50 in English - Feel free to ask questions.

[Alwin]

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. 

Personally I would get a good night's sleep and only do light study so I don't stress myself out too much. Yang might have an alternate view, but that's just my suggestion

[vashappenin]

I didn't do as much as I hoped this weekend for english, although I did do some stuff. I was going to just spend tomorrow doing a lot of plans and memorising quotes, and then tuesday just reading over my essays, plans and notes. Does that sound ok?

[brenden]

I didn't do as much as I hoped this weekend for english, although I did do some stuff. I was going to just spend tomorrow doing a lot of plans and memorising quotes, and then tuesday just reading over my essays, plans and notes. Does that sound ok?

That sounds ideal.

[Yang Li]

Hey guys,

I hope you find this reply today.

On the visual in LA:
- Use a whole BP or half a BP to address the image.
- Often, analysis of the visual is where students can shine and stand out from the rest of the cohort.
- Download my guide for LA and check out my suggestions for how to tackle the visual.

On last minute study:
- Don't burn yourself out. The last night should be used to get yourself in the right zone for the exam. Rest well and keep a clear mind.
- If you do study, write up some plans for a few topics, rather than bang out whole essays.
- Check out my Youtube vid and run through the check-list of possible prompts for section B. Know the main character of your text well.
- The last few hours can be used to memorise some quotes for section B. Store these in your short term memory; use and forget.

All the best for tomorrow!

Yang

P.S. Msg me and let me know how you did; and whether you found my advice helpful

[maree271]

For context I am writing an expository essay. Is it frowned upon or a disadvantage for me if I include examples from both of my texts in the essay (L.O.G and Paradise Road)/

[Yang Li]

Hi maree,

Go for both! Done well, it really shows off your range of knowledge.

All the best,

Yang

[tyrone]

Hey yang,
I am in need of help understanding what exactly is a text response and what am i actually doing using quotes (bit dumb of a question i know) but yesterday i did a practice exam at school like the real thing, i felt as if i did really well and smashed sections B and C, but when i got to the text response for Y.O.W i kind of blanked and i found myself summarizing by accident any help is much appreciated.

[Yang Li]

Hey guys,

I realised that I didn't cover visuals in the notes I put up at the beginning of the thread. I've attached to this post a slide that covers the important elements. My class has been through these slides.

All the best!

Yang

[Yang Li]

Hi Tyrone,

Try the following:
1) Identify whether the prompt is a character question or theme question.
2) Brainstorm by thinking of themes related to the character (for character prompts) and characters who depict the theme/idea (for theme prompts)
3) Plan your essay by writing down the main contention for all 3 to 5 body paragraphs.
4) When writing, try and incorporate the quotes (evidence) within the same sentence as the your point (explanation).

All the best mate,

Yang

[vashappenin]

Hi,
re: Language analysis, if it's a speech with slides, do we treat it like an article with images or as though it's an actual speech we're listening to? e.g. Is it ok to incorporate a slide later in the piece when talking about argument that is somewhere in the beginning of the speech? I wasn't sure because speeches are obviously in chronological order.. I kind of got a little confused..

[Yang Li]

Hi vashappenin,

For speeches with slides, take note of when the slides occur, and incorporate them accordingly in your body paragraphs. For extra marks, analyse how they are intended to influence the audience as a particular point is being addressed to them orally.

All the best,

Yang

[Damoz.G]

If I'm doing a persuasive/expository hybrid for context, am I able to argue against the prompt, if I don't agree with its conditions?

If Yang doesn't mind me answering your question, yes you are allowed to disagree with the prompt, but just make sure your ideas presented are very clear.

[Alan Pho]

Hi hello!!

For a context expository piece, would it be okay to draw on the studied text only once and have two points from current/historical events ?

[Yang Li]

Hey guys,

Damoz is on the money there. The opposite side is essential if you want to write a nuanced essay and score highly.

For the context essay, just make sure you draw on the studied text at least once.

All the best,

Yang

[charmanderp]

Hey guys,

Damoz is on the money there. The opposite side is essential if you want to write a nuanced essay and score highly.

For the context essay, just make sure you draw on the studied text at least once.

All the best,

Yang

Sorry to oppose, but I wouldn't say it's *essential*. None of my English essays at high school level or even now at university level ever really 'go into the opposite side' in the sense that most students think you need to, and it's never been something I've been criticised for.

Having a nuanced discussion and one that's detailed and complex is different to one that covers 'both sides', and I think the idea that there are two distinct sides to any essay question is a bit too simple and misleading. So long as your response to the essay question is well argued, you don't have to cover the opposite side just for the sake of it to score highly.

I'm not saying it's necessarily a bad thing to do, but definitely don't contrive to include the opposite side in your essay and undermine your argument and the cogency/structure of your essay as a result. All in the expression. Valuable when done correctly, but not by any means necessary!

With regard to context, I've heard that examiners tend to expect that at least 50% of your ideas are relevant to the primary text. This doesn't mean you need to directly reference it, but it should be clear that it has been factored into your thinking.