ATAR Notes: Forum

HSC Stuff => New South Wales Education Discussion => Topic started by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 05:22:32 pm

Title: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 05:22:32 pm
Hey all!

Some of you may have met me at the 2017 Head Start Lectures. If so, I hope you enjoyed them! If not, let me quickly introduce myself.
I completed my HSC in 2016 at Bede Polding College, South Windsor. I adore all things reading, writing and music. My favourite food is gnocchi, my favourite colour is yellow. Nice to meet you!

The subjects I completed in 2016 were English (Advanced) and Extension, Modern History, Legal Studies, Earth and Environmental Science and Studies of Religion 1. I am going to be online aaaaaaalllllll night tonight, so feel free to ask me anything related to these subjects, or about the HSC in general  :)

IMPORTANT: In order to ask a question, you will have to click here and make an ATAR Notes account.

Then - just hit the 'reply' button, as shown in the image below:
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Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: Joseph41 on February 15, 2017, 05:26:06 pm
Fuaaaark. The ol' dual State Rank trick - nice! ;D

I have a couple of general questions:

---

[1] You've clearly done exceptionally well to get right to the top of the state. What do you think the difference is between doing well in the HSC, and doing really, really well? Do you put it down to anything specific?

[2] How did you go about selecting your subjects in the first place? Did you weight enjoyment, scaling, or other factors?

[3] How are you finding Laws/Arts? :)
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 05:37:34 pm
Fuaaaark. The ol' dual State Rank trick - nice!

I have a couple of general questions:

---

[1] You've clearly done exceptionally well to get right to the top of the state. What do you think the difference is between doing well in the HSC, and doing really, really well? Do you put it down to anything specific?

[2] How did you go about selecting your subjects in the first place? Did you weight enjoyment, scaling, or other factors?

[3] How are you finding Laws/Arts? :)

Hello!

1. This is a really difficult question. When I was still studying for the HSC, my only goal was to do my absolute best. This didn't necessarily mean doing the best in the state. So, if I were to put it down to anything, it would be approaching your study with the mindset of 'what is the most I can do. For me, this was three hours of schoolwork per night. It was also keeping up Scouting (hello to any fellow venturers out there!), Debating, exercise and spending time with loved ones. Because, without these things I wouldn't be trying my best, I'd be basing my life on the HSC. Compared to other people, I'm sure the amount that I studied seems like a lot. But reading and analysing have always been a passion of mine, so when completing my study, it really didn't seem like work. I explored things that I was interested in, and added these to my responses. I guess this lead to the golden 'personal voice' in my work, which markers seem to love.

2. This leads into how I picked my subjects. I picked what I loved and what I was good at. It seems weird that I would choose Earth amongst all of those humanities subjects, but I did so for that very reason. I am highly interested in sustainability and the world around us, so I picked it! Early in Year 12, I did worry about the scaling of my subjects. For this reason, I picked up Ext History (I would have chosen Ext 2 English, but it wasn't feasible at my school). After a month or so though, I started to get really stressed and ending up dropping the subject. We didn't have a timetabled class and so it didn't work out for me. Through this example, I emphasise that you should pick the subjects that work best for you, and your HSC

3. I haven't started yet, but I am loving the books that I'm studying for English so far!

Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: pikachu975 on February 15, 2017, 05:47:40 pm
Did you memorise essays and do you have any advice for getting a band 6 in english? Thanks!
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: ambsperwambs on February 15, 2017, 05:51:38 pm
How did you prepare for assessments?? For me I do TEE tables but I have trouble remember quotes and some of the analysis. Whats your tip?
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: mattmorley on February 15, 2017, 05:52:05 pm
If you have one tip about doing well in any particular part of english that you have learnt that you could credit to your success what would it be??
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: legorgo18 on February 15, 2017, 05:52:53 pm
Hi, enjoyed the lecture, very informative.

Just a question on the integrated essay structure for aos

Do you have to link matching themes in both texts in each paragraph and how many paragraphs do you need? Or can i do like block structure for my essay and have a last integrating paragraph that links the both text. Also for creative, im planning to do a feature article, am i meant to write so the reader has like the ah moment, or am i meant to have a discovery inside the article.

Thank you :c
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 05:53:23 pm
Did you memorise essays and do you have any advice for getting a band 6 in english? Thanks!

Hey there!

I didn't memorise my essays. I did, however, know a heap of themes/paragraphs that I could integrate into my responses. I didn't know them word for word, but I knew how they could be argued and manipulated. This is actually my main advice for smashing Advanced English. You have to be able to argue the question that you are given on the day. It is the be all and end all of your response. Those that show insight into the question, debate its terms and show strong textual analysis in regards to it, will be rewarded with a Band Six. This does not apply to creative writing however, as you have to demonstrate a control and flair in your language which is very hard to perfect in the exam room. It is for this reason that I had a prepared piece for creative.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: dannoabdelnour on February 15, 2017, 05:53:31 pm
Hi!
Wow, congratulations for your mark, thats absolutely amazing! I'm completing my HSC this year and I need some advice.
Firstly for English. I am terrible at English (its my worst subject), I have trouble with:
-Writing essays
-Answering questions (for every subject)
-Studying

What can I do to improve, suggestions, tips? Things you did in your Senior Years

Lastly for SOR1, What tips can you give when it comes to studying for it? What did you do in your Senior year as well?

Thanks :)
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: Deeridge4321 on February 15, 2017, 05:54:13 pm
Hi Browie
Do you have any tips for memorising creative scripts and essay analysis? I find this challenging and could really use come advice :)
Congratulations on your incredible marks!
Thank you
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: paiges17 on February 15, 2017, 05:54:39 pm
Congratulations on your HSC mark, just a few questions:

1. If you were doing english advanced but struggling, what would your best tips be? Do you think its worth dropping down?

2. did you have a 'formula' for writing essays, a way in which you know you would get a high amount of marks etc.

3. In regards to creative writing, any tips!

Thanks so much for your time!  :)
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: Iminschool on February 15, 2017, 05:54:44 pm
Q. What would you recommend as a piece of motivation for someone who does not like Advanced English to actually like it?  :)
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: sameeraaa1 on February 15, 2017, 05:55:14 pm
Hey Emily!

What module did you do for extension English and what were your Related Texts? I'm doing After the Bomb and currently looking for some related texts to use :)


Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: cynthia_valdez on February 15, 2017, 05:56:13 pm
Hey, I'm just wondering, do you think that if I was to work a couple of days a week, i'll be able to manage?. But, I will be working on weekdays because I study a language externally so I would find it difficult to cope and I would be tired if I have to rush to work after Saturday school.

Also, regarding Studies of Religion. How did you ensure that your examples were contemporary examples and what would the main structures of your essays be?.

I'm also finding it hard to achieve good marks with creative writing in English, as I have always struggled with this component. Any tips?

Any suggestions for additional texts for discovery?

Congrats on your mark and thanks :)
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: Disney on February 15, 2017, 05:56:27 pm
Hey!
Congrats on your achievements firstly!

1. What are the most efficient ways to study for Advanced English? I'm pretty busy a lot of the time, but I still want to go as well as I can.
2. What motivated you to achieve such high scores in English mainly, and also your other subjects?
3. How do you manage your time to use it most effectively and what are your tactics for a good sleep (to refresh for the following day)?
4. What research and extra knowledge gained outside the classroom is required in English to succeed at a level similar to yours?
5. What are some websites/resources I could use to further my skills in English and achieve my best score?

Thanks   ;D
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: jxcq on February 15, 2017, 05:57:52 pm
Hi!
I was just wondering, because I want become a doctor and that requires 99.95. But I made a research and it says 96 for UNSW.
I do Standard English, Advanced Maths, Legal, Business, PDHPE and Ancient History. I'm going well for all subjects besides maths and english and legal. But, do you think there's a chance to be in the 90s like approximately 96 ATAR? Because I have only received marks for last term, and I don't do any sciences which makes it a bit hard to get into medicine. But is there like a chance of getting a high ATAR?
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 05:58:19 pm
Hi there,

Do you have any advice for creative writing ? Tips to use the stimulus if you've already got a story...

Thanks and congrats!!

Hi Lachlan,

For creative writing, my number one piece of advice is to always write from your own experience. This makes your story authentic, and easier for your marker to empathise with. Markers appreciate stories that make them think. So, make sure your story shows some personal insight into discovery. It doesn't have to be completely original per say, but it really should show what you understand to be at the heart of the discovery experience.

As for stimulus, you must read the question carefully. If it says it must be 'at the start' of your piece, put it there! If it must be a central feature, don't ignore it! Remember though, you can interpret the stimulus metaphorically. The markers are more lenient when it comes to creative writing, so as long as there is a general link to the stimulus, you will be fine! In my own writing, I liked to incorporate the stimulus as a motif, so it was interwoven throughout my piece
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: anna.dvorak on February 15, 2017, 06:01:16 pm
Hi, congratulations on achieving such exceptional results!! I'm doing four units of English for my HSC and Advanced is particularly the one that was my downfall in Year 11. I think it was because of the lack of time + effort I put into it especially when it has so much content with the three different modules.  My questions are:

1. What was your elective for Extension 1 English? (I'm doing After The Bomb)
2. Did you do countless past papers to practice writing your essays + creatives?
3. Have you posted any of your work online? I would love to read one of your essays or creatives!!

P.S Thank you for taking the time to read and answer our questions, it means a lot!!
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: cindzw on February 15, 2017, 06:01:42 pm
Hi Emily, thanks for taking the time to do this!
Just wanted to know how you went about looking for related texts (particularly for Art of Travel and After the Bomb).
Also how did you spread your subjects across your three hours of daily study?
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: Biannca11 on February 15, 2017, 06:01:56 pm
1. Do you have any tricks dealing with legal studies as it is a lot of content, and is there anything specific you must remember?
2. What is the best way to tackle short answers and creative writing effectively

;) :D ;D 8) 8) :) Lastly, Well Done  ;) :D ;D 8) 8) :)
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: Huzaifa on February 15, 2017, 06:03:32 pm
Hello Emily
I attended your English advanced lecture and it was amazing and really comprehensive, I'm just wondering though, what tips would you have for us English Extension students, particularly for 'After The Bomb.'? How do we structure our EE1 essays? Does the integrated essay structure still work, even with the 2 prescribed, 2 ORT thing. Also, what would you consider the main differences in writing between the EE1 course and the Advanced course?
Thanks so much 🙂
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 06:04:27 pm
How did you prepare for assessments?? For me I do TEE tables but I have trouble remember quotes and some of the analysis. Whats your tip?

Hey there,

I'm not too sure what you mean by TEE tables? Technique, Example, Explanation?? If so, I think this is a clever way to organise your quotes. However, you're most likely to remember the things you understand most. So, I would always try to link my quotes to an argument. This also helped in the stress of the exam room, when you have to write arguments on your feet. If you don't understand a quote, and you're only using it on the advice of your teacher, I would try and look for one that better shows your understanding of the text, and most importantly, the module focus.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: brokenboxes on February 15, 2017, 06:06:25 pm
Hey there :)

I've got two questions for you:
1) Do you have any tips on how to make strong connections between a prescribed text and a related text?

2) And if a question is really vague like, "how does discovery affect a person?" how would you recommend approaching it?

Thank you and congratulations on first :)
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 06:06:57 pm
If you have one tip about doing well in any particular part of english that you have learnt that you could credit to your success what would it be??

'Learn from your texts. They've been set by BOSTES for a reason. They aren't trying to torture you, even though it seems like it. Your text is important, your text is valued. Take a deep breath and write the damn essay' Repeat this, like a mantra, until the HSC is over (especially if you do Yeats)
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: elcheese20 on February 15, 2017, 06:07:59 pm
Hey Emily!

Just wondering if you have any tips for structuring essays and integrating related texts seamlessly with core texts?

Thanks!!
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: shaney112 on February 15, 2017, 06:08:37 pm
Hello,  :)

1) I was wondering if you have any study tips you use prior to exams. The only study methods for English that I have heard of are memorising essays and writing practice essays.

Also, in what ways do you structure your notes in preparation for exams like AOS and Modules? 

2) What are some strategies you have for approaching the unseen texts section of the AOS paper?  I always find that it takes me a while to find appropriate techniques and think of key ideas/concepts to talk about in my responses. I also find it hard to sustain my responses as I tend to run out of things to talk about.

3) What tips do you have for writing fast without your hand being fatigued so easily?


Thanks so much!!!!!   :D :D :D
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: cmadeleine on February 15, 2017, 06:09:39 pm
Hi Emily!
I went to your lecture in the holidays and I just want to say thank you - it was really inspiring and insightful to hear about your experience and tips!
I remember how you gave us advice about creative writing and that it's a good idea to write from your own experiences, but I'm really struggling to find something about my life to write about to connect to discovery! Do you have any ideas or examples of this that you'd be willing to share?

Thank you so much! :)
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: ebza1999 on February 15, 2017, 06:10:07 pm
Hello, I have a few questions :)

1. What would be your top tips for how to do well in Advanced English?
2. How did you memorise your quotes?
3. Do you recommend using other text types, such as a poem or speech, for the creative writing section?
4. What essay prep did you do before your HSC exam?

Thankyou!!
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 06:10:22 pm
Hi, enjoyed the lecture, very informative.

Just a question on the integrated essay structure for aos

Do you have to link matching themes in both texts in each paragraph and how many paragraphs do you need? Or can i do like block structure for my essay and have a last integrating paragraph that links the both text. Also for creative, im planning to do a feature article, am i meant to write so the reader has like the ah moment, or am i meant to have a discovery inside the article.

Thank you :c

Hey, nice to see you again!

Yes, I would have a link inside my paragraphs. I would generally write 3 in Modules, and 4 in Discovery. I'm not sure about this block structure, but if it works best for you, and you're getting good marks with it, I would continue to use it.

You can show discovery in both of these ways! In doing so, you're making sure that the Marker cannot and will not miss the discovery within your creative. I think a discovery imparted on the reader is a fantastic, and insightful, way to go about it too! I would always back it up with a more concrete example, linked closely to the rubric, as well though.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: yattmoani on February 15, 2017, 06:11:11 pm
Hello! Thanks for taking time out of your day to answer our questions :)

Do you have any tips on writing a creative? What's the best way to write one that separates itself from the other creatives?

Thanks again!
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: parikshith on February 15, 2017, 06:11:47 pm
Hi, btw congrats for ur mark and the lecture was very good.
I just have a few questions:
1) How did u manage ur time in both Paper 1 and Paper 2 for each of the three sections because i find it extremely hard to do responses in 40 mins.
2) Just like u, i am doing Richard III for Module A and WB Yeats for Module B. Is there anything i have to consider with those two particular texts since u did those last year and u know a lot about them.
3) What ORTs do u recommend for me to use in Area of Study (Prescribed: Motorcycle Diaries) and Module C (Prescribed: Brave New World). Its very hard to select one.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 06:13:13 pm
Hi!
Wow, congratulations for your mark, thats absolutely amazing! I'm completing my HSC this year and I need some advice.
Firstly for English. I am terrible at English (its my worst subject), I have trouble with:
-Writing essays
-Answering questions (for every subject)
-Studying

What can I do to improve, suggestions, tips? Things you did in your Senior Years

Lastly for SOR1, What tips can you give when it comes to studying for it? What did you do in your Senior year as well?

Thanks :)

Hey there!

Would you be able to give me some more specific examples of what you're having trouble with? Perhaps some feedback your teacher has provided you? I want to help you as best I can :)

As for religion, I wrote study notes consistently throughout the year and completed timed practice responses. I also had a really strong handle over the concept of the 'dynamic living religion'. If there is one thing I would know like the back of your hand, its that term and how it applies to the religion you are studying.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: viv_zhu0711 on February 15, 2017, 06:14:32 pm
Hi Emily! Congratulations on your achievements!

I've heard the advice of 'integrate the stimulus as a motif' and 'write from personal experiences' many times over, but I was wondering what I should do if personal experiences are hard to write about in such a way that it can be interesting in a short story. Revelations rarely happen in life in such a short span of time!

Also, what would you recommend in regards to developing a narrative voice? -- Personally mine is always sarcastic and overly rational (like myself), which doesn't make for a good read especially in emotional creatives...

Thanks!!
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 06:16:20 pm
Hi Browie
Do you have any tips for memorising creative scripts and essay analysis? I find this challenging and could really use come advice :)
Congratulations on your incredible marks!
Thank you

Hi Deeridge!
To memorise my creative, I learnt it like a speech. I then recorded myself saying it, listened to it at the gym and walking to work, and practiced writing it whilst adapting to different stimulus. I also would write pages and pages of paragraphs in my creative that I couldn't get my head around.
As for essay analysis, the best way to learn this is to write and talk about it. Debate the meaning of your texts with fellow classmates. Clarify and ask questions in class. This is a much better way to learn that literally writing it out a million times
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 06:19:13 pm
Congratulations on your HSC mark, just a few questions:

1. If you were doing english advanced but struggling, what would your best tips be? Do you think its worth dropping down?

2. did you have a 'formula' for writing essays, a way in which you know you would get a high amount of marks etc.

3. In regards to creative writing, any tips!

Thanks so much for your time!  :)

When you're thinking about dropping down to Standard, the main thing to ask yourself is 'Do I like Shakespeare?'. Followed by 'Do I have the patience to study Shakespeare?'. If you answered no to either, or both, then you should seriously consider dropping down. Shakespeare can be ridiculously tough, especially amongst the stress of all your other subjects.

Number one tip for creative is to write about what you know. The fantastical isn't always going to work, especially when you're trying to connect with your reader/marker.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: suzieglenday_ on February 15, 2017, 06:20:08 pm
Hey Emily!
I was just wondering if you had a specific formula that you used for short answers (particularly the mini essay!), and any tips for keeping them concise but in depth enough to gain full marks?
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: aarora on February 15, 2017, 06:20:54 pm
Hey,

1. Should one memorise essays.
2. How did you prepare for the language task in paper 1 of the HSC.
3. How do you think of good creative writing ideas.

Thanks
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 06:22:19 pm
Q. What would you recommend as a piece of motivation for someone who does not like Advanced English to actually like it?  :)

I had this very problem with Yeats. Simply: find a way to like it. I did lots of extra reading to find an angle that I liked on Yeats, so I could better appreciate his work and so I wouldn't sound so angry in my writing. Trust me, your attitude towards a text will come across in the way you write your essays. Another thing to do is to consider how you feel in  relation to the text you are exploring. How are these themes at work in your own life? Have you experienced anything similar? Have you thought about any of the ideas the text is presenting before? How does it affect the way you understand the big concepts (eg history, time, identity, politics).
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: ChrisSahyoun510 on February 15, 2017, 06:24:01 pm
Hello, Im having trouble finding techniques for Feed MT Anderson can you help me??
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 06:24:34 pm
Hey Emily!

What module did you do for extension English and what were your Related Texts? I'm doing After the Bomb and currently looking for some related texts to use :)

Hey there! Unfortunately I didn't do After The Bomb, but my mum does teach it! I like George Orwell's essays and aaaaaaanything written by Vonnegut, and she suggests Revolutionary Road, The Lives of Others and Goodbye Lennin
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: alysa.biju on February 15, 2017, 06:28:47 pm
Hi!
How did you study and prepare for your English exams? Thanks.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 06:29:21 pm
Hey, I'm just wondering, do you think that if I was to work a couple of days a week, i'll be able to manage?. But, I will be working on weekdays because I study a language externally so I would find it difficult to cope and I would be tired if I have to rush to work after Saturday school.

Also, regarding Studies of Religion. How did you ensure that your examples were contemporary examples and what would the main structures of your essays be?.

I'm also finding it hard to achieve good marks with creative writing in English, as I have always struggled with this component. Any tips?

Any suggestions for additional texts for discovery?

Congrats on your mark and thanks :)

First of all, I worked around 6 hours a week (all on weekdays) and kept up my commitment with Scouts. So most definitely you can! However, you have to be really organised. I suggest drawing yourself up a timetable, to make sure you can fit everything in.

Contemporary examples weren't so important in Religion, I found. I did only study 1 Unit Religion, however, so this may be different to what you're studying.

Creative: write what you know. Write what you love. Write from your life and your own experiences. An authentic voice is key to writing a beautiful story. 
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: R.xniya on February 15, 2017, 06:29:39 pm
Hi,
I was wondering how long it should take me to find related texts / critical studies because I take forever choosing the right ones since I'm so picky!!
Also, is it a good idea to use texts recommended by hsc based websites?? My main concern is if I do the same text as many other people and they'll do better than me with it.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: beccaangelxx4 on February 15, 2017, 06:30:46 pm
Hey!

So first of all, at the lecture, you said that you got 75% on your first English assessment task. And all the assessment tasks you do in Year 12 are counted towards your final HSC mark. So in order to get a 100%, I believe that you'll need to achieve a 100% in all the tasks you do. Am I wrong? Secondly, I asked my English Extention 2 teacher if it's possible to get a 100% in English, and she confidently and clearly explained to me that it's in fact very rare for a student to achieve a full mark and if someone did actually get a 100%, she would be aware of it. Tbh, I have to believe her because she's been teaching English Advanced and Extention for more than 25 years.

So my question is, are you being honest about the 100% in English?  :-\

Also, not here to criticise; I'm just passionately curious :') (s/o Einstein)
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 06:35:41 pm
Hey!
Congrats on your achievements firstly!

1. What are the most efficient ways to study for Advanced English? I'm pretty busy a lot of the time, but I still want to go as well as I can.
2. What motivated you to achieve such high scores in English mainly, and also your other subjects?
3. How do you manage your time to use it most effectively and what are your tactics for a good sleep (to refresh for the following day)?
4. What research and extra knowledge gained outside the classroom is required in English to succeed at a level similar to yours?
5. What are some websites/resources I could use to further my skills in English and achieve my best score?

Thanks   ;D

To answer many of your questions: The State Library. I actually kept my library card in my phone case because I used it so much. Its your one stop shop for extra readings for English, as well as other subjects such as Modern History and Legal Studies. It's also a great place to go to study with friends, maximising your study time whilst also destressing a little. I did this a few times during my HSC. We'd study for the morning, and then go out to a movie or explore the city for the afternoon. The most efficient way to study for Advanced is to practice writing essays under time. There is no point labouring over an essay for days, even weeks, when you're going to have to write it in 40 mins in an exam room. The same goes for you assignments. Constantly editing and re-editing can actually lose you marks - in my experience, its where you begin to move away from the question. So, I would always make sure I was also writing my study notes during busy assignment periods, to make sure I wasn't spending too much time on the assignments themselves. The main thing that motivated me was making my whole school experience count - I had worked too hard for too long not to be rewarded in the HSC. Also, if Dave Grohl can be Dave Grohl (what a man), I could sit my HSC exams.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: legorgo18 on February 15, 2017, 06:37:31 pm
Hey few more questions just popped up in my head!

I have a speech on mod a (1984/metro) and the question has something to do with how they both present similar warnings regarding control. What themes should i use? I am thinking about power and powerless and technological advancements and link them to manipulation. Also just a general thing about mod a, am i meant to link to context for every quote or just most of them.

For mod b im doing yeats and am asking for how do you prepare? I was thinking about writing 1 essay and have 5 paragraphs for the rest of the poems in case they ask for a specific poem

And mod c i am doing art of travel, any suggestions for related?

ty :)
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: julialouisex on February 15, 2017, 06:37:41 pm
Hi, I attended your lecture and it was great!

I had a question about related texts - I want to include a film for my related but have no idea where to start, my teacher hasn't given us any concrete advice. So, how would you approach studying/writing about films as related texts?
Thanks for taking the time to do this (and congrats on your results!)
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: natasha.rh on February 15, 2017, 06:38:53 pm
Hi Emily!!

First of all thank you so much for your lecture, it was really great and informative! (you seem like such a cool chic)
-I'm studying looking for Richard and Richard III for mod A and was wondering the best way to approach it? I'm struggling a little with the number of characters in Richard III.
-Do you recommend knowing a variety of quotes for each value or quotes that can be manipulated to more than one value?
-Also, what did you include on your study palm cards again??

Thanks so much!!  :D :D -Natasha
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: katherinem on February 15, 2017, 06:39:33 pm
- What did you do if you ever found yourself struggling with motivation?
- I sometimes struggle summarising notes, so how did you identify - especially in modern history - what was most important? As i found myself copying down most of the information in the textbook.
- How would you recommend best summarising notes for English?

Thanks :)
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: tanyac on February 15, 2017, 06:39:46 pm
Hey there!! :)
I was wondering if you had any suggestions on related texts for discovery... specifically poems and films?

Thankyou!!!
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 06:41:43 pm
Hi!
I was just wondering, because I want become a doctor and that requires 99.95. But I made a research and it says 96 for UNSW.
I do Standard English, Advanced Maths, Legal, Business, PDHPE and Ancient History. I'm going well for all subjects besides maths and english and legal. But, do you think there's a chance to be in the 90s like approximately 96 ATAR? Because I have only received marks for last term, and I don't do any sciences which makes it a bit hard to get into medicine. But is there like a chance of getting a high ATAR?

Hey,
I also didn't do the typically high scaling subjects, but still got a 99.85 ATAR. In saying this, I also scored above 95 for most of my subjects, whereas if I did science (I'm guessing) I wouldn't have had to get as higher average marks. I'm not a whiz at the scaling side of things. However, one of our Lectures Jamon has written a whole article on it , so this could provide you with some better advice!
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: ssaravolac on February 15, 2017, 06:43:21 pm
Hi Emily!

Huge congratulayions on your HSC marks, you should be so proud of yourself! I just wanted to ask for your advice on my English essays. I usually obtain 17/20's, which I feel is quite a good mark, but I'm constantly told by my teachers that I lack analysis of my examples and in general. Do you have some tips that could work to my advantage?

Happy studying!
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 06:45:19 pm
Hi, congratulations on achieving such exceptional results!! I'm doing four units of English for my HSC and Advanced is particularly the one that was my downfall in Year 11. I think it was because of the lack of time + effort I put into it especially when it has so much content with the three different modules.  My questions are:

1. What was your elective for Extension 1 English? (I'm doing After The Bomb)
2. Did you do countless past papers to practice writing your essays + creatives?
3. Have you posted any of your work online? I would love to read one of your essays or creatives!!

P.S Thank you for taking the time to read and answer our questions, it means a lot!!

1. Mine was Romanticism, but I do know a lot about After The Bomb as my Mum (ily mum) teaches it :)
2. I did. I found every question ever. But I never bought practice papers. There are so many for free online, don't ever pay money for them
3. I will be posting my English work progressively. At the moment I have Legal, Modern and Religion essays up in the 'Notes' section.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: audreyden on February 15, 2017, 06:45:36 pm
Congratulations on doing so well! Whilst reading your brief introduction, I found that many of our subjects and interests with subjects were the same. I just have a few questions for you regarding Advanced English, Studies of Religion and Modern History:

1. How did you find your related text and how did you go about using it in both Discovery and Module A/C in terms of discussing both your related and prescribed text with equal emphasis rather than neglecting the related text?
2. What was your process for source analysis in Modern History?
3. I find it difficult to summarise all my notes for SOR throughout the year into a structured essay or 5 marker question, any tips?
4. How did you find contemporary examples for SOR?
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: rahul.chadha1 on February 15, 2017, 06:47:49 pm
Hey Emily, I was wondering if you tutor year 12 students as well? If yes can I please have your email address so I can contact you! Thankyou.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 06:49:35 pm
Hi Emily, thanks for taking the time to do this!
Just wanted to know how you went about looking for related texts (particularly for Art of Travel and After the Bomb).
Also how did you spread your subjects across your three hours of daily study?

Hey there! I used one of the texts that I loved and studied in prelim, called 'Personal Helicon' by Seamus Heaney. I too did Art of Travel, so I found it worked really well. Your number one resource is your English Teacher, aka The Most Well Read Person On The Planet. Otherwise, you can use the State Library. There is a feature where you can search for texts according to genre, or theme. I'm crazy for organisation like this! I would have definitely used this service during my HSC if I had not found out about it a week ago, when I revisited the website post hsc.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: Deewhatsherfac on February 15, 2017, 06:49:59 pm
Hey should i stay away from related texts that everyone else is picking?how did u go about studying for english?
 What was your related text for discovery?
How did u memorise all your essays?
Should work against my classmates or with them in terms of english advanced and extension 1?
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 06:55:13 pm
1. Do you have any tricks dealing with legal studies as it is a lot of content, and is there anything specific you must remember?
2. What is the best way to tackle short answers and creative writing effectively

;) :D ;D 8) 8) :) Lastly, Well Done  ;) :D ;D 8) 8) :)

1. Keep up to date with your study notes, I repeat KEEP UP TO DATE. Do not leave them until the end of term. You will hate yourself and not have any holidays. Also, keep your eye on the news. There is always new cases that you can integrate into your essays. For example, I talked about the controversy surrounding the juvenile justice system/ centres in my HSC. At the start of the year, I wouldn't have had any idea that this issue existed!

2. Practice short answers LOTS for half yearlies, then you'll never have to touch them again. I worked out how to nail them by half yearlies, so by HSC I was answering them all within 20 mins. Figure out what a question needs, and write no more than it requires. This comes down to knowing your Glossary of Terms well (http://boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/glossary_keywords.html) and handing in practice responses to your teacher. As for creative, I wrote learnt my piece so I could write it out as fast as possible.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: souad on February 15, 2017, 06:56:56 pm
Hellooo!!
Congratulations, your achievement is amazing!
I would really like to know how you liked the Art of Travel, I personally didn't LOVE it, did you enjoy it and what tips do you recommend on writing essays and all work related to it. I'm also doing 1984 Orwell, The Tempest and Christina Rossetti; any tips? Thankyou!
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: audreyxvi on February 15, 2017, 06:57:41 pm
Do you have any tips on how to balance narrative and action when writing a creative?
What did you find were the best studying/revision techniques for you?
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 06:59:38 pm
Hello Emily
I attended your English advanced lecture and it was amazing and really comprehensive, I'm just wondering though, what tips would you have for us English Extension students, particularly for 'After The Bomb.'? How do we structure our EE1 essays? Does the integrated essay structure still work, even with the 2 prescribed, 2 ORT thing. Also, what would you consider the main differences in writing between the EE1 course and the Advanced course?
Thanks so much 🙂

I didn't do After the Bomb, but I can definitely help. So, in my extension essays I would write about one of my prescribed and one ORT in one paragraph. Then I'd do the other two in a new paragraph. I would then swap the texts around, and write another two paragraphs. Extension essays are much longer and much, much more conceptual. Especially in ways of thinking, you are almost exploring how a text adheres to/challenges/explores a given idea/frame of mind. I believe ways of thinking also requires a deep understanding of context as well, as you are basically trying to get into the head of someone living at that time. 
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: cindzw on February 15, 2017, 07:01:24 pm
thanks so much! will definitely look into Heaney, I remember you raving about him at the lecture haha!

Otherwise, you can use the State Library. There is a feature where you can search for texts according to genre, or theme. I'm crazy for organisation like this! I would have definitely used this service during my HSC if I had not found out about it a week ago, when I revisited the website post hsc.

this is a really awesome resource; I've heard State Library was good, but didn't know they were this good! what do you think is the most effective way to make the most of the State Library's space and resources?
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: nfx67 on February 15, 2017, 07:01:56 pm
Hi Emily! Hope you're well.  :)
 
1 - Do you have any tips for when you find yourself stuck on how to expand on an idea? (basically when you have no freaking clue where you're going with it  ???)
2 - How did you feel after the HSC? Was it all the hype it is made out to be?
3 - How was Modern History? Did you find it challenging compared to English/other subjects?

Thank you so much for taking the time for our questions and congratulations on your hard earned, exceptional results!! Good luck with Art/Law, hopefully you'll smash it, too. ;)
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 07:02:44 pm
Hey there :)

I've got two questions for you:
1) Do you have any tips on how to make strong connections between a prescribed text and a related text?

2) And if a question is really vague like, "how does discovery affect a person?" how would you recommend approaching it?

Thank you and congratulations on first :)

1. I would always make thematic connections between my two texts. Eg. how power, authority, identity are portrayed and explored. As such, I would talk about the two texts in the same paragraph.

2. If you were given a question like this, your syllabus really comes in handy. You can structure you essay using its terms. So, you may argue that 'Discovery affects how one perceives themselves and the world around them', or "Discovery has the power to transform an individual, through challenging their values and long held definitions.'
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 07:06:21 pm
Hey Emily!

Just wondering if you have any tips for structuring essays and integrating related texts seamlessly with core texts?

Thanks!!

Hey there! I talked about this in depth at my Head Start Lectures. Examples and explanation can be found right here in my lecture slides  :)
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: josephplucas on February 15, 2017, 07:08:39 pm
Hey, throughout my Advanced prelim I was getting low-medium A's for my assessments. How can I push into that higher mark range? In the exam room my arguments tend to unravel and my sophistication of language starts to erode. Your previously noted "personal voice" is intriguing. What is this exactly? and how did you integrate this into your response?
Thank you :)
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: Huzaifa on February 15, 2017, 07:10:14 pm
I didn't do After the Bomb, but I can definitely help. So, in my extension essays I would write about one of my prescribed and one ORT in one paragraph. Then I'd do the other two in a new paragraph. I would then swap the texts around, and write another two paragraphs. Extension essays are much longer and much, much more conceptual. Especially in ways of thinking, you are almost exploring how a text adheres to/challenges/explores a given idea/frame of mind. I believe ways of thinking also requires a deep understanding of context as well, as you are basically trying to get into the head of someone living at that time.
Ah, thanks so much, that makes perfect sense, your advice is always exceedingly helpful.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 07:11:19 pm
Hello,  :)

1) I was wondering if you have any study tips you use prior to exams. The only study methods for English that I have heard of are memorising essays and writing practice essays.

Also, in what ways do you structure your notes in preparation for exams like AOS and Modules? 

2) What are some strategies you have for approaching the unseen texts section of the AOS paper?  I always find that it takes me a while to find appropriate techniques and think of key ideas/concepts to talk about in my responses. I also find it hard to sustain my responses as I tend to run out of things to talk about.

3) What tips do you have for writing fast without your hand being fatigued so easily?


Thanks so much!!!!!   :D :D :D

1. I wrote lots and lots of practice essays under the 40 min time constraint. I also recorded myself reading the ones that received high marks, read lots of academic papers on my texts and listened to heaps of podcasts. BBC's 'In Our Time' tends to do a really good job of discussing literature. My notes were on palm cards, lists, venn diagrams, flow charts and tables. They included the quote, technique, a short analysis and a link to the syllabus.

2. Use the syllabus to answer the SA. There are no points for originality here. Also, you don't have to be writing heaps for them! A three marker should not be taking you more than half a page

3. Write lots. I did a lot of journalling in my spare time, as well as debating. As such, I had very speedy handwriting. That ache after an exam however, is not something you can avoid!
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: Equilibrium on February 15, 2017, 07:11:56 pm
Hi Emily :) I chose Earth and Environmental Science as well, but it wasn't what I thought it would be. I'm really struggling with the subject and I don't absorb the study notes I've been making for the unit Tectonic Impacts because I can't force myself to like what I'm learning. Do you have any advice?
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 07:14:36 pm
Hi Emily!
I went to your lecture in the holidays and I just want to say thank you - it was really inspiring and insightful to hear about your experience and tips!
I remember how you gave us advice about creative writing and that it's a good idea to write from your own experiences, but I'm really struggling to find something about my life to write about to connect to discovery! Do you have any ideas or examples of this that you'd be willing to share?

Thank you so much! :)

Hey there!

So I was on a bus one day heading into the city, and I was writing a response to an assessment task. The bus stopped to let an old couple on, and as the husband was saying farewell to his elderly wife, their dog slipped its leash, ran into the traffic and got hit. I wrote about this in my half yearly, as I discovered that time stops for no one, no matter how hard you try to force schedules upon it.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: miki293 on February 15, 2017, 07:16:05 pm
Hi!

For the discovery module, what kinds of themes/issues/ideas did you base your argument around? I'm studying Life of Pi and I'm considering using The Catcher in the Rye as a related text. And how would you structure a response if the statement to respond to was something like, "discoveries can offer new understandings and renewed perceptions of ourselves and others"?

Thanks :)
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: sudodds on February 15, 2017, 07:19:00 pm
Hey!

So first of all, at the lecture, you said that you got 75% on your first English assessment task. And all the assessment tasks you do in Year 12 are counted towards your final HSC mark. So in order to get a 100%, I believe that you'll need to achieve a 100% in all the tasks you do. Am I wrong? Secondly, I asked my English Extention 2 teacher if it's possible to get a 100% in English, and she confidently and clearly explained to me that it's in fact very rare for a student to achieve a full mark and if someone did actually get a 100%, she would be aware of it. Tbh, I have to believe her because she's been teaching English Advanced and Extention for more than 25 years.

So my question is, are you being honest about the 100% in English?  :-\

Also, not here to criticise; I'm just passionately curious :') (s/o Einstein)
Hey! I'm not Emily (obviously) but I assume this might be a bit of an awkward question for her to answer so I thought I'd step in briefly to verify (as a separate, neutral entity  8) ) that yes - she defs did get 100%, and it is as incredible as it sounds (literal HSC queen). I've attached a screenshot from my 2016 HSC testmur (that is why the mark is different). The blue rectangles give an indication of the mark distribution across the state, and if you look at 100% you can see a very very very tiny blue line (so tiny that it doesn't even have a border around it) - that's Emily! Your overall HSC mark isn't an average between your internal marks and exam mark. You internal mark just determines your internal rank (and the relative differences between the internal ranks) that is then taken into the exam (confusing right! if you want a better/more thorough explanation of how this works DM me and I'll go through it with you, just because I don't want to clog up Emily's amazing thread here with too much discussion on result technicalities)
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 07:21:07 pm
Hello, I have a few questions :)

1. What would be your top tips for how to do well in Advanced English?
2. How did you memorise your quotes?
3. Do you recommend using other text types, such as a poem or speech, for the creative writing section?
4. What essay prep did you do before your HSC exam?

Thankyou!!

Hey!
My own creative was an amalgam of both letters and diary entries, so I definitely would recommend doing that :) Memorising quotes, I wrote heaps and heaps of practice essays, literally every single question I could find was answered by the time I sat my exams. Top tip: Syllabus! Know it off by heart!
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: jakesilove on February 15, 2017, 07:21:51 pm
Hey!

So first of all, at the lecture, you said that you got 75% on your first English assessment task. And all the assessment tasks you do in Year 12 are counted towards your final HSC mark. So in order to get a 100%, I believe that you'll need to achieve a 100% in all the tasks you do. Am I wrong? Secondly, I asked my English Extention 2 teacher if it's possible to get a 100% in English, and she confidently and clearly explained to me that it's in fact very rare for a student to achieve a full mark and if someone did actually get a 100%, she would be aware of it. Tbh, I have to believe her because she's been teaching English Advanced and Extention for more than 25 years.

So my question is, are you being honest about the 100% in English?  :-\

Also, not here to criticise; I'm just passionately curious :') (s/o Einstein)

She got 100. She's f'ing smart.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 07:23:51 pm
Hey! I'm not Emily (obviously) but as I'd assume this might be a bit of an awkward question for her to answer so I thought I'd step in briefly to verify (as a separate, neutral entity  8) ) that yes - she defs did get 100%, and it is as incredible as it sounds (literal HSC queen). I've attached a screenshot from my 2016 HSC testmur (that is why the mark is different). The blue rectangles give an indication of the mark distribution across the state, and if you look at 100% you can see a very very very tiny blue line (so tiny that it doesn't even have a border around it) - that's Emily! Your overall HSC mark isn't an average between your internal marks and exam mark. You internal mark just determines your rank (and the relative differences between the ranks) that is then taken into the exam (confusing right! if you want a better/more thorough explanation of how this works DM me and I'll go through it with you, just because I don't want to clog up Emily's amazing thread here with too much discussion on result technicalities)

Hey - so just final clarification: My assessment mark was 96, but because I was first in my course at school that automatically became my exam mark, which was 100. I checked with my school as well, who can tell your raw marks through the analysis that's sent to them, and they confirmed my mark was 100  :) :)
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: RuiAce on February 15, 2017, 07:24:39 pm
Hey!

So first of all, at the lecture, you said that you got 75% on your first English assessment task. And all the assessment tasks you do in Year 12 are counted towards your final HSC mark. So in order to get a 100%, I believe that you'll need to achieve a 100% in all the tasks you do. Am I wrong? Secondly, I asked my English Extention 2 teacher if it's possible to get a 100% in English, and she confidently and clearly explained to me that it's in fact very rare for a student to achieve a full mark and if someone did actually get a 100%, she would be aware of it. Tbh, I have to believe her because she's been teaching English Advanced and Extention for more than 25 years.

So my question is, are you being honest about the 100% in English?  :-\


Also, not here to criticise; I'm just passionately curious :') (s/o Einstein)
Um yeah what Jake said. No lie, she got the maximum mark
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: jenjen_wang on February 15, 2017, 07:27:57 pm
Hi bowie!
I've heard some people say that it is better to write your creatives in third person than in first person. Do you think that is true? What voice did you write most of your creatives in? And also what are some specific things that you should include and avoid in your creative if you want maximum marks? I know about the obvious, such as avoiding endings like 'then I woke up and it was all a dream', but I have also heard other people say to avoid anything to do with teenagers as it can make stories sound cliche, and to tell it from the perspective of a child or adult. Is there anything else?
Thank you and congratulations on the awesome result!
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: Rainbowhippocampus on February 15, 2017, 07:28:17 pm
Hi Emily!  Congrats on all your achievements they're amazing!  I think you were the person selling lecture books in the holidays too when i kept coming back after trying and failing to find the ATM machine  :D
I have a couple of questions in regards to a couple of different subjects so here it goes:
1) how do you memorise a text for english so thoroughly that you remember everything that needs to be remembered plus whatever might be handy for the question that pops up?  is there a certain technique to use for different forms of text?  also if I don't like a text or don't understand it at all, what do you advise doing to encourage me to actually do the work I'm supposed to do?
2) What techniques do you advise when reading a novel or play to gain an understanding of it?  do you advise sticky notes, pencil marks, tee tables?
3) How on earth do you come up with ideas for creative writing that are interesting and actually grab the reader/marker?  I've been told mine are too lengthy and get boring after a while.
4) What study methods do you recommend for earth and environmental science?  Were diagrams and charts helpful or should i just stick to dot points with some tables and colours splashed throughout?  Also do past papers for earth really help?
5)  Also just wondering if there are any study tips that you'd advise on for english and earth and environmental science?
6) Also with english and related texts, how do you know if you have a good related text for the text you have?  For instance i have the 'tempest' as my main shakespeare and chose 'As I Grew Older' by Langston Hughes, is this an ideal choice for a shakespearean?  should i have picked a different form of text?
Thanks Emily for everything (sorry for the tonnes of questions)  :D
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 07:28:32 pm
Hi, btw congrats for ur mark and the lecture was very good.
I just have a few questions:
1) How did u manage ur time in both Paper 1 and Paper 2 for each of the three sections because i find it extremely hard to do responses in 40 mins.
2) Just like u, i am doing Richard III for Module A and WB Yeats for Module B. Is there anything i have to consider with those two particular texts since u did those last year and u know a lot about them.
3) What ORTs do u recommend for me to use in Area of Study (Prescribed: Motorcycle Diaries) and Module C (Prescribed: Brave New World). Its very hard to select one.

Paper One time allocation went something like this: 20 mins short answers, 30 mins creative, the rest discovery
Paper Two: Write your hand off and recover over the weekend before your next exams. Do not spend more than 40 mins on any of the essays, they all deserve equal attention

For Yeats and Richard, I would try and relate their central themes to what is happening around us today. Example A: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/09/opinion/sunday/shakespeare-explains-the-2016-election.html?_r=0

Area of study is a tricky one, as I've never studied that text. I also completed people and landscapes, so I'm not much help there either. However, I really do love Goodbye Lennin the film, perhaps look into this for Mod C?
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 07:32:54 pm
Hi Emily! Congratulations on your achievements!

I've heard the advice of 'integrate the stimulus as a motif' and 'write from personal experiences' many times over, but I was wondering what I should do if personal experiences are hard to write about in such a way that it can be interesting in a short story. Revelations rarely happen in life in such a short span of time!

Also, what would you recommend in regards to developing a narrative voice? -- Personally mine is always sarcastic and overly rational (like myself), which doesn't make for a good read especially in emotional creatives...

Thanks!!

Who says sarcasm doesn't make a great creative? And I'm not being sarcastic. I know for a fact that English teachers are the most sarcastic creatures to ever roam the earth. Maybe your voice doesn't sound authentic at the moment because you're trying to hide your actual voice. Perhaps you could write a feature article that degrades the concept of discovery at the beginning, only to come to the conclusion that its not that its futile, its that you haven't experienced it yet. Then, you're working in your actual experience.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 07:36:25 pm
Hey Emily!
I was just wondering if you had a specific formula that you used for short answers (particularly the mini essay!), and any tips for keeping them concise but in depth enough to gain full marks?

Hey there Suzie! I went through this extensively in my Head Start Lectures. You can find these here: http://atarnotes.com/note/atar-notes-english-advanced-head-start-lecture-january-2017/
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 07:37:58 pm
Hey,

1. Should one memorise essays.
2. How did you prepare for the language task in paper 1 of the HSC.
3. How do you think of good creative writing ideas.

Thanks

1. No, understand the themes in a text
2. Practice practice practice
3. Keep a journal, write your thoughts. If you stumble across something interesting, you can explore it through a creative!
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: theteresala on February 15, 2017, 07:39:07 pm
Hey I'm Teresa and I just had a number of questions I would like to ask:
1. How do I keep a flow while writing essays whilst not repeating the same exact things multiple times as I tend to do so under pressure?
2. How do I cope under pressure in exam time periods?
3. Do you recommend to cram all of our studies everyday?
4. How did you prepare all your notes before the hsc?
5. Do u recommend to study by reading or writing?
6. And in general any tips or advice for doing well in Advanced English?

thank you :)
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: Sassy Cassy on February 15, 2017, 07:40:26 pm
Hi congrats on your atar. What would you say would be the best way to maximise your marks and what were your methods to receive such a high mark
Thank you so much
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 07:40:58 pm
Hi,
I was wondering how long it should take me to find related texts / critical studies because I take forever choosing the right ones since I'm so picky!!
Also, is it a good idea to use texts recommended by hsc based websites?? My main concern is if I do the same text as many other people and they'll do better than me with it.

You should find a text that you understand and appreciate. If this happens to be on a HSC website, so be it! As long as you can write about it confidently. Also, you don't want to be spend a majority of your time looking for texts. Instead, you should have your ORT at least two weeks before an assessment task
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 07:42:38 pm
Hello, Im having trouble finding techniques for Feed MT Anderson can you help me??

I don't know that text at all, I'm sorry. Check out our notes available on the notes pages, perhaps there will be a resource of assistance there!
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: oreillya on February 15, 2017, 07:43:02 pm
Hey emily!! I loved your lecture at UTS! I thought it was very insightful!!

1. I am struggling to find a good related text for my AOS. We are doing the motorcycle diaries by che guevara and our teacher recommended a text that shows strong political discovery?

2. How did you study for english? Did you do multiple creatives and then perfect them throughout the year? I have my midcourse exams coming up in a few weeks and it entails a reading paper, essay on motorcycle diaries and creative. Any tips on how to ace it?
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: lvsarose on February 15, 2017, 07:43:46 pm
Hey

1. What are some tips do you have for someone who cannot write 1000 words in 40min?
- I have bad handwriting + speed :(

2. Do you believe in quantity over quality? Can someone get a band 6 with only 3 or 4 paragraphs? (comparative text)

thank you!
and congrats on your high mark!
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 07:46:00 pm
Hey few more questions just popped up in my head!

I have a speech on mod a (1984/metro) and the question has something to do with how they both present similar warnings regarding control. What themes should i use? I am thinking about power and powerless and technological advancements and link them to manipulation. Also just a general thing about mod a, am i meant to link to context for every quote or just most of them.

For mod b im doing yeats and am asking for how do you prepare? I was thinking about writing 1 essay and have 5 paragraphs for the rest of the poems in case they ask for a specific poem

And mod c i am doing art of travel, any suggestions for related?

ty :)

Those sound like fantastic themes!

The best way to find out if these studying techniques work for you is to try them out. I know it seems like theres a lot at stake if they don't work, but its better finding out now than after the HSC. I rewrote my Yeats notes after trials for this reason. So don't be afraid to try, jump in and give it a go. If your marks don't turn out as well as you'd hoped, maybe then you should try another study technique

I studied AoT and used Personal Helicon by Seamus Heaney as my ORT
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: elysepopplewell on February 15, 2017, 07:48:52 pm
What do you think of W B Yeats?
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 07:49:30 pm
Hi, I attended your lecture and it was great!

I had a question about related texts - I want to include a film for my related but have no idea where to start, my teacher hasn't given us any concrete advice. So, how would you approach studying/writing about films as related texts?
Thanks for taking the time to do this (and congrats on your results!)

Hey there!

So you should start by watching the film, and noting where there are links to the syllabus and your prescribed text. Record important quotes and scenes as you go. You may want to watch it twice so you don't miss anything. Then, analyse your quotes including cinematic techniques, like lighting, camera angles and sound. It is very similar to analysing and writing about a novel or poem, except you include techniques that are specific to the medium/form.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: cmadeleine on February 15, 2017, 07:50:17 pm
Hey there!

So I was on a bus one day heading into the city, and I was writing a response to an assessment task. The bus stopped to let an old couple on, and as the husband was saying farewell to his elderly wife, their dog slipped its leash, ran into the traffic and got hit. I wrote about this in my half yearly, as I discovered that time stops for no one, no matter how hard you try to force schedules upon it.

Thank you so much!
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 07:53:11 pm
Hi Emily!!

First of all thank you so much for your lecture, it was really great and informative! (you seem like such a cool chic)
-I'm studying looking for Richard and Richard III for mod A and was wondering the best way to approach it? I'm struggling a little with the number of characters in Richard III.
-Do you recommend knowing a variety of quotes for each value or quotes that can be manipulated to more than one value?
-Also, what did you include on your study palm cards again??

Thanks so much!!  :D :D -Natasha

1. If you're struggling with Richard III, use Looking For Richard to help you! After all, that's the main reason why Pacino made the film - to make Shakespeare more accessible to a modern audience. Focus on the characters they share, if you'd like to narrow the study even more :)
2. You need a variety of quotes, but they can overlap. So, I may have 12 syllabus dotpoints but only 17 quotes in total.
3.I included the dot point on one side of the card with similar terms and ideas. On the other side I would have my quotes and techniques
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: biffi023 on February 15, 2017, 07:56:02 pm
Wow!! thank you  :)
- I am doing Advanced English (Looking for Richard and Richard III) and I am HIGHLY confused! What are the links? What concepts/questions will be asked? What is Looking For Richard trying to prove? How do you analyse and compare these texts? Most comparative studies in the past have been linked by themes/ conflicts that are similar between the two... these two are confusing me! I think I am probably taking too literal an approach to them, but any help or explanation would be great!!
- What is your number 1 tip about (realistic!) time management and organisation in Year 12??
- Tips on studying in general?! How do you beat 'writer's block' and just get your head in the right frame of mind to write and concentrate for example!?
- How do you balance catch-up/homework with formal assessments?
Thank you so much!... and again, congrats on your marks!
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 07:56:23 pm
- What did you do if you ever found yourself struggling with motivation?
- I sometimes struggle summarising notes, so how did you identify - especially in modern history - what was most important? As i found myself copying down most of the information in the textbook.
- How would you recommend best summarising notes for English?

Thanks :)

1. I would sleep. Usually if I was unmotivated, it was because I was tired. You really need to be getting your eight hours each night, otherwise the HSC becomes unbearable
2. This is why it is helpful just to make dot points, rather than full paragraphs in Modern History. I would also use quotes that could explain/highlight a quote better than I ever could. If I could say the same thing, then there was no point in quoting a historian. I also wasn't one to remember quotes that were more than a sentence. In saying this though, my Modern notes were the most extensive of all my subjects.
3. My english notes were just the quotes, the syllabus and techniques, along with themed paragraphs
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: Aikjot on February 15, 2017, 07:56:31 pm
HEYYY!!!!
1.Did you ever memorise an essay or just know the key points of a text.
2. How often are you supposed to link back to the given question and when?
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 07:57:34 pm
What do you think of W B Yeats?

I feel like Maude. He is still stalking me
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: Harry Ly on February 15, 2017, 07:58:24 pm
Hi! I found your lecture really informative!
How much context do you think we need for our comparative module?
What context should be used?
Any tips for 1984/Metropolis elective?
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 08:00:08 pm
Hey there!! :)
I was wondering if you had any suggestions on related texts for discovery... specifically poems and films?

Thankyou!!!

Poems: Anything by Heaney. Also Barn Owl by Gwen Harwood
Films: Goodbye Lennin
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 08:02:51 pm
Hi Emily!

Huge congratulayions on your HSC marks, you should be so proud of yourself! I just wanted to ask for your advice on my English essays. I usually obtain 17/20's, which I feel is quite a good mark, but I'm constantly told by my teachers that I lack analysis of my examples and in general. Do you have some tips that could work to my advantage?

Happy studying!

Make sure you are always including the purpose of the author and their intended effect on the audience. Also, make sure you are analysing the quotes in the terms of your thesis and thus the question. For Module B, also make sure your quotes cover conceptual focuses, contextual influence and how these ideas apply today. These don't have to be present in every single quote, but should be integrated throughout your essays. Remember: the closer you get to twenty, the harder it is to gain extra marks!
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: cxmplete on February 15, 2017, 08:03:19 pm
Hi!
I'm not sure if this counts as a question, but would it be alright with you if you posted a sample of your notes for AOS (kind of struggling with the layout of my notes)?
Also, would you recommend including context in an AOS essay?
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 08:07:38 pm
Congratulations on doing so well! Whilst reading your brief introduction, I found that many of our subjects and interests with subjects were the same. I just have a few questions for you regarding Advanced English, Studies of Religion and Modern History:

1. How did you find your related text and how did you go about using it in both Discovery and Module A/C in terms of discussing both your related and prescribed text with equal emphasis rather than neglecting the related text?
2. What was your process for source analysis in Modern History?
3. I find it difficult to summarise all my notes for SOR throughout the year into a structured essay or 5 marker question, any tips?
4. How did you find contemporary examples for SOR?

Hey there,

1. So my related text was one that I studied in prelim. I made sure I talked about it equally through using integrated essays. My advice on how to write these can be found here: http://atarnotes.com/note/atar-notes-english-advanced-head-start-lecture-january-2017/

2.Usefulness, Perspective, Reliability, Usefulness. I wrote my short answers in this order.

3. I would always write a Dynamic, Living Religion essay, which covers all parts of what you can be asked for your depth study. The basis of this, and the core components, should have been covered in the prelim course. For the five marker, I just had a good set of study notes. I then learnt these over the year through completing practice papers.

4. This is so weird, I was asked this question before and I've never heard about these contemporary examples. Elyse, if you see this, maybe you can clarify?

Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 08:09:33 pm
Hey Emily, I was wondering if you tutor year 12 students as well? If yes can I please have your email address so I can contact you! Thankyou.

Hey there,
I was advertising for tutoring until a few days ago. I'm all full now, unfortunately :/
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 08:11:17 pm
Hey should i stay away from related texts that everyone else is picking?how did u go about studying for english?
 What was your related text for discovery?
How did u memorise all your essays?
Should work against my classmates or with them in terms of english advanced and extension 1?

I didn't memorise my essays, and you should work with your classmates rather than against them. If you all do really well, your marks will be boosted in the HSC. My ORT was Personal Helicon by Seamus Heaney
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 08:14:40 pm
Hellooo!!
Congratulations, your achievement is amazing!
I would really like to know how you liked the Art of Travel, I personally didn't LOVE it, did you enjoy it and what tips do you recommend on writing essays and all work related to it. I'm also doing 1984 Orwell, The Tempest and Christina Rossetti; any tips? Thankyou!

I loved reading the book but HATED studying it. I stuck very close to the syllabus for this study, as it was otherwise very easy to be distracted from the idea of representation amongst De Botton's philosophical inquiry.

Unfortunately, I didn't study those other texts, but for 1984/Met I would especially advise to steer clear of recounting context in your essays. This is a really easy thing to do because Weimar Germany is so damn interesting, but ultimately will only subtract marks from your response.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 08:16:48 pm
Do you have any tips on how to balance narrative and action when writing a creative?
What did you find were the best studying/revision techniques for you?

Maybe switch to first person. As you're writing if you're in someones head, its much easier to delve into character in this style. If you're having the opposite problem, switch to third person  ;D

As for studying, I wrote lots and lots of practice essays under the 40 min time constraint. I also recorded myself reading the ones that received high marks, read lots of academic papers on my texts and listened to heaps of podcasts. BBC's 'In Our Time' tends to do a really good job of discussing literature. My notes were on palm cards, lists, venn diagrams, flow charts and tables. They included the quote, technique, a short analysis and a link to the syllabus.

Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 08:19:09 pm
thanks so much! will definitely into Heaney, I remember you raving about him at the lecture haha!

this is a really awesome resource; I've heard State Library was good, but didn't know they were this good! what do you think is the most effective way to make the most of the State Library's space and resources?

First: Get yourself a library card. This way you can access most of the database online! For in-print, you'll have to head into the city. However, I found this to be a really fantastic study environment! So quiet and scholarly, you can't help but do your work  :)
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: mishfillet on February 15, 2017, 08:19:27 pm
Hi Emily! Congratulations on your marks!
Just wondering if you have any tips on how to study for modern history essays and how did you set out your study notes?
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: Luke799 on February 15, 2017, 08:21:36 pm
Hi Emily,
1. How would I integrate context with themes and techniques in a Module A essay? Especially contexts such as modernism or expressionism
2. How many techniques, examples or quotes would you suggest to add to your essays?
3. Top 3 favourite authors?

Thanks Heaps
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 08:28:10 pm
Hi Emily! Hope you're well.  :)
 
1 - Do you have any tips for when you find yourself stuck on how to expand on an idea? (basically when you have no freaking clue where you're going with it  ???)
2 - How did you feel after the HSC? Was it all the hype it is made out to be?
3 - How was Modern History? Did you find it challenging compared to English/other subjects?

Thank you so much for taking the time for our questions and congratulations on your hard earned, exceptional results!! Good luck with Art/Law, hopefully you'll smash it, too. ;)

Yellow!!!! You're the best.

1. Best advice: scrap the idea. It may be because you don't have your head around it entirely yet. Sometimes, leaving it for a few days can work as well. You may cover extra content in class that will help you better understand it, or you may simply find a better way of articulating it. Read what other people have written about the idea as well, perhaps you can gain some inspiration from them too!

2. After the HSC, I had a really nice cup of tea. I then proceeded to watch all of Death Note and FMA, followed by a two week beach vacation with the wonderful Aidan. I also read (and am still reading!) lots of books and catching up on Veep. Even before I found out my results, it was such a relief to leave schedule for a little bit. In saying that, I'm looking forward to Uni! I'm ready to use my brain again! In summary, the HSC is very important, and you'll kick yourself when you can't remember that quote you swear you studied yesterday. So study whilst you can to avoid regret when its all over. As I said, even before I knew my results I didn't regret a thing about my HSC year :)

3. Modern was an absolute SLOG. I loved it, but I also spent a majority on my time on it. Fight me everyone else (except Chemistry, that stuff is ridiculous), but I found it to be the most content heavy subject in the HSC. But it also was the most informative. Much of how I see and understand the world now was influenced by my Modern study. I have continued to look into the topics even after my HSC!
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: Raquelmartin990 on February 15, 2017, 08:28:56 pm
Hi, I've got an Advance English assesment essay coming up, Yeats poetry. And wanted to know which poem you think would go well with "Leda and the Swan". The Wilde Swans at Coole or The Second Coming? Thanks heaps.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 08:32:37 pm
Hey, throughout my Advanced prelim I was getting low-medium A's for my assessments. How can I push into that higher mark range? In the exam room my arguments tend to unravel and my sophistication of language starts to erode. Your previously noted "personal voice" is intriguing. What is this exactly? and how did you integrate this into your response?
Thank you :)

Personal voice is showing your own understanding of the text through your voice. When you read it, it feels like you (yes you!) are actually speaking to the Marker. They eat this up. The best way to develop this, and boost your English marks, is to practice, practice, practice! This could range from writing diary entries about what you think of your texts, to practice essays, to debates with your class mates. Figure out a way to best explain and argue your opinion on your prescribed texts.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: angelapg on February 15, 2017, 08:33:28 pm
Hi Emily!  :)

Congratulations on your extraordinary mark for not only english but hsc overall! I read over some of your replies to other people and I'm kind of struggling with Romanticism for extension now. I've read through quite a few essays from the bostes published books and it always says something about not letting your related text limit your analysis and I'm finding it really hard to find a solid related text that could satisfy that point and that also differs in regards to medium to the prescribed text (shelley's novel, coleridge's poems and campion's film). Most of the related texts that i find are usually more focused on one type of issue - or theme. E.g. Rousseau focuses on childhood, etc and I find that it really limits my ability to analyse it to the depth that I believe is sufficient enough. Do you have any recommendations?

I feel like I'm hitting a bit of a bottom right now with english because I'm getting pretty disappointed with my marks that have dropped pretty dramatically. I always write up draft essays to receive feedback on from the teacher and my tutor and I get back the results with comments like "first class response", with about 14 ticks in the A range and one tick in B range that drops my essay from 100% to a 70%. I understand there's always some exams that people screw up on but it's been a constant streak of low's and my motivation level has really dropped. i'd really appreciate the advice, thank you!  :D
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 08:36:24 pm
Hi Emily :) I chose Earth and Environmental Science as well, but it wasn't what I thought it would be. I'm really struggling with the subject and I don't absorb the study notes I've been making for the unit Tectonic Impacts because I can't force myself to like what I'm learning. Do you have any advice?

Hey there,

Oh, I'm so sorry that you're not enjoying Earth! If its any consolation, tectonic impacts really is the driest part of the syllabus. The way I made it interesting for myself was by finding relevant, contemporary examples of all the different plates/natural disasters. I also drew a lot of diagrams (Thanks Mr Lans!), which made it much easier for me to remember the ins and outs of Tectonic Impacts.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 08:38:44 pm
Hi!

For the discovery module, what kinds of themes/issues/ideas did you base your argument around? I'm studying Life of Pi and I'm considering using The Catcher in the Rye as a related text. And how would you structure a response if the statement to respond to was something like, "discoveries can offer new understandings and renewed perceptions of ourselves and others"?

Thanks :)

Hi! I liked to order my discovery essays as a 'process', which follows the experience of discovery from start to finish. The details of such can be found here http://atarnotes.com/note/atar-notes-english-advanced-head-start-lecture-january-2017/

No matter what the question, I found that I was able to use this structure in my discovery essays.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: elysepopplewell on February 15, 2017, 08:43:34 pm

4. How did you find contemporary examples for SOR?

Hey Audrey, for which section of the syllabus are you looking for these contemporary examples? Is it about contemporary examples of ethical application?
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 08:45:54 pm
Hi bowie!
I've heard some people say that it is better to write your creatives in third person than in first person. Do you think that is true? What voice did you write most of your creatives in? And also what are some specific things that you should include and avoid in your creative if you want maximum marks? I know about the obvious, such as avoiding endings like 'then I woke up and it was all a dream', but I have also heard other people say to avoid anything to do with teenagers as it can make stories sound cliche, and to tell it from the perspective of a child or adult. Is there anything else?
Thank you and congratulations on the awesome result!

Hey there!

I wrote my creatives in the first person, because I naturally write in a stream of conscience. So, in saying this, write in a style that's best for you. I don't think either of these have an advantage over the other - it's all about what writing style best conveys ideas on discovery for you

I would avoid anything that's overly plot driven. I would also avoid the fantasy genre. This is as you generally don't have enough time to write in these styles in the HSC - there's no room for epics, and your creative doesn't get a sequel. Instead, I would write something based on character. This also applies to more of the syllabus dot points regarding discovery, and thus, is more likely to appeal to a broader array of questions.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: kneehaha on February 15, 2017, 08:46:17 pm
Hey!
I struggle with creative writing as everything i hand in turns out to be either cliché or involves concepts which the markers do not recommend which results me to lose a few marks. I had handed in a creative last term and lost 7 marks because the ending of the creative had the concept of 'suicide' so, I was wondering if you have any advice as to how i can improve this without having to change the whole creative.

Thank you! Xx
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: ca052267 on February 15, 2017, 08:50:05 pm
Hi,
I am completing my HSC this year, and I would like some help with Advanced English.
My results in my english assessments so far are as follows:
Task 1 - 10.5 / 15
Task 2 - 19/20

Last year I was achieving fluctuations in my results, varying between 10 and 12.5 out of 15. I really want to improve, but am struggling to maintain consistently great marks.

What can I do?

I would also like to know what texts you studied for your AOS, as well as each module, and your tips for successful text analysis and essay writing.


Thank you soo much, and congratulations on your results.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: d3athpwn96 on February 15, 2017, 08:53:42 pm
Hey Emily, hope you are well.

1. What made your AOS paper stand out from the crowd? Was it your writing style or interpretation of the text? I know my content for my AOS however I feel that something is missing from my paper that is going to wow the markers.

2.  Would you be able to do online tutoring or essay marking via email? I would be really interested as my school has a one policy rule where I can't submit an essay more than once for feedback

Thank you very much for doing this!

Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: olivia.brennan on February 15, 2017, 08:54:11 pm
Hi, do you have any tips for the reading task like, three paragraphs for 3mk questions?
How many creatives did you write? if so did you prepare them to genre such as dystopia.
How did you practise for the creative?
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: siennamatterson on February 15, 2017, 08:56:13 pm
Hi! How you going?
I was wondering if you had any story plot ideas for my advanced English creative writing piece that has the stimulus of "everyone desires power. How a person uses it reveals their true character".
Cheers I would really appreciate your feedback :))
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 08:59:11 pm
Hi Emily!  Congrats on all your achievements they're amazing!  I think you were the person selling lecture books in the holidays too when i kept coming back after trying and failing to find the ATM machine  :D
I have a couple of questions in regards to a couple of different subjects so here it goes:
1) how do you memorise a text for english so thoroughly that you remember everything that needs to be remembered plus whatever might be handy for the question that pops up?  is there a certain technique to use for different forms of text?  also if I don't like a text or don't understand it at all, what do you advise doing to encourage me to actually do the work I'm supposed to do?
2) What techniques do you advise when reading a novel or play to gain an understanding of it?  do you advise sticky notes, pencil marks, tee tables?
3) How on earth do you come up with ideas for creative writing that are interesting and actually grab the reader/marker?  I've been told mine are too lengthy and get boring after a while.
4) What study methods do you recommend for earth and environmental science?  Were diagrams and charts helpful or should i just stick to dot points with some tables and colours splashed throughout?  Also do past papers for earth really help?
5)  Also just wondering if there are any study tips that you'd advise on for english and earth and environmental science?
6) Also with english and related texts, how do you know if you have a good related text for the text you have?  For instance i have the 'tempest' as my main shakespeare and chose 'As I Grew Older' by Langston Hughes, is this an ideal choice for a shakespearean?  should i have picked a different form of text?
Thanks Emily for everything (sorry for the tonnes of questions)  :D

1.I only remembered 15 - 20 quotes per text, so in no way did I know my texts off by heart. However, I made sure these quotes could be adapted to a multitude of themes and questions. The way I did this would be by linking them up with the rubric. After all, they can only ask questions that are based on the rubric.

2. I got into the habit of jotting down all my quotes in a google doc as I was reading the text. I would then align the best ones with the rubric and cull all of the rest.

3. Because I was an extension student, I used my creative for Romanticism in discovery. I came up with the idea because I was extremely intrigued by German romanticism, so I did some background reading on Wagner and wrote my first character based on him. My creative changed sooooo many times, and I adapted it so my own voice and experience was clear. So my advice is explore something you're interested in through your creative!

4+5 (as they are similar): I based most of my Earth study on diagrams, and even used them in English too! For both a completed past papers religiously, especially for Earth, as questions tend to repeat themselves alot

6. The best way to tell is by handing in practice essays including your related text, for your teacher to mark. This means you have to be organised so you can get feedback on your work before the assessment period!
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 09:09:08 pm
Hey I'm Teresa and I just had a number of questions I would like to ask:
1. How do I keep a flow while writing essays whilst not repeating the same exact things multiple times as I tend to do so under pressure?
2. How do I cope under pressure in exam time periods?
3. Do you recommend to cram all of our studies everyday?
4. How did you prepare all your notes before the hsc?
5. Do u recommend to study by reading or writing?
6. And in general any tips or advice for doing well in Advanced English?

thank you :)

Hi Teresa,

The best way to gain control over your essay writing in an exam is to write practice essays at home, under the 40 min time constraint. Then, read them back to yourself. What sentences are too long? Where have you repeated yourself? Are your ideas clear? Once you identify these problem areas, write the sentence/section of your essay out again without the pressure of time. Next time you write a practice essay, you will tend to make less of these mistakes.

Make sure you're getting eight hours of sleep and still exercising. After many of my exams, I would head straight to the gym or go for a long walk to make sure I would sleep easily that night. There's nothing worse than stressing about the exam you just did all night when you have another one coming up the next day. 

I only did 3 hrs per night, and anywhere between 4 -10 hrs over the weekend.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 09:10:39 pm
Hi congrats on your atar. What would you say would be the best way to maximise your marks and what were your methods to receive such a high mark
Thank you so much

Be opinionated. Be confident in your argument. Building this confidence, through lots of practice and study, earnt me the marks
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 09:13:05 pm
Hey emily!! I loved your lecture at UTS! I thought it was very insightful!!

1. I am struggling to find a good related text for my AOS. We are doing the motorcycle diaries by che guevara and our teacher recommended a text that shows strong political discovery?

2. How did you study for english? Did you do multiple creatives and then perfect them throughout the year? I have my midcourse exams coming up in a few weeks and it entails a reading paper, essay on motorcycle diaries and creative. Any tips on how to ace it?

Hi!

Yes, this would be a good idea. That way, you can also use it for Module C if you're doing People and Politics.

I did have a different creative in my mid years. For my trials and hsc, I scrapped this one and used my extension creative instead, as I liked writing about it a lot better. Here is what I've written previously in terms of study techniques and half yearly exams:

 Practice short answers LOTS for half yearlies, then you'll never have to touch them again. I worked out how to nail them by half yearlies, so by HSC I was answering them all within 20 mins. Figure out what a question needs, and write no more than it requires. This comes down to knowing your Glossary of Terms well (http://boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/glossary_keywords.html) and handing in practice responses to your teacher. As for creative, I wrote learnt my piece so I could write it out as fast as possible.

 I wrote lots and lots of practice essays under the 40 min time constraint. I also recorded myself reading the ones that received high marks, read lots of academic papers on my texts and listened to heaps of podcasts. BBC's 'In Our Time' tends to do a really good job of discussing literature. My notes were on palm cards, lists, venn diagrams, flow charts and tables. They included the quote, technique, a short analysis and a link to the syllabus.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: Adammurad on February 15, 2017, 09:14:03 pm
I need a bit of help I got a oral presentation/seminar that's due a bit later in the month. I got the quote of my choice which was "An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind" by Gandhi and I need to find two texts that relate to the core idea of this quote and compare them. Any suggestions of texts?
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: cashjake on February 15, 2017, 09:15:24 pm
Hii!! Great to have you :)

How would you recommend someone who has just began Year 11 to write notes and study? I've heard some high ATAR students use loose leaf paper and individual binders per subject, what did you do?


Thanks ;)
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 09:15:39 pm
Hey

1. What are some tips do you have for someone who cannot write 1000 words in 40min?
- I have bad handwriting + speed :(

2. Do you believe in quantity over quality? Can someone get a band 6 with only 3 or 4 paragraphs? (comparative text)

thank you!
and congrats on your high mark!

I would recommend building your vocab. This way, you can still cover a lot of content analysis in a small amount of words. Aim for accuracy. However, you should still seek to improve your writing speed. I did this through writing in a journal at night, whilst also completing practice exam after practice exam.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 09:23:14 pm
Wow!! thank you  :)
- I am doing Advanced English (Looking for Richard and Richard III) and I am HIGHLY confused! What are the links? What concepts/questions will be asked? What is Looking For Richard trying to prove? How do you analyse and compare these texts? Most comparative studies in the past have been linked by themes/ conflicts that are similar between the two... these two are confusing me! I think I am probably taking too literal an approach to them, but any help or explanation would be great!!
- What is your number 1 tip about (realistic!) time management and organisation in Year 12??
- Tips on studying in general?! How do you beat 'writer's block' and just get your head in the right frame of mind to write and concentrate for example!?
- How do you balance catch-up/homework with formal assessments?
Thank you so much!... and again, congrats on your marks!

I liked to talk about power, authority and the value of language when writing for this comparative study. The foundational link is the parent text, that is, Richard III. So, when comparing it to Looking, you are essentially justifying why it has been changed. So, if power is shown one way in the original, why is it shown in another in Pacino's text? These are the types of questions you're exploring in your essays.

My tip top tip is to sleep. Staying up until 1 am every night is not going to work. I would go to bed around 10- 10:30 each night, and ensure I got 8 hrs sleep. However, I would also mark on a calendar when your main assessments are. This way, you can work steadily up until this point on your tasks/study notes. Otherwise, you'll be doing everything the night before - not good for your marks OR your mental health.

I used to make sure that I was completing my study notes when my assignments were due. So, I would spend an hour and a half on notes and an hour and a half on a given assessment. This was mainly to avoid over writing.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 09:25:56 pm
HEYYY!!!!
1.Did you ever memorise an essay or just know the key points of a text.
2. How often are you supposed to link back to the given question and when?

HEEYYYYY

1. No. I knew the arguments of themed paragraphs
2. Thesis, First sentence of paragraph, at least once throughout your analysis, end of the paragraph, conclusion. As I have said, the question is the be all and end all of your response
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 09:27:52 pm
Hi! I found your lecture really informative!
How much context do you think we need for our comparative module?
What context should be used?
Any tips for 1984/Metropolis elective?

You need a really great basis for this Module. So for Metropolis, a strong knowledge of Weimar Germany and for 1984, the types of Government Orwell was writing amongst and his own experience with totalitarian regimes
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 09:29:52 pm
Hi!
I'm not sure if this counts as a question, but would it be alright with you if you posted a sample of your notes for AOS (kind of struggling with the layout of my notes)?
Also, would you recommend including context in an AOS essay?

Hey there! An example of my notes can be found in these slides: http://atarnotes.com/note/atar-notes-english-advanced-head-start-lecture-january-2017/

Context can be included, and would strengthen your essay. Maybe mention it once in each paragraph.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 09:31:54 pm
Hi Emily! Congratulations on your marks!
Just wondering if you have any tips on how to study for modern history essays and how did you set out your study notes?

Hey there,

So I'm pretty sure that I wrote more modern essays than english ones. This is the main way I learnt all of the dates and stats associated with modern. As for setting out study notes, I made timelines and also organised my notes under the syllabus dot points. They were separated into stats/facts and supporting quotations.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bananna on February 15, 2017, 09:32:35 pm
Hey!
Just wondering if the style of your advanced creative was different to your extension english creative.
How would you recommend starting an extension english creative? Would there be more contextual research required...ALSO i heard of some years HSC asking ext 1 students to incorporate a character/setting of a text they have studied, how would you go about this?

thanks!
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 09:36:27 pm
Hi Emily,
1. How would I integrate context with themes and techniques in a Module A essay? Especially contexts such as modernism or expressionism
2. How many techniques, examples or quotes would you suggest to add to your essays?
3. Top 3 favourite authors?

Thanks Heaps

3 first because I like this question: I would have to say Drusilla Modjeska, Vonnegut annnnnndddd Heaney. I mean, Heaney is a poet. But he's so damn brilliant that he has to be included in this list.

You want to integrate context through key words and phrases. It basically becomes the effect on the audience. So, a quote may look like this:
"Quote" employs chiascuro to embolden the close up shot, mimicking the contextual exploration of individualism and duality in Weimar Germany, and indeed, Modernism itself.

Don't ever explain contextual scenarios, such as hyperinflation in Weimar. By simply using the term, your marker will know what you're talking about
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 09:38:22 pm
Hi, I've got an Advance English assesment essay coming up, Yeats poetry. And wanted to know which poem you think would go well with "Leda and the Swan". The Wilde Swans at Coole or The Second Coming? Thanks heaps.

Either would go well! If you were using Wild Swans, you could contrast how Yeats oeuvre shifted from Romanticism to modernism, and how is texts became less personal and more so about the world around him. With SC, you could write more so about political turmoil and the struggling Irish identity.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: Bubbly_bluey on February 15, 2017, 09:40:01 pm
Hi Emily just general questions about studying:
1) on most days how hours do you sleep and have you ever pulled all nighters? I'm the type of person who focuses when i have my sleep 8-9 hours. But i heard people sacrificing their sleep and in the end doing really well in the hsc.
2) I dont know where to start when studying for legal. Just starting to write my notes but its so content heavy. any tips?
thank you :)  :D
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: HayleyTighe on February 15, 2017, 09:44:42 pm
Hi I was just wondering what you found to be the best way to make notes and learn quotes for English texts because I struggle with this!
Thanks !
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 15, 2017, 09:44:50 pm
Hi Emily!  :)

Congratulations on your extraordinary mark for not only english but hsc overall! I read over some of your replies to other people and I'm kind of struggling with Romanticism for extension now. I've read through quite a few essays from the bostes published books and it always says something about not letting your related text limit your analysis and I'm finding it really hard to find a solid related text that could satisfy that point and that also differs in regards to medium to the prescribed text (shelley's novel, coleridge's poems and campion's film). Most of the related texts that i find are usually more focused on one type of issue - or theme. E.g. Rousseau focuses on childhood, etc and I find that it really limits my ability to analyse it to the depth that I believe is sufficient enough. Do you have any recommendations?

I feel like I'm hitting a bit of a bottom right now with english because I'm getting pretty disappointed with my marks that have dropped pretty dramatically. I always write up draft essays to receive feedback on from the teacher and my tutor and I get back the results with comments like "first class response", with about 14 ticks in the A range and one tick in B range that drops my essay from 100% to a 70%. I understand there's always some exams that people screw up on but it's been a constant streak of low's and my motivation level has really dropped. i'd really appreciate the advice, thank you!  :D

Thank you!

I used lots of John Keats' poems as ORTs throughout my study, but this would be difficult seeing as you're doing Campion. Perhaps you could do an artwork? I also did On the Ignorance of the Learned by Hazlitt, and although it seems narrow (as you were saying), it stands for the Romantic tenets provided to you in the syllabus. These are the best way to clarify whether your ORT is suitable or not.

Firstly, don't worry. You've never done this before, so it's natural that your marks aren't going to be spectacular straight away. My first assessment for English was around 75%. It inspired me to work harder and move away from my comfort zone - this meant writing essays in exam conditions at home. The only way you can improve in exams is through practice, and you can't leave such practice until you're actually sitting in the exam room. You're going to be okay, and you have potential! Just focus on where you need to improve, and you'll soon see an increase in your marks.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: WeeniePotatoes on February 15, 2017, 09:48:52 pm
Hello, I was just wondering on how to analyse insightfully. I think I am doing this in my work but everyone has told me that I need to work on it much more. I have a few more questions to do with english:
- What is analysis?
- How to annotate your text effectively while reading (if it is a novel)
- How to develop the way you think about things in English
- How do you know when you have reached good analysis (even if you have seen many teachers and they say it is god, how do you accept good work?)
- What is a good way to develop a thesis and ideas on a text?
- Why is English a good subject for you?
What is your process of thought when analysing?

(Sorry if there is alot of grammar/ syntax problems, I wrote this in a rush and I am not that good at english )
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: mercurial on February 15, 2017, 09:57:52 pm
Hi Emily. Congratulations on the brilliant marks. I have a few questions, some specific and others general
1) How do I best approach a comparative essay
2) What are your best tips for analysing texts insightfully, specifically novels
3) How do I maximise marks for my Modern History essays
4) How would you organise notes for Modern History
5) How many hours would you study a day
Cheers
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: Tnguyen18 on February 15, 2017, 10:00:03 pm
Hi Emily,
1. How did you write notes and study for legal studies ?
2. What has been your favourite book to read? Any recommendations?
Thank you!
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: tabithalethlean on February 15, 2017, 10:25:43 pm
Hi Emily!

I have some more study based questions
1) with the 3 hours study per night which I know is also the bostes recommended amount, did this include homework and working on assessments? because there doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day?
2)I have trouble sticking to a set timetable, I'm still moderately productive but it's sometimes inconsistent and less structured, any advice?
3)For the short answer section I always have trouble in the last question that is usually worth 5 marks, it could be that it is usually the most rushed, I find I do really well in all the others as all I have to do is find the techniques, analyse and link but the same doesn't always get me the marks for the last question, any advice?

Thank you so much for your help, wish I could have been to the lecture!
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: Lollzza on February 15, 2017, 10:28:06 pm
First of all, you are now my new idol. For both the marks and the bingeing of FMA and Death note.

I'm starting Year 11 English Advanced and I'm also taking Preliminary Extension English. My question is, should I write solely integrated essays for Extension? For advanced I heard it's alright to keep with the standard text by text format, but I want to push myself as far as I can. So would it be beneficial to start trying integration early on, and taking my chances in assessments now rather than my HSC?
Also, with related texts, do they have to be 'academically credible' or simply sound sophisticated? There's poetry I really want to use but because the author isn't famous/it's translated from another language I'm not sure how the markers would react to that?

Thank you so much for answering all of these I honestly think you're amazing.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: brenden on February 15, 2017, 10:37:57 pm
Emily's gone to bed all - she'll be answering more tomorrow!
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: sarahkhan on February 15, 2017, 10:52:38 pm
Hi, congratulations first of all!!

My first question, what format was your related text for AOS, was it a short story, novel?? Also do u suggest a short story is a good related text to use

Secondly, throughout year 12, did you get 100% in every internal assessment to get a 100 overall HSC mark?

Lastly, for legal studies, did u type or write your notes, and approximately how many pages of notes did u have  for each topic

Thank you!!




Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: georgiaou on February 15, 2017, 11:22:23 pm
Hi Emily,

Firstly, congratulations on your amazing achievements!

I was just wondering whether you used literary theorists/perspectives/critics to aid your essays at all?

Thank you :D
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: jessdang1708 on February 15, 2017, 11:33:36 pm
Hi, just wondering do you have any good related text suggestions? preferably  short text or tips on picking short text
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: efsane on February 15, 2017, 11:34:06 pm
hello :) congratulations on your achievement!
i just wanted to know if you memorised your creative writing piece and how did you come up with an idea? i cant seem to come up with a good enough creative writing.
Also, what can i do in my prelim year to assure success in my hsc year for english? i dont feel confident in my class as theres so may students who are so talented in writing creative pieces.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: joshuabonello on February 15, 2017, 11:52:54 pm
Hi and I wish you a big Congratulations!!!

I have a few questions:

1) What is the best way to write English study notes (Especially for AOS)

2) How do you think of ideas for creative writing and what was your game plan for the exams (in regard to the stimuli)

3) If I am ranked around 50/180, how do you think I can push myself up into the top 20?

4) If I am doing 'Life of Pi' by Ang Lee for my set Area of Study text, what would be a good related text?

5) How do you structure a Band 6 essay and short answer

Thanks,
Josh :)
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: miss_demeanour on February 16, 2017, 12:33:16 am
Hi Emily,
I am in complete awe of you and your talents!
I just have a couple of questions:

Do you have any tips for succeeding in History Extension?
How do you organise your time upon receiving assessment notifications?

Thank you!
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: jim18 on February 16, 2017, 01:11:37 am
Hi Emily! Congrats on your results and achievements, well deserved! I just want to ask you a couple of questions:
1. Can I still get a high band 6 in English adv if I get 75% in my first assessment worth 15%.
2. What marks do I need to state rank in a subject eg English, bio etc
3. How do I adapt my essay to the question thoughtfully. And are you able to read drafts of essay via email.?? If not that's fine.
P.S. I am studying Heaney and Joyce for module A and was wondering if you know or have any good resources to help me out and relate it to Irish identity, politics, culture during 20th century.
Thanks
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: jamonwindeyer on February 16, 2017, 01:23:01 am
This is just a marker for Emily to use as a reference when she jumps back into answering questions! Hope everyone who has had their question answered so far has benefitted from the Emily's answer! Particularly to the many new posters, welcome! :)

This "ask a question get an answer from a super successful student virtually immediately" thing is NOT unique to this thread - It's just the standard here on the forums (having a queue for questions like this is rare and just shows how AMAZING Emily is, so happy to see so many people benefitting!). So everyone who has posted for the first time here, I encourage you to check out what else is around the site!! This might be the best place to start!
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 16, 2017, 07:44:52 am
Hey!
I struggle with creative writing as everything i hand in turns out to be either cliché or involves concepts which the markers do not recommend which results me to lose a few marks. I had handed in a creative last term and lost 7 marks because the ending of the creative had the concept of 'suicide' so, I was wondering if you have any advice as to how i can improve this without having to change the whole creative.

Thank you! Xx

Hey there,
So there are generally a few topics I would steer clear of when writing your creative. This is mainly because it isn't the right audience nor space to write about them authentically. Suicide is one of them. Also, many people find it hard to write using their own ideas, and so fall back on typical story archs or 'cliches'. The best way to avoid this when writing your piece is to ask yourself 'have I heard this before?' or 'Is it obvious where this story is going?'. If so, then you should look at the inspiration for your story. Is it something you have experienced? Does is show insight into the dot points, or is it just repeating them without expanding. Sometimes you will have to start all over again with your creative - I did after my half yearly! It's not a bad thing, especially if it means you pick up those seven marks because of it
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 16, 2017, 07:48:30 am
Hi,
I am completing my HSC this year, and I would like some help with Advanced English.
My results in my english assessments so far are as follows:
Task 1 - 10.5 / 15
Task 2 - 19/20

Last year I was achieving fluctuations in my results, varying between 10 and 12.5 out of 15. I really want to improve, but am struggling to maintain consistently great marks.

What can I do?

I would also like to know what texts you studied for your AOS, as well as each module, and your tips for successful text analysis and essay writing.


Thank you soo much, and congratulations on your results.

You need to start a consistent study regime, balancing between studying/writing practice essays and completing your assignments. This way, you're more likely to score a strong result in both, rather than getting say 19/20 for an assignment but 14/20 in an exam.

My texts were Wrack, Richard, Yeats and Art of Travel. My number one tip is stick to the rubric and always think about how the text makes you feel. In doing so, you can gauge the 'impact on the audience' part of your analysis insightfully.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 16, 2017, 07:55:46 am
Hey Emily, hope you are well.

1. What made your AOS paper stand out from the crowd? Was it your writing style or interpretation of the text? I know my content for my AOS however I feel that something is missing from my paper that is going to wow the markers.

2.  Would you be able to do online tutoring or essay marking via email? I would be really interested as my school has a one policy rule where I can't submit an essay more than once for feedback

Thank you very much for doing this!


1. My creative was set in context. That is, it was set in 1811 Europe, and so it's turn of phrase was distinctively Romantic. I think this shows the 'flair' typical of a band six, as it requires you to have a strong knowledge of the language features whilst maintaining a personal voice. As for my essay, it reached around 1100 words, so I would have been able to cover a lot more ground than others. I also challenged to concept of discovery, as displayed in the nihilism of Wrack.

2. I do offer online tutoring, but unfortunately all of my spots for this year are taken up. I may offer some extra sessions during my uni holidays (around June/July). Keep an eye on my atar notes profile for when I'm advertising  :)
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: sudodds on February 16, 2017, 08:00:12 am

2.  Would you be able to do online tutoring or essay marking via email? I would be really interested as my school has a one policy rule where I can't submit an essay more than once for feedback


As Emily is full, you can submit you essays for marking English Advanced Essay Marking (Modules Only) and Free AOS essay Marking!! Only thing you need is 15 posts (which is super easy to accumulate) - as someone who completed the HSC last year I highly recommend this! :)
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 16, 2017, 08:00:49 am
Hi, do you have any tips for the reading task like, three paragraphs for 3mk questions?
How many creatives did you write? if so did you prepare them to genre such as dystopia.
How did you practise for the creative?

1. Three mark questions require 1 or 2 quotes at the most, and should only be half a page. Four marks, definitely include 2, and the mini essay should be around two pages. For a concrete example, refer to my lecture slides: http://atarnotes.com/note/atar-notes-english-advanced-head-start-lecture-january-2017/

2. I wrote one creative for half yearlies, scrapped it, and wrote another that I constantly revised. It was also my extension creative, so it was written as if it were in the Romantic period. Heres how I learnt it, taken from another answer:

To memorise my creative, I learnt it like a speech. I then recorded myself saying it, listened to it at the gym and walking to work, and practiced writing it whilst adapting to different stimulus. I also would write pages and pages of paragraphs in my creative that I couldn't get my head around.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 16, 2017, 08:03:36 am
Hi! How you going?
I was wondering if you had any story plot ideas for my advanced English creative writing piece that has the stimulus of "everyone desires power. How a person uses it reveals their true character".
Cheers I would really appreciate your feedback :))

I would base your story around such 'character'. Then you just need to think of a way to show power through them. What power are they lacking? Was there a period before when they had attained power? Who does their lust for power affect? How important is it to them?
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: carolinewang206 on February 16, 2017, 08:04:15 am
Hey Emily, congrats! For extension and advanced English, is including scholar quotes a yay or a nay?
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 16, 2017, 08:06:37 am
I need a bit of help I got a oral presentation/seminar that's due a bit later in the month. I got the quote of my choice which was "An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind" by Gandhi and I need to find two texts that relate to the core idea of this quote and compare them. Any suggestions of texts?

So I am guessing that you'd need the texts to suit discovery as well. If you jump over to this page: Discovery Related Texts - Suggestions
You can see a whole list of related texts you may like to use!
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 16, 2017, 08:11:10 am
Hii!! Great to have you :)

How would you recommend someone who has just began Year 11 to write notes and study? I've heard some high ATAR students use loose leaf paper and individual binders per subject, what did you do?


Thanks ;)

So I had big binders filled with plastic sleeve for each of my subjects. Any worksheet/resource/booklet I received I would put it in there, in chronological order. I would then have a bunch of loose leaf paper that sat in the book, protected by a laminate cover. If I wrote anything about or in relation to the sheets, I would place the paper behind the sleeve. It basically functioned like a normal exercise book without having to paste all of the sheets in. In year twelve, the binders were also organised into syllabus dot points. I would have a piece of cardboard with a dot point, and then behind it, all the relevant work we had completed in class relating to it. This way I knew exactly where my study notes should be up to, and any resources I had available to make my notes. 
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 16, 2017, 08:25:46 am
Hey!
Just wondering if the style of your advanced creative was different to your extension english creative.
How would you recommend starting an extension english creative? Would there be more contextual research required...ALSO i heard of some years HSC asking ext 1 students to incorporate a character/setting of a text they have studied, how would you go about this?

thanks!

My Advanced and my Extension creative were the exact same, bar two paragraphs that I added to extension to make it longer. As for starting your creative, I began with contextual research. I watched documentaries to get a sense of place in the period I was writing, I read lots of first person essays from the period to understand what they were arguing and cared about most, and I listened to popular music of the time. All of this helped to create the world my creative would be set in. My characters were archetypes of all this contextual research.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 16, 2017, 08:32:02 am
Hi Emily just general questions about studying:
1) on most days how hours do you sleep and have you ever pulled all nighters? I'm the type of person who focuses when i have my sleep 8-9 hours. But i heard people sacrificing their sleep and in the end doing really well in the hsc.
2) I dont know where to start when studying for legal. Just starting to write my notes but its so content heavy. any tips?
thank you :)  :D

1. It was rare for me not to get my eight hours. I would nap a lot as well, especially on weekends. I get really agitated when I'm tired, and this was not helpful when trying to productively study. I didn't ever pull all nighters. The latest I would have stayed up is around 11:30, and if I went to bed early I would get up early to make sure the study I wanted to do was completed before school. If I ever stayed up later than that, it would have only been to go to a concert or something (Fun fact: I went and saw Morrissey live in Wollongong in the middle of my HSC exams).

2. So I would just write the content that you've studied in class under the syllabus dot points. Because there are so many definitions in legal, its important that you have a clear understanding of the terms and how they work. I split my notes into columns. So, on one side there'd be the content, explaining how things work, definitions, legislation etc. On the other side there would be media articles, recent amendments and cases that I could use in an exam if this dot point was asked. I also had all of my cases on palm cards, naming there key features and stats they contained.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 16, 2017, 08:34:01 am
Hi I was just wondering what you found to be the best way to make notes and learn quotes for English texts because I struggle with this!
Thanks !

This is how I learnt my quotes and organised my notes:
 I wrote lots and lots of practice essays under the 40 min time constraint. I also recorded myself reading the ones that received high marks, read lots of academic papers on my texts and listened to heaps of podcasts. BBC's 'In Our Time' tends to do a really good job of discussing literature. My notes were on palm cards, lists, venn diagrams, flow charts and tables. They included the quote, technique, a short analysis and a link to the syllabus.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 16, 2017, 08:41:29 am
Hello, I was just wondering on how to analyse insightfully. I think I am doing this in my work but everyone has told me that I need to work on it much more. I have a few more questions to do with english:
- What is analysis?
- How to annotate your text effectively while reading (if it is a novel)
- How to develop the way you think about things in English
- How do you know when you have reached good analysis (even if you have seen many teachers and they say it is god, how do you accept good work?)
- What is a good way to develop a thesis and ideas on a text?
- Why is English a good subject for you?
What is your process of thought when analysing?

(Sorry if there is alot of grammar/ syntax problems, I wrote this in a rush and I am not that good at english )

1. Analysis is deconstructing how a text works to produce meaning. It is looking at the ideas it is representing, the motive behind writing the text, and why the chosen form effects its meaning.
2. I would jot down all of the quotes that I thought were important in a google doc, and then line them up with the syllabus, culling all of the ones that weren't important
3. It is good work when it expresses your opinion about a text, and how we learn from it. It is also good when it recognises a texts inherent value
4. When developing a thesis, it should always be based on the question that has been provided to you. As for developing your thinking, I would try and write each night in a journal. You can talk about your texts freely, and how they relate to your own life.
5. English is a good subject for me because, most simply, I love analysis and opinion.
6. 'How does this affect me, why does it affect me in this way?'
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 16, 2017, 08:47:27 am
Hi Emily. Congratulations on the brilliant marks. I have a few questions, some specific and others general
1) How do I best approach a comparative essay
2) What are your best tips for analysing texts insightfully, specifically novels
3) How do I maximise marks for my Modern History essays
4) How would you organise notes for Modern History
5) How many hours would you study a day
Cheers

Hey there,
1.  Approach the comparative essay with a strong understanding of the context behind your text. However, it really isn't too different to any other essay you write. I still wrote in a thematic style.
2. Look for motifs. These are calling cards for how ideas shift within a plot. I would also pay attention to detail, its often the smallest things that are working hard to produce a meaning. So don't get carried away with big words for techniques, because these generally don't boost your marks.
3. Modern History essays want a strong, definite argument. You also have to have precise detail to back up your points. I only really improved my Modern essays through lots and lots of practice. Thanks to Ms Wick for always marking my extra work!!
4. I organised my notes in columns, under the syllabus dot points. One side would have facts/description and the other would have quotes. I also had palm cards for themes and challenges, and a timeline for Vietnam
5. 3 hours a day, between 4-10 on the weekend.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 16, 2017, 08:51:00 am
Hi Emily,
1. How did you write notes and study for legal studies ?
2. What has been your favourite book to read? Any recommendations?
Thank you!

1. So I would just write the content that you've studied in class under the syllabus dot points. Because there are so many definitions in legal, its important that you have a clear understanding of the terms and how they work. I split my notes into columns. So, on one side there'd be the content, explaining how things work, definitions, legislation etc. On the other side there would be media articles, recent amendments and cases that I could use in an exam if this dot point was asked. I also had all of my cases on palm cards, naming there key features and stats they contained.

2. My favourite book is Slaughter House 5 by Kurt Vonnegut. After my HSC, however, I read Drusilla Modjeska's 'Second Half First'. This helped me enormously - the HSC is a big thing to get over. I would recommend that to anyone who feels a bit lost, whether it be post HSC or mid way through :)
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 16, 2017, 08:57:26 am
Hi Emily!

I have some more study based questions
1) with the 3 hours study per night which I know is also the bostes recommended amount, did this include homework and working on assessments? because there doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day?
2)I have trouble sticking to a set timetable, I'm still moderately productive but it's sometimes inconsistent and less structured, any advice?
3)For the short answer section I always have trouble in the last question that is usually worth 5 marks, it could be that it is usually the most rushed, I find I do really well in all the others as all I have to do is find the techniques, analyse and link but the same doesn't always get me the marks for the last question, any advice?

Thank you so much for your help, wish I could have been to the lecture!

1. Yes, this did include assessments. During assessment periods, I may have pushed this to 4 hours. But honestly, I worked three days of the week until 5, which means I wasn't starting study until 6. On Wednesday and Friday I had Venturers and Debating, so I would have even been pushing it to get three hours in on those days. In saying this, I did spend a lot of my weekend studying. I would usually have one day time off, and study in the night, followed by another full day of studying. So anything I didn't do in the week, I would catch up on then.

2. I had trouble sticking to my own time table as well. It's okay! Things happen that you could not have forseen! The main thing is that you understand how much time you have to complete an assessment, or practice for upcoming exams. That way you can rest assured that you're not going to be cramming the night before, and that you're doing everything in your power to earn high marks.

3. Make sure you're comparing the two texts in this section. The response should also be somewhere around two pages long, and it should contain two paragraphs/two discovery ideas that are linked to the question.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 16, 2017, 09:16:44 am
First of all, you are now my new idol. For both the marks and the bingeing of FMA and Death note.

I'm starting Year 11 English Advanced and I'm also taking Preliminary Extension English. My question is, should I write solely integrated essays for Extension? For advanced I heard it's alright to keep with the standard text by text format, but I want to push myself as far as I can. So would it be beneficial to start trying integration early on, and taking my chances in assessments now rather than my HSC?
Also, with related texts, do they have to be 'academically credible' or simply sound sophisticated? There's poetry I really want to use but because the author isn't famous/it's translated from another language I'm not sure how the markers would react to that?

Thank you so much for answering all of these I honestly think you're amazing.

1. Yes! I think trying integration from the outset is a fantastic idea! Especially in prelim, where you will have the experience of writing in such a format under time. It will prepare you greatly for next year!
2. Yes, it is better to find a text that is 'academically credible'. It just sits better with your marker this way, and generally, you can tease out a stronger analysis from these texts. I would maybe avoid translated texts, as I'm not sure how intention/purpose would work into your analysis. I would assume it to be difficult to talk about why the author wrote something the way they did, when it wasn't originally in such a form.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 16, 2017, 09:20:29 am
Hi, congratulations first of all!!

My first question, what format was your related text for AOS, was it a short story, novel?? Also do u suggest a short story is a good related text to use

Secondly, throughout year 12, did you get 100% in every internal assessment to get a 100 overall HSC mark?

Lastly, for legal studies, did u type or write your notes, and approximately how many pages of notes did u have  for each topic

Thank you!!

Thanks Sarah!

My related text was Personal Helicon by Seamus Heaney. Short stories are also a fantastic choice though.

I didn't get 100%, no. My overall assessment mark was a 96, but because I came first at my school, my exam mark replaced the assessment mark.

I typed out my notes but handwrote all of my cases on palm cards. For each section of the crime syllabus, I think they were around 3-4 pages each.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 16, 2017, 09:23:03 am
Hi Emily,

Firstly, congratulations on your amazing achievements!

I was just wondering whether you used literary theorists/perspectives/critics to aid your essays at all?

Thank you :D

Yes I did! I loved Will Christie's analysis for Module A, and for Module B I read tonnes and tonnes. The best out of all of them were written by Marjorie Perloff, but I also liked Orwells criticism of Yeats.
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 16, 2017, 09:28:09 am
Hi, just wondering do you have any good related text suggestions? preferably  short text or tips on picking short text

Hey there!

We actually have an awesome resource created by Elyse dedicated specifically to this:
Discovery Related Texts - Suggestions

I would suggest any of the poems by Seamus Heaney
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 16, 2017, 09:32:23 am
hello :) congratulations on your achievement!
i just wanted to know if you memorised your creative writing piece and how did you come up with an idea? i cant seem to come up with a good enough creative writing.
Also, what can i do in my prelim year to assure success in my hsc year for english? i dont feel confident in my class as theres so may students who are so talented in writing creative pieces.

Hey there! Here's how I memorised my creative:
To memorise my creative, I learnt it like a speech. I then recorded myself saying it, listened to it at the gym and walking to work, and practiced writing it whilst adapting to different stimulus. I also would write pages and pages of paragraphs in my creative that I couldn't get my head around.

I came up with my idea because of my interest in Romanticism and the inconsistencies in Romantic texts. So maybe base your creative off something you're studying in class, if you're struggling for inspiration. 

The best way to prepare for your HSC year is to get into a study routine. Many find it is too late to do so once they hit year 12. Settling into it now means that you won't be so overwhelmed by the workload when it really counts. Also, figure out how you study, and what type of learner you are. This will help immensely when trying to study in Year 12
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 16, 2017, 09:39:01 am
Hi and I wish you a big Congratulations!!!

I have a few questions:

1) What is the best way to write English study notes (Especially for AOS)

2) How do you think of ideas for creative writing and what was your game plan for the exams (in regard to the stimuli)

3) If I am ranked around 50/180, how do you think I can push myself up into the top 20?

4) If I am doing 'Life of Pi' by Ang Lee for my set Area of Study text, what would be a good related text?

5) How do you structure a Band 6 essay and short answer

Thanks,
Josh :)

1. Always write notes based on the rubric. Here is some advice that I have given before:
 I wrote lots and lots of practice essays under the 40 min time constraint. I also recorded myself reading the ones that received high marks, read lots of academic papers on my texts and listened to heaps of podcasts. BBC's 'In Our Time' tends to do a really good job of discussing literature. My notes were on palm cards, lists, venn diagrams, flow charts and tables. They included the quote, technique, a short analysis and a link to the syllabus.

2. I figured out my game plan through completing lots of practice exams. I planned to spend 20 mins on the short answers, half an hour on the creative and the rest of the time on the essay. I had no sure fire way walking into the room regarding how I was going to adapt my creative. In the end, I used one of the images of a motif throughout my piece.

3. You can boost your rank by smashing your trials. I was coming second in Earth until my trials. Because I did so well, I ended up going into the HSC with the top spot, and thus, earning my exam mark as my assessment mark. To prepare for this, you need to make sure you are consistently studying and writing practice papers throughout the year - even in busy assessment blocks!

4.Discovery Related Texts - Suggestions

5. I always used an integrated, thematic essay. This is, my paragraphs were based on themes and I always talked about two texts in each paragraph
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 16, 2017, 09:42:23 am
Hi Emily,
I am in complete awe of you and your talents!
I just have a couple of questions:

Do you have any tips for succeeding in History Extension?
How do you organise your time upon receiving assessment notifications?

Thank you!

Hey!
I actually didn't follow through with History Exentsion. Sudodds may be able to help you though, she did fantastically! She is really active on the history forums, if you ask your question there ^_^

When I received notifications, I would always have a weekly goal. So if the task was due in Week 8, by the end of week 7 I wanted a final draft, ready to be polished. Week 6 then, I needed to have figured out my main arguments and thesis (so basically an essay plan). Week 5, I had to have all my research done. Most of my planning for assessments followed these types of schedules  :)
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 16, 2017, 09:49:42 am
Hi Emily! Congrats on your results and achievements, well deserved! I just want to ask you a couple of questions:
1. Can I still get a high band 6 in English adv if I get 75% in my first assessment worth 15%.
2. What marks do I need to state rank in a subject eg English, bio etc
3. How do I adapt my essay to the question thoughtfully. And are you able to read drafts of essay via email.?? If not that's fine.
P.S. I am studying Heaney and Joyce for module A and was wondering if you know or have any good resources to help me out and relate it to Irish identity, politics, culture during 20th century.
Thanks

Hey there!

I got a similar mark in my first assessment. However, it was only worth something like 5 or 10%. You now have to work hard to boost your marks for the rest of the year. This is totally achievable though! After that first assessment, I achieved full marks on everything but trials and my final task. So yes, you can still get a band six! You just want to make sure you go into that exam with the highest rank possible to assure yourself that mark.

The marks change every year, and for each subject. So, although I got 96 for Legal and 95 for Earth (where I came 7th), I didn't get a state rank. In Modern, I think I would have been fairly close with a 95, as Sudodds state ranked with a 96. However, these are not our raw marks, so it can be really difficult to tell. As for Extension English, I know that I lost two marks overall. That means to state rank, you would have had to get 50/50, or drop only a mark! These things are only based off my assumptions though. The HSC is a really tricky thing to work out.

I only mark the work of the students I tutor. However, you can get free essay marking on the ATARNotes forums!

Unfortunately, I chucked all of my contextual stuff for Heaney as it was my prelim text. My rooms a mess, and I need to start getting rid of some of my content!
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 16, 2017, 09:51:31 am
Hey Emily, congrats! For extension and advanced English, is including scholar quotes a yay or a nay?

Yay! But remember, only include them if they strengthen your argument! Don't use them for the sake of fulfilling a criteria, use them because they are adding evidence to the case you are trying to make
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: poolechloe3e on February 16, 2017, 03:10:53 pm
Hello!

I was wondering what your best tip is for motivation?
Also - how do you suggest to study for things like unseen texts/comprehension and creative writing?

Thank you SO much!!
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: ca052267 on February 16, 2017, 04:18:18 pm
thank you soo much!!

I'm really struggling with maintaining consistent marks, but I'm trying to improve.

Could I still message you if I need help?
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bsdfjnlkasn on February 16, 2017, 05:25:25 pm
Hey there,

I absolutely bombed out on my first assessment task and was wondering if you had shared in any similar experiences (I doubt it)
I'm struggling to find the motivation to keep going especially since I thought it was my best subject. Were you ranked first the entire year? Or were you just really good in comparison to your cohort?

Well done on the great results!!
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: elysepopplewell on February 16, 2017, 06:50:41 pm
Hey there,

I absolutely bombed out on my first assessment task and was wondering if you had shared in any similar experiences (I doubt it)
I'm struggling to find the motivation to keep going especially since I thought it was my best subject. Were you ranked first the entire year? Or were you just really good in comparison to your cohort?

Well done on the great results!!

Hey, I'm not Emily and my anecdote doesn't involve any state rankers, but maybe it'll get you thinking about English again.

My best friend Clair did her first assessment task and received a rank that was something like 24/30 in the cohort for Advanced. She was super cut because she'd put a lot of effort into the task but she also didn't think she was too bad at English. She had a real dip in her mood for a while and wanted to end English all together, not waste any more time on it, it was something she felt that wasn't worth her time after "bombing out." Her brother (HSC whiz from a few years back) explained to her how if you have a subject where you're ranked second, and a subject where you're ranked 24th, it's much more advantageous for you to work on bumping that 24 to a 10, rather than bumping the 2 to a 1. So even though the subjects where you're doing really well motivate you to keep doing well, and so they should, you should put just as much effort into climbing the ranks in the subject you dropped down in.

It's easier to climb from 24 to 15, than it is to climb 2 to 1. Remember, if you bombed out of this one, there will be students who will bomb out of the next one, or the one after. And you'll start to move up the ranks simply because of other's downfalls, but also because of your own perseverance. This is how it worked for Clair, and I think she ended up ranking 4th or 5th in the cohort after originally getting that 24th rank. How? She saw that her excellent rank in maths or science would be maintained if she kept putting in the hard work, but she had to change her mind set to English. Even better for you, English is a subject that you really enjoyed before this mishap. So, get that passion back. Work really hard on it, because recovering from one bomb out is very, very rewarding! :)
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: ariannasl99 on February 16, 2017, 07:25:44 pm
Hi there.

1. I was wondering what texts you did last year and how you prepared for them?
I am currently doing Elizabeth Barrett Browning and 'The Great Gatsby', then I will be doing Hamlet and then the Art of Travel.

2. I am doing well in Advanced English currently but I want to do better. I do so many practise essays and drafts but I still can't get to what I want. How do you write those brilliant essays which get 19 or 20/20?

Thank you  :)
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 16, 2017, 09:03:49 pm
thank you soo much!!

I'm really struggling with maintaining consistent marks, but I'm trying to improve.

Could I still message you if I need help?

Feel free to post on the forums any time you need help!
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 16, 2017, 09:06:08 pm
Hey there,

I absolutely bombed out on my first assessment task and was wondering if you had shared in any similar experiences (I doubt it)
I'm struggling to find the motivation to keep going especially since I thought it was my best subject. Were you ranked first the entire year? Or were you just really good in comparison to your cohort?

Well done on the great results!!

I actually did 'bomb' my first assignment! However, this is what motivated me to keep going, and to find study techniques that suited me. As such, I ended up with a 96 assessment mark and first in all of my subjects. A passion for English will always help you to pull through the tedium you are experiencing now
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: bowiemily on February 16, 2017, 09:08:52 pm
Hi there.

1. I was wondering what texts you did last year and how you prepared for them?
I am currently doing Elizabeth Barrett Browning and 'The Great Gatsby', then I will be doing Hamlet and then the Art of Travel.

2. I am doing well in Advanced English currently but I want to do better. I do so many practise essays and drafts but I still can't get to what I want. How do you write those brilliant essays which get 19 or 20/20?

Thank you  :)

I did Wrack, Richard, Yeats and Art of Travel.
I wasn't getting 19/20 for module practice essays until late term two. Its all about practice, and knowing your texts inside and out. I also connected personally with my texts, and as such, had a strong personal voice in my responses
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: jamonwindeyer on February 16, 2017, 11:01:05 pm
Hello and congrats on you amazing marks! - truly incredible!
i also study advanced english and legal studies so....
1. i think you mentioned about speaking from a personal voice in your essays? could you extend on how you did this?
2. when writing creative pieces, do you have any advice on what the markers actually look for in these pieces?
3. With Legal, did you find any particular methods that worked in remembering legislations and Acts etc?
thanks so much!  :)
congrats again and ATB with future studies!!

Hey Melanie!! This response is from Emily! ;D welcome to the forums!! ;D
===================================

1. Personal voice is something you develop, it does not happen over night. Through writing essay responses, debating with others, reading other people's work and relating the text to your own understanding of the world. When I talk about personal voice in my work, it means that it sounds like I'm speaking to you through my essay. It is clearly my interpretation and opinion. I argue confidently and with 'flair', as the marking criteria would say
2. They look for a text they can engage with, that has a strong control over language, and that is original. Steer clear of obvious plot lines and cliches
3. I had a knack for remembering the legislation, but never the date that went along with it! To solve this, I put all of my cases, media articles and acts in chronological order. It really clarified the mish mash of dates I was trying to remember!
Title: Re: 1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!
Post by: jamonwindeyer on February 16, 2017, 11:01:47 pm
This Q+A has ended! Thanks to everyone who asked a question, and a huge thanks to Emily for being so generous with her time to answer questions for the last day. To everyone who posted for the first time, I encourage you to stick around and see everything else the site has to offer. A few threads possibly relevant to you:

English Advanced Question Thread
How to Study for Advanced English!
ULTIMATE Guide to Creative Writing

But this is just three of hundreds of cool resources/threads on the forums - Have an explore! ;D