VCE English Question Thread

[Callum@1373]

^ I've copied that into a word document for future reference haha 

Okay so essentially, I shouldn't be thinking about these 'big' ideas too soon before i've got my bundle of ideas together. I'm not trying to divulge too far into it yet, but could you give me a short example of where speaking about authorial bias/wolff's accuracy strengthens your contention just so I can get a rough idea of one of the ways I could integrate it into an essay? Thanks stacks you legend 

btw is mescaline available in broadmeadows xD

[Hydraulix]

I saw some people mention early last year that it was really important to read other books than our English books set for this year. Knowing that it is imperative to read our set texts multiple times and also do work for our other subjects, I cant see how people find the time to read other novels etc. Could someone please explain why reading other texts in important for year 12 english

[pi]

I haven't read that advice, but perhaps the idea would be to broaden their knowledge for their context area? Personally, I didn't read other books, didn't have the time nor the willpower haha.

[heids]

I saw some people mention early last year that it was really important to read other books than our English books set for this year. Knowing that it is imperative to read our set texts multiple times and also do work for our other subjects, I cant see how people find the time to read other novels etc. Could someone please explain why reading other texts in important for year 12 english

Reading more makes you write better.  It broadens your vocab and just makes good grammar and expression feel right and flow naturally - so you can convey your ideas much more clearly to the assessor (and in general whenever you have to write something in life).  Finding time was easy for me because reading a good book is my favourite form of relaxation, so I didn't see it as study but as a break.

[pi]

Reading more makes you write better.  It broadens your vocab and just makes good grammar and expression feel right and flow naturally - so you can convey your ideas much more clearly to the assessor (and in general whenever you have to write something in life).  Finding time was easy for me because reading a good book is my favourite form of relaxation, so I didn't see it as study but as a break.

Personally, I feel this advice would be much more applicable to those in more junior years of schooling, say years 7-10, whereby laying down foundations and doing the grunt-work at those less relatively stressful stages serves as excellent work for VCE. Other than my annual HP marathon, I don't think I'd have the motivation to read many other books, I'd stick to reading high quality essays and picking things up from them to improve what skills I already have. Granted, if reading is a favourable leisure activity then you're an exception

Just my thoughts on it.

[heids]

^ Agreed, entirely.

[tashhhaaa]

just my 0.0005 cents but I think I only read 1 novel (not even, it was a play) apart from my set texts this year oops, last year

I found that it was easier to expand my vocabulary by reading newspaper-like articles about world issues etc, but I guess it depends what you're interested in. Also, this may seem like the wrong advice but I also learned a few new words from TV shows and movies (but again, it depends what you watch)

High quality essays (heaaaaaaaaaaps on AN) are invaluable in helping you improve your vocab and expression without even realising it.

I'm a bit of a closet nerd so something I picked up from my brother was to add unfamiliar words I heard or read to a list on the notes section of my phone, look them up, learn them and vow to use them at some point in my work. Never regretted it.

[Callum@1373]

Another question for anyone who has studies this boy's life 

I was just analyzing the chapter where Rosemary goes for a walk with Jack and tells him about the letter she received from her brother in paris (about Jack moving there and studying while rosemary finds a job in chinook). After they both express their excitement, Rosemary says "Just don't say anything about the check [to Dwight]". Obviously, she is well aware that Dwight steals their money, particularly Jack's money from the paper rounds. But Rosemary doesn't confront Dwight about this? Is that most likely because she is scared Dwight will be aggressive to her, and she cannot withstand the abuse she will likely receive? Could that qualify her as an irresponsible parent because she is not defending her rights and not supporting Jack by ensuring his earnings are not spent by Dwight? Basically what was anyone else's analysis of this quote 

[friedchromosome]

In regard with English orals and chosen topics, whats a unique way to starting and grabbing the audience attention, aside from rhetorical questions or anecdotes?

[heids]

In regard with English orals and chosen topics, whats a unique way to starting and grabbing the audience attention, aside from rhetorical questions or anecdotes?

I'd say don't start with rhetorical questions unless it's an especially especially grabbing or unusual question - but I'd then recommend googling how to start speeches. There's HEAPS of speechwriting resources out there that you can find in ten seconds that are super relevant

[HighTide]

In regard with English orals and chosen topics, whats a unique way to starting and grabbing the audience attention, aside from rhetorical questions or anecdotes?

What's your speech about? and what's your persona? I reckon those both come into play haha. Take into account most people will tend to start with such flare that when they set out their arguments it seems like they've only perfected the start.

[pi]

In regard with English orals and chosen topics, whats a unique way to starting and grabbing the audience attention, aside from rhetorical questions or anecdotes?

For my English orals:
1) A quote, preferably from someone famous or relate-able:

Poet-actor, Stan Lee, once said: ‘with great powers comes great responsibilities’.

On the night of 21st of August, this power and its associated responsibilities, were put in the hands of five men - 4 independents and 1 Green, as we stared down the barrel of the first hung federal parliament since the early 1940s.

...

2) Paint a picture

Imagine a world where governments lie to their citizens; a world where governments secretly conduct illegal activities, and a world where these actions occur on the false premise that it is all for your own protection. Well, that’s what our world is turning into.

And all that’s between us, and the lies, hypocrisy and deception of those in power are ‘two’ things- the moral conscience, often non-existent in the political and corporate world, and Wikileaks.

...

Regardless of how you start, if your confidence is what matters most. If you're not confident even the best speech won't win you the audience. Other important things include appropriation of your voice (volume, tone, pace), use of hand gestures, not appearing to be reading the speech, etc.

[friedchromosome]

For my English orals:
1) A quote, preferably from someone famous or relate-able:
2) Paint a picture
Regardless of how you start, if your confidence is what matters most. If you're not confident even the best speech won't win you the audience. Other important things include appropriation of your voice (volume, tone, pace), use of hand gestures, not appearing to be reading the speech, etc.

Agreed, thanks. Would it also be okay to start with a real story that was featured in a recent article? For example displaying a photo and speaking of a patient that has recovered from medical marijuana recently, then proceed with introducing the topic and my stance?

[Swagadaktal]

Hey guys, I'm struggling to pick out an English oral topic.
I originally decided to do it on public school vs private schools, and the impact of families on a student's education... but after reaching near write-up stage I had to finally admit that the issue was not contentious enough.
So I'mback to stage 1.
I'm really knowledgeable on IS and terrorist organisations... but like that's too mainstream and I don't think it's a good topic for me to write an oral on (I'm predicting half my cohort will do this topic )
So... any ideas for topics? The issue im leaning towards is Indigenous deaths in custody.. but tbh I have no knowledge on this issue.
What would be the arguments on both sides for this issue?
Thanks  

[Alter]

Hey guys, I'm struggling to pick out an English oral topic.
I originally decided to do it on public school vs private schools, and the impact of families on a student's education... but after reaching near write-up stage I had to finally admit that the issue was not contentious enough.
So I'mback to stage 1.
I'm really knowledgeable on IS and terrorist organisations... but like that's too mainstream and I don't think it's a good topic for me to write an oral on (I'm predicting half my cohort will do this topic )
So... any ideas for topics? The issue im leaning towards is Indigenous deaths in custody.. but tbh I have no knowledge on this issue.
What would be the arguments on both sides for this issue?
Thanks  

It doesn't really matter if the context/issue of your oral is something that others do. You shouldn't let this influence your decision, as you can always stand out from the crowd. Sometimes, doing these topics is a better idea because there's more room for putting a unique spin on it. If you're interested in the topic and it has garnered enough media attention, try it out. You won't be disadvantaged for doing a similar topic to others because you can't control what other people do. It's just about how well you deliver your own one.