VCE English Question Thread

[lovelyperson]

Recently I lost a ton of marks for saying stuff like the writer compels the reader to feel a certain way instead of the writer attempts to compel the reader to feel a certain way. Does this really matter, cause adding the words attempts to or endeavours to really doesn’t add anything to the content of a piece. I know that we don’t really know how the reader will react so we do this and maybe I should just do it just in case, but should something that adds virtually nothing to the content of an essay really contribute to a person’s mark? What do you guys think about it?

Shouldn't matter that much in the grand scheme of things, but it's erroneous to say that a "reader is compelled" to do something when you can't be entirely sure of it. Plus, it's a small issue by itself but if you do it throughout it becomes a jarring problem that will likely lose you marks.

And it shouldn't be an issue in the first place as you're analysing the material as if it's successful with its persuasive techniques. So you don't have to continually say "attempts" or "endeavours" - just phrase it another way like " author depicts X as Y" or "suggests".

[Cassidyhogi]

Hello
With language analysis I have been finding it difficult to only write as much as I need to.
I find myself writing six pages of analysis, and I don't even analyse every single technique I see.
I know there is no perfect answer, but how many techniques do you guys usually mention within one paragraph (one paragraph being devoted to one argument)?
Or any advice on cutting down the length of my essays would be nice 
Thank youuuuu

[LifeisaConstantStruggle]

Hello
With language analysis I have been finding it difficult to only write as much as I need to.
I find myself writing six pages of analysis, and I don't even analyse every single technique I see.
I know there is no perfect answer, but how many techniques do you guys usually mention within one paragraph (one paragraph being devoted to one argument)?
Or any advice on cutting down the length of my essays would be nice 
Thank youuuuu

It very much depends on your essays, how many key arguments, pieces, key players etc etc.
For a typical 3 key argument single piece essay I only include 3-4 rhetorical devices, but analyse on the what how why to its detailed bits. At times one example could have a few techniques being used, and I tend to blend them together.
The most important thing to do here (timed conditions) is to be selective, and choose the real obvious ones (the ones that ACTUALLY contribute to the argument being presented, eg: stuff like inclusive language can be omitted if it's not really important/already used, or any form of complex techniques and connotative analyses that don't contribute much to the persuasiveness of an argument can generally be ignored).
I used to write more than 6 per argument, but I find that by practising to look for the important PLTs I can cut down on a lot of unnecessary analyses and get to the point.
Again, it depends on one's style, and I can't vouch that my approach is the best approach.

[gnaf]

Are there any quotes for how Hecuba and her son are resistant to change?

[halo]

Are there any quotes for how Hecuba and her son are resistant to change?

"But to Hecuba the image is a shocking one – she is more tied to convention than she believes – and as Priam warms to his subject she grows more and more disturbed. " (after Priam tells her about his vision) pg55
"But the danger of what he is determined on fills her with alarm. She will need all her wiles, all her powers of firm but calm persuasion,to lead him back from it."pg58
"Chance? She looks up quickly. Surely she has misheard... She wishes she had misheard." pg61 (embracing the idea of chance would bring change, and she is reluctant to accept it)

[atar.notes.user]

how long should i spend in each section ideally?
also, whats the average word limit for text response? (im nervous bc i write <1000 usually under timed conditions)

[ellellen]

how long should i spend in each section ideally?
also, whats the average word limit for text response? (im nervous bc i write <1000 usually under timed conditions)

You should try and spend one hour on each section. Start with Language Analysis, because you can use the reading time to read the article and have it fresh in your mind when you start writing, rather than having to go back and reread it all again much later in the exam, wasting time. Then do sections A and B in whatever order you prefer.

For each section, you should probably write 800-1000 words. Try not to go over 1000 words. If you write too much, you won't finish in time, but if you write under 800 you won't be able to fully flesh out your ideas. Just try and practice writing text responses in timed conditions and you'll get better and better at it!

[simrat99]

Hi,
For language analysis articles with more than one written text, is it acceptable to talk about each text in different paragraphs? Because when I talk about two or more in the same paragraph, often my paragraphs get too long 

[halo]

Hi,
For language analysis articles with more than one written text, is it acceptable to talk about each text in different paragraphs? Because when I talk about two or more in the same paragraph, often my paragraphs get too long 

Yes, it's fine to do so. Just curious, when you have two or more in the same paragraph, are you comparing them?

[simrat99]

Yes, it's fine to do so. Just curious, when you have two or more in the same paragraph, are you comparing them?

Thank you for your reply. Yup, I compare the arguments when I have two or more texts in a paragraph, but they tend to get very long

Another question, can I do the same with visuals? Can I have a separate paragraph of just the visual?

[****]

Thank you for your reply. Yup, I compare the arguments when I have two or more texts in a paragraph, but they tend to get very long

Another question, can I do the same with visuals? Can I have a separate paragraph of just the visual?

Just saying, you don't have to compare for the exam, even if they give you multiple texts. Best way to approach the task is to analyse A on its own then move on to text B - the task is not to compare unlike the SAC so you won't be penalised for not comparing.

[halo]

Thank you for your reply. Yup, I compare the arguments when I have two or more texts in a paragraph, but they tend to get very long

Another question, can I do the same with visuals? Can I have a separate paragraph of just the visual?

Right, makes sense. Do you know if we're required to compare texts in section C? My understanding is that there are no marks allocated to comparisons as such, so I haven't really been focusing on it.

I don't think it is advisable to analyse the visual separately. Of course there is no set rule, but you'll probably score higher if you can link the visual to the accompanying text (and show how they work together to convey certain idea(s)) in the same paragraph. If the visual is a piece on it's own (is not accompanying any other text), then it would be a good idea to have your analysis of it as a separate para.

[shiba woof woof]

For section C we do not need to compare, that being said we can still use comparison to aid our analysis. But comparison should not be the focus of our analysis. I've always talked about text 1, then moved onto to text 2, sometimes making a few comparisons whilst analysing text 2.

And for the analysis of the visual, i think rule of thumb is. If it's embedded in the text, analyse as if it was an argument (so no need to base a paragraph around it, just pop it into your body paragraphs). But if it's a separate visual (eg 2016's VCAA watermelon cartoon), then you would base a paragraph around it.

[christinett_]

Hi, I am studying Medea for Text Response, however am struggling with revising / preparing for the exam. I have gathered quotes and themes and prompts but it hasn't really helped me. What can i do?

Thank you

[Ashjames]

Hi, I am studying Medea for Text Response, however am struggling with revising / preparing for the exam. I have gathered quotes and themes and prompts but it hasn't really helped me. What can i do?

Thank you

What you can do at this stage is try to reread Medea as much as possible. Because the play is relatively short, you can read half of it everyday. While you're reading try to pay close attention to quotes so that you are able to remember them in the exams [trust me they will come to you]. Another thing you can do is apply your knowledge of the text, which basically means writing text responses based on different themes, that way you'll be ready for exams!