50 in English - Feel free to ask questions.

[jeanweasley]

2) analysing every single sentence when there is no need to
3) expounding on each point too much and explaining every single step of the logical process taking you from what the writer wrote all the way to his/her contention

Yeah, definitely those points.

[tcstudent]

Hi yang, many people have spoken about how to attack a context essay, just wondering how do you get your students to approach a text repsonse essay, im doing interpreter of maladies by jhumpa lahri btw if you could help me out with some tips that would be amazing.
thank you.

[Yang Li]

Hi jeanweasley and tcstudent,

For LA, if you can identify those problems you're having, it's time to address them. Be harsh on yourself. When you proofread your writing, catch yourself making those mistakes and cross them out. Remember to keep it lean in LA - you need 1) what the writer/speaker intends to do; and 2) how the reader/audience reacts. Repeat those two ingredients 4 to 5 time per paragraph and you have a body paragraph. Obviously, there are many things to add on to make your essay an A/A+ standard, but don't lose sight of those two simple things.

For text responses, watch out for the following:
1) Retelling the story - NEVER do it.
2) Writing in the passive voice too much - avoid!
3) Writing without a clear plan of how you want your essay to turn out (don't take chances).

Obviously there are many elements in a great text response; too many to post in a forum. I cover them in my classes (http://www.aimandachieve.com.au).

All the best to you both,

Yang

P.S. Jean - if you are interested in philanthropy and business/strategy, think about joining SIFE Monash (if you end up at Monash). I managed a project in SIFE for The Big Issue, and the project was funded by the government.

[Harley2262]

Hey Yang,
i've got an outcome coming up on Imaginative landscape. we had to read the view from castle rock by Alice Munro. i'm really having trouble producing actual ideas to talk about in my expository. any help would be great. thanks

[Yang Li]

Hi Harley,

Please read my previous posts on the general outline of a context essay body paragraph.

For the imaginative landscape, think about the following:
1) How do people perceive their surroundings? Does this perception differ from person to person and does it change over time?
2) Does a landscape have to be physical, or can it hold abstract elements (e.g. religion, culture etc.?)
3) What happens when an external environment conflicts with one's internal self? How are memories important?
4) How do we associate with the people around us? How does one's environment induce emotions such as fear or contentment?

Most prompts will revolve around those four ideas.

All the best,

Yang

[TacoMix]

Hi,
How can I sign up for your ESL program?
Thank you

[Yang Li]

Hi usuitakumix,

You can send an email to [email protected].

Cheers,

Yang

[Yang Li]

I'm interested guys, what texts are people studying this year?

The VCAA have cut some of my favourites, but there are some great texts out there, despite quite a few nightmares too.

Let me know,

Yang

[jeanweasley]

I'm interested guys, what texts are people studying this year?

The VCAA have cut some of my favourites, but there are some great texts out there, despite quite a few nightmares too.

Let me know,

Yang

Text response - YOW and Ransom
Context - Spies and DOS

[Lolly]

I'm interested guys, what texts are people studying this year?

The VCAA have cut some of my favourites, but there are some great texts out there, despite quite a few nightmares too.

Let me know,

Yang

In order of preference:
The Quiet American, Interpreter of Maladies, Ransom, Paradise Road.

[nspire]

Text Response: Year of Wonders, Cat's Eye

Context (Whose Reality): The Lot In Words, The Player

[Sapphire]

Text Response- A Christmas Carol, Twelve Angry Men
Context - The Lot, Spies

[no steez]

Text response: Cosi
Context: One night the moon

[vashappenin]

Text response: Twelve angry men and the Reluctant fundamentalist
Context: The quiet American, the rug maker of Mazar-e-Sharif, life of galileo

[Yang Li]

Cool - there are some good ones there. I think I might start working on some Youtube videos going over some texts next term. Keep an eye out for them.

All the best to you guys,

Yang

N.B. Keep the questions coming. There were some great ones.