English: Ask Me Anything

[werdna]

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!

I would strongly suggest that you don't 'memorise' anything for the exam, not because you will forget something, but because you're more likely to write a generic essay that doesn't respond to the topic. Therefore, I think you can spend the next few hours to read over notes aloud, plan a few topics, jot down the examples you'd use, know your metalanguage examples inside out, and also practise intro's and topic sentences.

[Cookiez]

I would strongly suggest that you don't 'memorise' anything for the exam, not because you will forget something, but because you're more likely to write a generic essay that doesn't respond to the topic. Therefore, I think you can spend the next few hours to read over notes aloud, plan a few topics, jot down the examples you'd use, know your metalanguage examples inside out, and also practise intro's and topic sentences.

Thanks for the advice!
What do you mean by metalanguage examples?

[Green]

is it true that people memorize essays and change prompt get good marks on their i went to lecture that said was possible?

[Green]

metalanguage is persuasive techniques, you try to memorize some of effects

[Cookiez]

is it true that people memorize essays and change prompt get good marks on their i went to lecture that said was possible?

Yes.
If you have a prepared piece and you are lucky to get a similar topic all you have to do is slot in the information you already know. You also must know how to adapt your pre-prepared piece to the prompt that is being given.

[teexo]

should we underline titles in context and language analysis as well or use quotation marks?

[awesomejames]

1. What/how much do you include in the introduction when talking about the visual or image that is included in the language analysis? Is it just stating that it accompanies the piece, or also explaining what is occurring in the image?

2. How would you talk about comments that are included in the piece(Lang analysis)? If there were more than 2 would u go about using one whole paragraph for it? And how would u go about contrasting it with the major piece?

[Damoz.G]

should we underline titles in context and language analysis as well or use quotation marks?

Underline the names of texts and companies.

[Alwin]

Since EZ replies irrespective whether someone else has, I'll chip in too

should we underline titles in context and language analysis as well or use quotation marks?

Yes. Quotation marks or underlining is fine, but in VCE underlining for titles is the convention

1. What/how much do you include in the introduction when talking about the visual or image that is included in the language analysis? Is it just stating that it accompanies the piece, or also explaining what is occurring in the image?

2. How would you talk about comments that are included in the piece(Lang analysis)? If there were more than 2 would u go about using one whole paragraph for it? And how would u go about contrasting it with the major piece?

1. Stylistic imho. Personally, I give it a half sentence or oneliner in the intro just to prove to the examiner I'm not blind (nor are my eyes thattttt small/squinty) and I saw the pretty pic they put in

2. This is an interesting question because there are several schools of thought. Even though the marking criteria doesn't specify for it, personally I make one or two comparative statements
eg in the intro:
In article X writer Y asserts that <pigs can fly> which is supported by the first comment A but ridiculed by the second comment B. etc etc
Then in the bp for the comment A,
Though A agrees with Y in condoning the <quote: attachment of wings to pigs to help them fly> A does so in a <frivolous> manner. Then I analyse the comment in a separate body paragraph

The other school of thought is to intersperse the analysis comments in analysis of the major article, eg:
Writer Y rhetorically questions readers as to <quote: whether they believe pigs can fly>. Etc etc <explain purpose + effect> In his comment, commenter B mockingly answers this question with <quote: wth you think im retarded?>. This gives the reader the <etc etc etc>

Hope it helps + good luck for tomorrow

EDIT: to clear things up, the bits in < > are just my made up examples

[OutstandingInDivination]

Is it alright to completely refute a context prompt?

E.g. prompt: 'turtles are nefarious demons from hell who crave world domination'

my piece's contention: 'turtles aren't satanic creatures from the abyss, but reptilian shelled organisms who are both marine and terrestrial'

[Alwin]

Is it alright to completely refute a context prompt?

E.g. prompt: 'turtles are nefarious demons from hell who crave world domination'

my piece's contention: 'turtles aren't satanic creatures from the abyss, but reptilian shelled organisms who are both marine and terrestrial'

Hmm, personally I wouldn't completely disagree as often looking at both sides of the prompt, or from multiple perspectives gives a more complex response. But then again I write creative so what am I supposed to know

But I think EZ answered this question before somewhere in this thread
EDIT: FOUND IT =D

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.

[Green]

What section is recommend to begin with in the exam?

[Alwin]

What section is recommend to begin with in the exam?

Depends on your own personal strengths and weaknesses. Most people recommend C because you've just read the piece, then text then context. Personally, I love context so I do context then text because I write context faster thus not as rushed for text

HOWEVER, some people find they spend too long on LA, upwards of 70min and for them they chose to put language analysis last so they feel rushed for A and B having spent so long on C.

It's a personal thing, but if you're confident with your Language Analysis and can do it in around an hour I recommend it first

[shooterblitz]

Depends on your own personal strengths and weaknesses. Most people recommend C because you've just read the piece, then text then context. Personally, I love context so I do context then text because I write context faster thus not as rushed for text

HOWEVER, some people find they spend too long on LA, upwards of 70min and for them they chose to put language analysis last so they feel rushed for A and B having spent so long on C.

It's a personal thing, but if you're confident with your Language Analysis and can do it in around an hour I recommend it first

In regards to writing context first (I also do creative, and am confident with it), I was planning to do it last, as I could spend my pressured time on the essay and analysis, where then I calm down knowing the prompt inside out and end up writing a well composed story towards the end? Does that work as well?

[Damoz.G]

In regards to writing context first (I also do creative, and am confident with it), I was planning to do it last, as I could spend my pressured time on the essay and analysis, where then I calm down knowing the prompt inside out and end up writing a well composed story towards the end? Does that work as well?

I think you should always go with your Strengths first, and get them out of the way. Otherwise if you do your Strengths last, you may be rushed for time, and *may* not do it the way you wanted to. Touch wood this doesn't happen, but its possible.

If Context is your strength, I'd go with finishing that first.

Good Luck!