ATAR Notes: Forum

VCE Stuff => VCE English Studies => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE English & EAL => Topic started by: acinod on September 13, 2011, 07:28:31 pm

Title: Effective prompts to prepare for in Richard III and Ransom
Post by: acinod on September 13, 2011, 07:28:31 pm

I'm doing Richard III and Ransom and I was just wondering what are some effective prompts I study (i.e. analyse, plan, write essay) that will help prepare me for possible topics in the exam.

I know it's more effective to prepare for just one text but please assume I will be preparing for both because although I will be doing Ransom in the final exam, I will be doing Richard III next week in my trial exam to prepare for my Richard III SAC next term.

So what are a few prompts that I need to learn well that I can adapt to suit the major and predictable topics in the final exam?

Title: Re: Effective prompts to prepare for in Richard III and Ransom
Post by: acinod on September 14, 2011, 07:49:45 pm

bump?

Title: Re: Effective prompts to prepare for in Richard III and Ransom
Post by: cltf on September 14, 2011, 10:36:11 pm

I don't know about Ransom cause I haven't read it but, Richard is the least popular book used on the exam, but historically it is also the highest scoring text response text. The way I see it is if you Richard SAC is in term 4, and so close to the exam, just do Richard for the exam, cause its a more effective use of your time, IMO.

In terms of planning Richard essays always think:
Shakespeare's intent
Audience's perspective, and response
Historical context
the women
the reversal of the natural order, and social hierarchy
looking to the three citizens, the scrivener, Margaret and the opening soliloquy.
Read study guides to capture key ideas.

Title: Re: Effective prompts to prepare for in Richard III and Ransom
Post by: eeps on September 14, 2011, 10:45:05 pm

For Richard III, some common prompts are:

- Discuss the importance of conscience to Richard III.
- 'Richard’s power lies in his ability to control appearances.' Discuss.
- 'Richard’s success relies on the folly of others around him.' Do you agree?
- 'Richard claims that ‘men are ruled by women’ but the play suggests that women are controlled by men.' Discuss.

Also, what I've attached may help you. Look at the past VCAA English exams, specifically the Richard III essay questions, to get an indication of the sorts of questions that have been asked.

Title: Re: Effective prompts to prepare for in Richard III and Ransom
Post by: acinod on September 26, 2011, 07:34:24 pm

Hmm I actually might change my mind and do Richard III for the final exam now. Richard III seems slightly more interesting than Ransom because Richard is such a complex and intriguing character to write about. But my tutor said that Ransom was a good choice to do because it is a new text and so examiners will be more interested to reading new pieces rather than the old stale responses to older texts.