VCE English Question Thread

[simrat99]

Hi,
For prompts that ask about characters ( such as "All characters are selfish") can we base our paragraphs on certain characters or do we have to base them around ideas?
Thanks

[K888]

hi guys, just a few doubts to be cleared

- do i have to write down my prompt for section A and B or can i just write the number (like ii or something)
- i heard that examiners dont like paragraphs that go on for more than a page (hopefully not bc my handwriting is big so i tend to go over a page esp for lang analysis)
- should i highlight my quotes to make it easier for the examiner or not

thank you!!

I assume you're talking about the exam, in which iirc you'll have a box somewhere near the top of the paper where you write down or tick (or something similar) the number of the question you've selected - you don't have to write out the prompt.
RE: paragraph length - I don't think they'd care that much about the length (particularly if it's just because of the size of your handwriting!), as long as you: successfully make your point in the paragraph, don't write excessive amounts, and meet the general criteria for the essay.
Personally, I wouldn't highlight quotes in your essay. The whole point of integrating your quotes in your essay is to make it smooth and help it flow, so I'd worry that highlighting the quotes you include might make the examiners subconsciously focus a bit more on the bits that are jumping off the page, rather than the overall essay and its quality (after all - having a strong essay that gels well and is smooth and all that is in my opinion, more important than showing you can integrate 20 quotes into your essay). Plus, the examiner is going to be reading your whole essay anyway - they're not going to miss the quotes.

Hope this helped

[atar.notes.user]

I assume you're talking about the exam, in which iirc you'll have a box somewhere near the top of the paper where you write down or tick (or something similar) the number of the question you've selected - you don't have to write out the prompt.
RE: paragraph length - I don't think they'd care that much about the length (particularly if it's just because of the size of your handwriting!), as long as you: successfully make your point in the paragraph, don't write excessive amounts, and meet the general criteria for the essay.
Personally, I wouldn't highlight quotes in your essay. The whole point of integrating your quotes in your essay is to make it smooth and help it flow, so I'd worry that highlighting the quotes you include might make the examiners subconsciously focus a bit more on the bits that are jumping off the page, rather than the overall essay and its quality (after all - having a strong essay that gels well and is smooth and all that is in my opinion, more important than showing you can integrate 20 quotes into your essay). Plus, the examiner is going to be reading your whole essay anyway - they're not going to miss the quotes.

Hope this helped

thank you!

[abbeyrose]

I don't know if this is the correct place to ask this, so for that I apologise, but are we allowed to bring our own dictionary into the exam?

[zofromuxo]

I don't know if this is the correct place to ask this, so for that I apologise, but are we allowed to bring our own dictionary into the exam?

Yes you can as long it doesn't violate these rules.

Dictionaries must not contain any highlighting, annotation or tabs not part of the original publication.

A thesaurus or a dictionary that contains a thesaurus is NOT permitted in any examination.

Electronic dictionaries are NOT permitted.

[LifeisaConstantStruggle]

Yes you can as long it doesn't violate these rules.

Dictionaries must not contain any highlighting, annotation or tabs not part of the original publication.

A thesaurus or a dictionary that contains a thesaurus is NOT permitted in any examination.

Electronic dictionaries are NOT permitted.

Depends on what tab parts/annotations you have.
I went into my Indonesian exam last year with 2 dictionaries I got from the library 1 day ago, and it had some markings on it (mostly just library record and stuff), and it was allowed so yeah.

[LPadlan]

Hey, I know its QUALITY OVER QUANTITY but how many words would you recommend writing on the exam for example: text response? The general word count I've heard is 800 words, currently i only ever manage to get 500-600. Can anyone give me advice on how to be more thorough or expand on my topics? The general formula for text response is usually 3 contentions, should i provide 4 contentions? Any advice is greatly appreciated, thanks!

[clarke54321]

Hey, I know its QUALITY OVER QUANTITY but how many words would you recommend writing on the exam for example: text response? The general word count I've heard is 800 words, currently i only ever manage to get 500-600. Can anyone give me advice on how to be more thorough or expand on my topics? The general formula for text response is usually 3 contentions, should i provide 4 contentions? Any advice is greatly appreciated, thanks!

Hey!

I'd recommend 800-1000. You want to get enough depth in your essay and develop a nunanced discussion of the prompt. In terms of expansion, I'd recommend that you really try and challenge the prompt by asking yourself a whole range of questions. In this sense, you're more likely to tease out any latent/subtle implications.

Eg. 'Medea' is a play about pride.
- Is it about pride for all or only one?
- Can pride and justice ever coexist?
- Why is pride necessary? --->relevant context necessary
- How does one achieve pride?
- Does pride necessarily fulfil one? Do people still yearn for something more?
- Is one's search for pride selfish?

^^ These are only some of the possible questions you could ask yourself. But as you can see, there are multiple directions that you can take a prompt after brainstorming some simple questions. I'd also recommend that you look up synonyms for key words in a prompt. This may spark a new idea or route.

When you say 3 contentions, do you mean topic sentences? Definitely devise one contention only! You don't want contradictions. Topic sentences should only justify your overarching contention.

[plsbegentle]

Hey, I know its QUALITY OVER QUANTITY but how many words would you recommend writing on the exam for example: text response? The general word count I've heard is 800 words, currently i only ever manage to get 500-600. Can anyone give me advice on how to be more thorough or expand on my topics? The general formula for text response is usually 3 contentions, should i provide 4 contentions? Any advice is greatly appreciated, thanks!

You should really be aiming for 1000 words.... i would say 800 words is the bare minimum, if you write less than that, you are most likely looking at a low to mid range essay.
If you are writing around 500-600 word essays, i'm assuming each body paragraph is around ~150 words, which i way i see it, your paragraphs probably consists of bunch of story telling from your text with no analysis/evidence. If you are having trouble with coming up ideas, re-read your novel, or look at your text guides (insight ones, i find are extremely helpful), or even just read other peoples high scoring essays, that way it gives  you give a feel for what the length and quality of writing that is expected.

[chantelle.salisbury]

not sure this is the right place to post this..
but... just wondering if anyone had any prompts that they could share on 'The Lieutenant' and or comparison one on 'ransom' & 'invictus'?
would be greatly appreciated!

[gnaf]

in medea, is there a quote/ stage direction for how the children are close to Medea when she's crying over the thought of killing them? we went over it in class but i can't find it!!

[clarke54321]

in medea, is there a quote/ stage direction for how the children are close to Medea when she's crying over the thought of killing them? we went over it in class but i can't find it!!

If you have the Vellacott addition, Medea breaks down in a sudden flood of weeping on pg.44 and weeps on pg.48 and 49.

[gnaf]

thanks 

there's no stage direction that the children are close to her though, right? or did I just miss it

[clarke54321]

thanks 

there's no stage direction that the children are close to her though, right? or did I just miss it

Hmm... on pg.48- 'the children come to Medea'

On pg.49 'the children go from her a little'

That's a really interesting contrast that I previously never picked up on!

[atar.notes.user]

hi guys,

what do u usually write in ur conclusions for lang analysis?