VCE English Question Thread

[One Step at a Time]

HLS, it looks like reality is sinking in for her 

For anyone on this board, I have a question about creative writing for you!

The topic is: Explore an idea, issue or theme from the original text.

One theme is conflict in the text and I want to write about conflict generally. I'm scared I'll go off topic and my teacher will penalise me though...

Please HELP!

[literally lauren]

Anyways to improve my fluency in essays?

What do you mean by fluency? Is it the way each sentence is constructed (as in, you need individual sentences to make more sense because at the moment they're a bit bogged down or ungrammatical) or the way the sentences are strung together (as in, you need the ideas to flow together and build on one another.) 'Fluency' can mean anything from overall essay structure down to individual word choices, so the more specific you can be, the more we can help you

Does anyone have any good examples for identity and belonging which I could use to talk about how sometimes belonging leads to the development of identity? E.g 'The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.' ~ Mahatma Gandhi

You could look at how certain groups add to one's character (e.g. volunteering at a charity and becoming a more compassionate person.) And that, in turn, can make the group stronger à la this lovely story. Or perhaps look into some justice reform programs/ the idea of compulsory community service as a sentence for juvenile offenders as opposed to just prison time.
& if you want to extend that to a discussion of how we can define or redefine groups based on our identities and shared values, consider: "#YouAin'tNoMuslimBruv"

(Image removed from quote.)

How do I describe her facial expression? In this scene, she's sorta staring off into the distance dreaming about a life she can never have because it's so wildly beyond her means. She's singing about how it'd be lovely to have chocolate and warmth and what have you but she and the audience know that such things would have been beyond her means. I have no idea how to describe her facial expression though.

I know this isn't English (actually for Lit but the Lit boards are dead) and I'm desperate...  please?

"Lost in reverie" would be the term I'd use there.

& I will swing by the Lit boards when people post there. It's funny cause I'll get like 10 messages in a day saying 'hey, here's a Lit thing; I would post it, but no one goes on the Lit boards'

Looks like reality is sinking in for HLS 

For anyone on this board, I have a question about creative writing for you!

The topic is: Explore an idea, issue or theme from the original text.

One theme is conflict in the text and I want to write about conflict generally. I'm scared I'll go off topic and my teacher will penalise me though...

Please HELP!

I'm a bit lost as to what you're being asked to do here - it sounds like you've just isolated a theme you want to discuss, and the task is telling you to explore that theme, so in what way would you be going 'off topic?'

[One Step at a Time]

Thanks Lauren for your reply 

Not too sure to be honest, but I just kept in mind that my teacher said that I must stay to the themes, ideas and spirit of the text, as well as incorporating bits of how the author writes e.g. linking seasons with feeling. Didn't want to go against what she said hahah

So do you think that writing about the idea of control (which is a theme in the text) for my creative piece would be alright? The only thing in common with the text and be essay would be overarching idea of control 

[HopefulLawStudent]

Hey Lauren:

Is this a sentence?

She wore a tie which would have been archetypal for the men of the period.

It sounds funny. I want to use "typical" or something like that but trying to expand my vocab sooooo... for the text I'm studying, it would have been expected for men to wear pants not women (apparently women wearing pants was socially unacceptable or something like that). That's basically what I'm trying to say but just not in so many words. Apparently conciseness in any English subject is much appreciated at a VCE level.

I know... I should be studying for lit and rereading my text or something but I'm stressed so I may or may not be just casually reading the dictionary because y'know... that's what I do when I'm stressed.

[Swagadaktal]

Hey Lauren:

Is this a sentence?

She wore a tie which would have been archetypal for the men of the period.

It sounds funny. I want to use "typical" or something like that but trying to expand my vocab sooooo... for the text I'm studying, it would have been expected for men to wear pants not women (apparently women wearing pants was socially unacceptable or something like that). That's basically what I'm trying to say but just not in so many words. Apparently conciseness in any English subject is much appreciated at a VCE level.

I know... I should be studying for lit and rereading my text or something but I'm stressed so I may or may not be just casually reading the dictionary because y'know... that's what I do when I'm stressed.

I think you're teacher is dissing your sentences because there is no point to them (maybe?) I dont see how he can just disenfranchise a sentence, like there are no rules in tact which determines what a sentence is. Maybe you go on further to explain the significance of the hoe not wearing pants, but in that 'sentence' it does not have any purpose?  (i disagree with your teacher but i think that's what he's saying?)
And I just stopped judging you from the last time you commented that you read the dictionary when you're stressed why you gotta bring it up again :>
im kidding please don't send me mean messages

im actually not hehe 

[literally lauren]

Hey Lauren:

Is this a sentence?

She wore a tie which would have been archetypal for the men of the period.

It sounds funny. I want to use "typical" or something like that but trying to expand my vocab sooooo... for the text I'm studying, it would have been expected for men to wear pants not women (apparently women wearing pants was socially unacceptable or something like that). That's basically what I'm trying to say but just not in so many words. Apparently conciseness in any English subject is much appreciated at a VCE level.

I know... I should be studying for lit and rereading my text or something but I'm stressed so I may or may not be just casually reading the dictionary because y'know... that's what I do when I'm stressed.

Grammatically, it's fine. But in terms of your word choice, I'd agree that 'archetypal' is a bit off.

...like there are no rules in tact which determines what a sentence is.

THERE ARE MANY RULES, PAL. MANY RULES. O.o
But I do totally agree with your underlying point that it's the ideas/sentiment behind your discussion that matters more than the words and syntax you choose to express those points.

However, improper grammar or vocabulary can sway one's mark a little, especially if it's a SAC being marked out of 30 or 50 where the difference between a 28 and a 29 or a 46 and a 47 could just come down to a few of these little quibbles.

She wore a tie which would have been archetypal for the men of the period.

Think of an 'archetype' as being like a 'blueprint.' So the archetypal 1950's housewife was one who cooked and cleaned and wore aprons and stayed home to look after the children, etc. Therefore, you could not say that aprons were 'archetypal' of 1950's women, because the 'archetype' is like the whole package.

'Typical' works much better because it can apply to smaller elements. So an apron might be a typical garment of an archetypal 1950's house frau - that's fine, albeit a little repetitive.


Fun fact: the word 'archetype' comes from the Greek word 'arkhetupon' which meant a basic/primitive (arkhe-) model or mould (tupos). Whereas 'typical' is thought to have Latin roots that come from 'typicalis' meaning 'to be symbolic of something.'

And before you ask, yes, I am great fun at parties.

[HopefulLawStudent]

I think you're teacher is dissing your sentences because there is no point to them (maybe?) I dont see how he can just disenfranchise a sentence, like there are no rules in tact which determines what a sentence is. Maybe you go on further to explain the significance of the hoe not wearing pants, but in that 'sentence' it does not have any purpose?  (i disagree with your teacher but i think that's what he's saying?)
And I just stopped judging you from the last time you commented that you read the dictionary when you're stressed why you gotta bring it up again :>
im kidding please don't send me mean messages

im actually not hehe 

This isn't English related. This is me flipping through the dictionary and making up random sentences because I'm stressed about tomorrow's literature SAC. With my English teacher and how savage he's been re: marking, if I started randomly babbling about pants, I think he might just murder me.

PS: Stress-reading the dictionary is good for stress... for me anyway.

Think of an 'archetype' as being like a 'blueprint.' So the archetypal 1950's housewife was one who cooked and cleaned and wore aprons and stayed home to look after the children, etc. Therefore, you could not say that aprons were 'archetypal' of 1950's women, because the 'archetype' is like the whole package.

'Typical' works much better because it can apply to smaller elements. So an apron might be a typical garment of an archetypal 1950's house frau - that's fine, albeit a little repetitive.


Fun fact: the word 'archetype' comes from the Greek word 'arkhetupon' which meant a basic/primitive (arkhe-) model or mould (tupos). Whereas 'typical' is thought to have Latin roots that come from 'typicalis' meaning 'to be symbolic of something.'

And before you ask, yes, I am great fun at parties.

Huh. Okay. I knew I'd used it wrong because it sounded funny but I couldn't figure out why. Thanks Lauren!

[HopefulLawStudent]

Pleasedon'tmurdermeforspammingthisthreadwithmyrandomquestions.

Am I using the bolded word correctly:

She recognised the flower girl would ultimately be nothing more than an ersatz image of a duchess.

[literally lauren]

Thanks Lauren for your reply 

Not too sure to be honest, but I just kept in mind that my teacher said that I must stay to the themes, ideas and spirit of the text, as well as incorporating bits of how the author writes e.g. linking seasons with feeling. Didn't want to go against what she said hahah

So do you think that writing about the idea of control (which is a theme in the text) for my creative piece would be alright? The only thing in common with the text and be essay would be overarching idea of control 

Just realised you're a 2017 grad and that this is a part of the new SD

Okay, so you're going to want to compose a creative piece that works on these two levels:
- delivering a similar message about the kinds of ideas in your set text
- using language features and devices that are present in your set text

The best advice I can give you would be to be more specific about what ideas you're angling for. Or, to put it another way: turn those themes into views and values statements. So rather than saying 'I'm going to write about control (=theme,)' say 'I'm going to write about how being controlled by others can impede one's sense of self, and this can lead to a lack of self-control which brings about destructive consequences (=V&V statement.)'

This should help you target those ideas with more precision, since otherwise the broadness of 'conflict' and 'control' might be a little hard to mirror in your piece.

Let me know if any of that doesn't make sense!

Am I using the bolded word correctly:

She recognised the flower girl would ultimately be nothing more than an ersatz image of a duchess.

Yep, ersatz is an adjective used to refer to something that's artificial or eerily dissimilar from an original, so is fine in this context.

It's also from German because of course it is. ERSATZ!!!
& one of my fav books in the Lemony Snicket series was called The Ersatz Elevator 

Pleasedon'tmurdermeforspammingthisthreadwithmyrandomquestions.

For every random word-related question, I promise to retort with one random-unsolicited-piece-of-arcane-etymology 

[HopefulLawStudent]

Off-topic but: Could ersatz be used as a direct synonym for fake or to describe an imitation of the real thing?

[literally lauren]

Off-topic but: Could ersatz be used as a direct synonym for fake or to describe an imitation of the real thing?

You can't use it as a noun, and 'ersatz' kind of connotes deficiency or inferiority whereas 'imitation' is a bit more neutral in that it implies the copy is more accurate. It's not a direct synonym, but it's pretty close.

[One Step at a Time]

Thanks so much Lauren, think I understand where you're coming from! And sorry I didn't make the task clearer

The text is the Wife of Martin Guerre. Although the idea of control isn't prominent, I want to show that it in fact is! e.g. Being controlled/ restricted in a society. I was hoping to base the creative piece on rowing (heaps of control needed there  ) and the rower seeing someone take his/ her life which obviously has a huge impact. I want to make the connection between my piece and the text strong but I can't express myself clearly though, especially in the written statement. Or should I write about conflict? Conflict doesn't fit my creative piece idea though...

Totally lost and appreciate your guidance 

[kimmytaaa]

Hi
Just a general question about text response, do we need to include the authorial voice because originally I thought we were meant to write about the novel not actually including what the author is trying to express? I'm so lost and my sac is tomorrow

[Callum@1373]

This is gonna be one of them 'it depends' questions I feel but in general, what is better with context: one-two sources of evidence/example (e.g a film) to be used throughout an expository essay or many smaller examples? I've been predominantly going with the numerous small examples but from reading over my work it seems like it is preventing me from going into depth with the discussion; i.e using the example to point out the obvious part of the idea I am exploring.

[kimmytaaa]

This is gonna be one of them 'it depends' questions I feel but in general, what is better with context: one-two sources of evidence/example (e.g a film) to be used throughout an expository essay or many smaller examples? I've been predominantly going with the numerous small examples but from reading over my work it seems like it is preventing me from going into depth with the discussion; i.e using the example to point out the obvious part of the idea I am exploring.

Ah thanks