50 in English, available for queries :)

[brenden]

wait

so we can comment on the persuasive devices used by the author of the comments if they disagree with the author of the main text??? cool.

also,
if the text response question is a 'how' question, does ALL the evidence need to be about the structure of the text? or can it just be the majority?

It wouldn't even need to be about the structure of the main text.

"How does Author X exemplify the importance of Value X"

-Through the characterisation of their protagonist
-Through X type depiction of society
-Through structure.

Structure is always good because it's impressive evidence, but "How" paragraphs doesn't always mean "On an extremely technical level, how does the author...?"

And yeah, you can definitely analyse comments that disagree!!!!!!!!!!!!

[literally lauren]

anna.xo:
Can't speak for others, but what I'm saying is you'll have 3-4 regular paragraphs on the core text + visuals. At the end of each paragraph, that's where you do the contrasting. I know some people recommend one para at the end for ALL the comparison, but that seems a bit clunky to me. Can work well if you're in a jam though.

Blondie21:
Yes, definitely! Analyse the comments as though they were mini-articles; what does each author want you to think, and what language devices have they employed to do so? Don't go overboard though, as most comparative tasks only have very short comparative section, and there'll be REALLY OBVIOUS CONNECTIONS! see: 2011 exam, core text discusses dangerous risks of tattoos, commenter Dr. AB lists a bunch of gross medical issues caused by tattoos. One of the visuals was of Ta Moko, a New Zealandish body art, and another commenter 'Kiwi' discussed the historical weight of this artform.
VCAA aren't often subtle.

Re: T.R. not necessarily. All your evidence is about constructions though, be they characters, quotes or themes. 'How' questions tend to frazzle people, but you can just as easily begin your discussion with a bit of structural discussion, and then work out to V&V stuff just like normal

"How does Author X exemplify the importance of Value X"

-Through the characterisation of their protagonist
-Through X type depiction of society
-Through structure.

^what he said.
Regardless of your text, you don't need to delve into a bunch of jargonistic metalanguage; everything in the text is a structure, and thus a construction, it's all about how you zoom in and out of that spectrum when applying evidence.

[Rod]

Hi Lauren

Would just like to thank you for all this hard work and dedication you've put in this thread, and all her helpers (Brenden etc). You've really made our lives much easier with all this free feedback, free practise exams, free help threads and preparation before the exam!!

All your advice has been invaluable to me and my friends this year!!

Thank you!!!!!!!!

[brenden]

Btw guys - http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are?language=en - has been very helpful for me before exams. Basically, make yourself physically big and powerful. It works.



Yeah, I'd also like to thank Lauren! At times, I've looked on in awe thinking, "how the fuck can you do so much work", so it's needless to note what a huge contribution she's/(you've - if you're Lauren) made to the community. It's been truly admirable and of Tolstoyan proportions. Just crazy and amazing. I'm sure there are many students out there who once would have been lost for words in expressing their gratefulness, but can now delivered appropriate and cogent responses tailored to the task.

(and I've totally had to do less work yay)

[literally lauren]

ergh, sorry, I have about twelve dozen tabs open which is perhaps not the best way of going about things. Typed this up but forgot to post 


George D:
If you're writing a regular expository essay then you shouldn't have to worry about audience. If it's a speech, then have something at the start like 'Good morning ladies and gentlemen of the United States Art Appreciation Society, today I'm here to talk to you about...' or preferably something less clunky depending on your form. Apologies if I've misinterpreted your question; let me know what form you're doing if you'res still confused.

Zezima:
Try and use more formal language wherever possible. If all else fails, write the simpler/colloquial word and put a mark on the side of the page. Do this for all spelling uncertainties, possible misquotes, or areas you're just iffy about. That way, if you have time at the end, you'll be able to edit quickly and efficiently since you know where everything is.
I'd also advice against using dictionaries unless you are very confident in your timing. I left mine till the end, since it's more important to finish your essay and have it be structurally and ideologically sound than it is to spell a word right. The latter is a lot easier to fix too, especially if you only have a few minutes, or even seconds left at the end.

millie96:
Just shade the box. If you're writing a good essay, it should be clear within two to three sentences which topic you're dealing with anyway.

coezooke:
There are a bunch of threads at the moment with recommended concl. structure, so take a look at those if you need.
You're definitely not meant to discuss effectiveness or overall persuadability (?) of the articles. My pattern was to begin the concl. by summing up how the author concludes their piece, link this to a major concern, appeal, or dichotomy evident within the article, and the some general statement about how language was used overall, or how the author wants readers to think/feel/act by the end.

[M_BONG]

ergh, sorry, I have about twelve dozen tabs open which is perhaps not the best way of going about things. Typed this up but forgot to post 


George D:
If you're writing a regular expository essay then you shouldn't have to worry about audience. If it's a speech, then have something at the start like 'Good morning ladies and gentlemen of the United States Art Appreciation Society, today I'm here to talk to you about...' or preferably something less clunky depending on your form. Apologies if I've misinterpreted your question; let me know what form you're doing if you'res still confused.

Zezima:
Try and use more formal language wherever possible. If all else fails, write the simpler/colloquial word and put a mark on the side of the page. Do this for all spelling uncertainties, possible misquotes, or areas you're just iffy about. That way, if you have time at the end, you'll be able to edit quickly and efficiently since you know where everything is.
I'd also advice against using dictionaries unless you are very confident in your timing. I left mine till the end, since it's more important to finish your essay and have it be structurally and ideologically sound than it is to spell a word right. The latter is a lot easier to fix too, especially if you only have a few minutes, or even seconds left at the end.

millie96:
Just shade the box. If you're writing a good essay, it should be clear within two to three sentences which topic you're dealing with anyway.

coezooke:
There are a bunch of threads at the moment with recommended concl. structure, so take a look at those if you need.
You're definitely not meant to discuss effectiveness or overall persuadability (?) of the articles. My pattern was to begin the concl. by summing up how the author concludes their piece, link this to a major concern, appeal, or dichotomy evident within the article, and the some general statement about how language was used overall, or how the author wants readers to think/feel/act by the end.

Oh just going on what you said there, I am not at a huuge disadvantage if I don't have a dictionary? I am thinking of waking up at 6:30 to get to school to borrow one (takes me an hour to get there, that's why). If I don't get one, am I at a disadvantage for LA? Or don't bother?

[brenden]

Shit man - you'd want a dictionary just in case... Like, what if both your text response prompts had a word you didn't know in it? Or the context prompt did for some reason o.o

edit: Stuff getting up at 6.30 tho... You don't have like an epic friend who lives close to you who has a spare dictionary, or an epic friend at the same school who has their dictionary but also an old one lying around the house?

[George_D]

George D:
If you're writing a regular expository essay then you shouldn't have to worry about audience. If it's a speech, then have something at the start like 'Good morning ladies and gentlemen of the United States Art Appreciation Society, today I'm here to talk to you about...' or preferably something less clunky depending on your form. Apologies if I've misinterpreted your question; let me know what form you're doing if you'res still confused.

Thanks for answering Lauren, that clears up my question, I'm using a formal expository piece for Part B, so if I've correctly interpreted, I guess I do not have to worry about audience.

[literally lauren]

Zezima,
Try and find one if you can - maybe check with a neighbour or family friend nearby. It pays to have one just in case, but VCAA would never centre an entire piece around words the state can't understand. They need it to be accessible, but with enough opportunities for complexity to suit the clever students.
It would be weird if the T.R. or Context prompts did this, but it could happen. I'd try and get one for peace of mind, but it's not worth screwing up a sleep schedule and making yourself tired at that hour of the morning.
As a last resort, maybe go check with whichever teachers are around, as most of them will have dictionaries (that they will maybe lend out to their absolute favouritest students if you say pretty please with a cherry on top?)

It's worth having just as a security blanket, otherwise you could compromise your approach to one of the tasks, but if all else fails, don't stress, you should be able to infer from context, or work around a difficult word.

[demand&supply]

what happens if i misquote in my essay? Will i lose a lot of marks...even when it can be very relevant to my argument (Section A, In the Country of men)

[Michael Scofield]

How do you incorporate comments into the LA? Do you state their contention in the intro or not?

[brenden]

what happens if i misquote in my essay? Will i lose a lot of marks...even when it can be very relevant to my argument (Section A, In the Country of men)

I had misquotes in my Section A that score full marks, so I wouldn't worry about it (aim to be as accurate as possible though, and don't misquote deliberately. If you know it's wrong, paraphrase with brackets and make it sounds as correct as possible

[24bauer12]

Hi Demand&supply,
No, examiners are very forgiving of errors under exam pressure; however, if it becomes a habit your assessor will definitely deduct marks. If order to achieve full marks you need not act like a robot; however, you must be certain to fulfill all the criterion.
Hi Michael Scofield,
Yes definitely include them in the intro; all you need is a simple: The article was accompanied by an assortment of comments each which despite the author's contention for different reasons . 

[literally lauren]

what happens if i misquote in my essay? Will i lose a lot of marks...even when it can be very relevant to my argument (Section A, In the Country of men)

I forgot to analyse the title in the 2013 L.A. article. And there was so much you could say about that metaphor of getting 'back on the rails'...
It just totally slipped my mind, and it wasn't until afterwards that someone was like, 'Hey Lauren, you're good with metaphors, what did you say about the title?' And I was like 'oh yeah, titles exist.'
The assessors know you're going to make mistakes, don't worry.
Just try not to make them too obvious, you don't want to give them any excuse to take marks off

[demand&supply]

okay thanks everyone for your comforting words  it took away some stress i had