticism, composers not only transform human experience through imagination but also manipulate textual forms and features in response to their times. Evaluate this statement. > SO MANY COMPONENTS!
For predictions:
Creative - I think will be to include a significant historical event or figure and explore how Romanticism deals with elements of protest/change.
Essay - Harder to predict but I'm thinking maybe a quote on individualism and how Romanticism explores the spirit of individualism. However, if they wanted to keep it similar to the creative I'm guessing it may be similar to my trial question R.E how Romanticism is a protest against historical events/prevailing ideas

Also, one part of the rubric they have not tested in the essay yet is the bit about: "The individual's pursuit for meaning and truth" so perhaps it could be: To what extent was the Romantic period concerned with the individual's search for truth and meaning? That would be a great question haha - nice and broad

I agree, something about individualism would be soo good! Do you mean the essay or the creative question? Essay was ok but the creative was insane ahah. I really like the one about textual forms actually, I talk about that a fair bit in my essay already. Something about protest and change may be too similar to the 2015 question (the one about the restless spirit breaking though old and confining forms), but would still be a great question, fingers crossed it's interesting but not impossible
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on October 29, 2017, 08:53:41 am
I agree, something about individualism would be soo good! Do you mean the essay or the creative question? Essay was ok but the creative was insane ahah. I really like the one about textual forms actually, I talk about that a fair bit in my essay already. Something about protest and change may be too similar to the 2015 question (the one about the restless spirit breaking though old and confining forms), but would still be a great question, fingers crossed it's interesting but not impossible

Yeah textual form is easy enough to mention but also I do Wuthering Heights as one of my related texts and it doesnt contain strong references to the imagination haha! and it was the 2016 essay question not creative- that would have been so hard to come up with on the spot but luckily we can prepare now :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on October 29, 2017, 01:10:36 pm
Hey guys so I've been able to link Wuthering Heights to the imagination - does this sound right because I wanted to keep most of my existing info and then have one quote in case the essay is about imagination:
I would discuss how Bronte explores through the characters of Catherine and Heathcliff the intense emotions and subjectivity of the Romantic movement. Then demonstrate the power of the imagination in allowing Heathcliff to transcend Catherine's death and imagine that she is still with him, thus gaining emotional and spiritual fulfillment. Contrast with Enlightenment way of thinking and how the imagination challenged the Enlightenment championing of reason/rationality (e.g Heathcliff's feeling that Catherine is still with him despite being dead quite evidently challenges rational thinking)
That would be the essence - hopefully it sounds good? :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Mary_a on October 29, 2017, 02:09:27 pm
Yeah textual form is easy enough to mention but also I do Wuthering Heights as one of my related texts and it doesnt contain strong references to the imagination haha! and it was the 2016 essay question not creative- that would have been so hard to come up with on the spot but luckily we can prepare now :)

I think you make really great points about what they could be, I would love one about the pursuit of meaning and truth but I have a feeling it will be an enduring value question, it was done in 2010, but most of the questions have been very context and form based and I think they might include one about enduring value either this year or next. My ideal question is one about the individual or human experience!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on October 29, 2017, 03:33:56 pm
I think you make really great points about what they could be, I would love one about the pursuit of meaning and truth but I have a feeling it will be an enduring value question, it was done in 2010, but most of the questions have been very context and form based and I think they might include one about enduring value either this year or next. My ideal question is one about the individual or human experience!

Enduring value/relevance certainly would throw some people! I tried to think of how to tie Romanticism and its ideas to today and came up with this...

Lime Tree Bower My Prison – In promoting the imagination over reason, the Romantics encouraged individuals to experiment boldly, to question things instead of blindly accepting them – link to perhaps the scientific and technological evolution of today's world as the creative/imaginative expression the Romantics emphasised?
Frankenstein – Warned against man overstepping his boundaries in nature/the dangers of idealism/imagination if man has too much freedom. Can be seen as still relevant to today’s society, foreshadowing the possible consequences of the obsession with technological development and the replacing of human aspects with machines eg. self-serve checkouts (i know this a lame example haha)
Chimney Sweeper – Romanticism influenced today’s political ideology, inviting engagement with the cause of the poor and oppressed.
Wuthering Heights – There still remains a desire to escape from civilised world and retreat into the simplicity of nature (‘get back to nature’ movement during the 1960s in America)
Tintern Abbey – The natural world today is still seen as a calming spirit/has spiritual importance.
 
What do you think? :) Certainly would be difficult to think of on the spot!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: TheFreeMarketeer on October 29, 2017, 08:09:23 pm
With Extension 1 essays being the most ambivalent and subject to convoluted questions, I'm surprised some of you are heading in with planned responses.

I actually do have a question - the story I have composed explores the Cold War angst through the famous 1972 Chess World Championship between Bobby Fischer (America) and Boris Spassky (Russia) and how this was a platform for the continuation of the Cold War and the attempts of one nation out-smarting the other.

I feel however that a lot of markers won't understand it and appreciate it, mainly because it is such a niche aspect of history, let alone the Cold War. I also feel that in order to appreciate this story, there is a need to understand, even briefly, the facts surrounding it whereas I feel the markers might just consider it a fabrication.

It's interesting because Bobby Fischer broke a long line of Soviet dominance in chess and was persuaded into playing by Henry Kissinger, a famous US diplomat. In fact, it's stated that Nixon and Brezhnev would watch the matches in their respective offices. Anyway, I don't really mean to ramble but I like the concept and feel it sheds light on an esoteric way in which the Cold War was fought.

Any thoughts guys? Thanks.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on October 29, 2017, 08:17:53 pm
With Extension 1 essays being the most ambivalent and subject to convoluted questions, I'm surprised some of you are heading in with planned responses.

I actually do have a question - the story I have composed explores the Cold War angst through the famous 1972 Chess World Championship between Bobby Fischer (America) and Boris Spassky (Russia) and how this was a platform for the continuation of the Cold War and the attempts of one nation out-smarting the other.

I feel however that a lot of markers won't understand it and appreciate it, mainly because it is such a niche aspect of history, let alone the Cold War. I also feel that in order to appreciate this story, there is a need to understand, even briefly, the facts surrounding it whereas I feel the markers might just consider it a fabrication.

It's interesting because Bobby Fischer broke a long line of Soviet dominance in chess and was persuaded into playing by Henry Kissinger, a famous US diplomat. In fact, it's stated that Nixon and Brezhnev would watch the matches in their respective offices. Anyway, I don't really mean to ramble but I like the concept and feel it sheds light on an esoteric way in which the Cold War was fought.

Any thoughts guys? Thanks.

Hey! I think most of us here are just memorising quotes for the essay! Most of us, however, are going in with a prepared creative because it is hard unless you are gifted to write in the style of the period on the spot, but of course it's important to write something adaptable and to know how to adapt it to all the stimulus's that have been tested so far. As to your question I would say that if your story is highly different that could seriously work in your favour as markers mark so many papers and would likely find your story highly original and sophisticated. I am speaking from a Romantic student's view though so maybe someone who does your elective will disagree, but that's my thoughts!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: icedragon66 on October 29, 2017, 09:13:05 pm
Hey! What do you guys think about this structure for sci-fi?
1 Poem Rocket
2 Dune
3 Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
4 Blade Runner
5 Hitchhikers and Poem Rocket Integrated with the same idea
6 Bladerunner and Dune Integrated with the same idea

The texts go in chronological order. I can only write about 1.5k, so my integrated paragraphs are shorter.

Thanks!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: TheFreeMarketeer on October 29, 2017, 09:51:39 pm
6 texts? Woah.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: icedragon66 on October 29, 2017, 09:57:41 pm
Haha not 6 texts (I wish), just 4 texts with a different structure that is half integrated
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on October 29, 2017, 11:27:49 pm
With Extension 1 essays being the most ambivalent and subject to convoluted questions, I'm surprised some of you are heading in with planned responses.

I actually do have a question - the story I have composed explores the Cold War angst through the famous 1972 Chess World Championship between Bobby Fischer (America) and Boris Spassky (Russia) and how this was a platform for the continuation of the Cold War and the attempts of one nation out-smarting the other.

I feel however that a lot of markers won't understand it and appreciate it, mainly because it is such a niche aspect of history, let alone the Cold War. I also feel that in order to appreciate this story, there is a need to understand, even briefly, the facts surrounding it whereas I feel the markers might just consider it a fabrication.

It's interesting because Bobby Fischer broke a long line of Soviet dominance in chess and was persuaded into playing by Henry Kissinger, a famous US diplomat. In fact, it's stated that Nixon and Brezhnev would watch the matches in their respective offices. Anyway, I don't really mean to ramble but I like the concept and feel it sheds light on an esoteric way in which the Cold War was fought.

Any thoughts guys? Thanks.

I have to say - this interests me A LOT! It sounds insane - a chess game being a metanarrative for a far grander scheme of historical events - I LOVE IT!

Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on October 30, 2017, 11:00:04 am
Hey Elyse :) if you get this in time i have a new para i want to include in my story that i wrote on saturday. I wanted to include a para in about the abolition of the slave trade to give my story more historical legitimacy. it's written by the main character (who is a first mate on the ship)'s wife and i'm just wondering if you think it is a good contextual link for the story and also whether it is ok since it is the only bit she writes in it because the rest is diary entries from the guy. i just dont know if it will look inconsistent i just needed a different take from the ship and thought something from someone in britain at the time would suit?

Lucy Kelsall’s Journal
Freedom is drawing ever closer for the unfortunate souls to which my dearest James has had the abhorrent task of transporting. Lord Grenville passionately plead for the end of the injustice, arguing the trade to be contrary to the principles of righteousness, humanity and sound policy. Fortunately, the House of Commons passed the Abolition of the Slave Trade Bill by 114 votes to 15 on the 25th of March. Alas, the social and political aristocracy still favour slavery, for they perceive it to be vital to the economic interests of the nation. I can only hold faith that such greed is lost and that the Government can swiftly end this unimaginable atrocity!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Mary_a on October 31, 2017, 12:34:03 pm
Hey! I think most of us here are just memorising quotes for the essay! Most of us, however, are going in with a prepared creative because it is hard unless you are gifted to write in the style of the period on the spot, but of course it's important to write something adaptable and to know how to adapt it to all the stimulus's that have been tested so far. As to your question I would say that if your story is highly different that could seriously work in your favour as markers mark so many papers and would likely find your story highly original and sophisticated. I am speaking from a Romantic student's view though so maybe someone who does your elective will disagree, but that's my thoughts!

I definitely didn't have a prepared! Just memorised quotes and basic points. I feel like prepared responses are so restrictive
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: paigek3 on October 31, 2017, 12:43:08 pm
I definitely didn't have a prepared! Just memorised quotes and basic points. I feel like prepared responses are so restrictive

How'd you go! How much did you write?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Mary_a on October 31, 2017, 01:55:29 pm
How'd you go! How much did you write?

Ten pages for essay, eight for creative! I do have big writing though
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bananna on November 04, 2017, 09:14:55 am
Hi

I am stressing over the conckusion I wrote for the hsc.

I completed it. And I decided to add something like “as Denise Lessing states.” Something like that.

But I didn’t have time finish writing it, so I crossed it out.

But turns out, I crossed a little off my previous concluding sentence as well.

The marker came round and I asked her what I should do, and she just said pack it away.

So I did

But I’m stressing because it was my last line and I’m scared they’re gonna think of my essay as incomplete.




Please tell me will I lose mars, for it?

I drew a little line like where I was meant to end it but I’m stil so scared.


Thank you

Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on November 04, 2017, 10:37:41 am
Hi

I am stressing over the conckusion I wrote for the hsc.

I completed it. And I decided to add something like “as Denise Lessing states.” Something like that.

But I didn’t have time finish writing it, so I crossed it out.

But turns out, I crossed a little off my previous concluding sentence as well.

The marker came round and I asked her what I should do, and she just said pack it away.

So I did

But I’m stressing because it was my last line and I’m scared they’re gonna think of my essay as incomplete.




Please tell me will I lose mars, for it?

I drew a little line like where I was meant to end it but I’m stil so scared.


Thank you

Sounds honestly like nothing! I would not worry at all! :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: theyam on November 04, 2017, 07:11:14 pm
Hey guys,

I'm the 2018 cohort and I was wondering when i should start brainstorming for my ext 1 creative, because I'm pretty bad at them. Any advice on extension creatives by the way (and how they differ from advanced ones) ?

Thanks guys!
From: theyam
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: bananna on November 04, 2017, 08:43:55 pm
Hey guys,

I'm the 2018 cohort and I was wondering when i should start brainstorming for my ext 1 creative, because I'm pretty bad at them. Any advice on extension creatives by the way (and how they differ from advanced ones) ?

Thanks guys!
From: theyam

Hey,

I think its a great idea to start brainstorming ideas now. However, extension creatives require an extensive understanding of the module and time period, and that takes time (in-class and personal research.) If you believe you have a solid understanding of the era, go for it, otherwise do a bit more research before you start :)

Extension creatives are obviously longer than advanced creatives, since you get more time, (and need this time to really articulate your ideas.) I did ATB, and find you're not as limited with E1 creatives (idea-wise, since the time-period is so large.) With advanced English, I reckon you need to really get to the point, but with E1, your idea can be really simple, but be really philosophically heavy, or can be really complex. Also, I found that with E1, I was really influenced by my prescribed texts.

Hope I helped :D

Annabel
Title: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Lumenoria on November 08, 2017, 04:45:42 pm
Hi,
I'm in Year 12 doing After the Bomb for English Ext and I've started reading White Noise by Don Delillo with the mentality of using it as my ORT for the essay. However, I'm at a loss atm because my teacher did some research on the novel and said since it's set in 1984, it's too far out of the ideal time period (1950s-1960s) so she reckons I should steer away from it. She even went to the head teacher to confirm her thoughts, but personally I don't agree—because the novel never explicitly mentions when it's set. Plus, it addresses great existentialist concerns and the sense of distrust and anxiety that are really pertinent to the module (and will be especially pertinent when compared to Waiting for Gadot), so I think it's a well fleshed out ORT. The head teacher said that she would avoid it just to be in the safe net, but I mean theoretically the cold war era ended in 1991, so I don't really understand the issue as long as the text addresses the relevant ways of thinking? I do, to some extent, see their argument but at the same time, I've heard and read a lot of exemplar essays using the novel as their ORT who have done exceedingly well. Plus, it's thoroughly recommended on the ATAR notes and BoredofStudies forums so I'm at a bit of a loss as to whether I should just do it against my teachers' advices or just start anew with an entirely different related. Any advice?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: LochNess Monster on January 19, 2018, 08:37:25 am
Dear ATAR Notes,

I was wondering if one of the lectureres/tutors could please mark this essay?

I handed it in as my teacher called it a "practise task" during Term 1 but I'm unsure how this would of went in an exam....(Not too well, I expect. My writing's kind of convoluted.

Sorry! ;) But I hope someone can help me officially read this, tell me what I could do better, where I went wrong, what mark it would be and why, etc.

p.s I'm currently doing After the Bomb elective.

Kind regards,
worried
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: jamsey on February 22, 2018, 07:25:00 pm
Hi,
I was wondering what the "ways of thinking" are present in the Spy Who Came in from the Cold in accordance with the syllabus?

Thanks.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on February 22, 2018, 11:11:36 pm
Hi,
I was wondering what the "ways of thinking" are present in the Spy Who Came in from the Cold in accordance with the syllabus?

Thanks.

Hey Jamsey - there's a lot of things at play here. I personally didn't like the text (I still whimpered at the end though) so I didn't study it too deeply and focused on my other two. But - one of the ways of thinking centred around the way the state and the individual have this dutiful relationship - and then to some kind of irony, one fails to protect the other, when the other devoted life to protecting one. You could talk about ways of thinking when it comes to relationships as well - emotions. The relationship with Liz is a shiny light of human emotion in a cold time. :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: rtmukheibir18 on March 23, 2018, 11:37:08 am
Hi!

I'm doing the elective After the Bomb, and was going to use the Kitchen Debate and Grave of the Fireflies as my related text. However one of the questions in my upcoming assessment is "To what extent do composers use the construction of setting to explore ideas about alienation in the elective After the Bomb?", and since the Kitchen Debate doesn't have a composer, my teacher thinks it's not appropriate for the question to use.  The other question for the assessment is about hope and despair, and I need to be able to fit another related text to both of these questions, as well as my prescribed texts Waiting for Godot and An Artist of the Floating world.
I was wondering for any suggestions for new ORTs that would work with that? The exams are in about a week and a half, so I'm a little panicked.

Thanks!!
Ruth
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on March 23, 2018, 12:01:32 pm
Hi!

I'm doing the elective After the Bomb, and was going to use the Kitchen Debate and Grave of the Fireflies as my related text. However one of the questions in my upcoming assessment is "To what extent do composers use the construction of setting to explore ideas about alienation in the elective After the Bomb?", and since the Kitchen Debate doesn't have a composer, my teacher thinks it's not appropriate for the question to use.  The other question for the assessment is about hope and despair, and I need to be able to fit another related text to both of these questions, as well as my prescribed texts Waiting for Godot and An Artist of the Floating world.
I was wondering for any suggestions for new ORTs that would work with that? The exams are in about a week and a half, so I'm a little panicked.

Thanks!!
Ruth

Khrushev and Nixon are the composers of that text! No text is without a composer :) And it's a shame because I think the idea of setting is soooo good in The Kitchen Debate! The setting: a kitchen! I think this is the perfect related text for this question because the setting is so full of meaning.

Try Dr Strangelove: Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb.

It's not a text I loved to watch, but it's excellent for hope and despair - and satire!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: rtmukheibir18 on March 23, 2018, 12:24:52 pm
Hi!

Thanks so much for the suggestion!
Do you think it's ok for both of my related texts to be films, as I'm also doing Grave of the Fireflies?
I think my teacher thought it wasn't a good fit, as you have to talk about how the composers themselves use setting.

Thanks!
Ruth
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on March 23, 2018, 01:01:39 pm
Hi!

Thanks so much for the suggestion!
Do you think it's ok for both of my related texts to be films, as I'm also doing Grave of the Fireflies?
I think my teacher thought it wasn't a good fit, as you have to talk about how the composers themselves use setting.

Thanks!
Ruth

Well, Nixon and Khrushev composed the debate, and they very specifically chose for it to be set in a kitchen :) You could even use one of the recordings of it on youtube and have a look at how the camera person framed it?

Having two films is fine in my opinion :) I've never seen any official advice against it :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: emily_p on May 28, 2018, 11:01:39 am
Hi all! I'm struggling with thinking up creative ideas for my elective - Life Writing - which I can sustain over 1500 words. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas or plot lines they could share? I feel like most ideas I come up with are pretty common like soldiers coming back from war and recounting their experiences, and I'm also not sure if that would be easy to adapt to stimuli. My teacher is also concerned about why the persona would write about their life - the purpose of the story, which I'm not too sure about. But yeah any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: elysepopplewell on May 28, 2018, 02:37:37 pm
Hi all! I'm struggling with thinking up creative ideas for my elective - Life Writing - which I can sustain over 1500 words. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas or plot lines they could share? I feel like most ideas I come up with are pretty common like soldiers coming back from war and recounting their experiences, and I'm also not sure if that would be easy to adapt to stimuli. My teacher is also concerned about why the persona would write about their life - the purpose of the story, which I'm not too sure about. But yeah any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
'

Hey Emily!

So I didn't study life writing, so take this with a grain of salt. But what you've said your teacher is interested in really intrigues me. Maybe you could use this as your starting point? So you could look specifically into the reason why someone would be compelled to talk about their life. Maybe as a source of inspiration for future generations? I'm not sure - but can life writing be a speech? because speeches always have strong intentions. So think of a compelling reason why someone would want to share their life experience, and then decide on what that life experience might be.

What do you think?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: rtmukheibir18 on May 28, 2018, 06:08:07 pm
Hi!

For a speech I have to do for my topic of 'After the Bomb', my set topic is "‘Beware! The true enemy lies within’ – the interplay of the personal and the political in works of the Cold War period.". It is a speech based on this concept where we must evaluate two related texts, one of which must be visual. I was thinking of either doing McCarthy's "Enemies from Within" speech or the Kitchen Debate for my non-visual text, but I am really struggling finding a visual (film, artwork, documentary, etc) text for this concept, so any help or suggestions would be great.

Thank you!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: emily_p on June 03, 2018, 09:32:40 pm
'

Hey Emily!

So I didn't study life writing, so take this with a grain of salt. But what you've said your teacher is interested in really intrigues me. Maybe you could use this as your starting point? So you could look specifically into the reason why someone would be compelled to talk about their life. Maybe as a source of inspiration for future generations? I'm not sure - but can life writing be a speech? because speeches always have strong intentions. So think of a compelling reason why someone would want to share their life experience, and then decide on what that life experience might be.

What do you think?

Hey Elise, thanks for the ideas! Unfortunately my teacher has confirmed that it should be a creative however we can include a speech, letter or interview in it, I'm thinking this might work? Or at least it'll lengthen it a bit? At the moment I'm writing about a veteran reflecting on the futility of war, not sure how to integrate a speech or something though :/
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: emilijab on June 03, 2018, 10:21:43 pm
Hi!

For EE1 we're doing mod c 'Language and Values,' and the 'Textual Dynamics' elective. I've found that not many people do this elective and haven't seen many resources on it at all! I was wondering if anyone was also doing this elective and/or could help? I'm currently looking for two related texts. We've studied Sally Potter's film 'Orlando,' 'If on a Winters Night a Traveller' by Italo Calvino and some poetry by Wallace Stevens.

I'd really appreciate it if anyone could point me in the right direction to some resources or good texts :)

Em
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: laurn on July 09, 2018, 08:29:45 pm
How do you structure an extension english essay?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: theyam on July 19, 2018, 09:56:06 pm
How do you structure an extension english essay?

Hello,

There are a lot of ways to structure an Extension Essay but I think you should definitely try make sure its integrated. You can do 2 texts per paragraph or 3 or 4 its purely up to you and how many concepts you think you can handle in one essay. For my half yearlies, only 1 ORT was needed so I did 3 texts in one paragraph but I only had 2 paragraphs. My friend on the other hand split her essay into only 2 texts per paragraph but had 3 paradigms. So its honestly up to you and what you think is most suitable. As long as its integrated to show synthesis and your driving argument is clearly linked to a paradigm I think any structure would be fine from my perspective :)
 good luck
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: theyam on July 19, 2018, 09:57:42 pm
Hello guys

Would anyone have any suggestions on what would link well to the following texts I have so far for After the Bomb: The Spy who came in from the Cold, Plath's poetry, The Kitchen Debate.

I'm thinking of Duck and Cover but I'm not sure how to link them to my texts so far, also I don't plan on using Godot for trials, is that risky?

thank guys :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: LochNess Monster on August 02, 2018, 09:19:28 pm
Hello guys

Would anyone have any suggestions on what would link well to the following texts I have so far for After the Bomb: The Spy who came in from the Cold, Plath's poetry, The Kitchen Debate.

I'm thinking of Duck and Cover but I'm not sure how to link them to my texts so far, also I don't plan on using Godot for trials, is that risky?

thank guys :)

Hi @theyam! I'm doing the Spy as well! (but not the other two you mentioned).

I think not using Godot for Trials is completely fine. I'm not cause my teacher told me I can't use it yet. (kind of annoying)... :)
But in answer to your question, any text should be fine as long as you analyse it strongly alongside your prescribed ones.

For Duck and Cover, you could make a paradigm table to see what values and themes match up with your other texts. (I have attached the one that our class created together for Spy. Feel free to use all the notes there! I don't mind sharing more stuff if you ask for more). Otherwise, if you have time, Grave of the Fireflies is a strong related text. It's a Studio Gibli Film (anime) and set in World War Two, with heaps on paradigms and motifs.

Hope this helps!  ;D

From LochNess

Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: tmxvii on August 03, 2018, 09:23:55 am
Hi! I'm desperately in need of help with an idea for my creative writing for after the bomb! My current idea (Which my teacher approves) is surrounding the expectations of Jackie Kennedy after the assassination of her husband. I have a fairly solid idea to use a non-linear structure and use poetic epigraphs at the start of each new paragraph/section, to represent 'A good wife's guide to grief'. However, I'm concerned whether focusing on a particular historical figure is appropriate or not encouraged? In doing this will it limit my potential marks? Any perspectives on this would be greatly appreciated
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: LochNess Monster on August 04, 2018, 09:17:27 pm
Hi! I'm desperately in need of help with an idea for my creative writing for after the bomb! My current idea (Which my teacher approves) is surrounding the expectations of Jackie Kennedy after the assassination of her husband. I have a fairly solid idea to use a non-linear structure and use poetic epigraphs at the start of each new paragraph/section, to represent 'A good wife's guide to grief'. However, I'm concerned whether focusing on a particular historical figure is appropriate or not encouraged? In doing this will it limit my potential marks? Any perspectives on this would be greatly appreciated

Limited??? Are you kidding me? That idea sounds awesome! If I didn't already have one, I'd steal it.  :-* Not really haha I don't like book thieves.  ;)
But it sounds amazing. I love the idea of grounding epitaphs within it.

My teacher was all like to me..."You have to use real historical figures or set it in a real historical part of the Cold War.....blah blah blah..."
But I followed her advice and guess who got Rank 1 in Creative for that assesssment?  8)

So the history thing just makes it super strong in Ext. 1 I think. Also, markers will love your recurrent use of  A good wife's guide to grief. Perfect motif.

Overall, I'd say your idea sounds 10/10!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: theyam on August 05, 2018, 12:03:56 pm
Hi @theyam! I'm doing the Spy as well! (but not the other two you mentioned).

I think not using Godot for Trials is completely fine. I'm not cause my teacher told me I can't use it yet. (kind of annoying)... :)
But in answer to your question, any text should be fine as long as you analyse it strongly alongside your prescribed ones.

For Duck and Cover, you could make a paradigm table to see what values and themes match up with your other texts. (I have attached the one that our class created together for Spy. Feel free to use all the notes there! I don't mind sharing more stuff if you ask for more). Otherwise, if you have time, Grave of the Fireflies is a strong related text. It's a Studio Gibli Film (anime) and set in World War Two, with heaps on paradigms and motifs.

Hope this helps!  ;D

From LochNess

hellooo~
Thank you for the advice and the resources <3
Trying to make a table for all 5 texts at the moment haha...
from theyam :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: eliseeeeee_m on August 15, 2018, 06:41:23 pm
What are the chances that they will ask for THREE prescribed and ONE related?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on August 15, 2018, 08:43:12 pm
What are the chances that they will ask for THREE prescribed and ONE related?

Haven't seen the paper so not sure but if you have time it always better to have a back-up just in case your preferred texts don't fit the question well :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: angewina_naguen on August 31, 2018, 08:58:51 pm
Hey, everyone!

I just received my Trials results for Extension 1 English and am pretty happy with them. My creative is only just getting into the A range so I would like to boost it up before HSC. One comment I keep getting on it is clarifying on the time frame to show context more clearly. The story is set in 1974 Japan and I use Japanese words, places and events to shape it but I was wondering if I needed to specify the year itself and how I could do it subtly. So far, I placed the setting by referencing the Japanese oil crisis in 1973 being over, mentioning the Sumitomo high rise building which was finished in 1974 and quoting lyrics from one of the number one hit songs in 1974. I think it's because I've done the research that it seems explicit and so it might not actually be to the marker. Should I try to insert the year in and how should I do it? 
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: mxrylyn on September 04, 2018, 12:06:39 pm
Hey,

I am planning on preparing the majority of my reponses for Adv English, do you suggest doing the same for Extension 1?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on September 08, 2018, 01:57:28 pm
Hey, everyone!

I just received my Trials results for Extension 1 English and am pretty happy with them. My creative is only just getting into the A range so I would like to boost it up before HSC. One comment I keep getting on it is clarifying on the time frame to show context more clearly. The story is set in 1974 Japan and I use Japanese words, places and events to shape it but I was wondering if I needed to specify the year itself and how I could do it subtly. So far, I placed the setting by referencing the Japanese oil crisis in 1973 being over, mentioning the Sumitomo high rise building which was finished in 1974 and quoting lyrics from one of the number one hit songs in 1974. I think it's because I've done the research that it seems explicit and so it might not actually be to the marker. Should I try to insert the year in and how should I do it?

Hey! With context I did kinda what you did - subtle references. Mine was written in letters, so I did have specific dates at the beginning of my letters which helped ground it in a specific time period. Other than that, my story was set in the background of the slave trade and referenced contextual events. For instance:

Lord Grenville passionately plead for the end of the injustice, arguing the trade to be contrary to the principles of righteousness, humanity and sound policy. Fortunately, the House of Commons passed the Abolition of the Slave Trade Bill by 114 votes to 15 on the 25th of March.

Also I referenced some of the philosophers of the period as my module was ways of thinking. This was also a nice way to add in context but it wasn't obvious or anything to the reader.

Hope that somewhat helped :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on September 08, 2018, 01:59:49 pm
Hey,

I am planning on preparing the majority of my reponses for Adv English, do you suggest doing the same for Extension 1?

Personally for the essay I'd just recommend memorising key quotes and then go into the exam with those as the questions can be very different and you need to make sure you address them specifically! Otherwise, you can also look at the past questions and just make sure if you are preparing an answer that you know how to adapt it. Adaptability/malleability is key as the questions can be quite specific!

I wrote and memorised my creatives but only because I couldn't write as well creatively in 40 mins on the spot. If you are decent enough at writing essays I'd say just try learn the main quotes and how to use them to suit different questions.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: theyam on September 29, 2018, 09:49:26 pm
Hello,
Was just wondering if anyone was willing to share their trial papers for Extension English? I wasn't able to find much on thsc and acehsc.
Thank you ~  :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Kireth on October 09, 2018, 06:14:26 pm
Hi, I'm basically wondering about all the possible ways to structure an extension essay, given we have 4 texts to analyse? My elective is Science Fiction, thank you :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: dancing phalanges on October 15, 2018, 03:01:30 pm
Hi, I'm basically wondering about all the possible ways to structure an extension essay, given we have 4 texts to analyse? My elective is Science Fiction, thank you :)

Hi - I didn't do this elective - personally I structured my paragraphs by texts as I found this the easiest way to do it. You can do it thematically, by theme, e.g. one paragraph on this theme, one on that theme, and discuss in it how each text is similar or different in the treatment of each theme, but I would say pick which you are more comfortable with! The second one is more sophisticated but hard to do and won't work if you aren't confident so pick what you are most comfortable doing, don't listen to what works for others :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: alicm on October 28, 2018, 03:31:04 pm
Hey! I was wondering if I could write about the Vietnam War for my creative? My module is After the Bomb and I was wondering if the Vietnam War fits within the context of ATB.
My previous creative was based on the Hiroshima bombing, however my teacher said that it /just/ touches upon the time constraints of the module and suggested I change it.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: avidprocrastinator on October 29, 2018, 08:18:13 pm
Hi, what is the best way of getting flair into an essay. My teacher says to "characterise the time period more" (I do navigating the global) so what is the most effective way of doing this. Thanks!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: LochNess Monster on October 30, 2018, 11:19:02 am
Worried about extension exam today cause I saw quite a few past papers have a "quote" in the question???

Wondering how I can best smash those questions and answer them really well.

Any tips for breaking down those questions with quotes?

I'm scared!   :-[ ??? :P ::)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: jq12328 on October 30, 2018, 12:58:06 pm
^ I'm also wondering the same. Especially if it's a metaphorical question, like the "light and dark" one from a few years back. Would be have to use key words/synonyms from thequote, or can we just explore the idea?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: caregana on October 30, 2018, 05:03:24 pm
Hey! I was wondering if I could write about the Vietnam War for my creative? My module is After the Bomb and I was wondering if the Vietnam War fits within the context of ATB.
My previous creative was based on the Hiroshima bombing, however my teacher said that it /just/ touches upon the time constraints of the module and suggested I change it.

Hey! I'm doing After the Bomb as well, and I'm sure there shouldn't be a problem with that concept. My first creative is set in the Philippines and draws upon elements from the Vietnam War, and I haven't been told off for setting my story in a non-western environment (yet). The rubric doesn't stipulate any specific setting for the Cold War, even though it's main conflict was in Western vs. Soviet Russia, it had global rammifications (e.g, Vietnam and Korean War, rising fear of Communists in the Philippines, etc.)
Hope that helps!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: k_woodbury on October 30, 2018, 06:24:17 pm
Hi just a quick question before tomorrow because I overthink everything-
Are we able to use related texts from composers that are prescribed, but only if the text itself isn't prescribed? I'm wanting to use Wordsworth's poem 'Expostulation and Reply' and although some of Wordsworth's poetry is prescribed this particular poem isn't. I also didn't study Wordsworth but Coleridge instead.
Thanks!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: alicm on October 30, 2018, 07:23:29 pm
Hey! I'm doing After the Bomb as well, and I'm sure there shouldn't be a problem with that concept. My first creative is set in the Philippines and draws upon elements from the Vietnam War, and I haven't been told off for setting my story in a non-western environment (yet). The rubric doesn't stipulate any specific setting for the Cold War, even though it's main conflict was in Western vs. Soviet Russia, it had global rammifications (e.g, Vietnam and Korean War, rising fear of Communists in the Philippines, etc.)
Hope that helps!

Thank you so much! Good luck to you for tomorrow!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Meg Reddy on January 23, 2019, 12:14:51 pm
Hi guys, this is my first post, not sure if I'm doing this correctly but just wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a related text for the module worlds of upheaval? I am currently studying Frankenstein, so if anyone had some suggestions that would be great :) Thank you!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: meerae on January 23, 2019, 04:29:01 pm
Hi guys, this is my first post, not sure if I'm doing this correctly but just wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a related text for the module worlds of upheaval? I am currently studying Frankenstein, so if anyone had some suggestions that would be great :) Thank you!

Hi Meg!

My class is not doing your elective but I had a look at texts that would work with Frankenstein;
- Paradise Lost - John Milton
- Dracula by Bram Stoker
- Carrie by Stephen King (or you could do the 2013 movie)
- Lord of the flies by William Golding (though, this is not an easy read)

I would also look at your prelim prescribed texts for adv English and see if they work with your elective. The thing thats great about your unit is that context becomes very valuable, this is from the rubric ", students explore and evaluate textual representations of the experiences of individuals and communities seeking unity, certainty, solace, justice or restoration in periods of significant social and political change and upheaval." So in theory, many pieces of literature really work with what your elective is about. Best of luck!

Hope this helped!
meerae
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: angewina_naguen on January 23, 2019, 06:57:53 pm
Hi guys, this is my first post, not sure if I'm doing this correctly but just wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a related text for the module worlds of upheaval? I am currently studying Frankenstein, so if anyone had some suggestions that would be great :) Thank you!


Hey, Meg!

Welcome to the forum  ;D It's lovely to have you  :) Since you mentioned it, I just realised there isn't an official Related Texts resource yet for Extension 1 English. I've informed my friend darcyynic who made the Advanced English Related Texts list and she will get on that straight away  ;D I do have some related text suggestions below to add on from meerae's awesome ones  :) These are for the elective overall, as opposed to just, but can also work with, Frankenstein.

Related Text Suggestions

- Francisco Goya's painting The Third of May, 1808 (1814); war, morality, conscience, political division.
- George Orwell's essay Shooting an Elephant (1936); imperialism, corruption, conscience, morality.
- Thomas McGrath's poem All The Dead Soldiers (1967); war, death, disillusionment, morality.
- James G. Ballard's novel Empire of the Sun (1984); war, death, disillusionment, morality, conscience.
- John F. Kennedy's speech Ich Bin Ein Berliner (1963); communism, political division, morality, conscience.

Hope this helps! Would love to know what you end up choosing  ;D

Angelina  ;D
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: meerae on January 23, 2019, 11:05:29 pm
Hey, Meg!

Welcome to the forum  ;D It's lovely to have you  :) Since you mentioned it, I just realised there isn't an official Related Texts resource yet for Extension 1 English. I've informed my friend darcyynic who made the Advanced English Related Texts list and she will get on that straight away  ;D I do have some related text suggestions below to add on from meerae's awesome ones  :) These are for the elective overall, as opposed to just, but can also work with, Frankenstein.

Related Text Suggestions

- Francisco Goya's painting The Third of May, 1808 (1814); war, morality, conscience, political division.
- George Orwell's essay Shooting an Elephant (1936); imperialism, corruption, conscience, morality.
- Thomas McGrath's poem All The Dead Soldiers (1967); war, death, disillusionment, morality.
- James G. Ballard's novel Empire of the Sun (1984); war, death, disillusionment, morality, conscience.
- John F. Kennedy's speech Ich Bin Ein Berliner (1963); communism, political division, morality, conscience.

Hope this helps! Would love to know what you end up choosing  ;D

Angelina  ;D

Yess! I need related texts for my elective - it was a shock when I realised I have to look for at least two!! Are we expected to write an essay analysing at least 5 texts (3 prescribed, at least 2 related)? How does that even work?

Thanks, meerae :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: chantellebate on January 28, 2019, 09:36:21 pm
Hey
I am currently trying to improve my personal influence on the texts I am studying in class by writing some notes (without googling or researching) about things that I have noticed such as themes and context but I still feel that it is not personal. What should I be writing notes about to help personalize my response?
thank you :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: meerae on January 28, 2019, 11:06:37 pm
Hey
I am currently trying to improve my personal influence on the texts I am studying in class by writing some notes (without googling or researching) about things that I have noticed such as themes and context but I still feel that it is not personal. What should I be writing notes about to help personalize my response?
thank you :)

Hey, chantellebate!
Welcome to the forums!
Personal voice is definitely important for this course. What I would suggest is to write opinionated notes on your texts' themes, I can't see where personal voice could come from for context as that is usually more research-based. It is really important to have a general opinion on your text and the themes it presents. It's also important be confident in your own voice, because as long as you have the evidence to back up your opinion, the markers can't say anything.

Another thing I would suggest is to look at the rubric for both the common module and your elective and see what it is about, then have a general opinion on the modules, this helps as you'll then be able to collect quotes on your personal voice and it can be moulded into the essay question in the exam. I believe you can find them online, if not please let me know and I can send it to you.

Hope this made sense!
meerae :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: angewina_naguen on February 11, 2019, 06:17:23 pm
Hey
I am currently trying to improve my personal influence on the texts I am studying in class by writing some notes (without googling or researching) about things that I have noticed such as themes and context but I still feel that it is not personal. What should I be writing notes about to help personalize my response?
thank you :)

Hey, chantellebate  ;D

This is a really delayed response from me but meerae has offered a fantastic direction for you to head in  :) One way I was able to develop my personal voice was through critical readings. When I was studying After the Bomb, I found that doing critical readings on my texts helped me to see them in a different light and eventually, I was able to garner an array of different insights upon them. What I then was able to do was choose which critical readings aligned with my personal understanding of the texts and which ones enhanced my engagement with them. For example, I read this essay which presented an interesting perspective on the idea of inaction in Waiting for Godot. This was pivotal to my own appreciation of the prescribed text and I even incorporated two quotes from it in my essay to elevate my arguments further. I would strongly recommend critical readings in Extension 1 because they can assist you in finding your voice as a student and as an English critic yourself  8) Hope this helps!

Angelina  ;D
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: emilyyyyyyy on March 11, 2019, 07:06:51 pm
Hi,

My extension assessment is a creative piece and we have to: illuminate the complexity of individual and collective lives in literary worlds. It should also explore and reflect on the relationship between the individual and society in times of upheaval. the text we're studying is frankenstein, so i was thinking of doing something set in the Romantic period, maybe the French revolution. does anyone have an plot/storyline ideas bc im so so stuck :/

thanks!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: angewina_naguen on March 11, 2019, 10:24:58 pm
Hi,

My extension assessment is a creative piece and we have to: illuminate the complexity of individual and collective lives in literary worlds. It should also explore and reflect on the relationship between the individual and society in times of upheaval. the text we're studying is frankenstein, so i was thinking of doing something set in the Romantic period, maybe the French revolution. does anyone have an plot/storyline ideas bc im so so stuck :/

thanks!

Hey, Emily!

Unfortunately, I can't really give you a plot idea because it wouldn't be your own work! However, I can provide some help in other forms  ;D

Your assessment stimulus draws directly from the Extension 1 rubric and wants you to focus specifically on the interplay between the individual and the collective. The word "complexity" suggests that you need to explore how intricate and complicated situations can be for the lives of characters as a result of the world they live in. Upon "exploring and reflecting on the relationship between the individual and society in times of upheaval", your creative should look at how worlds experiencing major political, social and/or cultural change will invariably affect the way life functions. If you are having trouble with grappling this, I wrote a rubric breakdown which you can refer to for a more in-depth understanding  :)

There doesn't seem to be a requirement to write in the Romantic period so unless your heart is set on it, you could always explore a different context from your prescribed text! As long as your creative draws ideas from Frankenstein and whichever prescribed texts you have, it can be in any setting you wish. Choose a literary world that you can construct with confidence. For example, I was really fascinated by post WWII Japan and set my Extension 1 creative then because I knew a great deal about the context. Even if you don't have enough knowledge of it, if you have interest in a certain time period, do some research into it and immerse yourself in the environment that your own character/s would be living in.

After that, I would focus on figuring out the "upheaval" aspect and how you want your story to unfold. Some key questions to consider;

- Is your protagonist living in a position of wealth or poverty? How does this affect the extent of "upheaval" they face/truly face?
- Do they have individual struggles that relate to greater social issues of the time?
- What kinds of situations can you place your character/s in for them to have a certain reaction? With this playing out, what do you intend to illuminate about individual and collective lives in literary worlds?
- How much does society control the character and does this impact how they behave when confronted with scenarios that your creative will explore?
- If the world was not facing upheaval, would your character be different to how they are in your creative (element of speculation)?

Hopefully this helps! If you are still struggling to come up with a plot, always go back to the prescribed texts. Choose quotes that resonate with your understanding of the module and allow them to catalyse various creative plots based of that. Let me know if you have any further questions and good luck with the assessment!

Angelina  ;D
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: emilyyyyyyy on April 20, 2019, 07:03:59 pm
Hi!

I have a question on note taking for extension - last term I studied Frankenstein for the World of Upheaval elective, so when creating my tables with quotes, technique, analysis, etc, should I only include quotes that reflect the world of upheaval? I'm just struggling on what aspects of the text I should be analysing

thanks!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: angewina_naguen on April 20, 2019, 11:51:24 pm
Hi!

I have a question on note taking for extension - last term I studied Frankenstein for the World of Upheaval elective, so when creating my tables with quotes, technique, analysis, etc, should I only include quotes that reflect the world of upheaval? I'm just struggling on what aspects of the text I should be analysing

thanks!

Hey, emilyyyyyyy!

I have a few options on how you could approach studying for Extension 1. Everyone structures their study differently so hopefully one of these options will appeal to you  ;D Otherwise, give them a shot and find something that suits your style  8)

If you would like to use tables, you indeed need to be choosing quotes that reflect the Worlds of Upheaval elective. If the analysis has nothing to do with literary worlds in any way, it is not important. The module offers you a fantastic angle to view the text and to analyse it; analysing every quote that sounds good but contributes zero to your engagement with the elective itself would be a waste of time! When you create the table, pick quotes that you can assign to the rubric description. You will be able to present a judgement in your analysis on how that quote contributes to your understanding of your text as an example of a literary world imagining, experiencing and/or responding to upheaval.The adaptability of your quotes will be also be higher in likelihood and your analysis will be framed more around what the actual elective is asking of you as a result  :)

However, I never actually made any notes for Ext 1! While I made summary notes of my texts and any critical readings I completed for reference, my main method of study was through writing essays. I exposed myself to a variety of questions and possibilities to best prepare myself. All I did was select around four quotes and techniques for each text (including my related texts) that best encompassed all the aspects of the rubric. This reduced the task of having to memorise more quotes and content for an already demanding subject. It also allowed me to better develop my essay writing skills, which I argue is a huge key to success in Ext 1.

If you're struggling with finding quotes, we have these awesome resources, Frankenstein Quotes Masterlist, Frankenstein Notes and Comprehensive Frankenstein Notes, that may present alternative ways to construct your notes. Hope that helps and let me know if you have any further questions!

Angelina  ;D
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: nishta on May 05, 2019, 12:31:30 pm
Hey guys,

So I have a couple of questions for my extension essay (it's on Worlds of Upheaval):

-should I do an integrated essay? How? After hearing about it on the forums, I asked my teacher about it, but she didn't recommend it. I've always been taught to have a separate paragraph for each text and my teacher's a HSC marker, so I'm not sure what style to stick with.
-with the common module, what does 'identity, voice and points of view' mean? Does this refer to the author and their context or the way that the text has been written?
-how would you say the film Metropolis challenges literary conventions and traditional societal values/activates a change in attitudes?

Thanks :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: angewina_naguen on May 06, 2019, 11:17:44 am
Hey guys,

So I have a couple of questions for my extension essay (it's on Worlds of Upheaval):

-should I do an integrated essay? How? After hearing about it on the forums, I asked my teacher about it, but she didn't recommend it. I've always been taught to have a separate paragraph for each text and my teacher's a HSC marker, so I'm not sure what style to stick with.
-with the common module, what does 'identity, voice and points of view' mean? Does this refer to the author and their context or the way that the text has been written?
-how would you say the film Metropolis challenges literary conventions and traditional societal values/activates a change in attitudes?

Thanks :)

Hey, nishta!

I've got some suggestions which you can feel free to take on board if you wish based on personal experience, as well as what I have learnt from diving into the new syllabus more for Extension 1.

I would firstly say yes to integrated essays! My school highly encouraged them and as a result, so do I! They enable you to better engage with synthesis, especially with an Ext 1 essay which has up to five different texts (if you are doing poetry). However, if your teacher has recommended against using it and you are much more used to writing separate paragraphs for each text, go with that for your internals. Your teacher will be the one marking that essay so you'll want to appeal to what she has taught. After your Trials are done, work with what you think will maximise your performance. A marker is not going to deduct students' marks if they use one structure over another but there will be issues if your essay doesn't make sense and have cohesion.

If you would like to write in an integrated style, here's a link to my Ext 1 essay that I wrote for the HSC. Although the syllabus has changed, you can clearly see the structure I have implemented to ensure the texts flow and develop one another's ideas. I've also attached a link to Emily's Lecture Slides from January for Ext 1 and you can see the different ways you can approach writing paragraphs in Ext 1  ;D Basically, do with what will make you feel most comfortable because there isn't a right or wrong way  :)

As for the Common Module, "identity, voice and points of view" can be interpreted from both those lenses you have presented. It may refer to the composer and how their context, purpose and immediate audience has impacted their creative decisions within the text. It may also be explored within the characters, settings and other literary constructions within the texts. Those concepts are left open-ended for a reason and you can make the argument that the "identity, voice and points of views" expressed within the text reflect the composer's intentions and contextual values. That way, you develop a more layered argument and consider how the mechanisms of the text, and its conceptual foundations, are extensions of the composer. If you are having trouble with the Common Module, I did a break down which might help!

I didn't study Metropolis so I'm not too familiar with it but I would imagine it would both be a product of its time, as well as a challenger of its conventions, considering the nature of the module is on "upheaval" and that your text itself should embody that. With Frankenstein and Waiting for Godot, you can clearly see Romantic and Postmodern tendencies within those texts; I would imagine Modernist, and in particular German Expressionist, aesthetics similarly being so in Metropolis. Both the other two texts there have challenged notions of progress and responded to the societal values of their time in hopes of activating a change in attitudes for audiences on what they have readily accepted in their immediate worlds. I would consider how Metropolis is similarly a response to the instability and superficiality of the Weimar Republic, positioning audiences to evaluate their stance on society. Any innovative film techniques utilised to convey meaning would also be ideal to explore as they directly challenge traditional ways of representing ideas. I hope someone with more knowledge on the text can help you out with this question  :)

Very long response from me today so hope something in it helps!

Angelina  ;D
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: meerae on May 20, 2019, 01:13:37 pm
Hey guys,

So I have a couple of questions for my extension essay (it's on Worlds of Upheaval):

-should I do an integrated essay? How? After hearing about it on the forums, I asked my teacher about it, but she didn't recommend it. I've always been taught to have a separate paragraph for each text and my teacher's a HSC marker, so I'm not sure what style to stick with.
-with the common module, what does 'identity, voice and points of view' mean? Does this refer to the author and their context or the way that the text has been written?
-how would you say the film Metropolis challenges literary conventions and traditional societal values/activates a change in attitudes?

Thanks :)

Hey nishta!

Angelina went into everything quite well, I just wanted to add my perspective on integrated paragraphs from what I heard yesterday at the ext1 English day.

My teacher is very against integrated paragraphs, but my head teacher is all for them (which made loads of conflict last term when we were writing our essays last term). At the lectures yesterday, I asked as many HSC markers that I could find about their view and a lot of them felt that for most electives, doing it textually allows you to go more in depth, especially because most electives need you to go in a lot of depth.

Of course, there is no right or wrong structure and so I'd recommend to do the structure that you can do especially well, because thats the best way to impress the markers.

Hope this helps!
meerae :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: infectmarshroom on May 22, 2019, 10:13:12 am
Hi all,

I have received an essay for my elective worlds of upheaval-
"It is ingrained in the human nature that in periods of social and political change and upheaval, individuals and communities will seek justice and restoration. To what extent do the texts you studied explore this idea through characterisation and setting?"

My teacher has overwhelmed us stating it requires "12 body paragraphs"  :-[ :-\ :'(I think this is absurd and impractical unless my essay will be 3000 words. What do you think the best way to structure my essay will be and how many paragraphs? It is on two prescribed and two related. I am thinking...

Prescribed text 1: charcterisation
Prescribed text 2: charcterisation
Integrated Related texts: charcterisation
Integrated Prescribed texts: setting
Integrated Related texts: setting

Whilst, throughout addressing/ recognising the inherent need to seek restoration/justice in the specific predicament of the upheaval and answering the question.

Thanks in advance for your help!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: not a mystery mark on May 22, 2019, 07:10:54 pm
"It is ingrained in the human nature that in periods of social and political change and upheaval, individuals and communities will seek justice and restoration. To what extent do the texts you studied explore this idea through characterisation and setting?"

My teacher has overwhelmed us,  stating it requires "12 body paragraphs."
Thanks in advance for your help!

Heyy, Infectmarshroom.
I'd say 12 paragraphs is a bit ridiculous and unrealistic to replicate for the HSC examination. I generally recommend 3 - 4 paragraphs (probably 4 for this assignment) depending on how many text's you have to discuss. By doing 3-4, you're ensuring you have ample textual analysis and a detailed, cohesive discussion. Perhaps ask your teacher to clarify what they meant, because I can't imagine anybody doing 12 paragraphs.

Regarding structure, our teacher recommends discussing them in chronological order of their context so we can discuss how themes have evolved - allowing us to readily draw connections between texts. For your essay, I think it might be interesting to simultaneously talk about setting and characterisation. For instance, how you may discuss a symbiotic relationship between a character and their setting, allowing for an analysis of pathetic fallacy. This way you can cut down 6 paragraphs to 4.
Eg: Para 1: Text 1 (Setting + Characterisation)
Para 2: Text 2 (Setting + Characterisation)
Para 3: Text 3 (Setting + Characterisation)
Para 4: Text 4 (Setting + Characterisation)

I'm unsure what text's you're studying but maybe a setting is looking particularly grim and so a character may be enraged and such be determined to seek justice and restoration.

I hope this has helped. If you do take my advice check with your teacher and other markers at your school because at the end of the day, they're the ones grading the paper.
Cheers :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: infectmarshroom on May 22, 2019, 07:45:25 pm
Heyy, Infectmarshroom.
I'd say 12 paragraphs is a bit ridiculous and unrealistic to replicate for the HSC examination. I generally recommend 3 - 4 paragraphs (probably 4 for this assignment) depending on how many text's you have to discuss. By doing 3-4, you're ensuring you have ample textual analysis and a detailed, cohesive discussion. Perhaps ask your teacher to clarify what they meant, because I can't imagine anybody doing 12 paragraphs.

Regarding structure, our teacher recommends discussing them in chronological order of their context so we can discuss how themes have evolved - allowing us to readily draw connections between texts. For your essay, I think it might be interesting to simultaneously talk about setting and characterisation. For instance, how you may discuss a symbiotic relationship between a character and their setting, allowing for an analysis of pathetic fallacy. This way you can cut down 6 paragraphs to 4.
Eg: Para 1: Text 1 (Setting + Characterisation)
Para 2: Text 2 (Setting + Characterisation)
Para 3: Text 3 (Setting + Characterisation)
Para 4: Text 4 (Setting + Characterisation)

I'm unsure what text's you're studying but maybe a setting is looking particularly grim and so a character may be enraged and such be determined to seek justice and restoration.

I hope this has helped. If you do take my advice check with your teacher and other markers at your school because at the end of the day, they're the ones grading the paper.
Cheers :)

Thank you very much!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: nishta on May 26, 2019, 07:20:42 pm
Hey nishta!

Angelina went into everything quite well, I just wanted to add my perspective on integrated paragraphs from what I heard yesterday at the ext1 English day.

My teacher is very against integrated paragraphs, but my head teacher is all for them (which made loads of conflict last term when we were writing our essays last term). At the lectures yesterday, I asked as many HSC markers that I could find about their view and a lot of them felt that for most electives, doing it textually allows you to go more in depth, especially because most electives need you to go in a lot of depth.

Of course, there is no right or wrong structure and so I'd recommend to do the structure that you can do especially well, because thats the best way to impress the markers.

Hope this helps!
meerae :)

Thanks heaps, that's really great to know.  :D
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: nishta on May 26, 2019, 07:21:44 pm
Hey, nishta!

I've got some suggestions which you can feel free to take on board if you wish based on personal experience, as well as what I have learnt from diving into the new syllabus more for Extension 1.

I would firstly say yes to integrated essays! My school highly encouraged them and as a result, so do I! They enable you to better engage with synthesis, especially with an Ext 1 essay which has up to five different texts (if you are doing poetry). However, if your teacher has recommended against using it and you are much more used to writing separate paragraphs for each text, go with that for your internals. Your teacher will be the one marking that essay so you'll want to appeal to what she has taught. After your Trials are done, work with what you think will maximise your performance. A marker is not going to deduct students' marks if they use one structure over another but there will be issues if your essay doesn't make sense and have cohesion.

If you would like to write in an integrated style, here's a link to my Ext 1 essay that I wrote for the HSC. Although the syllabus has changed, you can clearly see the structure I have implemented to ensure the texts flow and develop one another's ideas. I've also attached a link to Emily's Lecture Slides from January for Ext 1 and you can see the different ways you can approach writing paragraphs in Ext 1  ;D Basically, do with what will make you feel most comfortable because there isn't a right or wrong way  :)

As for the Common Module, "identity, voice and points of view" can be interpreted from both those lenses you have presented. It may refer to the composer and how their context, purpose and immediate audience has impacted their creative decisions within the text. It may also be explored within the characters, settings and other literary constructions within the texts. Those concepts are left open-ended for a reason and you can make the argument that the "identity, voice and points of views" expressed within the text reflect the composer's intentions and contextual values. That way, you develop a more layered argument and consider how the mechanisms of the text, and its conceptual foundations, are extensions of the composer. If you are having trouble with the Common Module, I did a break down which might help!

I didn't study Metropolis so I'm not too familiar with it but I would imagine it would both be a product of its time, as well as a challenger of its conventions, considering the nature of the module is on "upheaval" and that your text itself should embody that. With Frankenstein and Waiting for Godot, you can clearly see Romantic and Postmodern tendencies within those texts; I would imagine Modernist, and in particular German Expressionist, aesthetics similarly being so in Metropolis. Both the other two texts there have challenged notions of progress and responded to the societal values of their time in hopes of activating a change in attitudes for audiences on what they have readily accepted in their immediate worlds. I would consider how Metropolis is similarly a response to the instability and superficiality of the Weimar Republic, positioning audiences to evaluate their stance on society. Any innovative film techniques utilised to convey meaning would also be ideal to explore as they directly challenge traditional ways of representing ideas. I hope someone with more knowledge on the text can help you out with this question  :)

Very long response from me today so hope something in it helps!

Angelina  ;D

You're an actual legend, thanks so much.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: burningcandle on June 19, 2019, 12:20:02 pm
I have an analytical response task for extension 1 english on literary homelands where we have to answer the question in reference to 2 related texts and 1 related text. In class we have been going through 3 point of comparisons between our two related and as formative tasks and have been advised to use three techniques per paragraph. My question is, how would i structure and essay with 3 texts? 2 are books, the related is something shorter. it is 1200 words and the question is "The nature of home is a complex interplay of both local and global influences. How have you found this to be true in your study of TWO prescribed texts and ONE related text of your own choosing?"
Thank you
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: emilyyyyyyy on June 19, 2019, 03:12:21 pm
Hi,

I have to write an essay critically analysing Frankenstein, Waiting for Godot and a related text for Worlds of Upheaval. In Frankenstein and Waiting for Godot, what upheaval should I talk about?
I was thinking for Frankenstein I can talk about science v nature & women, and for Godot, I was thinking post war existentialism.
Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: owidjaja on June 19, 2019, 04:27:49 pm
Hi,

I have to write an essay critically analysing Frankenstein, Waiting for Godot and a related text for Worlds of Upheaval. In Frankenstein and Waiting for Godot, what upheaval should I talk about?
I was thinking for Frankenstein I can talk about science v nature & women, and for Godot, I was thinking post war existentialism.
Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks!
Hey there,

I didn't study Extension English but I think you could talk about the dangers of pursuing knowledge in Frankenstein (which can link with your idea of science v nature). You could also probably talk about the impacts of society and how they can corrupt individuals. There were some great ideas discussed here. For Waiting for Godot, you could probably expand your idea of post-war existentialism with Beckett's anti-religion stance.

Hope this helps!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: angewina_naguen on June 19, 2019, 05:25:46 pm
I have an analytical response task for extension 1 english on literary homelands where we have to answer the question in reference to 2 related texts and 1 related text. In class we have been going through 3 point of comparisons between our two related and as formative tasks and have been advised to use three techniques per paragraph. My question is, how would i structure and essay with 3 texts? 2 are books, the related is something shorter. it is 1200 words and the question is "The nature of home is a complex interplay of both local and global influences. How have you found this to be true in your study of TWO prescribed texts and ONE related text of your own choosing?"
Thank you

Hey, burningcandle!

Welcome to the forum! A structure I would recommend loosely following would be this  :)

Introduction (100 words)
Body 1- Prescribed 1+ Related Text (250 words)
Body 2- Prescribed 2 + Related Text (250 words)
Body 3- Prescribed 1+ Prescribed 2 (250 words)
Body 4- Related Text + Synthesis of all texts (250 words)
Conclusion (100 words)

The word counts are just rough guidelines but can help you balance your discussion of the texts. It'll also cater for the lengths of the novels in comparison to the related which is shorter  ;D Hope that helps!

Angelina  ;D
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: emilyyyyyyy on July 06, 2019, 01:42:13 pm
Hi,

Seeing as we only write about 2 prescribed texts for the HSC, should I be studying my third one?

Thanks :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Partinus on July 06, 2019, 06:29:58 pm
Hi,

Seeing as we only write about 2 prescribed texts for the HSC, should I be studying my third one?

Thanks :)

No, it's much better to dedicate your time to two so you really know them in-depth. There's no point in studying the third.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: angewina_naguen on July 06, 2019, 11:16:29 pm
Hi,

Seeing as we only write about 2 prescribed texts for the HSC, should I be studying my third one?

Thanks :)

Hey, emilyyyyyyy!

I think it just depends on what you think would give you more confidence going into the exam. Like Partinus, I prepared two in depth but I did memorise four quotes from my third text in case I found the question more suitable for that text. It's smarter to dedicate more time to the two you're most likely to use and cover all bases (political, social, cultural, economic, scientific etc.) but there's no harm in bringing something from the third in the event that you might find it more relevant! It'll give you that extra bit of security but you'll also know you're pretty safe going with the two that you're well versed in  :)

Angelina  ;D
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: nishta on August 11, 2019, 02:41:33 pm
As a rough guide, how long should you be writing in the 1 hour time frame for an essay?

My teacher says around 2000 words, but idk if I can write that much  :0
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: katede21822 on August 11, 2019, 05:40:36 pm
Also, what do people think about having 2 related texts for an elective topic? I'm currently doing Literary Mindscapes and our teacher says that for the trial exams, we must have 2 prescribed texts along with our 2 related...? I'm thinking that I'll just write an essay on 3 texts and integrate my 2nd prescribed if the question asks...?

What do you think?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: katede21822 on August 11, 2019, 05:43:42 pm
As a rough guide, how long should you be writing in the 1 hour time frame for an essay?

My teacher says around 2000 words, but idk if I can write that much  :0

My teacher said the minimum should 1500 words in 1 hour... If you think about it, that's quite achievable as it equates to only 25 words per minute...
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Hrxthix on August 12, 2019, 09:50:59 pm
Hey

 For my Worlds of Upheaval Essay, we were told to have an underlying argument like a 'thread' throughout all of the texts we discuss such as human agency or something like that but i really have no idea how to approach this since - does anyone understand this?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: angewina_naguen on August 13, 2019, 07:47:37 pm
Hey

 For my Worlds of Upheaval Essay, we were told to have an underlying argument like a 'thread' throughout all of the texts we discuss such as human agency or something like that but i really have no idea how to approach this since - does anyone understand this?

Hey, Hrxthix!

Your underlying argument would essentially be your judgement on what the shared purpose of the composers are in relation to Worlds of Upheaval. You would frame this by illustrating in your essay what the composer has aimed to do and how this impacts audience reception to the texts. This can be acknowledged and integrated throughout your response, including your analysis, and synthesised at the end of your bodies to really create that "thread" to (pun intended) weave the texts together. This is an example of how you would show it.

Sample Synthesis
Plath’s view on death is one of fear and concern towards what purpose can be derived in a world void of it; Shinoda’s Muraki embraces it for purpose. Regardless, both composers have urged responders to critically doubt the notion of purpose as sustainable in a passing, atomic age existence.

You may have a full read of the essay here! Hope this helps and let me know if you have any questions!

Angelina  ;D

Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Hrxthix on August 14, 2019, 09:34:57 pm
Thank you!

Will defs have a look at the sample response soon
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: spnmox on September 17, 2019, 11:59:04 am
Hi everyone,

Just wondering how to structure an essay on textual manifestations with three texts? Apparently we are meant to have three paragraphs covering one text at a time, but I'm not sure how many themes/where to put them.

Thanks!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: meerae on September 20, 2019, 10:34:51 pm
How is everyone structuring the section 2 critical?
Are you integrating paragraphs or doing them textually?

I did them textually in my trial because my teacher hates integrated paragraphs, but I am told that markers expect integrated paragraphs because they're more sophisticated. What is everyone else doing?

thanks
meerae :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: hemlock on September 22, 2019, 12:36:47 pm
How is everyone structuring the section 2 critical?
Are you integrating paragraphs or doing them textually?

I did them textually in my trial because my teacher hates integrated paragraphs, but I am told that markers expect integrated paragraphs because they're more sophisticated. What is everyone else doing?

thanks
meerae :)

I think for Extension you should definitely be looking to write integrated paragraphs. For my trials, I did a mix: 

P1 - Prescribed #1
P2 - Prescribed #2 & Prescribed #1
P3 - Related
P4 - Prescribed #2 & Related & a bit of Prescribed #1 to tie it together

That being said, if you go on the ARC website for Extension 1 and look at some exemplar responses, there are definitely some top-performing essays that have textually-specific paragraphs, but that was generally in the early years of the old syllabus so the expectations may have changed now. Might need Angelina to confirm!

I think I did well for trials, but my feedback was that I should strengthen my related text analysis and plan some of the content I cover more closely (had a bit too much analysis for Heaney because he has three poems :-\). Also, I need to actually flesh out my second related which I have probably not prepared adequately for lol (wasn't asked in trials).

How are you going with Literary Worlds by the way? Are you preparing any imaginative(s) that you'll memorise? Starting today, I planned on doing 1.5/2 hours of creative writing a day in the lead-up to the HSC as prerparation for both Literary Worlds and Mod C for Advanced as I'm probably stronger at critical writing, but I'm not really sure if I'm meant to do more than that? Also, if you don't mind me asking what is your elective + texts?

Good luck!
hemlock :D
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: meerae on September 23, 2019, 01:21:42 pm
I think for Extension you should definitely be looking to write integrated paragraphs. For my trials, I did a mix: 

P1 - Prescribed #1
P2 - Prescribed #2 & Prescribed #1
P3 - Related
P4 - Prescribed #2 & Related & a bit of Prescribed #1 to tie it together

That being said, if you go on the ARC website for Extension 1 and look at some exemplar responses, there are definitely some top-performing essays that have textually-specific paragraphs, but that was generally in the early years of the old syllabus so the expectations may have changed now. Might need Angelina to confirm!

I think I did well for trials, but my feedback was that I should strengthen my related text analysis and plan some of the content I cover more closely (had a bit too much analysis for Heaney because he has three poems :-\). Also, I need to actually flesh out my second related which I have probably not prepared adequately for lol (wasn't asked in trials).

How are you going with Literary Worlds by the way? Are you preparing any imaginative(s) that you'll memorise? Starting today, I planned on doing 1.5/2 hours of creative writing a day in the lead-up to the HSC as prerparation for both Literary Worlds and Mod C for Advanced as I'm probably stronger at critical writing, but I'm not really sure if I'm meant to do more than that? Also, if you don't mind me asking what is your elective + texts?

Good luck!
hemlock :D

We're doing Literary Mindscapes and our texts are Emily Dickinson poetry, Hamlet and As I Lay Dying. Although, I refuse to touch the poetry.
My head teacher recommended doing;
P1: Prescribed #1 + Prescribed #2
P2: Prescribed #1 + Related #1
P3: Prescribed #2 + Related #2

Which seems like it'd work well, especially for ext but my ext teacher hates integrated paragraphs (and we have been marked down for using them), so I did it textually in my trials and somehow got 25, so now I don't know if I should remain textually or switch to integrated.

We were also not asked for a second related in trials, which was great because I got to write loads on my prescribed texts.

Unfortunately, Literary Worlds was somehow my weakest. I lost 4 marks for not actually quoting my creative in my reflection and that bought me down like crazy, and it was such a horrible place to lose marks.
I don't plan on having imaginatives memorised, for adv or ext, but I do have some plot structures that I can bring in to make work with whatever excerpt they decide to torture us with.
For Mod C, I am more of a discursive writer and don't know what I'd do if they don't give the option...

But 1.5-2 hours a day for creative writing is loadss, don't stress!

meerae :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: emilyyyyyyy on September 28, 2019, 04:53:35 pm
We're doing Literary Mindscapes and our texts are Emily Dickinson poetry, Hamlet and As I Lay Dying. Although, I refuse to touch the poetry.
My head teacher recommended doing;
P1: Prescribed #1 + Prescribed #2
P2: Prescribed #1 + Related #1
P3: Prescribed #2 + Related #2

Which seems like it'd work well, especially for ext but my ext teacher hates integrated paragraphs (and we have been marked down for using them), so I did it textually in my trials and somehow got 25, so now I don't know if I should remain textually or switch to integrated.

We were also not asked for a second related in trials, which was great because I got to write loads on my prescribed texts.

Unfortunately, Literary Worlds was somehow my weakest. I lost 4 marks for not actually quoting my creative in my reflection and that bought me down like crazy, and it was such a horrible place to lose marks.
I don't plan on having imaginatives memorised, for adv or ext, but I do have some plot structures that I can bring in to make work with whatever excerpt they decide to torture us with.
For Mod C, I am more of a discursive writer and don't know what I'd do if they don't give the option...

But 1.5-2 hours a day for creative writing is loadss, don't stress!

meerae :)

Hi! My extension teacher has marked the hsc for years and is a senior marker + judge, and she told us to write each para based on one text. So for example mine would be like:
Para 1: Frankenstein
Para 2: related to Frank
Para 3: Waiting for Godot
Para 4: related to Godot

She also said we don't actually need to link our related to our prescribed (so in para 2 i don't really need to talk about Frank), but she said if there are some clear links, then it'd be good to make them :)
But overall, I don't think it matters, as long as your arguments are good!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Cali.doyle on October 13, 2019, 05:00:50 pm
Hey,
In prep for HSC, does anyone have any, or know where to access practice exam questions for Worlds of Upheaval?

Thanks!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: angewina_naguen on October 14, 2019, 07:23:05 pm
Hey,
In prep for HSC, does anyone have any, or know where to access practice exam questions for Worlds of Upheaval?

Thanks!

Hey, Cali.doyle!

I wrote up some original questions in response to another user earlier in the year which you can have a look at in this thread  :D I wrote them as close to the style of HSC questions as I possibly could. Hope they help in your revision and good luck for the exams!

Angelina  ;D
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: stellaktenas on October 18, 2019, 05:05:32 pm
Hey guys,

I am studying Worlds of Upheaval and my teacher advised me to structure like this:

P1: Frankenstein + on themes/ concept 1 to prove thesis eg Feminist reading, Freudian, Power etc
P2: Metropolis + on theme/ concept 1
P3: Related + on theme/  concept 1
P4: Frankenstein + on theme/ concept 2 to prove thesis eg Marxist reading
P5: Metropolis + on theme/ concept 2
P6: Related + on themes/ concept 2

Does everyone think this is okay? I did it in trials and it was fine. However, I'm afraid the markers won't like it if I'm only focussing on 2 in lieu of 3 concepts/themes that I would do for a regular thematic essay.

I was going to do one massive integrated paragraph on form at the end, to go into more detail and link the form/ construction of the text in proving the thesis just for the sake of a third 'concept/point'. But I am linking form throughout, and I think it is repetitive.
Also, I physically cannot write any more!

What has everyone else teachers advised them/ think?

Thank you!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: phungies on October 19, 2019, 01:04:04 pm
Hey guys! What would be the best way to prep for the Eng Ext HSC rn? There's so much stuff to remember I'm scared I might have a brain fart in the exam lol.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: tafarax on February 11, 2020, 10:07:35 pm
Hello, is writing a satirical piece for my Literary Worlds narrative a good idea?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: angewina_naguen on February 12, 2020, 08:22:59 am
Hello, is writing a satirical piece for my Literary Worlds narrative a good idea?

Hey, tafarax!

I think satire can be pulled off really well if you do the research and think carefully about how you wish to represent your ideas. It really depends on two key things; firstly, you need to still make sure it's driven by the "literary world" you have created. Your satire will need to be heavily setting-focused and have a strong grasp on a sense of place to fulfill the demands of the module. You may use your elective for inspiration and a basis to work with when constructing your fictional place and then allow the humour and irony to all come out of that.

The second thing you'll need to consider is the kind of question you're working with in your assessment and, long term, what you might get in the HSC. Your assessment should give you enough guidelines and direction to work with, along with room for creative freedom to allow your satirical narrative to emerge. In the exams you do, you'll need to tailor your story and prepared material around the unseen stimulus they provide you too so make sure you know your plot well and are flexible enough to adapt it. What were you planning on writing about/exploring? Might give me some more ideas to help you out :)

Angelina  ;D

Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: cindyyin on February 23, 2020, 04:41:51 pm
Hey, currently thinking about possible related texts for my school prescribed texts of Frankenstein and Metropolis - both of which have themes/messages regarding industrialisation, science and social or class inequality. Could anyone suggest possible texts that would link well with my two prescribed texts?

Thanks :D
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: angewina_naguen on February 23, 2020, 07:12:25 pm
Hey, currently thinking about possible related texts for my school prescribed texts of Frankenstein and Metropolis - both of which have themes/messages regarding industrialisation, science and social or class inequality. Could anyone suggest possible texts that would link well with my two prescribed texts?

Thanks :D

Hey, cindyyin!

Welcome to the forums! I provided some recommended related texts in a thread here which you can check out  :) I'd particulary recommend Waste, Anthropocene and Blast Manifesto for those texts and themes. They are also different forms from Frankenstein and Metropolis which would be great for showcasing your engagement with different media in your analysis. Let me know if that helps and if you have any further questions about related texts  ;D

Angelina  ;D
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: owidjaja on February 23, 2020, 08:11:48 pm
Hey, currently thinking about possible related texts for my school prescribed texts of Frankenstein and Metropolis - both of which have themes/messages regarding industrialisation, science and social or class inequality. Could anyone suggest possible texts that would link well with my two prescribed texts?

Thanks :D
Hey there,

Adding on to Angelina's awesome suggestions, "The Time Machine" by HG Wells would also fit nicely with Metropolis and Frankenstein :)

Hope this helps!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: tafarax on February 25, 2020, 10:34:43 pm
Hey, tafarax!

I think satire can be pulled off really well if you do the research and think carefully about how you wish to represent your ideas. It really depends on two key things; firstly, you need to still make sure it's driven by the "literary world" you have created. Your satire will need to be heavily setting-focused and have a strong grasp on a sense of place to fulfill the demands of the module. You may use your elective for inspiration and a basis to work with when constructing your fictional place and then allow the humour and irony to all come out of that.

The second thing you'll need to consider is the kind of question you're working with in your assessment and, long term, what you might get in the HSC. Your assessment should give you enough guidelines and direction to work with, along with room for creative freedom to allow your satirical narrative to emerge. In the exams you do, you'll need to tailor your story and prepared material around the unseen stimulus they provide you too so make sure you know your plot well and are flexible enough to adapt it. What were you planning on writing about/exploring? Might give me some more ideas to help you out :)

Angelina  ;D


Hey Angelina, THANKS FOR THE ADVICE.

My assignment requires me to write a creative under a pseudonym, then analyse it into my essay as a related text for Frankenstein. The creative must have a 'world impacted by socio-political upheaval', and have the 'characters within fighting for justice, solace and peace.' My creative is mainly a satirical commentary of society during economic downturns where the main character is significantly affected and ends up involved in criminal activity which later leads to her demise... a bit overreaching but it's an exaggerated narrative. If you can offer any assistance, it would be splendid.

I tried my hand at normal narrations, but I absolutely SUCK octopuses at evocative language and realistic conversation. It always sounds strange and VERY sarcastic, hence I'm going full satirical for all my creatives, including my trials and my HSC. I have no idea how to research this though and would love all the help I can get.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: angewina_naguen on February 26, 2020, 03:32:06 pm

Hey Angelina, THANKS FOR THE ADVICE.

My assignment requires me to write a creative under a pseudonym, then analyse it into my essay as a related text for Frankenstein. The creative must have a 'world impacted by socio-political upheaval', and have the 'characters within fighting for justice, solace and peace.' My creative is mainly a satirical commentary of society during economic downturns where the main character is significantly affected and ends up involved in criminal activity which later leads to her demise... a bit overreaching but it's an exaggerated narrative. If you can offer any assistance, it would be splendid.

I tried my hand at normal narrations, but I absolutely SUCK octopuses at evocative language and realistic conversation. It always sounds strange and VERY sarcastic, hence I'm going full satirical for all my creatives, including my trials and my HSC. I have no idea how to research this though and would love all the help I can get.

Hey, again!

Interesting narrative idea coming together there! You could deliberately manipulate language and your story to have that final descent into criminal activity be a plot twist. For example, maybe it could off with them heading down the road or something, and slowly you unfold and reveal the economic crises within the society before your character reaches their destination in which the crime is committed. That could make it really exciting!

As for researching and improving your writing, you could narrow your search down with key areas like "satire genre conventions" or "representations of downfall in literature" to see what's out there. This article and this guide can be good starting points. If you are looking for academic readings, Google Scholar and Academia are my go-to platforms. For creative writing, I would particularly like to recommend reading Edgar Allan Poe's The Tell-Tale Heart if you want to look at a great way crime has been represented and explored (especially psychologically). I covered some tips briefly in my Ext 1 Lecture from January too if you wanted to see how I approached the creative process. Hope that helps and good luck with the assessment!

Angelina  ;D
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: amajuju on March 01, 2020, 09:18:34 pm
Hey
I was wondering if anyone had any related texts for North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. It's my prescribed text for Worlds of Upheaval, and I would really appreciate ideas like films or poetry for related materials (basically not another novel)
Thanks
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: angewina_naguen on March 01, 2020, 11:05:02 pm
Hey
I was wondering if anyone had any related texts for North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. It's my prescribed text for Worlds of Upheaval, and I would really appreciate ideas like films or poetry for related materials (basically not another novel)
Thanks

Hey, amajuju!

Welcome to the forums  ;D Hey, amajuju!

Here are the WOU related texts I generally provide as recommendations for anyone who is studying the elective. Of these, I'd recommend Wyndham Lewis' Blast Manifesto the most since it's a modernist magazine (which contrasts nicely with Gaskell's novel) and it explores similar ideas surrounding industrialisation and class struggle. Another text I'd recommend that isn't listed is Kate Chopin's The Story of an Hour with its feminist quirkiness and similar contextual guidelines to Gaskell but it is quite an overdone text so I'd recommend steering away from it.

As for some supporting literature, I found this really great review of your novel if you were interested in further reading! I also quite like this review and this [url=https://www.booktopia.com.au/blog/2010/02/17/north-and-south-by-elizabeth-gaskell/] :) Hope this helps and let me know if you have any further questions!

Angelina  ;D
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: spnmox on March 02, 2020, 05:23:08 pm
Hi!

I'm choosing a RT for Elective 2 Worlds of Upheaval, my prescribed novel is North and South. I'm currently deciding between The Mask of Anarchy (Shelley) or The Cry of the Children (Browning). Which RT will make for the most interesting discussion or have the most to talk about in relation to the rubric? Thoughts?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: angewina_naguen on March 03, 2020, 11:22:59 pm
Hi!

I'm choosing a RT for Elective 2 Worlds of Upheaval, my prescribed novel is North and South. I'm currently deciding between The Mask of Anarchy (Shelley) or The Cry of the Children (Browning). Which RT will make for the most interesting discussion or have the most to talk about in relation to the rubric? Thoughts?

Hey, spnmox!

Either text would pair well with North and South and have incredible similarities stylistically and thematically so I'm actually finding it hard to give one more of an edge over the other  :o I think it's worth analysing both since they fit perfectly with the Worlds of Upheaval elective premise and can be great resources for supplementary study. I would personally like to give the Shelley a bit more of an edge just because of its more explicit references to industrialisation and the social issues that prevailed in England at the time, presenting a strong parallel with Gaskell's literary world. It's ultimately up to you to make the call though :D Hope this helps!

Angelina  ;D
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: spnmox on March 04, 2020, 11:01:19 pm
Hey, spnmox!

Either text would pair well with North and South and have incredible similarities stylistically and thematically so I'm actually finding it hard to give on more of an edge over the other  :o I think it's worth analysing both since they fit perfectly with the Worlds of Upheaval elective premise and can be great resources for supplementary study. I would personally like to give the Shelley a bit more of an edge just because of its more explicit references to industrialisation and the social issues that prevailed in England at the time, presenting a strong parallel with Gaskell's literary world. It's ultimately up to you to make the call though :D Hope this helps!

Angelina  ;D

Thanks so much Angelina!!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Joelle F-J on April 04, 2020, 05:53:03 pm
Hey all!
I need to select a related text for either Guillermo del Toro's film Pan's Labyrinth or Samuel T. Coleridge's poems Rime of the Ancient Mariner, The Eolian Harp, Christabel, and Kubla Khan - for the Ext1 elective Reimagined Worlds.

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions?? (Preferably for the film, if possible!) :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: carl16 on April 06, 2020, 10:51:29 am
hi!  :D
my prescribed texts are frankenstein, metropolis, waiting for godot (we need to pick 2) and we also have to have 2 related texts.
it looks like frankenstein is romanticism, while the other 2 are from modernism/postmodernism eras. was wondering...for worlds of upheaval essay how do I link them together? is it enough to say they are all responses to upheavals (e.g. frankenstein responds to the upheaval caused by enlightenment era, abuse of science) ? if so, how do i go about picking related texts? so far, what i have in mind is Coleridge's this lime tree bower my prison, which forms a arc with frankenstein in that they complement each other; coleridge shows how imagination liberates individuals from their old pessimistic attitudes, whereas frankenstein discourages individuals from using imagination in a way that disrupts natural life cycle as victor frankenstein does. but how do I link these Romantic texts to modernism/postmodernism? would i be able to do an integrated essay or compare/contrast?
Thanks!
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: angewina_naguen on April 08, 2020, 11:52:39 am
Hey all!
I need to select a related text for either Guillermo del Toro's film Pan's Labyrinth or Samuel T. Coleridge's poems Rime of the Ancient Mariner, The Eolian Harp, Christabel, and Kubla Khan - for the Ext1 elective Reimagined Worlds.

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions?? (Preferably for the film, if possible!) :)

Hey, Joelle F-J!

When I delivered the Extension 1 lecture earlier this year, I used Shirley Jackson's short story The Lottery as a related text example for Pan's Labyrinth. This text is quite popular though so I would be cautious about choosing it.

Some great novels which would couple well with the film include Gabriel Garcia Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude, Tea Obreht's novel Inland, Laura Esquivel's Like Water for Chocolate and Haruki Murakami's Kafka on the Shore. Elements of magic realism which Pan's Labyrinth employs can be found in all these examples and you can draw some connections with any of them with Coleridge too. While they're quite long and heavy texts, they'll have lots for you to work with and explore. Hopefully one of them piques your interest and gives you something awesome to read this holiday  :D

hi!  :D
my prescribed texts are frankenstein, metropolis, waiting for godot (we need to pick 2) and we also have to have 2 related texts.
it looks like frankenstein is romanticism, while the other 2 are from modernism/postmodernism eras. was wondering...for worlds of upheaval essay how do I link them together? is it enough to say they are all responses to upheavals (e.g. frankenstein responds to the upheaval caused by enlightenment era, abuse of science) ? if so, how do i go about picking related texts? so far, what i have in mind is Coleridge's this lime tree bower my prison, which forms a arc with frankenstein in that they complement each other; coleridge shows how imagination liberates individuals from their old pessimistic attitudes, whereas frankenstein discourages individuals from using imagination in a way that disrupts natural life cycle as victor frankenstein does. but how do I link these Romantic texts to modernism/postmodernism? would i be able to do an integrated essay or compare/contrast?
Thanks!

Hey, carl16!

You don't have to choose texts from similar contexts; in fact, I'd encourage choosing them from contrasting ones! You link them together by their thematic commonalities (shared ideas across both texts like imagination as you have highlighted in the example below with Frankenstein and Coleridge). You can broaden your discussion by exploring context but you can group the texts together based on common themes and representations of upheaval.

As for other related text options, since you've got a novel and poem in mind already, it really depends on what your other prescribed text is. Since you have two modernist/postmodernist texts, I would recommend something non-fiction to throw some genre variety in the mix. I have a list of recommendations here if you're interested in exploring some options!

Feel free to ask any follow up questions in this thread if you have any. Hope this helps and good luck to you both with your Ext 1 studies ;D

Angelina  ;D
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: carl16 on April 09, 2020, 11:10:14 pm
Thanks Angelina!!   8)   

my plan looks  like this so far:
Thesis
Worlds of upheaval are often driven by an excessive focus on scientific, economic and sociopolitical progress without regard for its moral consequences. Composers encourage individuals and societies to develop a sense of moral responsibility to restore social unity.
Paragraph 1
Mary Shelley’s gothic novel Frankenstein (1818) exposes the immorality of using science to create life by showing how the resultant creature has no means of attaining happiness. Written following the Age of Enlightenment, where some people saw scientific progress as an end goal whereas Romantics heavily opposed it for fear of its dangers, Shelley suggests that science can be pursued but only in a responsible manner.
Paragraph 2
Andrew Stanton’s animated film Wall-E (2008) explores the immorality of abusing the environment for sociopolitical power by showing how the resultant world is devoid of joy and natural beauty. In response to climate change denialists, Stanton promotes how moral responsibility through caring for the environment can restore beauty to the postmodern world.
Paragraph 3
Fritz Lang’s German expressionist film Metropolis (1927) criticises how a traditional focus on industrial efficiency creates class inequality and leads to the immoral exploitation of the working class. In response to the rise of industrialization in Weimar Germany, which saw the reparations of the Treaty of Versailles (1919-20) forsake the values of compassion and empathy, Lang advocates how these religious morals can restore unity to the working and higher classes.
Paragraph 4
William Blake’s poem The Chimney Sweeper (1789) condemns how a traditional focus on industrial efficiency leads to a loss of morality, as institutions manipulate children to perform labour and neglect their suffering minds and bodies. Disturbed by the prevalence of low pay chimney sweeping jobs at the start of the French Revolution,

I wanted some help on how to create a thread through my essay. so far i came up with something along the lines of morality, but im unsure how to talk about this in terms of a world of upheaval.

My teacher gave me a sample essay talking about "composers represent how change may serve as liberation from the loss of past societal values in order to expose how individuals' beliefs are challenged by shifting sociopolitical and economic paradigms" as the thesis. what is the "past/original" value and what's the new? for example, in frankenstein, would the enlightenment era focus on scientific development be considered the "past/original" and romanticism as a reaction to this is the upheaval,, or is Enlightenment the upheaval that destroys the peace of the old world of nature? or am i on the wrong track completely in talking about upheaval?

how does my plan so far  ? I havent invested heavily in related texts so far, so i would really appreciate any suggestions for better related texts! also better thread/core arguments that run through the essay (trying to get the overall general direction of my essay right)

thanks so much!!  ;D
Carl16
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: angewina_naguen on April 10, 2020, 12:21:06 pm
Thanks Angelina!!   8)   

I wanted some help on how to create a thread through my essay. so far i came up with something along the lines of morality, but im unsure how to talk about this in terms of a world of upheaval.

My teacher gave me a sample essay talking about "composers represent how change may serve as liberation from the loss of past societal values in order to expose how individuals' beliefs are challenged by shifting sociopolitical and economic paradigms" as the thesis. what is the "past/original" value and what's the new? for example, in frankenstein, would the enlightenment era focus on scientific development be considered the "past/original" and romanticism as a reaction to this is the upheaval,, or is Enlightenment the upheaval that destroys the peace of the old world of nature? or am i on the wrong track completely in talking about upheaval?

how does my plan so far  ? I havent invested heavily in related texts so far, so i would really appreciate any suggestions for better related texts! also better thread/core arguments that run through the essay (trying to get the overall general direction of my essay right)

thanks so much!!  ;D
Carl16

Hey, carl16!

You're on the right track with creating the thread. You could explore morality as a complex force, given the worlds of upheaval that the individuals and collectives in your text are situated in. To make it more "Literary Worlds", I would look at how setting and the conditions of a world determine the way characters interact and their understanding of morality. You're already heading in the right direction; my advice would be to really draw from how those worlds are represented to explore it.

As for your thesis, I think it's looking fine as well! I think the word "excessive" is perhaps the only thing throwing it off balance but the rest of it aligns perfectly fine with the module. The thesis from the essay your teacher gave you, from my understanding at least, is looking at the idea of the worlds that face upheaval are reacting to the past and responding to conditions that are in flux and unstable (so as you've said, the movement from the balance, symmetry and order of Enlightenment to the individualism and expression of Romanticism). How you've interpreted upheaval is also valid though; that's the beauty about doing Extension 1  :D

My only other suggestion would be to change Wall-E. I absolutely adore the film but I can definitely see it your teacher, and HSC markers more broadly, not seeing it as "Extension 1" related text material. I would perhaps recommend George Orwell's Shooting an Elephant (1936) which can throw a nice WWII text into the mix. It's also an essay which gives a bit more contrast in your choice of media to explore in the essay (both Wall-E and Metropolis are films). Let me know if that helps and good luck with the assessment!

Angelina  ;D
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Stephanie2020 on May 16, 2020, 05:25:22 pm
Hello :)

I have an assignment on Worlds of Upheaval, with a choice between Metropolis and Frankenstein, and a related text. I'm having a little bit of difficulty on choosing the element of upheaval, but how would you recommend structuring an essay for this topic?

Thank you very much  :)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: s110820 on May 16, 2020, 05:47:59 pm
Hi Stephanie!

I can definitely help if you would like! =
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Joelle F-J on July 20, 2020, 05:15:19 pm
Hello! Do you by any chance have some suggestions for The Left Hand of Darkness related texts? (no films, as I am doing Pan's Labyrinth as well)
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: angewina_naguen on July 21, 2020, 02:43:24 pm
Hello! Do you by any chance have some suggestions for The Left Hand of Darkness related texts? (no films, as I am doing Pan's Labyrinth as well)

Hey, Joelle F-J!

Definitely got yourself a challenge there with that pair of prescribed texts for finding related texts but it's not impossible  ;D I have previously recommended Shirley Jackson's The Lottery and any of the short stories from Angela Carter's The Bloody Chamber for people doing Re-Imagined Worlds so you might want to check those out! Some poems that I think will also work well with The Left Hand of Darkness include Christina Rossetti's Goblin Market and any of the poems from Margaret Rhee's Love, Robot.

There are also some wonderful contemporary short films like Lily Darragh Harty's The Fringes or Catherine Bonny's Colony that might allow for some great connections to be drawn with your prescribed text too but do check if your teacher recommends it since they are technically the same medium as Pan's Labyrinth. I've linked them below for you to have a look at!



Hope they help in some way and let us know what you end up deciding to go with!

Angelina  ;D
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: BakerDad12 on September 15, 2020, 12:03:08 pm
Is it inadvisable to memorise an essay for the new syllabus? I wasn't initially going to memorise an essay, but having written practise responses in preparation for Trials and now HSC it seems all my responses follow essentially the same structure, so memorising an essay would probably allow me to capitalise on that fact. The only reason I'm debating this is because my teacher advised against it, saying that the new syllabus can be extremely specific in questions and so it may be hard to adapt a pre-prepared essay. Note this was only for Advanced though, so I'm not sure how it differs for Extension.
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: angewina_naguen on September 15, 2020, 04:21:11 pm
Is it inadvisable to memorise an essay for the new syllabus? I wasn't initially going to memorise an essay, but having written practise responses in preparation for Trials and now HSC it seems all my responses follow essentially the same structure, so memorising an essay would probably allow me to capitalise on that fact. The only reason I'm debating this is because my teacher advised against it, saying that the new syllabus can be extremely specific in questions and so it may be hard to adapt a pre-prepared essay. Note this was only for Advanced though, so I'm not sure how it differs for Extension.

Hey, BakerDad12!

If memorising an essay will help you feel more prepared for the exam itself, I would say go for it! There's really no harm to it as long as you're not solely relying on that to get you by in the HSC exam  :) However, I'm more in agreement with your teacher because it is much more worthy of your time to spend it on practising responses and gaining more confidence in responding to questions on the spot than it is to memorise an essay. Even if you end up writing similar things in all your responses, you have already learnt to keep each new question and its key words at the forefront of your mind when addressing it in the essay. If you memorise an essay and go into the exam with that, you will likely end up regurgitating it word for word because you're tempted to. It is a lot harder to adapt a pre-prepared response than it is to write an original one that actually answers the question. Extension I is just as unpredictable as Advanced, if not potentially more so, and I would definitely advise you to invest in deepening your knowledge of the texts, having backup themes and quotes in mind ready to use if the questions are more challenging and exposing yourself to different types of questions you might get asked in the HSC  :D Hope that helps!

Angelina  ;D
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: maddycalvert on October 09, 2020, 06:17:48 pm
Hello,

I am going into year 12 and I'm unsure whether I should drop English Extension 1, I have 12 units which is a lot, most people don't have more than 11. My marks in it this year have been pretty good (100% and 94% on my assessments), however the prelims exam I completely screwed up, my mark hasn't been released but I know I did poorly. I am not sure whether it is worth sticking with or not and how I can bounce back from such a bad exam. In regards to how it compares to my other subjects, it is kind of in the middle but on the lower side of my 7 subjects total. My lowest subject is biology, however my career paths falls under the 'biology' branch. I know that extension is only gonna get harder and more work too, is it worth staying in it and having 12 units or dropping it and focusing on my other subjects?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: pine-apple01320 on November 07, 2020, 09:22:55 am
Do we need literary critics for Literary Worlds if the first question is a critical? Who are some examples we would look at?
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: jemma_tan on February 07, 2021, 03:28:34 pm
Hi!

I've recently begun practicing for my Common Module Exam in Term 1 on Literary Worlds and am having trouble critically analysing my given extracts. The question given to us was: "Evaluate the extent to which these texts align with and extend your understanding of the ways various voices are given representation within constructed literary worlds. Your response should draw on your knowledge and understanding of the module Literary Worlds. (10 marks )" and I am struggling with the structure of my response. Do you have any advice on what to do?

Thank you!

Jemma
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: angewina_naguen on February 15, 2021, 10:48:51 am
Hi!

I've recently begun practicing for my Common Module Exam in Term 1 on Literary Worlds and am having trouble critically analysing my given extracts. The question given to us was: "Evaluate the extent to which these texts align with and extend your understanding of the ways various voices are given representation within constructed literary worlds. Your response should draw on your knowledge and understanding of the module Literary Worlds. (10 marks )" and I am struggling with the structure of my response. Do you have any advice on what to do?

Thank you!

Jemma

Hey Jemma!

Welcome to the forums  :D Hopefully this response isn't too delayed! The structure of your response for the unseen section really depends on what the mark allocation is. In this case, you have 10 marks to work with so I would structure your response with perhaps a short two sentence introduction, two mini body paragraphs for each extract and a two sentence conclusion which gives you the right amount of room for discussion and analysis.  If you were working with a smaller mark allocation, you could generally pull it off with just one mini body paragraph and if you were working with a higher mark allocation, you might want to do three mini body paragraphs. What I mean by mini is having around three examples of textual evidence and writing up to around 200 words for each, rather than a full length body paragraph in a typical HSC essay which might have up to five examples and around 300 words in total. You will be able to sufficiently deal with all the parts of the question with this rough word count (it's difficult to gauge in exam conditions but when you're writing practice responses, you can figure out how much you've written by typing it up again and checking). Hope this helps and feel free to ask any clarifying questions if you have any!

Angelina  ;D
Title: Re: English Extension 1 Question Thread
Post by: Emily Adams on September 29, 2021, 09:25:11 pm
Hey!

I've been really struggling with Extension this past year, and was pretty disappointed getting 66% in trials :(

Being this close to the exams, I've been finding it extremely overwhelming to study for, and it's led to further procrastination. I find doing integrated paragraphs really hard to do between my texts, is it still possible to get high marks if I don't do this?

The other thing I feel really lost on is how to study when there's SOOOOOO much content. Since my texts are 2 novels ("Frankenstein", "Gentleman in Moscow") and 2 sets of poetry (Heaney and William Blake- who each have their own 4 poems I'm looking into), I feel as if there's too much to even start with. How would you recommend beginning to study for these, or extension in general?

Thank you in advance!
Emily :)