Literature 3/4

[RedCapsicum]

Hello,

I'm currently a year 11 student, studying mainstream English. My teacher informed me that I should think about taking literature next year. Although I'm interested in taking literature I'm afraid that having not done units one and two that I may be at a disadvantage next year.

So has anyone taken units 3/4 literature without having done 1/2 and how hard will it be to adjust to the subject?
Thanks in advance

[walkec]

Hello,

I'm currently a year 11 student, studying mainstream English. My teacher informed me that I should think about taking literature next year. Although I'm interested in taking literature I'm afraid that having not done units one and two that I may be at a disadvantage next year.

So has anyone taken units 3/4 literature without having done 1/2 and how hard will it be to adjust to the subject?
Thanks in advance

2 people in my class didn't take 1/2 and a few took only Unit 1 or Unit 2 and everyone seems to be coping very well. I'd say having a good teacher would assist in the transition, but there's nothing stopping you from doing very well without having done 1/2. To be honest, I didn't really do any work in 1/2 and I'm getting good marks 

[Bluegirl]

I didn't do 1/2 last year and I'm not struggling. I was in the same position as you, but if you work hard and ask questions you should be fine

[RedCapsicum]

Thanks for the replies! Just wanted to ask, in terms of coursework is literature vastly different from normal English?

[walkec]

I wouldn't define the differences as "vastly different", but you need to keep in mind whilst Lit is an English subject, it is not English. Major differences I've encountered thus far:

- Literature has a language focus, whereas this is a focus in English, but thematic concerns are more of a focus.
- Style of Literature assessment for SACs are different to English. Unit 3 SACs are Considering Alternative Viewpoints (you write a piece comparing a critique of a text to your own interpretation), Adaptations and Transformations (study of a transformed text (e.g. a film) compared to an original (e.g. play) and how the conventions of each form contribute to similarities, differences etc to meaning) and Views and Values (my favourite SAC yet. Somewhat similar to an English text response. Different schools structure this SAC differently - we had to use a given unseen passage to begin our discussion of Capote's In Cold Blood, whereas other schools don't get a passage.) Unit 4 SACs are Imaginative Writing (creating a piece of writing that is similar to a studied text in terms of language use and concerns within the text) and a Close Passage Analysis (you get given one or more passages and have to use these as the basis for the discussion of the selected text.) The end of year exam is a 2 hour exam in which you write 2 Close Passage Analysis.
- At my school, people in Literature have to do English. I think for this reason, I enjoy being in class with the people from Literature more than English.

- Another thing I have noticed with Lit is that it has helped my writing improve dramatically. As I said before, in 1/2 I didn't really do much work (also had a crap teacher), so this year has been a pretty steep learning curve. But I have improved each SAC and I am of the belief that having double the writing practice because of Lit has also really helped boost my English marks.

At the start of the year, I absolutely hated Lit and cried after day where I had it for the first 2-3 weeks of term. Then something clicked and I just worked at it more and it's started to become one of my favourite subjects. Yes, it does frustrate me sometimes and I do feel inadequate quite often compared to others in my class. But I do not regret picking the subject.

[DJA]

Yeah couldn't agree with walkec more. The more you progress through Lit 3/4 the more you find your writing improve. It's a learning curve for all of us.

In terms of doing Lit 3/4 next year without doing Lit 1/2 if you are a strong writer I really think there shouldn't be an issue with the transition.

What I've found with Literature is that if you are good at writing you tend to do better than a student who may have the same ideas/analysis as you but doesn't have the flair in the writing itself. Literature rewards beautiful writing - if you can communicate your ideas in English in a manner that is engaging and actually enjoyable to read rather than just blandly analysing language in its most banal sense, you will definitely do well in Lit and not doing 1/2 shouldn't be a problem

If this sounds like you, you'll do well.

Also you can definitely shore up your deficiencies in comparison to the kids who did do Lit 1/2 in the holidays before year 12 starts.
Those holidays are precious. If you can get ahead by reading the texts and understanding them before school starts - also definitely get an idea of the SACs you will be doing - it is definitely possible.

Have a read of this thread if you haven't done so yet: EZ's Guide to Succeeding in VCE Literature
I found it immensely helpful!

Good luck.