50 in English - Feel free to ask questions.

[jeanweasley]

Hey Yang,

I'm just wondering if you ever studied Year Of Wonders?

I'm struggling to improve my writing in my responses to prompts relating to this text, would you happen to know any good sample essays I could read in order to improve?

Thanks

There are a ton here on the site. Check out the essay compilation thread. I've also got some notes on it if you're interested.

[Yang Li]

Hey guys,

I believe that you can include some close analysis (Lit style) in your text response, although too much of it will adversely affect your ability to cover enough ideas in your essay. Think of it as icing on the cake (extra mark material) instead of the substance of your writing in English (I know - English is a bit boring compared to Lit).

Unfortunately, Year of Wonders is one of the few texts I have not read on the syllabus. There are many sources out there Will; do try to read good essays and consistently write paragraphs. Feel free to ask about any specific writing problems you may have here. I suggest getting in touch with jeanweasley and forming a little study group. It is a great source of information and motivation.

All the best,

Yang

[Yang Li]

Hey all!

I'll be back in action starting next week. Get your questions in before law exams take over my life.

A lot of people have been PMing me. Please post any questions on the thread so that others may benefit from it.

PM me if you are interested in my program, or have a more personal issue.

All the best,

Yang

[whichkim]

Hey Yang!

So Im working on a context piece at the moment and I'm just wondering. With an imaginative piece how do we include the text in a short story? I'm doing Growing Up Asian in Australia by Alice Pung. I thought maybe writing a short story similar to those in the novel would work... Is this sufficient? I have no idea how to actually include the novel directly.

[Alwin]

Hi Yang, to start off with, congrats on doing so well!

My question tho, is about the marking scheme. Hopeully you can help me out, or someone else since your exams are soon (good luck!). So I can consistently get 8-9 and maybe 7 if I left it to the last minute like half an hour before class lol. I'm just curious as to what's the difference between a 9 and a 10? I've heard many things, that if you have a bit of flare then that's the difference. Or it's stylistic, the way you write. Or its the relevance to the prompt. Or your control of language.

The marking scheme for sacs doesn't help haha, it just says demonstrates fluency or close reading and study of the text or cohesive response with complex issues explored

Thanks

[dpagan]

Hi Yang,

I'm using the Quiet American for conflict and I was wondering if you knew how I could link that text to the civil war in Syria? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks very much

[QuidProQuo]

Hi Yang,

Just about the Lit style writing in English essays:

I find that the close analysis/wider extrapolation stuff seems to fit at the end of paragraphs, when making a broader assumption about the material I've discussed, while sprinkling incidental bits and pieces throughout. Do you think this is the most appropriate place to include it?

[Yang Li]

Hey all, some great questions here.

whichkim:

Usually, it is sufficient in an imaginative piece to relate the themes presented to the context, and by extension, the text associated with it. In your case, it is Identity and Belonging (easiest context in my opinion). Different teachers may have different ideas in relation to this however, so check with your class teacher when attempting this in a SAC.

Alwin:

It's always a good sign when a student asks how to get those 9 and 10s haha. I would say the main factors that make a student stand out would be the following, in the order of importance (although they are inter-dependent):
1) Complex ideas
2) Control of language (clear and concise)
3) Precise and varied vocabulary
4) Presentation

dpagan:

TQA is a very interesting text. I personally feel that there are some similarities between TQA and Syria, although such an assertion in an essay may be politically sensitive in nature, and thus should be avoided. It is alleged that America is a big power-broker in the Syrian civil war, as they politically back the rebels and provide them with weapons, ammo and other resources. One can contend that either for the expansion of their influence, or the political leverage of a foreign conflict, the USA has committed, caused, or encouraged what would be considered crimes under international human rights law. The same controversy occurred in the Vietnam war, where both sides (Viet Cong and South Vietnam - backed by the US) committed crimes against humanity. You can find many resources on the subject if you dig around.

adam11095:

I think that if a model works well for you, it is a good model. Personally, I too "sprinkle" bits of close analysis in my English essays, although I usually avoid doing so at the end of my paragraphs. This is to avoid sounding like I am in the middle of my explanation at the end of the paragraph. However, if the end is a simple point that is a natural result of any previous discussion, it wouldn't matter.

All the best,

Yang

[lenny500]

Hi Yang Li
could you help me identify the issue and authors contention of this article please ? http://www.smh.com.au/it-pro/government-it/nbn-debate-ignores-new-era-for-apps-ideas-20130416-2hwxa.html
thanks you.

[Yang Li]

Hi lenny500,

Why don't you have a go first and I can tell you whether I agree or not.

[9_7]

Hey Yang, how would you add in your supplementary material in your context essays? Does it all depend on what issue it is?

[lenny500]

im assuming the issue is if the NBN is going to be beneficial and the author arguing that it would be beneficial ?

[abcdqd]

hey yang, approximately how many words were you writing for your essays towards the end of the year?

[Yang Li]

Hey guys,

lenny500 - that's almost spot on. The writer is contending that the NBN will benefit Australia by encouraging software development.

abcdqd - I was writing almost three pages, so approximately 1000-1100 words per essay.

All the best,

Yang

[koby]

hey Yang,

Thank you so much for your help

just wondering with expository essay evidence.

shoulld evidence from outside the text have some kind of connection with the ideas of the book in regards to the theme

example, we are doing " The Life of Galileo", some of the main ideas of the play in regards to conflict is that,
conflict is caused out of fear, disregarding alternatives (other views), those in authority suppressing people who raise against them...
should the outside examples link to these ideas or have some kind of connections to the play. or can we use any events or examples (eg, world wars...)