ATAR Notes: Forum
VCE Stuff => VCE English Studies => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE English & EAL => Topic started by: vashappenin on January 22, 2013, 04:39:07 pm
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Hi, I'm a little bit confused. For context prompts, can all the arguments/paragraphs either ONLY support or ONLY refute, or are you more likely to score better if you have 2 paragraphs supporting the prompt and 1 that refutes (or vice versa)? I'm thinking 3 paragraphs btw :)
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correct me if im mistaken, but i think that you should have a couple body paragraphs that affirm the prompt and another 1 or 2 that oppose it, just to help 'expose' the various ideas embedded within the prompt itself :) i dont think that made any sense, but i suppose there is a reason im doing literature and not mainstream english :D haha
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correct me if im mistaken, but i think that you should have a couple body paragraphs that affirm the prompt and another 1 or 2 that oppose it, just to help 'expose' the various ideas embedded within the prompt itself :) i dont think that made any sense, but i suppose there is a reason im doing literature and not mainstream english :D haha
yeah this is what I always did. i just thought - and my teacher agreed - that it just makes for a well rounded and more complete essay if you do look at both sides.
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I think it would depend on the essay. In general, having one paragraph that highlights the opposing view demonstrates an element of complexity and sophistication in your discussion. That being said, having three high quality paragraphs that discuss one side of the prompt really well is much better than an average essay which happens to raise the other side. There is no hard rule in VCE English that says you *must* discuss both sides of the prompt in an expository context piece. Personally, I always write expository essays for context and I've never written a piece in such a way that it is clear that there are contrasting views on the prompt. I carefully select three key ideas that are able to show the complexity of the provided topic on their own, if that makes sense. Sorry for not having a clear-cut answer; I guess English itself is not quite as clear-cut as we want it to be sometimes. :)
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Yeah I understand all your answers haha! Yeah I guess I'll just stick to having some agree and some disagree cos my teacher used to always say it's more interesting that way and shows that you've really understood and addressed the prompt :)
Thanks :D
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If you want to take only one side of the prompt, you could always refute a counterpoint with well substantiated arguments to enhance the conviction of your views. However if you do so I think your essay's going to be slightly more persuasive, but most people tend to be biased in their expository essay anyway because if they're writing about something they can strongly justify (as opposed to attempting to argue both sides), it gives their essay more conviction, thus elevating their quality of writing and increasing the length of their piece.
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Just make sure that you don't blandly examine both sides just for the sake of it - I think the best expositories tend to still largely stick with one side of an issue, but will acknowledge the other side whilst explicitly qualifying it as an "exception to the rule" or something that is just worth considering as an alternative. Basically, you probably still want a contention that is either yes or no, just not a bland black and white yes or no. :)
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Always consider both sides of the prompt, but also know that it is ok if you write 2 against and 1 in favor.
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I find that it's hard to write high-scoring essays without at least contending for the other side. Black and white essays just aren't as persuasive.
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Also the criteria requires you to demonstrate an understanding of the complexities and nuances of the topic. Making blanket statements like 'X is always true' won't get you far in this criteria, whereas saying 'X is usually true except when Y' shows that you understand that the topic is more complex than it might at first appear. Blanket statements, then, especially blanket statements which contradict common sense, give examiners a clear indication that you haven't really thought through the topic in much detail. Avoiding blanket statements, in and of itself, usually requires you to make concessions to the opposing argument.