VCE English Question Thread

[sarah15]

hi everyone! there is just over a month till the exam eek!!!
i have spent the holidays getting familiar with all my texts as my teacher advised but i am stressed about the limited time left to write practice essays. can any of you advise how many essays to do a week to get as much practice in as possible w/out getting burn out?? thanks!

[The Cat In The Hat]

hi everyone! there is just over a month till the exam eek!!!
i have spent the holidays getting familiar with all my texts as my teacher advised but i am stressed about the limited time left to write practice essays. can any of you advise how many essays to do a week to get as much practice in as possible w/out getting burn out?? thanks!

It probably depends on the person. Perhaps you should try just doing paragraphs etc. as well as full essays, just to mix it up a bit. Also do full exams. At least, I found that a full exam, doing the last essay in it, was quite difficult. It probably also depends on your workload with other subjects. Personally, I'm going to aim to do 1-2 full exams a week (once school finishes for me), and very little else. But that doesn't work for others necessarily.

[tiredandstressed]

hi everyone! there is just over a month till the exam eek!!!
i have spent the holidays getting familiar with all my texts as my teacher advised but i am stressed about the limited time left to write practice essays. can any of you advise how many essays to do a week to get as much practice in as possible w/out getting burn out?? thanks!

Essay plans > Essays
The reason is
1. You will burn yourself out
2. Essay plans are easier to memorise compares to essays
(however, you should write full essays for language analysis)
Try to tackle as many prompts that you can, and try to have an overall general essay plan for each theme
E.g. For Medea (revenge, social hierarchy, gender roles, power, emotions v logic etc.)
This will be more effective than just writing essay
More importantly, try to write timed essays (but you don't need to take out three hour, just try to do 1 essay 1 hour blocks)

[Geoo]

Really dumb question, but I tend to handwrite my Z's in cursive form, which is more like a 3 that I connect with other letters to form words. Do many teachers recognise the cursive z instead of the printed form?
For some reason i'm just a bit nervous to write how I normally do since I rarely see others using the cursive Z instead of the regular text z.

Should I change to this "z", since it's more standard and potentially easier to read?

[Coolgalbornin03Lo]

Hi guys. I was wondering how many pieces of evidence necessary for a comparative body paragraph? My teacher said one from each text and one of them should be a literary device. Is this enough? It’s difficult to fit more as the paragraphs are huge! I wrote my first one today by hand and to time in 70 minutes- I know eons but it was a struggle.

[tiredandstressed]

Hi guys. I was wondering how many pieces of evidence necessary for a comparative body paragraph? My teacher said one from each text and one of them should be a literary device. Is this enough? It’s difficult to fit more as the paragraphs are huge! I wrote my first one today by hand and to time in 70 minutes- I know eons but it was a struggle.

I would aim for at least 2-3 quotes per text, or less quotes for a more sophisticated literary deceive.
Examiners don't count your quotes, quality > quantity. 
As long as you show a high level of understanding of the text will insightful explanations your paragraphs will score highly.
I will provide you with some paragraphs that got me a <8/10 in practice essays (marked by my teacher, who was an exam marker)

Spoiler

Analyse how memory is depicted as simultaneously inescapable and unbearable in The Longest Memory and Black Diggers.
However, although memory can be seen as inescapable and unbearable, Wright demonstrates how characters can gain permanently from the pain of memory whereas D’Aguiar suggests this can only be temporary. Wright explores how mutual grief can make the memory of “the worst thing on earth” bearable he demonstrates through the Bloke with a Glass of Wine that “in those hideous moments in hell on Earth… you realise I belong” here Wright reveals that through mateship on the battlefield the Indigenous Australians were accepted, and thus by grieving together with the white Australians they could bear the pain of the war. Wright intends on opening Act Two with the Bloke with a Glass of Wine to illustrate that in the “living hell” of war the next generation of black diggers were no longer  “woebegone [failures]” but rather could share pride with the White Australians “for being an Aussie”, resultantly revealing that trauma “brought [them] together”. Conversely, D’Aguiar demonstrates that through love Chapel could only momentarily endure his experiences of oppression. D’Aguiar highlights Chapel and Lydia’s relationship allowed them to be happy evident when Lydia reveals “that his love for me is such that no one… can stop him doing what is necessary for us to be together” demonstrating Chapel was able to bear the pain whilst being a slave with no ideal future. Despite their passion, D’Aguiar depicts the couple as “two star-crossed lovers” foreshadowing their doom and eventual separation. Here, D’Aguiar reveals although Chapel feels “joy; not fear” he is denied a future, and his relationship with Lydia, his safe haven, was only temporary. Consequently, D’Aguiar illustrates that, unlike The Bloke with a Glass of Wine, Chapel was unable to sustain a future, robbed of his life as “the whip ate into him” his death a result of prejudice, his inability to combat his enslavement. Therefore, although both texts differ in their portrayal of traumatic experiences and their memories, they are united in their assertion that those experiences and memories are fundamental components of our existence. 

Spoiler

Compare the impact of one group of people assuming mastery over another in both text.
However, both texts reveal the importance of an equitable society, Wright demonstrates the impact of equality being long-lasting, whereas D’Aguiar demonstrates the near impossibly of reaching equality. Wright explores how mutual grief can make the memory of “the worst thing on earth” enable for equality to exist he demonstrates through the Bloke with a Glass of Wine that “in those hideous moments in hell on Earth… you realise I belong” here Wright reveals that through mateship on the battlefield the Indigenous Australians were accepted, and thus the possibility for equality and the abandonment of master groups. Additionally, through the implementation of the Correspondence he articulates his resentment of the hypocritical treatment towards the Indigenous Australians which he condemns as a “gross injustice” his use of letters intends to highlight to the audience the existence of the letters suggests the need and potential of the Indigenous Australians having “equal rights with the white community”. Accordingly, Wright establishes the urgency to abolish the concept of master groups and the commencement of an equitable society. Conversely, D’Aguiar demonstrates that fighting for change although necessary, is often difficult to achieve. Comparable to Wright’s letters of the Correspondence, D’Aguiar also employs structural use of The Virginian, that demonstrate near impossibility of reaching equality, as symbolised by the non-chronological order of the editorials. The editor promotes the unequal standards of slaver and slave where he suggests “They are, quite literally, not like us” and that ultimately there will be “no end to slavery”. Here, D’Aguiar exposes the unjust attitudes the white American possess, but also reveals that accomplishment of equality is merely a dream. The editor challenges Lydia’s notion “slavery is dying as an institution” by a blunt comment “She exhibits a love for blacks that clouds her ability to reason” despite the prejudiced claim, in the end Lydia is unable to free Chapel from slavery, consequently D’Aguiar exposes that although the disbandment of master groups is necessary for the improvement of society, the power imbalances remain heavily entrenched. Thus, although both texts differ in their portrayal of societies reaching equality, they are united in their assertion that for humanity to develop to its full potential, equality of all individuals must exist and be protected

From memory thats how I wrote in the exam and I got an A+ so hope that helps!

[The Cat In The Hat]

What's the difference - and how can I fix it - between an 8/10 and a 9-10/10 for a comparative? Or a text response, for that matter. Or an AA. What strategies should I use to pick up my marks from all around 8/10 (well, AA 7/10) to 9/10?

[tiredandstressed]

What's the difference - and how can I fix it - between an 8/10 and a 9-10/10 for a comparative? Or a text response, for that matter. Or an AA. What strategies should I use to pick up my marks from all around 8/10 (well, AA 7/10) to 9/10?

This is a very interesting question, but also a challenging one.
You probably have realised your English teacher won't tell you what a 10/10 response is like, because that is difficult to explain. In contrast, to maths and science where its very easy to reward marks, in English it's different. I encourage to read the rubric for each essay here: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Documents/exams/english/english-crit-descriptors-w.pdf
To score a 9-10 you must: Text response
Section A: Text response
Demonstrates a close and perceptive reading of the text, exploring complexities of its concepts and construction
Demonstrates an understanding of the implications of the topic, using an appropriate strategy for dealing with it, and exploring its complexity from the basis of the text
Develops a cogent, controlled and well-substantiated discussion using precise and expressive language
Section B: Comparative text response
Demonstrates through comparison an insightful grasp of the ideas and issues, and conceptual complexity, of the texts Achieves an assured, cohesively structured piece of writing that presents a sophisticated comparison that explores the implications of the topic
Makes fluent and effective use of language
Section C: Language analysis
Shows a perceptive understanding of the arguments presented and the points of view expressed
Demonstrate sophisticated insight into the ways in which written and visual language is used to
persuade
Uses language fluently and effectively

[rozmaaate]

Hey guys not sure if this questions belongs on this forum but could someone please explain why the correct answer for the MC in last years GAT is “c”?

Thanks in advance

[a weaponized ikea chair]

Hey guys not sure if this questions belongs on this forum but could someone please explain why the correct answer for the MC in last years GAT is “c”?

Thanks in advance

***Not in year 12****

a Doesn't make sense because they are performing the action.
b Doesn't make sense because the target cannot be a dog.
d Doesn't make sense at all.

The only relevant answer is c, since the phrase concerns them most.

This could be completely wrong, I am in year 10.

[Annon4589]

Hi guys,

By any chance has anyone done or has got the 2020 Insight or Boobook  English Exam?

[The Cat In The Hat]

Hi guys,

By any chance has anyone done or has got the 2020 Insight or Boobook  English Exam?

I have done the Boobook one.

I have a question- In doing an AA, if the author's name is really long (the example I'm doing now is 'Kennedy-Khan') do we have to use the whole surname or just part of it? especially if it's hyphenated.

[darkz]

I have done the Boobook one.

I have a question- In doing an AA, if the author's name is really long (the example I'm doing now is 'Kennedy-Khan') do we have to use the whole surname or just part of it? especially if it's hyphenated.

Well, you should write out the entire name - but don't stress too much, since I accidentally used the first name for one of the authors throughout my AA in the exam and still did really well hehe.

[Coolgalbornin03Lo]

What’s the perfect amount of evidence and quotes in Each essay.

In comparative I do one Technique per text cause the paragraphs are huge but if cause a few more “quotes” sprinkled in.

Text response I usually do 1-2 pieces of analyses evidence 1 a quote and one a cinematic technique with little “quotes” littered throughout.

Language analysis for the visual I find at least 3 visual techniques and in the paragraphs 2-3 analysed  things + quotes which are explained.

[tiredandstressed]

What’s the perfect amount of evidence and quotes in Each essay.

In comparative I do one Technique per text cause the paragraphs are huge but if cause a few more “quotes” sprinkled in.

Text response I usually do 1-2 pieces of analyses evidence 1 a quote and one a cinematic technique with little “quotes” littered throughout.

Language analysis for the visual I find at least 3 visual techniques and in the paragraphs 2-3 analysed  things + quotes which are explained.

You asked this question before in the forum, you just re-worded it.
What do you mean by "technique" (i.e. literary devices). And do you mean 1 technique per paragraph or for the whole essay
I would encourage a mix of literary devices, construction elements and quotes.
You should have a minimum of one quote per text per paragraph but a discussion of literary devices is great as well.
My tip is three pieces of evidence per text for a paragraph, so that's roughly six pieces of evidence per paragraph.
You are right the paragraphs do get huge- so it is important to be concise and choose the best & appropriate evidence.
1 literary device in a paragraph is not sufficient, the inclusion of quotes is required always.
That's what I did and I did decent in the final exam