High Scores

[Gazza15]

Just curious, is it possible to get a 9 or 10 in Language Analysis by simply going chronologically, but being sophisticated / making links throughout the analysis?
And also, with Context, is it possible to get a 9 or 10 with a well written expository article? Because most of the high scoring VCAA pieces have elements of creativity in them...

thanks

[BoredSatan]

Just curious, is it possible to get a 9 or 10 in Language Analysis by simply going chronologically, but being sophisticated / making links throughout the analysis?
And also, with Context, is it possible to get a 9 or 10 with a well written expository article? Because most of the high scoring VCAA pieces have elements of creativity in them...

thanks

If you write the most beautiful and lyrical language analysis using chronological method then yes you can get a 9 or 10, but IMO its quite hard to score high using this method as your writing tends to turn out really blocky.

And yes if you write the best expository piece ever seen in context writing you will get a 10

[Gazza15]

Just curious, is it possible to get a 9 or 10 in Language Analysis by simply going chronologically, but being sophisticated / making links throughout the analysis?
And also, with Context, is it possible to get a 9 or 10 with a well written expository article? Because most of the high scoring VCAA pieces have elements of creativity in them...

thanks

If you write the most beautiful and lyrical language analysis using chronological method then yes you can get a 9 or 10, but IMO its quite hard to score high using this method as your writing tends to turn out really blocky.

And yes if you write the best expository piece ever seen in context writing you will get a 10

Ok, so what is the best method to go for to score very highly in LA? thx

[pi]

Structure paras by argument was the best technique for me

[TheFedExpress]

Structure paras by argument was the best technique for me

Was that a technique that persuaded the examiner that yours was best?

[Alex_94]

Do you guys have any examples of (high scoring) LAs with paragraphs structured by argument?

Most of the ones I find, like on TSFX, are just slabs of urghhh.

I go about doing mine chronologically, but I definitely don't have insanely "beautiful" writing to pull off a 9 (which is what I'm aiming for).
If there aren't any samples, maybe could you provide a bit of guidance on how to approach a certain article?
I'm trying to analyse this article at the moment, which seems to kinda sit on the fence.

http://engageeducation.org.au/engagedownloads/Practice%20VCE%20Exams/English/Unit%203%20&%204%20English%20and%20ESL%20-%20Practice%20Exam.pdf

I know we're like 5 days away from the exam, but I'm willing to change my approach if it'll help me potentially get a better mark.
Cheers

[HERculina]

Theres's heaps of language analysis examples here: English Work Examples Directory

[rife168]

Can someone please go into more detail about what they mean by structuring by arguments?

[Lasercookie]

Can someone please go into more detail about what they mean by structuring by arguments?

The author of the article will be presenting some kind of point of view or idea. Throughout the entire article you can pick out a few major points or "arguments" that they put forward, and then use each of those as the basis for a paragraph. If there's supplementary material, you should be able to figure out what argument that relates to (is it agreeing or opposing) and slot things in that way etc.

[werdna]

Just curious, is it possible to get a 9 or 10 in Language Analysis by simply going chronologically, but being sophisticated / making links throughout the analysis?
And also, with Context, is it possible to get a 9 or 10 with a well written expository article? Because most of the high scoring VCAA pieces have elements of creativity in them...

thanks

You can definitely score well with a straight expository essay, I did this in the exam and it worked out okay. But I'd recommend starting with a quote, creative element or metaphor if you have the time to think of some to include - eg. for identity and belonging - identity is like a blank canvas, we can mould who we are like clay, we are the authors of our own stories and lives etc...

[meganrobyn]

I split LA paragraphs by 'aim'.

For instance, evoking fear (generally of a particular thing); inspiring to action; establishing authority as an expert; discrediting alternatives; etc.

I find aims to be better than arguments because rather than being 'content' focused they are 'effect' (on audience) focused. Also, since the aim is not limited to one specific argument you can draw text examples from across the entire piece (plus any images, layout, paratextual components) to connect in the one paragraph.

I also find this structure works well for comparative analyses, as often pieces will each try to achieve similar aims, but go about them in different ways. Thus the comparative analysis.


Regarding Context, I find one of the easiest ways to turn an expository into something a little more 'pizzazzy' is to contextualise it. For example, an expository only needs a little tweaking in order to become a pretend speech, a debate presentation, an advice/opinion column. Same essential intro and paragraph structure, but you put a specific 'voice' through it and tweak the intros/outros for each point.

[Gazza15]

I split LA paragraphs by 'aim'.

For instance, evoking fear (generally of a particular thing); inspiring to action; establishing authority as an expert; discrediting alternatives; etc.

I find aims to be better than arguments because rather than being 'content' focused they are 'effect' (on audience) focused. Also, since the aim is not limited to one specific argument you can draw text examples from across the entire piece (plus any images, layout, paratextual components) to connect in the one paragraph.

I also find this structure works well for comparative analyses, as often pieces will each try to achieve similar aims, but go about them in different ways. Thus the comparative analysis.


Regarding Context, I find one of the easiest ways to turn an expository into something a little more 'pizzazzy' is to contextualise it. For example, an expository only needs a little tweaking in order to become a pretend speech, a debate presentation, an advice/opinion column. Same essential intro and paragraph structure, but you put a specific 'voice' through it and tweak the intros/outros for each point.

thanks heaps! makes sense

[DiMennzzaa]

How does one pick out the key arguments of an article?

So

Intro:
- Form
- Author
- Contention
- Issue
- Tone
- Date

Para 1:
- Argument 1
- Language Technique
- Example
- Impact
- Effect


etc?

[Alex_94]

I split LA paragraphs by 'aim'.

For instance, evoking fear (generally of a particular thing); inspiring to action; establishing authority as an expert; discrediting alternatives; etc.

I find aims to be better than arguments because rather than being 'content' focused they are 'effect' (on audience) focused. Also, since the aim is not limited to one specific argument you can draw text examples from across the entire piece (plus any images, layout, paratextual components) to connect in the one paragraph.

Awesome, thanks!
Can it be applied to more "unconventional", if you will, texts?
Kinda like last year's blog, which I'd like to be prepared to have something similar this year.

[Felicity Wishes]

I've got 9 with expository a few times (marked by teacher) but you can get high marks despite what form you do. There is no form that will automatically bump up your mark.