English: Ask Me Anything

[NOnga]

Just wanted to ask how to make more prompt connection when doing a creative story for conflict and is it better to start with an outright definition in relation to the prompt?

[Damoz.G]

Just wanted to ask how to make more prompt connection when doing a creative story for conflict and is it better to start with an outright definition in relation to the prompt?

With a creative piece, when connecting it to the prompt, you just have to change a few words in your key topic sentences that you present in your ideas so that they match the prompt.

If your writing a creative story, you wouldn't need to include any definitions. You would only do that in an expository or analytical piece, not a creative. =/

[EvangelionZeta]

Obviously its different for everyone, but what order did you do your sections in? Also, why did you do them in that order? Just curious.

I plan on doing it in this order: C, B, A

I did CAB, but yes, it's mostly preferential (although I'd say doing C first is logical - right after reading time!)

Do you recommend to do any study the night before the exam? Or will that just increase the stress?

Read over notes the night before, but relax!

is it difficult to achieve a 8 on language analysis?

If you put in the hard work, yes, but not excessively so.  I'd say most students can achieve an 8.

HELP. I know for a text response, you pick a side of the prompt and sort of present your discussion to prove that. However, can you argue against a prompt in context?? I found one of Whose Reality? "It is often tempting, but is aways dangerous to seek to avoid reality" where I've found and developed ideas that even with facing reality, it's dangerous because of critique and conflicting opinions (mine's about Michael Leunig's The Lot and how the public responds to these). Anyway, back to where I started, do I have to agree with the context prompt, or can I argue or set out conditions for it to be valid and argue my point? Every other prompt has worked and I've been like awww yeah this is good, then I got this one and I'm thinking, no that's not how I think it should be and I was thinking can I argue against a context prompt???

I'd say it's best to generally stick in favour of it if at all possible.  If you're utterly desperate though I'm sure examiners would also accept an antithetical view.

I'm having some issues with timing.  I tried to do an exam today, and failed miserably
I mean I've done heaps of essay's in the past under timed conditions and went decent on my trial exam in school but for some reason I just can't get myself to write a good essay right now.  I don't know if its because I'm at home, or I don't have enough adrenaline but I can't concentrate right now.  What should I do?

It's just adrenaline.  Chill, it'll be okay - this is something a lot of students I've taught encountered.  It'll be all good in the exam tomorrow, just revise notes for now and make sure you're really on top of concepts

[EvangelionZeta]

I think for the most part techniques should be avoided, I think people really substitute it for proper analysis. That said, I don't think it should be entirely missing. I mixed it in lightly, so its okay if you feel like "oh no, I am going to have to identify a technique". It doesn't matter so long as you demonstrate a perceptive analysis of language.
Changing grammar around will help. Instead of "the author utilises negative connotations" you can easily say "<language>" connotes <x>
Or even "In saying '"x", the author... <language works in xyz way>"
"Through "<language>"...
Or "<language>" aims to instill ....
"<author> directly targets the younger fact of the audience, "harry potter" appealing to the secondary school students in the forum because xyz"

It's just a matter of writing what you want to say grammatically and showing the language you're about to deconstruct. Again, don't stress too much, if your teacher has been like ''YOU CAN'T SCORE WELL IF YOU DON'T LABEL TECHNIQUES'' - they're full of shit. Doesn't quite matter what you do. My teacher advocated labelling but I disagree. It's the demonstration of your skills that matter.

See I just completely disagree with this.  For instance:
 "In saying '"x", the author... <language works in xyz way>"
"Through "<language>"...
Or "<language>" aims to instill ...."

All of these come across as assertive to me unless you can ground them in a specific strategy (technique) that the author is using to CREATE those effects.  It's not really analysis, because you're not really telling me what it is about those phrases that elicits those effects, you're just saying that those phrases create an effect.

My ideal form for language analysis is:

1. Label a technique
2. Explain the immediate effect of the technique (what is it doing in a vacuum?  What is the purpose?)
3. Explain how it positions the audience

eg. "The writer's use of statistics, as in *QUOTE*, grounds the argument in scientific rationality, granting the audience more incentive to perceive the rise of global warming as a valid, realistic threat"

You need all three bits.  Only having part 3 will get you to a point, but I think that getting a 10/10 is about making sure you engage with EVERYTHING (and yes, some examiners might be okay if you miss technique labeling, but equally some will immediately dismiss you - you have to cater for all)

[EvangelionZeta]

In terms of reading time, how deep do you recommend we develop our plans for text response and context? And how long should we roughly be spending planning these sections before reading LA? Thank you

I'd say 5 minutes max for each of the plans.  You need at least five minutes of reading for LA!

If there is a quote in the text response prompt how should we go about contextualising it in the essay?

I'd usually just link it into the introduction somewhere - something like "At the middle of the novel ****, X says Y, reflecting blahblahblah" - it's not actually absolutely essential to use the quote, although you may as well!

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)/

Not at all - my school taught us to do this and got heaps of 50s every year.

Stupid question, but is it compulsory to underline the text title or will inverted commas do. So would i bring in a ruler? 

Not compulsory, but you will look dumb if you don't.  Just underline it, it's painless!

if i  was to mention techniques in LA would i make it sound clumsy?

NO.  Just mention what the techniques position the audience to feel too.

is it important to consider the other side of the argument in context and text response? i mean agree with the prompt but also consider the other side to give a more rounded approach? so only do this for context or also for text response?

More for text response, I'd say actually.  In text response a nuanced understanding of the text almost necessarily needs both sides.  DO IT!

[EvangelionZeta]

Just wanted to ask how to make more prompt connection when doing a creative story for conflict and is it better to start with an outright definition in relation to the prompt?

My suggestion is think of three ideas about the prompt, and then make sure you have three scenes/characters who explicitly illustrate said idea.  And I'm not sure what the latter means!

[sin0001]

For an expos. essay for Context, better to explore one side in depth or have a 'but' idea which sorta contradicts and undermines your contention?
Thanks!

[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 ?

[Lakkattack]

Heyy! Will you ever be penalised if you write too much for language analysis ie. analysis most of the techniques and write about 6 pages? Because for my end of year trial exam, it took me about 65 to write a 6 page LA (my writing is very small) and I got a 7, with very strong analysis but it was way to verbose!! So im worried that if i write too much it will come back to get me. Should i just minimise my analysis to make it more coherent, short and succinct? 

[brenden]

See I just completely disagree with this.  For instance:
 "In saying '"x", the author... <language works in xyz way>"
"Through "<language>"...
Or "<language>" aims to instill ...."

All of these come across as assertive to me unless you can ground them in a specific strategy (technique) that the author is using to CREATE those effects.  It's not really analysis, because you're not really telling me what it is about those phrases that elicits those effects, you're just saying that those phrases create an effect.

I should just note - these are sentence starters. Of course, one would go on to analyse what it is about the phrases. We're coming at it from the same perspective, I think. I have the same problem with you in reference to technique labeling, more often than not it leads to "In saying "the money will go away", the author appeals to the hip-pocket nerve of the audience", which isn't really analysis. I do think it is worth labeling techniques to cater for all, but I think a series of labels can often be counterproductive.

[Damoz.G]

Heyy! Will you ever be penalised if you write too much for language analysis ie. analysis most of the techniques and write about 6 pages? Because for my end of year trial exam, it took me about 65 to write a 6 page LA (my writing is very small) and I got a 7, with very strong analysis but it was way to verbose!! So im worried that if i write too much it will come back to get me. Should i just minimise my analysis to make it more coherent, short and succinct? 

When you say "Analysis of most techniques", I'm assuming you talked a lot about various techniques. Try and pick up on the most important implications of phrases and discuss them in detail.

Find less to analyse, but do more analysis of what you find (if that makes sense).

[SocialRhubarb]

If we're looking to talk about recent issues in our context piece, such as the ongoing conflict in Syria or the recent government shutdown in the US, do we need to include specific quotes about the issue?

[Lakkattack]

Thanks Heaps!! And btw, would you recommend opening your conflict essay for section B with a general conflict quote from a famous figure, such as Abraham Lincoln?

[Damoz.G]

Thanks Heaps!! And btw, would you recommend opening your conflict essay for section B with a general conflict quote from a famous figure, such as Abraham Lincoln?

I don't do Encountering Conflict, but personally, I wouldn't open my piece with a quote. I'd probably use it as evidence for a topic sentence in my body paragraphs.

[Cookiez]

What is the best way to study for text response in the next 5 hours?
I have 4 essays written up but I can't seem to memorise them.
I don't want to memorise word for word because it will take too long and I'll be screwed if I forget something in the exam.


Thanks!