50 in English - Feel free to ask questions.

[jono88]

How would i integrate 3 ideas from "new environments create conflict" about asylum seekers, ptsd soldiers face and the trauma of natural disasters into one feature article? Would I use them separately under separate sub-headings?

[Yang Li]

Hey all,

QuidProQuo,

I think I've answered this already. For reference, I lost 4 marks I think and got a 50. The exam is weighted much more heavily. And Brenden is right - your exam results will adjust your SAC marks.

abcdqdxD,

I think I answered a question about conflicts previously. I listed the main ideas evident in the context. Have a look at that. The short answer in my opinion is that conflict often occurs from ignorance, including an inability to understand someone else (because of differences in culture/belief systems/values/affiliations/race/appearance etc.)

jono88,

For some ideas on conflict, see my previous posts. Remember that the context essay is more about ideas rather than examples. Do not split your paragraphs according to the different examples you listed. Instead, have a different idea per paragraph and reference any examples of conflict that apply to that idea (can be more than one).

All the best,

Yang

[Alwin]

Hi Yang,

I was just wondering if you were familiar with the text, Stasiland. I've seen insight study guides floating around, but they're a bit shallow haha. Do you recommend anything for Stasiland?

Actually, do you even recommend buying study guides for texts, or context?

Thanks

[Yang Li]

Hi Alwin,

I have a student who studies Stasiland. It is a bit different to other texts because it is non-fiction and new on the syllabus. Also expect many prompts on how the narrator sees/portrays/may be biased towards certain things, rather than your normal character or theme-centric prompt.

My opinion to guides is to read the text and write a summary yourself. Brainstorm some ideas yourself, then claim as many ideas as you want from outside sources. The guide should be used for two things - 1) last minute study and fact checking; and 2) expanding upon your own ideas. They can be quite helpful.

All the best,

Yang

[9_7]

Hi Yang,

just wondering when you write a context piece, do u have to state what they did to make the conflict arise etc? then the effects and so on?

[Yang Li]

Hi 9_7,

Please read some of my previous posts on conflict.

Assuming you are talking about the expository piece, it is a good idea to discuss as many facets of the context of "conflict" as possible, including, but not restricted to, its cause, its effects and how we react to it.

All the best,

Yang

N.B. I am in the middle of my exams at the moment. Please leave your questions on this forum, and I will address them as soon as I finish.

[Deleted User]

I don't know if this question has been asked, but nonetheless:
What kind of SAC marks do you generally have to get to achieve a 50 in English (or up there somewhere)? I've heard from various sources that because so many people do it, you need near-perfect raw scores and probably rank 1, unless it's a mammoth English cohort, but also that you can afford to lose a few marks along the way and blitz the exam and come out right on top....Which one is the more relevant?

Exam. SACs are meaningless. They actually are.

[brenden]

SACs are not meaningless in any possible sense of the word.

[Yacoubb]

I'm in year 11 this year and I love English. If anything, its one of my top-scoring year 11 subjects. How can I make sure I get a 45+ for English which I'm aiming for. Over the summer + next year, I'll be doing plenty of reading. I cannot at the moment because literally, I don't have time to, with Biology and Further 3+4 and exams rapidly approaching.

How can you ensure you maintain eloquence over verbosity, whilst still being sophisticated?

Plus do you recommend using 3 pieces of textual evidence per body paragraph? I can manage 700 words with 2 pieces of textual evidence per body paragraph, and I'd like to bump that up to about 1000 words for year 12, so I'd say 3 may be very appropriate, but of course, your advise would be greatly appreciated.

[Ancora_Imparo]

How can you ensure you maintain eloquence over verbosity, whilst still being sophisticated?

The vocabulary you use must be additive to whatever you're talking about. If a simpler word or phrase could have been used to explain the same thing, that's called verbosity, which is what you want to avoid. Practicing writing succinct phrases that encapsulate certain characters or moments in your text, which you can then use in your essays at appropriate moments, may be helpful.

Plus do you recommend using 3 pieces of textual evidence per body paragraph? I can manage 700 words with 2 pieces of textual evidence per body paragraph, and I'd like to bump that up to about 1000 words for year 12, so I'd say 3 may be very appropriate, but of course, your advise would be greatly appreciated.

It really depends on your explanations of each piece of evidence. Remember that this is the most important part of your body paragraphs (alongside topic sentences). As long as you're not compromising the quality of your explanatory statements, keeping time constraints in mind, having 3 pieces of evidence is definitely fine. However, if you find that you can elaborate enough on just 2 pieces of evidence, there's nothing wrong with that either.

[Yang Li]

Hey all,

I'm back

Thanks to Ancora and Brenden for answering in my stead

Please feel free to continue posting questions.

I will be streaming all of my class material in an intense, one off web seminar on Youtube at the end of August. If you want to be a part of this seminar, or want more information, please PM me so that I can arrange for an invitation to go out to you.

All the best,

Yang

[jaz95]

This may sound like a really obvious question but with english being the most popular subject i had to ask.
Over unit 3, of the 3 sacs I have done on each AOS (language analysis and speech graded together) I have received an A on each of them. Does this automatically mean that my unit 3 ga is an A?

[Yang Li]

Hey jaz95,

The short answer is yes; although it is subject to change depending on how well you do in your exam.

All the best,

Yang

N.B. I've had quote a few messages regarding the seminar in late August. It is confirmed to be $90 and will run for 3 hours on Saturday, August the 31st. Please PM me if you are interested.

[Yang Li]

Hey guys

Good news - the final copy of my notes has been finalised and all participants of the online seminar will be receiving one.

[This-is-not-me]

Hi Yang,

I am currently the highest ranked in my cohort for english(and hopefully can maintain that rank) and would like to know what score on average I would need to get across the three essays to get a 40-45 study score raw.  In other words how many marks can I drop on the exam to ensure a minimum 40.

Thanks