2012 ENGLISH EXAM HELP - Interpreter, The Old Man, Growing Up Asian & General Qs

[werdna]

Can you upload your GUAIA notes? I've been studying it mad hard, but I want my perspective on it to expand even more 

Hey man! I've uploaded the notes onto the 'notes' section of the website. Just do a search

[FlorianK]

How did you organised your essay after reading the context prompt "Without connections to others there is no me"?
At the moment I have no idea what I would write about.

[werdna]

How did you organised your essay after reading the context prompt "Without connections to others there is no me"?
At the moment I have no idea what I would write about.

Hey man! The way I structured this expository piece was break it down into 2 types of connections (1st paragraph on familial connections/relationships, and the 2nd paragraph on peer connections/groups). Then, the last paragaph focused on the other side to the argument, discussing how some people can choose to 'not belong' and rever in their own existence basically. That some individuals don't put such a value on connections and are happy with who they are, irrespective of people's judgments and perceptions. Hope this helps!!!

Btw: You should leave the VCAA exams until later so that you can complete it as a whole practice exam later on!

[FlorianK]

How did you organised your essay after reading the context prompt "Without connections to others there is no me"?
At the moment I have no idea what I would write about.

Hey man! The way I structured this expository piece was break it down into 2 types of connections (1st paragraph on familial connections/relationships, and the 2nd paragraph on peer connections/groups). Then, the last paragaph focused on the other side to the argument, discussing how some people can choose to 'not belong' and rever in their own existence basically. That some individuals don't put such a value on connections and are happy with who they are, irrespective of people's judgments and perceptions. Hope this helps!!!

Btw: You should leave the VCAA exams until later so that you can complete it as a whole practice exam later on!

I'm not planning on doing it now, I just looked at last years exam and was shocked what kind of prompt it is.

[FlorianK]

How many quotes did you memorised and how many did you used for the exam? Section A and B

and please:
Context - I&B - An individual is always shaped by the society they belong to

[werdna]

I memorised around 15 to 20 quotes for each section. Context slightly more since there were a number of short stories plus external examples as well.

[FlorianK]

How many growing up asian quotes did you ended up using in the exam?

[werdna]

How many growing up asian quotes did you ended up using in the exam?

I used 3 or 4 quotes for each of the 3 stories I discussed.

[astone788]

I see you managed to memorise a lot of quotes. Do you ever memorise full essays? OR do you take a more flexable approach and just memorise quotes and broad ideas?

[werdna]

I see you managed to memorise a lot of quotes. Do you ever memorise full essays? OR do you take a more flexable approach and just memorise quotes and broad ideas?

Hey man, thanks for the question! I've never memorised full essays and I would not encourage/recommend any students to do so - especially for the exam. I would always take the latter approach, memorise around 10 to 15 quotes for your text responses and know your text and ideas inside out. For context pieces, the amount of quotes obviously varies with the style of writing, and for language analysis the quotes are already in front of you. As long as you know your texts inside out, you'll be able to write a strong, perceptive and coherent essay. You will notice that a lot of the ideas and examples will overlap and can be 'reused' as such, however you need to understand that EVERY topic/prompt is totally different regardless how similar two topics/prompts may seem. There is always one or two words that means the difference. All of this comes down to practise as well, so if you keep doing heaps of essays you'll remember your quotes, understand your ideas more and get better with writing! Good luck and all the best with the exam!

[Water]

I will be sticky-ing this board until the end of VCE 2012 as I feel this can be helpful, beyond the scope of the texts that he teaches,  for many other students who may have general essay questions.

[werdna]

I will be sticky-ing this board until the end of VCE 2012 as I feel this can be helpful, beyond the scope of the texts that he teaches,  for many other students who may have general essay questions.

Thanks Water you legend!

[FlorianK]

When writing about Growing Up Asian in Australia, do I refer to the writers of the short stories as author, protagonist or writer?

[werdna]

When writing about Growing Up Asian in Australia, do I refer to the writers of the short stories as author, protagonist or writer?

Refer to the writers of short stories as either writer or protagonist, up to you.

1 month until the exam - get your questions in everyone!

[appletree]

I'm doing Esl this year, I find note form summary extremely difficult. I can never find the rule that when I should simplify, when I should make it up, when I should include the example-persuasive technique. My teacher comments my summary is always vague, how to do it?
And for text response, is TEEL and introduction-three main points-conclusion the only way to do it?
If I'm going to write an imaginative story in Section B, how can I put GUAIA into it?It always seems to be abrupt.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Thank you:)