Do you HAVE to include quotes in your context piece?

[k.tse]

I've read the examples provided on the VCAA Assessment Report and the majority of them do not include quotes.

Does that mean I can just explain all my evidence without having to memorise certain quotes?

EDIT: I realised I left out the section that I am referring to - which is Section C: Context.

[danielgb123]

In relation to each section of the exam:

Text Response - Vital to quote and reference to scenes, demonstrates a deeper understanding of the text, and separates those students who simply write about issues surrounding the text, and those that have read and analysed the text in depth.

Language Analysis - Quoting is an important aspect in elucidating which segments of the article you are referring to. These quotes don't need to be excessively long, if anything I believe minimal worded quotes complimented by in-depth analysis are for more useful.

Context - In my SACs I often quoted lines of the prose I was referring to making it easier for teachers to identify the lines I had made. I'm not entirely sure as to whether you'd go to this extent in the exam, hopefully someone can clarify?

[k.tse]

In relation to each section of the exam:

Text Response - Vital to quote and reference to scenes, demonstrates a deeper understanding of the text, and separates those students who simply write about issues surrounding the text, and those that have read and analysed the text in depth.

Language Analysis - Quoting is an important aspect in elucidating which segments of the article you are referring to. These quotes don't need to be excessively long, if anything I believe minimal worded quotes complimented by in-depth analysis are for more useful.

Context - In my SACs I often quoted lines of the prose I was referring to making it easier for teachers to identify the lines I had made. I'm not entirely sure as to whether you'd go to this extent in the exam, hopefully someone can clarify?

Thanks! Sorry, I realised that I left out the section that I was referring to and it was the context part. I hope someone does clarify.

[Mr Keshy]

Well it depends on the type of writting you plan to produce. If it is an essay form (Exp, Persuasive), then yes, it is vital. However if you're doing an imaginative like me, it's not completely necessary..

A good tip I read somewhere is to use the names of the characters of the book/story (Identity and Belonging GUAIA) you want to link to. And possibly use quotes that stand out..

None of this is nessesary, as long as you can clearly refer to the ideas and concepts of the text, you'll be fine! Just keep in mind that these assessors are going to be marking multitudes of essays  so be sure to make yours stand out.

I just realised that I've gone off topic, but oh well 

[charmanderp]

It's not essential in the sense that you won't lost marks for it if you write a good essay. However if you write an essay that could be improved by the inclusion of quotes, then you will lose marks, if that makes sense. There are really no rules with context, it's all about good writing, more so than the other sections.