VCE English Question Thread

[Alter]

Just a quick question.

For comparative LA, let's say I get 1 long article and 1 short article (let's say a comment) wouldn't it be more  reasonable to do a block analysis? (I want to do integrated whenever I can, but is that possible)

If I get 2 similar length pieces, I can defs do integrated.

Can someone clarify that for me?
Much thanks

Yeah, of course. There's no clear-cut rule to say that you need to dedicate a paragraph solely to separate pieces. If you can intertwine your analysis so that you group similar ideas together, it could have the potential to improve your piece. Don't limit yourself with paragraph structures if you know you can meet the aim of the task.

[HopefulLawStudent]

I'm pro-integration but block analysis is a good fall-back.

[Apink!]

Thank you Alter and Hopefullylawstudent!

That's what I thought too. Thanks!
Also, do you know whether I can write only 2 paragraphs and get away with it for integrated style?
The paragraphs tend to be really long, and I saw my teacher write only 2 and some pieces floating around AN just 2.
All these years, I thought you need 3 body paragraphs, but is 2 okay for LA? Would I lose marks for just wrting 2? (probs need to check with my Eng teacher but ehh)

[HopefulLawStudent]

It's not so much "how many paragraphs you write" but rather, "do you analyse an even spread of the material?"

Tbh it doesn't rlly matter how many paragraphs, so long as you have more than one body para in your essay and your paragraphs aren't so long they're going for like 6 pages each.

[chenay0123]

Hi, can someone please explain what the difference between Themes and Views & Values for Text Response is? And how your approach to prompts would differ

thanks

[literally lauren]

Hi, can someone please explain what the difference between Themes and Views & Values for Text Response is? And how your approach to prompts would differ

Theme: family.
Views & values statement: family can help us persist through trauma

Theme: the horrors of war
Views & values statement: war can have profound and lingering impacts on people long after it has ended

Theme: compassion
Views & values statement: compassion is a good thing

Make sense? Basically...

Theme: a thing.
Views & values statement: an idea that says something about a thing.

So in terms of how you'd reflect this in your essay: if you're given a thematic prompt, then you'll lean slightly towards unpacking that theme and how it's evident in the text, only really rounding out to a V&V assertion at the end of your paragraphs. But for a V&V prompt, you'll dedicate a little more time to this broader message or idea, so maybe the last three sentences in each paragraph will be dedicated to this more general concern.

Ultimately, you can't talk about a V&V idea without dealing with the themes it implicates, and you shouldn't talk about themes without zooming out to contemplate the views and values by the ends of your paragraphs anyway, so both are pretty much equally important

[blacksanta62]

Can anyone suggest some reading for my context: Identity and belonging?? I have a SAC next week and haven't had time (SACs!!! amirite?? ) to read around. We've watched Invictus but that's not going to be enough for a top band response (teachers made it very clear from the beginning that this isn't a text response). Things more recent in the news would be great or things which aren't overused e.g. MLK ( ) and Nelson Mandela

I'll keep searching and reading but someones else's guidance would be greatly appreciated Thank you

[HopefulLawStudent]

Try here: ~*Context External Examples Guide*~

[HopefulLawStudent]

Sorry to burst your bubble but... it all depends on how long your articles are. That sorta set out may work for two articles of equal length, but what happens if you get one article that is 4 pages long and one article that is less than a page long?

[HopefulLawStudent]

I know I'm usually the one answering questions but I have a question (hopefully someone will answer it for me). For create and present, I've decided I need a Plan B just in case Plan A doesn't work for the upcoming SAC. Anyway, my question is, if I have a creative starter, how do I differentiate between where my creative bit ends and where my expository starts? Like, would I leave a whole bunch of lines blank or....? I feel like without the clear distinction, my entire piece would fall apart because there'd be this one part where it looks like I just had a huuuuuge change of heart and took my essay in a completely new direction leaving the assessor to wonder "what is going on?". We have the written explanation, I know, but what would I do in an exam situation when we don't have the written explanation?

[oooo]

I know I'm usually the one answering questions but I have a question (hopefully someone will answer it for me). For create and present, I've decided I need a Plan B just in case Plan A doesn't work for the upcoming SAC. Anyway, my question is, if I have a creative starter, how do I differentiate between where my creative bit ends and where my expository starts? Like, would I leave a whole bunch of lines blank or....? I feel like without the clear distinction, my entire piece would fall apart because there'd be this one part where it looks like I just had a huuuuuge change of heart and took my essay in a completely new direction leaving the assessor to wonder "what is going on?". We have the written explanation, I know, but what would I do in an exam situation when we don't have the written explanation?

Not sure, but wouldn't asterisks do the job?

[Callum@1373]

Is using the words 'white privilege' too informal for a language analysis? If so, what are some substitutes?
Thanks

[Swagadaktal]

Is using the words 'white privilege' too informal for a language analysis? If so, what are some substitutes?
Thanks

Depends in what context you use it - if the author of a piece implies something similar to it in a similar tone then it would fit in nicely - wouldn't seem awkward and informal. However if the piece you're analysing is super formal (i.e an editorial) that doesn't have explicit references to 'white privilege' then i dont think it'd suit it.

[HasibA]

can anyone help me with these prompts for brooklyn? i've got some ideas, but im still struggling to create a few more/ get textual details from the novel to explain my ideas thank you (im thinking of going with the second prompt for my essay, though)
Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín
i. ‘Eilis’ sense of duty dictates all of her decisions.’ To what extent do you agree?

OR

ii. How does Tóibín explore the complex nature of love in Brooklyn?

[Photon]

I heard that when writing an introduction in text response essays, the very first sentence has to directly address/acknowledge the essay topic.
I'm a scrub at English so please excuse my lack of knowledge :p

Thanks.