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

[werdna]

For I&B, a good way to look at a prompt is in terms of causes and types. You could break up paragraphs according to this.

So for the prompt 'Our identity is shaped by our experiences', think of 3 causes/reasons as to why identity is shaped by our experiences. Keep in mind that in expository essays, you should look at all angles. So look at how identity is strengthened, shaped AND weakened by our experiences, and also how these experiences can lead to belonging AND isolation.

You can also look at it in terms of types, and this would be the way to go for this prompt. What are 3 types of life experiences? These could be your 3 paragraphs. Eg. cultural experiences, family experiences, personal experiences. Then within paragraphs, look at how each of these types of experiences can ---> strengthen/weaken identity and lead to belonging/alienation.

Your paragraphs should be based on exploring all angles - therefore you won't need a 'however' paragraph for most topics.

[Damoz.G]

For I&B, a good way to look at a prompt is in terms of causes and types. You could break up paragraphs according to this.

So for the prompt 'Our identity is shaped by our experiences', think of 3 causes/reasons as to why identity is shaped by our experiences. Keep in mind that in expository essays, you should look at all angles. So look at how identity is strengthened, shaped AND weakened by our experiences, and also how these experiences can lead to belonging AND isolation.

You can also look at it in terms of types, and this would be the way to go for this prompt. What are 3 types of life experiences? These could be your 3 paragraphs. Eg. cultural experiences, family experiences, personal experiences. Then within paragraphs, look at how each of these types of experiences can ---> strengthen/weaken identity and lead to belonging/alienation.

Your paragraphs should be based on exploring all angles - therefore you won't need a 'however' paragraph for most topics.

Thank you very much, werdna! That's what I was trying to explain, but I didn't know much about Identity and Belonging so I struggled.

[09Ti08]

Hello, I have another question! 
When I quote something which is said by a character, and in the book, the author has already used quotation marks (something like "abc", said A). Then when I quote it, do I have to use double quotation marks? (something like A said " " abc" "). My teacher tells me not to do this, but I'm unsure...
Thank you very much!

[Thymaster]

Just wondering if we can disagree on language analysis by stating that the writer hasnt been persuasive  and elaborating

[werdna]

Just wondering if we can disagree on language analysis by stating that the writer hasnt been persuasive  and elaborating

Personally wouldn't do it, seems quite counterproductive...

But if you can relate it to how the readers may react, then I guess you could? If you just write the analysis with the mindset of 'how am I being persuaded by this?' then you'll write naturally. Remember - you are a reader yourself, so think about how the article is positioning you. BUT be mindful of the fact that the target audience will vary, so adjust your thinking with this in mind!

[werdna]

Hello, I have another question! 
When I quote something which is said by a character, and in the book, the author has already used quotation marks (something like "abc", said A). Then when I quote it, do I have to use double quotation marks? (something like A said " " abc" "). My teacher tells me not to do this, but I'm unsure...
Thank you very much!

Nope, no need to do this!

[09Ti08]

Thank werdna very much for your help!

Btw, I have another question... 
I know this might sound very stupid, but I think I need to ask anyway.

Do you have any tips to write linking sentences? I always try to paraphrase my topic sentence, but somehow I always come up with an unclear sentence which does not relate to the prompt at all. Most people who have read my essays always say that my linking sentences are incomplete, and they think that I could elaborate on it. But to he honest, I have no idea how to do so, especially when my linking sentence includes similar ideas to my topic sentence, and I think there's nothing more I can say, because I have already done this through my body paragraph.

Thank you very much indeed!

[charmanderp]

Great work guys, keep it up.

[werdna]

Thank werdna very much for your help!

Btw, I have another question... 
I know this might sound very stupid, but I think I need to ask anyway.

Do you have any tips to write linking sentences? I always try to paraphrase my topic sentence, but somehow I always come up with an unclear sentence which does not relate to the prompt at all. Most people who have read my essays always say that my linking sentences are incomplete, and they think that I could elaborate on it. But to he honest, I have no idea how to do so, especially when my linking sentence includes similar ideas to my topic sentence, and I think there's nothing more I can say, because I have already done this through my body paragraph.

Thank you very much indeed!

Assume this is in relation to text response? Rule of thumb for linking sentences - use a linking word (eg. Thus, Hence, Therefore etc), mention the director/author (eg. Lahiri, Rose etc) and then elaborate on the key idea and argument you discussed. Also relate this to the topic and maybe incorporate social/historical/cultural context in there too. That should lead to a good decent sized linking sentence - don't just reword/paraphrase the topic sentence, the linking sentence should cover the key idea without sounding the same as the topic sentence.

[Smiley_]

what could you talk about in relation to OTW and friendship?

[Stick]

For context (Whose Reality?), there are some quotes from my text (The Lot: In Words - Michael Leunig) that go very well with the ideas that I use and my writing style, but a couple of them contain swear words. I know that in general, such language probably should be avoided unless absolutely essential, but surely VCAA would not have any issues if the words have been directly taken from a text that they have chosen, right? Should I avoid using those ones just to be on the safe side? As much as I want to use them, I obviously don't want to create any trouble for myself.

[Patches]

Of course - it's part of Leunig's style. Obviously don't be gratuitous but if its in the text and including it serves a purpose there'll be no issue

[brenden]

For context (Whose Reality?), there are some quotes from my text (The Lot: In Words - Michael Leunig) that go very well with the ideas that I use and my writing style, but a couple of them contain swear words. I know that in general, such language probably should be avoided unless absolutely essential, but surely VCAA would not have any issues if the words have been directly taken from a text that they have chosen, right? Should I avoid using those ones just to be on the safe side? As much as I want to use them, I obviously don't want to create any trouble for myself.

Eh, I had the words bitch and slut in my short story somewhat unnecessarily. You'll be fine.

[charmanderp]

Eh, I had the words bitch and slut in my short story somewhat unnecessarily. You'll be fine.

Yeah I had all sort of gratuitously ostentatious and superfluously crude vernacular in my context pieces that came from all sorts of sources as well. English examiners tend to be more liberal than those for other subjects and I think on the whole they're actually excited to see when you make creative choices that mean you look outside the box to find the 'best evidence'. That's what it's about, standard of how you present and interpret what you use. Should be fine.

[brenden]

That reminds me - the assessor's report encouraged people to "be bold" in Context.