VCE English Question Thread

[christinett_]

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!

Thanks for the advice but I have reread Medea and trying to complete text responses but keep getting stuck on prompts and what i should be writing for each pargraph

[halo]

Thanks for the advice but I have reread Medea and trying to complete text responses but keep getting stuck on prompts and what i should be writing for each pargraph

Have you tried reading any guides? They might have some new ideas you can use in your essays. You could also look at sample essays (heaps here on atarnotes)

[Ashjames]

Thanks for the advice but I have reread Medea and trying to complete text responses but keep getting stuck on prompts and what i should be writing for each pargraph

Sounds like you need to be working on breaking down prompts: for example if the prompt was ís medea hte only victim in the play?", ou can try to do something like this:

PARA 1: Medea is the victim as the play commences. Talk about how chorus even sympathies with her and give her their 'loyal friendship'. Talk about WHY she is the victim [betrayal e.g.]

PARA 2: talk about how other characters were victimized by Medea in order to seek revenge on Jason. : Glauce was killed harshly, children were killed despite their innocence.

PARA 3: talk about hoe Medea absolved herself from being the 'victim' of the play when she committed murders. Talk about how chorus recoil in horror at the act and how Jason is left standing in a weak position, which ultimately makes him the victim.


You really need to just work on breaking the prompt down, it does not necessarily mean you have to write essays, but even if it means sitting for half an hour and breaking a point down and thinking of relevant an valid points -this could really help you.

[zofromuxo]

Thanks for the advice but I have reread Medea and trying to complete text responses but keep getting stuck on prompts and what i should be writing for each pargraph

What prompts are you struggling with in particular or is it more putting idea onto paper?
As you stated you have reread Medea, so I'm assuming you have enough notes on quotes, themes and have a solid understanding of the text.

I agree with Ashjames that breaking down prompts would help you as opposed to going to write a full text response.
You can also just write a paragraph for a prompt as opposed to a full text response essay. This can help because you can start seeing other ideas you can use for other paragraphs.

[atar.notes.user]

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!

and what about comparative? how long should it be

[atar.notes.user]

hi guys, im struggling with writing more in text response. i seem to finish on time but my essay is always between the 775-850 word range, which is pretty less

how should i improve this in 9 days till the exam? also do examiners take off marks if u write less?

[Sine]

hi guys, im struggling with writing more in text response. i seem to finish on time but my essay is always between the 775-850 word range, which is pretty less

how should i improve this in 9 days till the exam? also do examiners take off marks if u write less?

they won't inherently mark you down for being on the lower side of the word count but it could impact you indirectly. A 1200 word essay of X quality will always beat out a 800 word essay of X (same) quality.

[chantelle.salisbury]

hello...
i have been told to write out and memorise 1/2 to 3/4 of my intro for my text responses for on the exam and then to moderate them according to the question...
is this a good idea becuase the last thing i want to do is not 'answer' the question or prompt? or shall i do it more for a 'go to' if i rrly get stuck with the prompt in front of me?
glad of opinions and help

[atar.notes.user]

what are some example of unity in The Crucbile

all i can think of is the idea of uniting based on christianity, does anyone have any other examples they'd like to share?

[zofromuxo]

hello...
i have been told to write out and memorise 1/2 to 3/4 of my intro for my text responses for on the exam and then to moderate them according to the question...
is this a good idea becuase the last thing i want to do is not 'answer' the question or prompt? or shall i do it more for a 'go to' if i rrly get stuck with the prompt in front of me?
glad of opinions and help

I would have a basic framework/structure for the introduction as opposed to having a word for word memorised introduction that you use.
Such as I would make reference to the prompt and what ideas I would discuss in my body paragraph, but that was about it.

If you find that memorisation helps you. Then go for it.

[SweetJack]

Hi there,
Im really struggling with this Medea prompt and im not sure how to approach it, should i discuss the deceptive nature of different characters in each paragraph eg. Jason, Medea, Creon

'There are no trustworthy characters in Medea'. Discuss
pls help

[zofromuxo]

Hi there,
Im really struggling with this Medea prompt and im not sure how to approach it, should i discuss the deceptive nature of different characters in each paragraph eg. Jason, Medea, Creon

'There are no trustworthy characters in Medea'. Discuss
pls help

You can certainly discuss the deceptive nature of the different characters.
I would if you can, write a paragraph of characters that are trustworthy such as Aegus, Nurse and Tutor.
As later on after the events of the play, Aegus does in fact keep his promise to Medea with dire consequences as well. But this isn't relevant. Point being you don't only have to talk about the deceptiveness at play by Jason, Medea and Creon.

[clarke54321]

what are some example of unity in The Crucbile

all i can think of is the idea of uniting based on christianity, does anyone have any other examples they'd like to share?

Hi!

I studied The Crucible last year, so my ideas may be a bit scratchy. First establish a definition for unity. What is your understanding of the concept. Is unity inherently positive? It doesn't have to be.

So some ideas may be:
-Unity for a malicious, deceptive cause. For this film especially, it is important that you consider the context of McCarthyism. How does injustice prevail? Does it do so because of blind support? I'm thinking specifically of Abigail and the other girls.
-Unity between the judges. Another example of evil collaboration.
-Unity could also include single relationships (John Proctor/Elizabeth----> predicated upon trust? Disloyalty? Misunderstand?)

Hope this helps 

Hi there,
Im really struggling with this Medea prompt and im not sure how to approach it, should i discuss the deceptive nature of different characters in each paragraph eg. Jason, Medea, Creon

'There are no trustworthy characters in Medea'. Discuss
pls help

Hey!

I too found this prompt to be a struggle. It may be a good idea to first define trustworthy (or what your own idea of the concept is). Some synonyms: reliable, dependable, principled, etc.

From this list, you may be able to expand on ideas (by brainstorming) and develop a contention. By establishing the contention, the rest of the essay becomes much easier; in terms of delineating argument, and outlining a logical progression.

Some more general ideas, which you may like to consider:

-Appearance of moral righteousness (how they are perceived by others? Or how do they want other characters to perceive them?
-Are the characters trustworthy to themselves? That is, do they follow through with their intentions (you might want to consider internal conflicts for this one)
-Think about the ultimate bodies of righteousness- The Chorus. Here you could evaluate the extent to which ordained bodies of morality fulfil their purpose? Are they biased? Do they maintain a sense of conviction?
-Something extra: If your contention moves towards the realm of, characters cannot be trusted, ask yourself why? Think about emotion especially.

I hope this helps 

[****]

Hi there,
Im really struggling with this Medea prompt and im not sure how to approach it, should i discuss the deceptive nature of different characters in each paragraph eg. Jason, Medea, Creon

'There are no trustworthy characters in Medea'. Discuss
pls help

For this prompt, you don't need to (and preferably shouldn't) have a clear cut contention. There is no character in the play that is entirely honest nor completely untrustworthy. Some things to consider:

- Medea's relationship with Aegeus and the Chorus. They're like her friends - is she truthful to them? Compare this to how she interacts with her 'enemies', so to speak: Jason, Creon etc.
- Women and foreigners' are displayed as shifty and dodgy (e.g Medea and the Chorus of Corinthian women colluding all the male characters' back, Medea herself scheming behind everyone else's)
- What prevent the characters from telling the truth? Self-desires? Being consumed by emotions?
- Is honesty situational?
- Is lying used to avoid difficult moral choices?

[atar.notes.user]

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!!