50 in English - Feel free to ask questions.

[Yang Li]

Hey maree271,

Don't panic. PM me your email and I'll see what I can help you with.

LA is time consuming by nature (I'd give it 70mins and the other essays 55mins).

If you're getting A's in SACs, it's mostly a matter of getting your writing done in time and in a consistent manner. We should be able to accomplish that in a short period of time.

All the best,

Yang

[chemdeath]

hey Yang!

Just wondering for context can we include both our texts? And what is the minimum amount of the text we need to include? Right now mine's like probably 30% text 

[Yang Li]

Hey chemdeath,

30%-40% of each body paragraph should be used for evidence (can be your text, history, experience or current affairs). Using more than one text is a great way to show your knowledge. Make sure though, that the content is relevant to the context; and not just a text response like passage.

All the best,

Yang

[Colokid]

Hey Yang,

How would i go about pre paring an essay for Section B? I mean what prompt/prompts would i have to base my essay around on for it to be flexible enough to suit prompts given in the exam? Also, do you recommend using quotations in Context pieces, quotations from famous figures in my intro or conclusion?

Thanks in advance 

[Yang Li]

Hey singh,

I definitely like to use quotations. Make sure you use them scarcely and relate them to the context properly.

There are a few main topics that the exams usually revolve around for each context. See my video on Youtube (search "VCE Context Essay" and click the one by Yang) to see them. By memory, they are about three quarters of the way in. Alternatively, get your hands on my notes, where they are explained in more detail.

All the best,

Yang

[Cort]

Hey chemdeath,

30%-40% of each body paragraph should be used for evidence (can be your text, history, experience or current affairs). Using more than one text is a great way to show your knowledge. Make sure though, that the content is relevant to the context; and not just a text response like passage.

All the best,

Yang

Hi Yang,
I know this is a bit far fetched, but I'm a Revs student here, so there's a bit of a correlation between history and English itself since we have to write a 30 min essay. Reading this post, does that mean I should be using about least 30-40% of historical evidence/facts aside from my explanation as well?

Sorry if I went off course, just curious.

Cheers,
Cort.

[sin0001]

Yang, how would we ensure that we have sufficiently explored thr 'compexities' of the prompt; any rule of thumb like always disagreeing with the prompt?

[chemdeath]

Hey chemdeath,

30%-40% of each body paragraph should be used for evidence (can be your text, history, experience or current affairs). Using more than one text is a great way to show your knowledge. Make sure though, that the content is relevant to the context; and not just a text response like passage.

All the best,

Yang

Thanks, does that mean I can draw from both 'Life of Galileo' and 'Paradise Road'? 

[Yang Li]

Hi Cort & sin,

I wasn't a Revs student in my time despite my interest in history. Although the 30%-40% is a good ratio for any expository essay, I would check with your teacher to see whether the VCE syllabus, or examiners, have a preference.

(sin:) I imagine you are asking about the context expository in particular. There are many ways to achieve complexity, not all of which I can list and explain easily. Try some of these:
- Explore the opposite side to the main belief.
- Explore alternative versions of the same side.
- When you make an assertion, ask yourself why or how; then write down your answer.
-  Try and articulate the relationship between the ideas that you form, in order to generate new ones.

All the best,

Yang

[Yang Li]

Hi chemdeath,

Yes. Make sure you include at least one prescribed text.

All the best,

Yang

[Colokid]

Hey Yang,

Just another quick question!  If in Section C, we are given two articles do we analyse them separately or compare the two? How would we go about structuring a comparative analysis? Would we do on bp1 on article 1 then one bp on article 2 and spend 1-2 bp comparing them ? 

thanks again

[Yang Li]

Hi singh,

Expect one passage with one or two attached visuals. There have been no comparisons in any exam paper from 2008 (when the new syllabus was introduced) to 2012.

All the best,

Yang

[Colokid]

Hey Yang,


I swear this is the last question!  With analysing the visual material, do you recommend including it in your intro, and also is it better to do a separate Bp on the visual material or include it in a same Bp with your analysis of the text ?

thanks 

[lala1911]

Freaking out about the english exam. Weakest subject but has to count in my top 4! I can write good pieces, but not consistently! Sometimes ill write a good context piece, then if i try again it is pathetic! Half the time I cant even finish a L.A piece...any help?
A's on all sacs...if i get a c on the exam (with an average cohort) what SS am i looking at?

Just to let you know a C on the exam is about 45% mate, so don't think like that!

[vcestudent345]

Hi Yang,

Thoughts on the amount of study (if any at all) that should be done night before the exam?
Should it be spent on reading over past essays and notes
Or vigorous, full blown essay writing under conditions?

Thanks in advance.