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VCE Stuff => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE English Studies => Topic started by: vexx on August 01, 2009, 12:29:47 am

Title: English or Literature?
Post by: vexx on August 01, 2009, 12:29:47 am
What are the main differences? Is Lit meant to be harder?

I know that English is doing language analysis, media, context writing, and so on, whereas Lit is just language analysis.
What else? Is this correct?
Title: Re: VCE Lit or English
Post by: mystikal on August 01, 2009, 10:33:07 am
ummm lit scales up by abit and english scales down until 42+(i think)

i think lit is heavily based on books so if you like reading then this is good for you,

lit is obviously seems to be harder but there are some people who find it the opposite since they have an affinity to that style of english.

i only do normal english (and im hating it), so i cant really tell you the lit side.
Title: Re: VCE Lit or English
Post by: EvangelionZeta on August 01, 2009, 11:11:05 am
You're almost correct, except Lit isn't exactly "just language analysis" per se, and the type of language analysis you do isn't the same as the type you do in English.

1. The actual course structure is completely different.  English is broader in its focus and is more "conventional" (ie. introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion style essays), whereas in Lit you'll be mostly writing in specialised essay forms you won't see anywhere else at VCE level.

2. English is more "practical" (media analysis, expository, opinion pieces, etc.), whereas Lit is borderline pretentious in that you just study literature (lolol) and a small amount of film.

3. Ignore the thing about scaling, since the difference is negligible anyway.  I'm assuming that Lit has a generally tougher cohort, since it'd be mostly people who are actually interested in it doing it, whereas English is done by pretty much everyone. 

4. Scoring well in the two subjects depends on different writing styles.  English favours a more direct, "simplicity is good" style (most of the time), whereas most of the top scoring responses in Lit are verbose as hell.
Title: Re: VCE Lit or English
Post by: vexx on August 01, 2009, 02:19:57 pm
You're almost correct, except Lit isn't exactly "just language analysis" per se, and the type of language analysis you do isn't the same as the type you do in English.

1. The actual course structure is completely different.  English is broader in its focus and is more "conventional" (ie. introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion style essays), whereas in Lit you'll be mostly writing in specialised essay forms you won't see anywhere else at VCE level.

2. English is more "practical" (media analysis, expository, opinion pieces, etc.), whereas Lit is borderline pretentious in that you just study literature (lolol) and a small amount of film.

3. Ignore the thing about scaling, since the difference is negligible anyway.  I'm assuming that Lit has a generally tougher cohort, since it'd be mostly people who are actually interested in it doing it, whereas English is done by pretty much everyone.  

4. Scoring well in the two subjects depends on different writing styles.  English favours a more direct, "simplicity is good" style (most of the time), whereas most of the top scoring responses in Lit are verbose as hell.

Lit sounds better if you put it that way, since i hate the conventional style of writing.

Except the scaling slightly matters since getting 35 in lit=38 in english (based on lasts years results).

But thanks:)

Which one did you personally like better and why?
Title: Re: VCE Lit or English
Post by: Eriny on August 01, 2009, 03:08:19 pm
I liked Lit much more, I felt that it was less formulaic and much more geared to people with a natural feel for language, whereas in English, everything felt like in needed to be extremely structured and made explicit almost to the point of simplification. However, they are both similar in that they both get students to write a lot. In that sense, it is good to do both.
Title: Re: VCE Lit or English
Post by: vexx on August 01, 2009, 04:04:44 pm
I liked Lit much more, I felt that it was less formulaic and much more geared to people with a natural feel for language, whereas in English, everything felt like in needed to be extremely structured and made explicit almost to the point of simplification. However, they are both similar in that they both get students to write a lot. In that sense, it is good to do both.

Awesome. I lose so many marks on the assessment pieces we do in English just because of my structure is poor >_> Which is one good reason to do Lit next year? Does lit study more books and have a larger exam? Or is it the same.
Title: Re: VCE Lit or English
Post by: simpak on August 02, 2009, 12:50:43 am
I am better at lit than I am at English.
If you like to critically analyse the intentions of a writer when he/she creates their text, and talk about how they do these things, then you should pick lit.
If you like, however, scratching the surface and talking in general about the themes and ideas that are presented to the reader through the creation of a text, and their greater meaning, then you should pick English.

I do both.  We are not allowed to pick Lit over English.

In answer to your question:
In the lit exam, you write two essays.  You choose two texts from the lists provided to you from two different areas or genres, for example a play and a novel, or poetry and short stories.
Each text has three passages that are selected from anywhere in the text.
You have to analyse these passages and reference at least one when you formulate a "discussion of the given text".
So basically, you're talking about what the writer is saying and how they go about saying it with reference to literary techniques, using what you are given as a basis for example.  In lit you will probably study around five or six texts, one of which will be a text you cannot choose for your exam.

The English exam is longer, because it contains an extra essay.  You do study fewer texts, because you have the language analysis component which takes up a third of the exam.  There are three components to the exam: Language Analysis, Text Response and Context.
Your school chooses your context for you, and you study texts related to that context.  My context is horrible, it is Identity and Belonging, which is part of the reason I'm typically disinterested in English for the most part.
Title: Re: VCE Lit or English
Post by: EvangelionZeta on August 02, 2009, 01:03:46 am
I also prefer Lit over English, primarily because the media sort of stuff generally disinterests me and most of the fun stuff that Context covers is also in Philosophy already because we do Whose Reality.  There's also the fact that the texts we do in Lit are generally far better than the ones in English.  I also have the same problem with Eriny in regards to feeling constrained by English's essay structures.
Title: Re: VCE Lit or English
Post by: vexx on August 02, 2009, 01:49:59 am
Thanks everyone.

I am better at lit than I am at English.

...


which is part of the reason I'm typically disinterested in English for the most part.

Thanks heaps for all of this (i edited down the quote >_>) so far lit sounds so much more appealing-- i reckon i will do it next year now!
Title: Re: VCE Lit or English
Post by: samuch on August 02, 2009, 03:48:20 pm
i have the same issue and i was leaning toward lit but then i asked some teachers and they don't recommend doing lit without also doing english..... so im not sure what to do :S and sorry if i just confused you again
Title: Re: VCE Lit or English
Post by: vexx on August 02, 2009, 04:29:25 pm
i have the same issue and i was leaning toward lit but then i asked some teachers and they don't recommend doing lit without also doing english..... so im not sure what to do :S and sorry if i just confused you again

No it's fine. haha, why do lit only in conjunction with english??
Title: Re: VCE Lit or English
Post by: Eriny on August 03, 2009, 04:34:57 pm
There's no real reason that you shouldn't do Lit without English. It would be the equivalent of someone doing English without Lit (which the majority of the state does). The two are definitely helpful to do together, but Lit isn't dependent on English at all.
Title: Re: VCE Lit or English
Post by: vexx on August 03, 2009, 10:17:55 pm
There's no real reason that you shouldn't do Lit without English. It would be the equivalent of someone doing English without Lit (which the majority of the state does). The two are definitely helpful to do together, but Lit isn't dependent on English at all.

Oh -phew- thanks. Well i'm close to deciding on doing Lit instead of English.
Title: Re: VCE Lit or English
Post by: simpak on August 13, 2009, 11:41:35 pm
A lot of teachers recommend that you do Lit and English simultaneously because of the required English in the top four.
It is something to consider, I suppose.
You could do much more terribly than you thought in literature, and then you're stuck with that score in the top 4.
If you do two English subjects, there are two possible scores that could be placed in the top four.

Also, a lot of people just don't perform well enough in Lit for it to be beneficial in their top four.
You won't actually know until the day you get your results, though.
Our school is notoriously bad at teaching lit.  So, A+ English students ended up with like, 34s in Lit last year.
Title: Re: VCE Lit or English
Post by: vexx on September 14, 2009, 01:02:22 am
^ Thanks mavis! For some reason i didn't see this and i just read it then.

I actually thought about doing Literature and English next year instead of just one and a enhancement subject.
Since i am quite poor at English in all aspects (B average Student & i did unit 1 lit in grade 10 and didn't do so well), would doing both of them increase the chance of me getting a higher English score on at least one to add to my top 4? Or is this a bad idea and i could be doing another subject which will benefit me more? Thoughts?
Title: Re: VCE Lit or English
Post by: sdhains on September 14, 2009, 12:29:25 pm
^ Thanks mavis! For some reason i didn't see this and i just read it then.

I actually thought about doing Literature and English next year instead of just one and a enhancement subject.
Since i am quite poor at English in all aspects (B average Student & i did unit 1 lit in grade 10 and didn't do so well), would doing both of them increase the chance of me getting a higher English score on at least one to add to my top 4? Or is this a bad idea and i could be doing another subject which will benefit me more? Thoughts?
I don't think that's such a good idea. Someone who doesn't like english will want to top themselves doing English and lit.
Title: Re: VCE Lit or English
Post by: vexx on September 14, 2009, 03:06:26 pm
^ Thanks mavis! For some reason i didn't see this and i just read it then.

I actually thought about doing Literature and English next year instead of just one and a enhancement subject.
Since i am quite poor at English in all aspects (B average Student & i did unit 1 lit in grade 10 and didn't do so well), would doing both of them increase the chance of me getting a higher English score on at least one to add to my top 4? Or is this a bad idea and i could be doing another subject which will benefit me more? Thoughts?
I don't think that's such a good idea. Someone who doesn't like english will want to top themselves doing English and lit.

It doesn't really matter if i don't like the subject because i'll hopefully be able to try in both if i do them next year regardless. It's just a matter of getting a higher study score in at least one. wouldn't doing both improve my essay writing / english skills and therefore raise my top 4 english score? this seems like it could be a better option than doing one and another subject which will most likely not be in my top 4. or, since i'm not good at english, it won't really help and it's better to just try hard at one?
Title: Re: VCE Lit or English
Post by: sdhains on September 14, 2009, 03:35:15 pm
^ Thanks mavis! For some reason i didn't see this and i just read it then.

I actually thought about doing Literature and English next year instead of just one and a enhancement subject.
Since i am quite poor at English in all aspects (B average Student & i did unit 1 lit in grade 10 and didn't do so well), would doing both of them increase the chance of me getting a higher English score on at least one to add to my top 4? Or is this a bad idea and i could be doing another subject which will benefit me more? Thoughts?
I don't think that's such a good idea. Someone who doesn't like english will want to top themselves doing English and lit.

It doesn't really matter if i don't like the subject because i'll hopefully be able to try in both if i do them next year regardless. It's just a matter of getting a higher study score in at least one. wouldn't doing both improve my essay writing / english skills and therefore raise my top 4 english score? this seems like it could be a better option than doing one and another subject which will most likely not be in my top 4. or, since i'm not good at english, it won't really help and it's better to just try hard at one?

If your really keen on getting a higher study score and you don't like english - DONT do 2 englishes for the sake of it. Terrible idea. Put twice as much effort into 1 of them.  If you like english and writing essays (which I know for a fact you don't) - then do both.

Don't get sucked into the glamorous world of words and literature if its not right for you   ;)
Title: Re: VCE Lit or English
Post by: vexx on September 14, 2009, 06:54:18 pm
If your really keen on getting a higher study score and you don't like english - DONT do 2 englishes for the sake of it. Terrible idea. Put twice as much effort into 1 of them.  If you like english and writing essays (which I know for a fact you don't) - then do both.

Don't get sucked into the glamorous world of words and literature if its not right for you   ;)

Ah thanks, i guess you are right. I shall just try and pray i don't screw up on the single english subject i do then.
Title: Re: VCE Lit or English
Post by: sdhains on September 14, 2009, 07:03:06 pm
If your really keen on getting a higher study score and you don't like english - DONT do 2 englishes for the sake of it. Terrible idea. Put twice as much effort into 1 of them.  If you like english and writing essays (which I know for a fact you don't) - then do both.

Don't get sucked into the glamorous world of words and literature if its not right for you   ;)

Ah thanks, i guess you are right. I shall just try and pray i don't screw up on the single english subject i do then.

It's not as simple as 'screwing up'. If you are well prepared you have nothing to worry about.
Title: Still deciding
Post by: samuch on November 10, 2009, 09:45:39 pm
Hey guys,

For next year i have chosen Literature instead of English
due to the fact that i get slightly better marks in it and enjoy the freedom of not having a strict structure for essays
but now i am reconsidering my choice because i do need a tutor for whatever english subject i choose
and i have had a few responses but i am generally finding it hard to find a Literature tutor for next year.....

so i am just wondering whether i should swap it to english and work really hard to improve or just stick with it? bearing in mind that i have to improve in it as well

thanks, any feedback would be great
Title: Re: Still deciding
Post by: kendraaaaa on November 10, 2009, 09:46:35 pm
What about doing both?
Title: Re: Still deciding
Post by: samuch on November 10, 2009, 09:47:27 pm
What about doing both?
i like all my other subs lol and since its my worse sub either way... thats just asking for it haha
Title: Re: Still deciding
Post by: kendraaaaa on November 10, 2009, 09:49:18 pm
What about doing both?
i like all my other subs lol and since its my worse sub either way... thats just asking for it haha

Ah okay. Well I didn't do Lit but the general consensus is that it's a 'harder' subject than English. So you might want to dwell upon that for a bit.
Title: Re: Still deciding
Post by: samuch on November 10, 2009, 09:50:43 pm
What about doing both?
i like all my other subs lol and since its my worse sub either way... thats just asking for it haha

Ah okay. Well I didn't do Lit but the general consensus is that it's a 'harder' subject than English. So you might want to dwell upon that for a bit.
yeah i have heard that quite a bit but i get better marks in it? so im not sure if its just my teachers or not.....
Title: Re: Still deciding
Post by: kendraaaaa on November 10, 2009, 09:51:58 pm
What about doing both?
i like all my other subs lol and since its my worse sub either way... thats just asking for it haha

Ah okay. Well I didn't do Lit but the general consensus is that it's a 'harder' subject than English. So you might want to dwell upon that for a bit.
yeah i have heard that quite a bit but i get better marks in it? so im not sure if its just my teachers or not.....

Then if you do better in it, I'd just stick with it honestly. Do you know if you have the same teacher next year? That'd play a big factor as well. Also have a quick look at the Lit and English 3/4 syllabus, that might consolidate your decision.
Title: Re: Still deciding
Post by: samuch on November 10, 2009, 09:54:47 pm
What about doing both?
i like all my other subs lol and since its my worse sub either way... thats just asking for it haha

Ah okay. Well I didn't do Lit but the general consensus is that it's a 'harder' subject than English. So you might want to dwell upon that for a bit.
yeah i have heard that quite a bit but i get better marks in it? so im not sure if its just my teachers or not.....

Then if you do better in it, I'd just stick with it honestly. Do you know if you have the same teacher next year? That'd play a big factor as well. Also have a quick look at the Lit and English 3/4 syllabus, that might consolidate your decision.

i dont think ill have the same teacher :( he was pretty awesome hmmmm all the english teachers at my school suck though and okay ill do that :)
Title: Re: Still deciding
Post by: simpak on November 11, 2009, 11:56:03 am
Lit is a lot harder than English.
And it was nothing like year 11 lit for me.
Title: Re: Still deciding
Post by: samuch on November 11, 2009, 06:30:45 pm
Lit is a lot harder than English.
And it was nothing like year 11 lit for me.
:( noooo why do you say its harder?
Title: Re: Still deciding
Post by: redmosez on December 03, 2009, 09:06:57 pm
Lit is a lot harder than English.
And it was nothing like year 11 lit for me.
:( noooo why do you say its harder?

I found the opposite was the case for me.

Lit allowed a lot more freedom with texts  (ie you don't even have to read a text you're not interested in). I also felt that exam structure was easier to deal with... but time will tell (hurry up dec 14th!)

Also you don't have to do an oral!

I wouldn't advise both if writing doesn't come 'naturally to you'. And judging by it being your worst subject I doubt you will. I spent about 80% of my study time on eng and lit throughout the year (mind you about 90% of that was procrastinating).

Keep in mind that literature allows more freedom with essay structure and for some (like myself) who've been writing the same way for the last so many years (the 'english' way) it can be a bit difficult to adjust to the more free-form type writing.
Title: Re: Still deciding
Post by: samuch on December 03, 2009, 09:26:06 pm
@ redmosez: i have decided to stick with literature
i always hated the english structure and i just found it boring
so free-form type writing sounds very good to me :)
Title: Re: Still deciding
Post by: redmosez on December 04, 2009, 01:23:40 am
@ redmosez: i have decided to stick with literature
i always hated the english structure and i just found it boring
so free-form type writing sounds very good to me :)

I think you've made the right choice :)

If I had to go back and do it again I'd only do lit.

This might sound weird but I think doing lit actually has a negative effect on english. You get used to writing too freely and it makes it hard to return to the stricter english structure. Anyone else who's done both feel this way?

Good luck with everything samuch, work hard and you'll do great!
Title: Re: Still deciding
Post by: periwinkle on December 04, 2009, 02:36:00 am
   I think everyone I've known (or come across online) who did both English and Lit did worse in Lit (except for Eriny, who did Eng in yr11). But I don't know how highly you value an increment of 3 or 4 (say) study score points.
Title: Re: Still deciding
Post by: redmosez on December 04, 2009, 02:59:13 am
   I think everyone I've known (or come across online) who did both English and Lit did worse in Lit (except for Eriny, who did Eng in yr11). But I don't know how highly you value an increment of 3 or 4 (say) study score points.

Interesting, for some reason I feel more comfortable about lit.

I'll let you now in 10 days and 4 hours! :)
Title: Re: Still deciding
Post by: EvangelionZeta on December 13, 2009, 03:13:54 pm
   I think everyone I've known (or come across online) who did both English and Lit did worse in Lit (except for Eriny, who did Eng in yr11). But I don't know how highly you value an increment of 3 or 4 (say) study score points.

I know quite a few people who did better in Lit.  :p
Title: Re: Still deciding
Post by: samuch on December 13, 2009, 04:31:25 pm
   I think everyone I've known (or come across online) who did both English and Lit did worse in Lit (except for Eriny, who did Eng in yr11). But I don't know how highly you value an increment of 3 or 4 (say) study score points.

I know quite a few people who did better in Lit.  :p
YAYYYY :)
Title: Re: Still deciding
Post by: vexx on December 13, 2009, 07:11:45 pm
  I think everyone I've known (or come across online) who did both English and Lit did worse in Lit (except for Eriny, who did Eng in yr11). But I don't know how highly you value an increment of 3 or 4 (say) study score points.

I know quite a few people who did better in Lit.  :p
YAYYYY :)

i had a meeting with the 3/4 lit teach the other day, said that only one person in her class last time she taught (08) did better in english then they did it lit. she told me usually you do better in lit... i dont know if it was just her though because she is an amazing teacher (one of the reasons why ive chosen lit) where the lowest score she had was 40 in '08:|
but the amount of work in her class compared to normal english is way, way higher. i also dont know if this is normal...
Title: Re: Still deciding
Post by: samuch on December 13, 2009, 07:15:36 pm
   I think everyone I've known (or come across online) who did both English and Lit did worse in Lit (except for Eriny, who did Eng in yr11). But I don't know how highly you value an increment of 3 or 4 (say) study score points.

I know quite a few people who did better in Lit.  :p
YAYYYY :)

i had a meeting with the 3/4 lit teach the other day, said that only one person in her class last time she taught (08) did better in english then they did it lit. she told me usually you do better in lit... i dont know if it was just her though because she is an amazing teacher (one of the reasons why ive chosen lit) where the lowest score she had was 40 in '08:|
but the amount of work in her class compared to normal english is way, way higher. i also dont know if this is normal...
you finally decided! haha and wow i want her to be my tutor 8)
Title: Re: Still deciding
Post by: vexx on December 13, 2009, 07:18:50 pm
  I think everyone I've known (or come across online) who did both English and Lit did worse in Lit (except for Eriny, who did Eng in yr11). But I don't know how highly you value an increment of 3 or 4 (say) study score points.

I know quite a few people who did better in Lit.  :p
YAYYYY :)

i had a meeting with the 3/4 lit teach the other day, said that only one person in her class last time she taught (08) did better in english then they did it lit. she told me usually you do better in lit... i dont know if it was just her though because she is an amazing teacher (one of the reasons why ive chosen lit) where the lowest score she had was 40 in '08:|
but the amount of work in her class compared to normal english is way, way higher. i also dont know if this is normal...
you finally decided! haha and wow i want her to be my tutor 8)

her as a tutor would be.....incredible
she like runs holiday classes, and has private meetings with us and stuff, and sets essays everyweek to ensure we are improving. <3

and yeah i decided finally, i just couldn't bare the standard english, its such a bore and the teachers aren't great.
goooo lit:) we will rock it!! (haha :P)
Title: Re: Still deciding
Post by: redmosez on December 14, 2009, 11:09:42 pm
   I think everyone I've known (or come across online) who did both English and Lit did worse in Lit

50 for Lit, 49 for English :P

Title: Re: Still deciding
Post by: m@tty on December 14, 2009, 11:11:07 pm
Great work!!
Title: Re: Still deciding
Post by: redmosez on December 14, 2009, 11:35:34 pm
Quote
Great work!!

Thanks :)

I'm freaking wrapped, hasn't really sunk in.
Title: Re: VCE Lit or English
Post by: iffets12345 on February 21, 2010, 10:32:52 am
I also prefer Lit over English, primarily because the media sort of stuff generally disinterests me and most of the fun stuff that Context covers is also in Philosophy already because we do Whose Reality.  There's also the fact that the texts we do in Lit are generally far better than the ones in English.  I also have the same problem with Eriny in regards to feeling constrained by English's essay structures.

DEATH TO TEEL!
Title: English v Lit
Post by: scared_of_hippies on March 31, 2011, 08:49:38 pm
So I have this strange problem, I am pretty good (arguably top of my class) in Lit, yet in English I am at or below par. I figured the two would be invariably linked, especially concidering Lit is the child of English. What could I do to transfer my skills in Lit across to English? Anything at all?
Title: Re: English v Lit
Post by: Water on March 31, 2011, 08:54:05 pm
English is more structured rather than Literature.

English, you follow a set formula TEEL, to answer the question. Whilst Literature will offer you the liberty to formulate your own structure. However, you also have to be answering the question but at greater freedom. This is my understanding in the differences between the two.

I believe that also Lit, you also have to have some level of sophistication within your writing. In contrast to English, simplicity in your writing is generally the best approach.


PS: Ghost, Yeah I get what your saying LoL
Title: Re: English v Lit
Post by: scared_of_hippies on March 31, 2011, 08:57:43 pm
Haha cheers man, yeah that makes sense, the structure of English can be constricting. Thanks man.
Title: Re: English v Lit
Post by: jane1234 on March 31, 2011, 09:01:20 pm
This is similar to what Water said:

I did unit 1 Lit, hated it, and moved to English for unit 2.

Biggest thing that brought me down after the swap was, sadly enough, basic essay structure.
In Lit were were taught the "literature style" of essays... you would know, it is a fair bit more sophisticated and less formally rigid. However, you need to remember to simplify your essay structure down. You NEED an obvious introduction, body paragraphs with clear topic sentences and links, and a clear conclusion WHICH SUMMARISES YOUR ESSAY AND DOES NOT INCLUDE NEW INFORMATION.
You probably already know that, but in Lit you get lazy with structure, as they are generally not as strict.

So I guess take a step back with essays... obviously not year 7-level lame structuring ... but keep it logically ordered and simplified in structure.

That said, use your lit advantage. Coming out of even one semester, I found that I was able to analyse texts, and even persuasive techniques, on a level slightly different to the people in my class (I was the only one who had come out of lit).
So go as deep as you can, like in Lit, but remember to structure your essays differently.

Hope that helped a little bit... do you know what you are struggling with in particular??
Title: Re: English v Lit
Post by: Ghost! on April 01, 2011, 06:55:33 pm
I disliked Literature immensely last year because of the lack of structure, English is better suited for me (and others) because of the ability to stick to a formula when writing essays :3
Title: Re: English v Lit
Post by: ShortBlackChick on May 25, 2011, 06:09:47 pm
This is similar to what Water said:

I did unit 1 Lit, hated it, and moved to English for unit 2.

Biggest thing that brought me down after the swap was, sadly enough, basic essay structure.
In Lit were were taught the "literature style" of essays... you would know, it is a fair bit more sophisticated and less formally rigid. However, you need to remember to simplify your essay structure down. You NEED an obvious introduction, body paragraphs with clear topic sentences and links, and a clear conclusion WHICH SUMMARISES YOUR ESSAY AND DOES NOT INCLUDE NEW INFORMATION.
You probably already know that, but in Lit you get lazy with structure, as they are generally not as strict.

So I guess take a step back with essays... obviously not year 7-level lame structuring ... but keep it logically ordered and simplified in structure.

That said, use your lit advantage. Coming out of even one semester, I found that I was able to analyse texts, and even persuasive techniques, on a level slightly different to the people in my class (I was the only one who had come out of lit).
So go as deep as you can, like in Lit, but remember to structure your essays differently.

Hope that helped a little bit... do you know what you are struggling with in particular??
I disliked Literature immensely last year because of the lack of structure, English is better suited for me (and others) because of the ability to stick to a formula when writing essays :3
Agreed and me too.
The analysing of the authorial intent during lit helped heaps when it was needed for text response. The unstructured essays of lit were confusing. i felt as if there were so many options of how i could do things and what i could say but in the end i would lose some lot essential analysing and i was pulling off B+'s ,but in english with the structure i got A+'s because it was much more straightforward.
Title: Re: English v Lit
Post by: Readinya on May 25, 2011, 11:05:16 pm
I like Lit over English. I did Lit 3/4 last year, and so i don't have to do any form of English at all this year. (Although I feel as if i should, i know immediately that i will not have the motivation to go through Lit again)

Lit, for me, provides an opening that students can actually explore in terms of ideas, and it can get to the level of philosophical detail. It's great! You can write what you want, so long as you can justify it in terms of analysing what the author has composed.

I know this can also be true of English. However, at my school, they place a HEAVY importance of the TEEL and doesn't allow for any flexibility AT ALL. Throughout Yrs 7-10, the English teachers had to have several conferences because they were arguing how to link passages!! I know of a couple of teachers who wants students to write exactly as they write; limiting ideas, heavy focus on structure and quantity over quality.

Did i mention the stupid FLAP+C things?

That's why i dropped normal English in Yr 10 and picked up Lit instead. I would probably have preferred English Language, but it's not offered at my school.
Title: Re: English v Lit
Post by: VivaTequila on September 08, 2011, 10:28:58 am
You guys need to realise that English and Literature are not different in essay writing. An essay is an essay; it's meant to convey a point of view and articulate your response to some sort of stimulus.

English is more "structured" because it is the mainstream subject. The only difference that sets Literature students out from the rest is that you they are expected to be able to fabricate a piece of writing in Literature that goes somewhere; that offers an opinion, and a deep one at that - without using the "TEEL" approach. Literature students are encouraged to not have a topic sentence, but rather to cumulatively develop meaning throughout their paragraphs, and where you go with them should be essentially transparent from the outset. I've aced many English SACs by simply using the same style of writing that I use in Lit.

As long as you communicate your point of view and it's coherent and structured, it doesn't matter whether you use TEEL or not - just articulate yourself clearly and develop a reasoned piece of prose.

As long as
Title: Re: English v Lit
Post by: RossiJ on September 16, 2011, 06:45:43 pm
You guys need to realise that English and Literature are not different in essay writing. An essay is an essay; it's meant to convey a point of view and articulate your response to some sort of stimulus.

English is more "structured" because it is the mainstream subject. The only difference that sets Literature students out from the rest is that you they are expected to be able to fabricate a piece of writing in Literature that goes somewhere; that offers an opinion, and a deep one at that - without using the "TEEL" approach. Literature students are encouraged to not have a topic sentence, but rather to cumulatively develop meaning throughout their paragraphs, and where you go with them should be essentially transparent from the outset. I've aced many English SACs by simply using the same style of writing that I use in Lit.

As long as you communicate your point of view and it's coherent and structured, it doesn't matter whether you use TEEL or not - just articulate yourself clearly and develop a reasoned piece of prose.

As long as

YEAH BAXTER!
Title: Re: English v Lit
Post by: tloves on October 19, 2011, 09:30:35 pm
Couple of months ago I had an English examiner as a sub and someone asked this exact question. He said that they've specifically structured the English course so that students who are linear thinkers can handle it just as well as more creative thinkers, and maybe even so that creative thinkers are disadvantaged a bit, thus leveling the playing field so-to-speak (because of the necessity of such formulaic responses). Which makes sense, I guess...considering it's the only compulsory subject and it's pretty unfair when people who aren't interested in or have trouble with maths can choose not to take any maths subjects but people who can't stand Eng have to do it anyway.


But yeah, being someone who has taken and is doing well in both I can say with Lit I barely ever even write an introduction and have still gotten full marks. With English I try to pretty much recycle the same topic sentences (replacing stuff when necessary) and get high to full marks also. So to me the difference is pretty much what everyone else is saying - English is all about simple responses whereas Lit gives you more freedom and you can write a ridiculously unstructured essay but still get good marks so long as you've got some insightful statements backed with evidence in there. BUT that's not to say you can't use the English way of essay writing in Lit, actually that'd probably be better 'cause you'd get better and better at it if you're taking both and getting that much practice.
Title: English or Literature?
Post by: Beginner on December 30, 2011, 01:12:03 pm
I was curious, if I was to be a Vet or a Doctor.
Should I do Literature or English?
Title: Re: English or Literature?
Post by: pi on December 30, 2011, 01:15:10 pm
I honestly don't think either subject would help too much with either occupation. Probably english though as it is more "mainstream", but the difference would be insignificant for your question :)
Title: Re: English or Literature?
Post by: iamtom on December 30, 2011, 01:17:52 pm
Doesn't really make a difference which one you do to achieve either of those amigo. I personally enjoyed Literature more than English because of the class I had, but the subject I actually enjoyed less. Comes straight down to personal preference. Out of the two, English would probably help you more in the long run due to Language Analysis and Context... but I would not sweat it.
Title: Re: English or Literature?
Post by: Special At Specialist on December 30, 2011, 01:35:11 pm
I'd say it's more about the score than the subject. They both help you a lot. Literature helps you to think creatively, deeply and helps you to develop complex ideas. English helps you to think analytically and formulatively. But they both teach you good English skills so whichever you think you will score a higher scaled score in, you should do that.

By thumbsing me down, you're basically saying that you think it's better to do the subject that is slightly more relevant (emphasis on the word slightly) but score lower than to do the subject that you are good at and will score a higher study score in.
Title: Re: English or Literature?
Post by: pi on December 30, 2011, 01:36:39 pm
They're only saying that because they go to MHS where everyone is forced to do English.

Um... Not true LOL.
Title: Re: English or Literature?
Post by: iamtom on December 30, 2011, 02:58:49 pm
They're only saying that because they go to MHS where everyone is forced to do English.

I'd say it's more about the score than the subject. They both help you a lot. Literature helps you to think creatively, deeply and helps you to develop complex ideas. English helps you to think analytically and formulatively. But they both teach you good English skills so whichever you think you will score a higher scaled score in, you should do that.

You're only saying that because you can't read/don't understand what we're saying/what have you. In fact, you're not even thinking about his question, just reiterating what Rohit and I said; a doctor is not paid to be creative. They're paid to be analytical and provide facts and prognoses.  So by your logic, Literature is better.

I did both English and Literature, thanks. Don't do a subject because you feel you can get a "better score". Do whichever you will enjoy more. In the long run (ie, when you hit September holidays before exams) you'll either love or hate the revision.

Edit: Also, just so you can get facts straight in the future, no-one is forced to do English as far as I know... any more.
Title: Re: English or Literature?
Post by: Hamdog17 on December 30, 2011, 03:45:46 pm
They're only saying that because they go to MHS where everyone is forced to do English.

I'd say it's more about the score than the subject. They both help you a lot. Literature helps you to think creatively, deeply and helps you to develop complex ideas. English helps you to think analytically and formulatively. But they both teach you good English skills so whichever you think you will score a higher scaled score in, you should do that.

MHS is relaxing a lot of its VCE policies and will be offering eng lang next year and students will have a choice. VCE English require analytical and creative thinking and writing and having done unit 1 lit I could see that it required both styles of thinking and writing also. In regards to the OP do which ever one you enjoy more/ think you will enjoy more because ultimately you will want to work harder and longer at it and achieve higher results.
Title: Re: English or Literature?
Post by: Beginner on December 30, 2011, 09:59:08 pm
Thanks guys, it's given me a bit to think about.
Reading over it, I think I might stay with Literature.
Also I don't think a vet or a doctor requires any of them as a prerequisite, so I should be fine.

Thanks again. :)
Title: Re: English or Literature?
Post by: totaled on December 30, 2011, 10:04:13 pm
Personally I would do english, not because either has an impact on your future ocupation, but because some people find it 'easier' to score better in.
i had a friend who scored 39 in literature in year 11, and then took up english and found it mnuch easier, eventually scoring 48 in english.

it may be the case that they studied more and took vce more seriously in year 12, but i find generally people do better in english than literature, :)
Title: Re: English or Literature?
Post by: playsimme on December 31, 2011, 12:30:57 pm
Just save yourself some trouble and do English :p lit is much harder
Title: Re: English or Literature?
Post by: totaled on December 31, 2011, 12:32:53 pm
lit is VERY difficult, and requires a lot of time dedicated to it, to obtain a score that i believe would be significantly lower than what you would have received in englsih for the same amount of effort.
Title: Re: English or Literature?
Post by: paulsterio on December 31, 2011, 08:38:44 pm
But then you have people like EZ who got a 50 in Literature and 45 in English, so I don't think the English>Literature argument always works.

Btw, guys, don't be so harsh on Special At Specialist, what he said wasn't that bad! To some extent he's right, you should do the one which you think you will score more highly in or you will find more enjoyable to study. It's akin to the ever-present Specialist Maths vs. Further Maths debate (which to do in conjunction with Methods).
Title: Re: English or Literature?
Post by: totaled on January 01, 2012, 01:13:07 am
Well as you know, its very difficult to tell who's the very best ,say 45+ in English.
so in that regard, given EZ's amazing abilities, it isn't hard to see why he got a 50 & a premiers award in literature, but the closeness of the marks at the topend managed to get him a lower score in english.

It's like saying that methods is a lot easier to get a higher raw score than spesh.. (raw scores! not scaled)
of course, there are many, many exceptions where people actually get higher (raw) in spesh than in methods

but yupp, just from my own experience, the kids doing english seem to outperform the ones doing lit by heaaaps :)
Title: Re: English or Literature?
Post by: t35t on January 13, 2012, 03:18:30 am
I chose to do Literature, and *only* literature for 2012... I'm having second doubts right now and I don't know if I should just hastily pick up English or not... But then I'd be required to read all of English books and the remaining Lit books in a couple of weeks before school begins... not to mention that I generally don't fair too well with essay writing in english... the requirement of 3 essays in a tedious, structured TEEL format, and also the requisite of quote memorizing via ROTE learning is very unappealing for me... I'm much more interested in lit- however, given that I'm putting all my eggs into one basket- I feel very unsure right now...
Title: Re: English or Literature?
Post by: totaled on January 13, 2012, 12:45:03 pm
I chose to do Literature, and *only* literature for 2012... I'm having second doubts right now and I don't know if I should just hastily pick up English or not... But then I'd be required to read all of English books and the remaining Lit books in a couple of weeks before school begins... not to mention that I generally don't fair too well with essay writing in english... the requirement of 3 essays in a tedious, structured TEEL format, and also the requisite of quote memorizing via ROTE learning is very unappealing for me... I'm much more interested in lit- however, given that I'm putting all my eggs into one basket- I feel very unsure right now...

you won't be behind as it's only the holidays, many people don't even start reading the books, and even still, you have two weeks left.
the three essays don't require a structured TEEL format, i personally didn't follow it, and quote memorising via ROTE learning isn't the way to go, you memorise quotes from writing lots of essays..

anyhow, im sure whichever subject you choose you'll give it your best shot and you'll do wonderfully anyway :D
Title: Re: English or Literature?
Post by: dgoldstein17 on February 04, 2012, 07:02:38 pm
I'm doing both this year. I don't subscribe to the theory that it takes more effort to do well in Literature than in English. I've always been told to do the subjects I enjoy, and I like the philosophical element and depth of discussion that comes with the former. Having had a lesson of each so far, I found English to be incredibly dull as per usual, but that Lit stimulated me and actually made me think. The nature of Literature is that people who are passionate about English will select it, making discussions far more enjoyable as you're always being challenged. I love English, but I've never felt like the class was at a level that would stop me zoning out and hiding my mobile under the table. This directly influences the fact that my grades sit at a high A rather than an A+, I'm not motivated to work in the environment, unfortunately.
Title: Re: English or Literature?
Post by: iffets12345 on February 05, 2012, 07:25:05 pm
I chose to do Literature, and *only* literature for 2012... I'm having second doubts right now and I don't know if I should just hastily pick up English or not... But then I'd be required to read all of English books and the remaining Lit books in a couple of weeks before school begins... not to mention that I generally don't fair too well with essay writing in english... the requirement of 3 essays in a tedious, structured TEEL format, and also the requisite of quote memorizing via ROTE learning is very unappealing for me... I'm much more interested in lit- however, given that I'm putting all my eggs into one basket- I feel very unsure right now...

Well from what you said Lit seems a better option, 2 essays with the same style, once you get the feel for theessay and know your two texts well.... its just put your pen to paper, where as with English I found that I needed to steel myself with three different mentalities and approaches to the different sections.
Title: Re: English or Literature?
Post by: VivaTequila on February 06, 2012, 01:48:01 am
I'm doing both this year. I don't subscribe to the theory that it takes more effort to do well in Literature than in English. I've always been told to do the subjects I enjoy, and I like the philosophical element and depth of discussion that comes with the former. Having had a lesson of each so far, I found English to be incredibly dull as per usual, but that Lit stimulated me and actually made me think. The nature of Literature is that people who are passionate about English will select it, making discussions far more enjoyable as you're always being challenged. I love English, but I've never felt like the class was at a level that would stop me zoning out and hiding my mobile under the table. This directly influences the fact that my grades sit at a high A rather than an A+, I'm not motivated to work in the environment, unfortunately.

Mark my words.

50 SS in Lit.
Title: Re: English or Literature?
Post by: walkec on May 14, 2012, 08:24:47 pm
Hey everyone! I've got to put in my year 11 subject selections soon and it has been suggested that I should do two English subjects (being core English and literature). I've talked to my teacher and he said that he thinks I would be able to cope, as do my family (including my brother who is currently undertaking 3/4 Core and Literature). So just wanting some feedback about what the differences are, about of work etc.

I know it's hard to judge what I should do given that you don't know me, but any suggestions at all would be much appreciated!
Title: Re: English or Literature?
Post by: s.ay on May 14, 2012, 09:00:29 pm
Hey everyone! I've got to put in my year 11 subject selections soon and it has been suggested that I should do two English subjects (being core English and literature). I've talked to my teacher and he said that he thinks I would be able to cope, as do my family (including my brother who is currently undertaking 3/4 Core and Literature). So just wanting some feedback about what the differences are, about of work etc.

I know it's hard to judge what I should do given that you don't know me, but any suggestions at all would be much appreciated!

Although I am only in year 11, I did Lit 1/2 last year with core English. I found by the end of the year it was no longer a subject, but essentially a hobby. It was my favourite subject by far, not only because of the enjoyment I gained, but also because I found that it complemented my writing and analytical development, skills that inevitably complement English as a subject. In regards to the work itself, I didn't find it too strenuous or time consuming, and managed to keep up with 1/2 psych and PE at the same time. It did help that my literature teacher is a god, but regardless, it is an amazing subject, one that I miss immensely and cannot wait to pick back up next year :)
 
Title: Re: English or Literature?
Post by: walkec on May 15, 2012, 07:11:19 am
Thanks e.claire. What you were saying about it being a hobby is actually essentially what my teacher said about when he studied it. I really like reading so at the moment I'm leaning towards both. Thankfully I still have a bit of time up my sleeve, so I have more time to think it over.