CALLING ALL YEAR 12S TO HELP (themselves) OUT!

[heids]

As you know, we're a collaborative community that all works together to build each other up!  But lately round this board, there's been very little collaborative input (shout-out to thaaanyan and Callum@1373)... guys, I'd love you to join in.

I get that year 12 is frantically busy; but marking other people's essays is actually one of the most valuable, time-effective ways of studying for English!

It takes you into the mindset of the examiner, so you start getting how the feel and think when the approach an essay, what they like and dislike.  You start thinking, 'Does this work or not?  And if not... why not?  And how on earth do I fix it?'  Your marks skyrocket as you get into an analytical mindset where you're aware of what you're doing right/wrong, and why.  Can't explain how hyper-valuable it is.

Don't be scared that your feedback will be 'wrong' or not 'good enough'.  Hell, what was I like the first time I marked an essay? (Like this, actually ).  I still doubt myself all the time when marking essays.  Remember:

There is no "wrong" in English

Well, there kind of is, but it's not like you're telling everyone to avoid reading their texts to avoid spoilers, or that they should spice up their essays by writing a paragraph in hieroglyphs or anything 

If you feel really unsure, try reading a few lots of feedback by different people to get a feel for somewhat how to do it.  (If you want detailed feedback, albeit on HSC essays, you can't go past this thread).  And if two of us mark one essay, the person who posted it will be double-happy

So please, next time you see someone post a text response essay on your text, or a Context piece on your Context, or an LA, jump in and give it a quick go - both for you and our community!

yes cynics. this is an attempt to reduce my self-imposed workload.

[odeaa]

I would give it a crack but noone is posting essays in the English language board these days :/

[brenden]

"What's your secret to scoring well in English?"

"Marking essays. It really helped. Probably the only real 'secret' to be honest"

*Blank stare*....*asks the next person who scored well*..."What's YOUR secret to scoring well in English?"

[Callum@1373]

I had a brief spur of it and I really see the value out of doing so, however I have a busy out-of-school life as I think balance is key, and it can be very time consuming in doing so.

But a good shout out to other people to give it a go! I definitely agree with bangali_lok that it puts you in the mind of an examiner and assists you in developing not only someone else's writing, but your own as well. : )