2013 Exam Prep Questions Thread - Mod Assistance. Post questions in here.

[Smiley_]

for

It is Terry’s anger that leads him to testify against Johnny Friendly, not his newly awakened conscience.’ Discuss.

I only have a few ideas anyone have any good para ideas ?

[kaiipoo_]

for

It is Terry’s anger that leads him to testify against Johnny Friendly, not his newly awakened conscience.’ Discuss.

I only have a few ideas anyone have any good para ideas ?

Think about what it is that ultimately pushes Terry to testify. maybe it was the death of Charley? maybe Father Barry?

think about all of the events which have led up to Terry's heightened sense of moral conviction. How is Edie's influence relevant?

Think about how Johnny has manipulated Terry all his time. Is there the possibility that Terry has some resentment towards Johnny?

Think about the reasons why Terry didn't want to testify in the first place. Was it the desire to conform with the DnD community? Was it the fear of losing friends? How are the Golden Warriors relevant to Terry's conscience?

shit like that.

[HossRyams]

Hmm... I'm not sure how to word this to avoid what happened when I was asking about timing, but what are some strategies to get language analysis essays done quicker? I've done a few proper trial exams at school now and I have no issues writing high range text response and context pieces in 45-50 minutes, but in most cases I'm taking over an hour to get through the language analysis and this makes things much more difficult for time. I don't really want to compromise planning or proofreading time anymore. The issue with language analysis is that I want to try and analyse everything, but I can't. I've even tried being really selective with the language choices I discuss, but I still feel uncomfortable leaving other stuff out, and then I'm inclined to over-analyse every single thing I quote in order to compensate. I've also tried grouping a whole lot of pieces of evidence together and analysing them collectively, but this too feels funny. Any advice?

I think that's normal (at least for me). I've been timing my exams and initially freaking out when I realise that I need AT LEAST the full hour to complete my language analysis thoroughly, but then when I go on to do my text response and context piece and complete them, I realise I still have enough time to read over my work.

I have the same issue about wanting to analyse everything since I'm worried I'll miss out on something important. But it's really better to pick a few (important!) things and analyse the crap out of them. (To make the choices quickly, I make sure tone, visuals and any stylistic features are discussed, and avoid discussing the 'hip-pocket nerve' or rhetorical questions because they are usually the first choices for mid-range/low-range responses - unless they are all over the damn place and must be analysed. On that note, we had an external examiner for my school's English mock exam, and in our assessment report the examiner stated that she, along with many other examiners, dislike the mention of hip-pocket nerve and that it makes them "cringe". )

And I think it's fine to group pieces of evidence together PROVIDED they all aim for a similar effect. I usually would point out something, and then say "in conjunction with blah blah" and then discuss how they lead the reader to blah blah.

That's what I think!

[Stick]

Thanks! If I can get my language analysis done within the hour come Wednesday, I don't think I'll have any issues with my text response or context piece (provided the prompts aren't completely ridiculous). The key for me is to carefully plan the latter two, since I've recently lapsed into the habit of regurgitating previous paragraphs and not linking specifically enough with the prompt. Hopefully I'll get 5 minutes to do this properly.

[HossRyams]

Thanks! If I can get my language analysis done within the hour come Wednesday, I don't think I'll have any issues with my text response or context piece (provided the prompts aren't completely ridiculous). The key for me is to carefully plan the latter two, since I've recently lapsed into the habit of regurgitating previous paragraphs and not linking specifically enough with the prompt. Hopefully I'll get 5 minutes to do this properly.

I've similarly found that I've been re-using paragraphs but I think it's fine if you can find an appropriate way of linking it to the prompt. I think there's a degree to which you can twist the prompt into your favour so that you can write about concepts you have thorough knowledge of, but just don't twist it too far I guess. A lot of the successful students (From 45-50 in English) I have talked to, despite how often teachers say DON'T MEMORISE THINGS, say that during the exam they could regurgitate a fair amount of things. In turn, they saved a lot of time by having prepared ideas and well-expressed phrases.

But yeah planning is soooo helpful - you'll probably see straight away if a paragraph you want to regurgitate is pushing it in terms of relating it to the prompt since you can see how it all adds up. Plus it gets rid of those horrible mid-writing blank outs.

Anyway good luck, sounds like you'll do well ^_^

[werdna]

My context is Identity and Belonging.
I've created a few pre-prepared paragraphs for the exam which can be adjusted depending on the prompt.

I'm just curious, would you say its good to have a final paragraph on society? I've always written on society pressures.. in both of my SACs and in my practice exam and it's always that paragraph where I get ticks ticks ticks ticks. I kind of feel as if I have a vested interest in it too.. as I've actually bothered to do some research into it to get some evidence/ideas.

I really want to use this paragraph: "However, society pressures individuals to change their identity".. then explain, although what are the chances the prompt won't relate to it? As far as I know, prompts will never really relate to society.. its basically one of those paragraphs that 'challenge the prompt'

cheers

I would personally avoid having any paragraphs/essays pre-prepared. Really up to you though. But how would you bring in the society paragraph if the prompt was on cultural differences or perceptions?

Also, as a general rule for context and text response, your 'however' argument shouldn't introduce a COMPLETELY different point. Don't say 'This is important...' and 'This is important...' for your first two paragraphs, and then 'However, this is also important...' --> all points should be relevant to the prompt, whether they agree/disagree with it.

[werdna]

Stick, regarding exam timing, I think it'd be a good idea to stick to a maximum of 55 minutes per essay. That works out at 5 mins for the intro, 15 mins x 3 body paragraphs and 5 mins conclusion. Then you have a good 5 min allowance for proofreading time.

Having said this, you should all try to have the language analysis done as quick as possible, given that the quotes that you need are in front of you. All you need to practise and know is the structure and overall writing conventions for analysis. The other essays will be a bit trickier given that you need to memorise your quotes etc., so you might even need a bit more than 55 mins to write them.

Last thing - Stick, if you want to analyse multiple techniques together, choose the techniques carefully and you may be able to discuss the 'cumulative effect' of these examples, and how they work together to produce a larger effect on readers/listeners. Look at how the audience is positioned to think and feel. BUT, do not combine analyses too often in the essay, otherwise it'll be too broad. It is important to have a balance b/w broad and specific analysis.

[werdna]

Hey guys! I was just wondering, how should I minimise story telling in section B? Of course I have to outline the main points of each source too... any ideas?

Choose your quotes selectively, keep on track with the prompt, have a balance between textual evidence and real-life, external sources. Basically as a general rule, quote and explain, quote and explain, quote and explain etc... BUT also vary your sentence structures and starters. Good luck!

[werdna]

What is a good expository form that allows you to solely discuss things related to the book/film similar to a text response or something for context?

- Intro

- Body 1/2/3 - Topic sentence, explain the idea for 2-3 sentences, real-life example (4-5 quotes explained in relation to idea), link to text example (4-5 quotes explained in relation to idea), linking sentence to finish paragraph. DO NOT name any texts or examples in topic/linking sentences.

- Conclusion

[Stick]

Stick, regarding exam timing, I think it'd be a good idea to stick to a maximum of 55 minutes per essay. That works out at 5 mins for the intro, 15 mins x 3 body paragraphs and 5 mins conclusion. Then you have a good 5 min allowance for proofreading time.

Having said this, you should all try to have the language analysis done as quick as possible, given that the quotes that you need are in front of you. All you need to practise and know is the structure and overall writing conventions for analysis. The other essays will be a bit trickier given that you need to memorise your quotes etc., so you might even need a bit more than 55 mins to write them.

Last thing - Stick, if you want to analyse multiple techniques together, choose the techniques carefully and you may be able to discuss the 'cumulative effect' of these examples, and how they work together to produce a larger effect on readers/listeners. Look at how the audience is positioned to think and feel. BUT, do not combine analyses too often in the essay, otherwise it'll be too broad. It is important to have a balance b/w broad and specific analysis.

Thanks. I'll just have to be super disciplined.

[werdna]

Thanks. I'll just have to be super disciplined.

I'm sure you will do fine. The exam pressure will work to your advantage. Plus, when doing practice exams at home/school, in the back of our minds we don't necessarily HAVE to do it and can procrastinate, but your exam on Wednesday HAS to be done, no ifs and no buts. Try to have at least one timed exam done to a high standard before the exam though, just so that you have the confidence to back you up.

[fridge]

Have done very little preparation for English. Probably the last subject you should be trying to 'cram', but any suggestions of how I can 'maximise' my score would be great. 

[HossRyams]

Have done very little preparation for English. Probably the last subject you should be trying to 'cram', but any suggestions of how I can 'maximise' my score would be great. 

Go over feedback you've received previously and ensure you don't replicate past mistakes? Or plan prompts you can find, or just practice looking at articles and thinking of what you would analyse and how you'd structure your piece etc.

[Checkmate]

For LA, teachers have been giving feedback to link more towards the writer's argument, however when I follow the structure of technique, effect, example, I don't see how I would perform this link. Is it like 'How would the effect boost their argument?' or something, because I'm finding I just slam down analysis after analysis on language and I need to "work more in line with the text" as my teachers say.

Thoughts?

[werdna]

For LA, teachers have been giving feedback to link more towards the writer's argument, however when I follow the structure of technique, effect, example, I don't see how I would perform this link. Is it like 'How would the effect boost their argument?' or something, because I'm finding I just slam down analysis after analysis on language and I need to "work more in line with the text" as my teachers say.

Thoughts?

Perhaps add purpose into your acronym as well? Technique, example, purpose, effect - TEPE.