English Advanced Question Thread

[Azzuri]

Hi

I'm doing The Art of Travel for my Module C - People and Landscapes. I just can't seem to find many examples of how to effectively write about and break down the text. Do you have any tips or know where I can find some extra resources?

Thanks 

[elysepopplewell]

hey!
I was on HSC Hub and in the video's for area of study they were suggesting that you compare your set text with your related text. in the mid yearlies i did the complete opposite just using both the texts to support my argument and still did okay, am i supposed to be comparing them?

Thanks!

I find that the better responses ensure that their prescribed text and their related text aren't dealt with in isolation. By this I mean, the better responses I've read draw on the similarities or differences to make connections, as Jamon clarified.

Connecting the two may be as small as noting that they are both planned discoveries, or that a motif is used in both. Then when you are more comfortable, and you want your style to develop (perfectly ok to stay in this earlier stage!) then you can continue drawing more and more links between the texts.

If you're looking for an example of a lightly integrated essay, have a look at my area of study one here.

Comparing and contrasting your texts isn't compulsory for a good essay, but it is likely to elevate a good essay to a great essay, because it shows confidence, sophistication and a sustained response.

[elysepopplewell]

Hi

I'm doing The Art of Travel for my Module C - People and Landscapes. I just can't seem to find many examples of how to effectively write about and break down the text. Do you have any tips or know where I can find some extra resources?

Thanks 

There are so few resources on People and Landscapes because this is only the second cohort to move through with it. I was the first cohort! I have a band six essay for this elective uploaded here. Also, I have a graph uploaded that was essentially how I remembered this essay in a visual sense, it might break it down further for you. You can download that here. Stay tuned for more, but at the moment, we will be here for you to ask any questions to!

[marynguyen18]

Hey i was wondering what a good related text would be for Shakespeare's The Tempest for AOS?

[conic curve]

Hey i was wondering what a good related text would be for Shakespeare's The Tempest for AOS?

try Joseph Conrad's Heart of darkness

[specclee]

Hi guys! I was just wondering if anyone had advice on writing a good speech? One of my upcoming assessments is to write a speech based on Mod C and I really don't want to make my speech an "essay on legs" but I'm not sure how?
Thanks!

[jamonwindeyer]

Hi guys! I was just wondering if anyone had advice on writing a good speech? One of my upcoming assessments is to write a speech based on Mod C and I really don't want to make my speech an "essay on legs" but I'm not sure how?
Thanks!

In general, a great speech is more like writing a creative than an essay. You can be very general with your language, much less rigid with structure, and in general just be a bit more free flow. Ask rhetorical questions throughout, add your own persuasive devices. Blend creative aspects with the information you are giving, make it interesting!

How you write it is also secondary to how it is delivered. A poorly written speech can be made to sound great with the right speaker, but it's harder the other way around (at least in my opinion). Be sure to rehearse it a lot so you can engage with your audience! 

Elyse wrote a speech for her creative writing piece in the HSC, you can download it here

[conic curve]

Hi guys! I was just wondering if anyone had advice on writing a good speech? One of my upcoming assessments is to write a speech based on Mod C and I really don't want to make my speech an "essay on legs" but I'm not sure how?
Thanks!

I recently did a speech for school last term

When doing speeches, you need to take into account that there is an audience you'll need to persuade (that is the main purpose of the speech obviously) and keep an audience in mind

Never make your speech into the form of an essay, you'll get marked down for that

Remember to start off with a "hook" and keep your audience engaged. Always remain confident and never be nervous/scared/shy no matter how bad you think your speech is

In your body paragraphs, you should always be referring to the introductory paragraph as you do not want your audience to lose track

Always use first person "I"

Best of luck 

[onepunchboy]

Would walden by henry david thoreau be a good related for art of travel?

[imtrying]

Hey:)
I'm currently trying to write an essay for Module C - Representation of People and Politics and the question is: "Political motivations may vary but personal gain is the ultimate goal."
I'm having a bit of trouble defining 'political motivations' and differentiating between 'personal gain' because they seem to sort of overlap?
I hope that made sense

[conic curve]

Hey:)
I'm currently trying to write an essay for Module C - Representation of People and Politics and the question is: "Political motivations may vary but personal gain is the ultimate goal."
I'm having a bit of trouble defining 'political motivations' and differentiating between 'personal gain' because they seem to sort of overlap?
I hope that made sense

I think "political motivation" means what motivates people into taking into control and having the power of a political ruler

"personal gain" really means what you do in order gain benefits for yourself (I think)

This is how I'd interpret the question: What motivates people, in order to become powerful politicians can vary, but what they really want is their ultimate goal

[jamonwindeyer]

Hey:)
I'm currently trying to write an essay for Module C - Representation of People and Politics and the question is: "Political motivations may vary but personal gain is the ultimate goal."
I'm having a bit of trouble defining 'political motivations' and differentiating between 'personal gain' because they seem to sort of overlap?
I hope that made sense

Hey there! I'd agree with conics interpretation above, but it is totally up to you to make those definitions suit what you want to write about!! They are purposely broad 

You could define 'political motivations' as the greater good actions, being politically motivated to be democratic and just to the people you are ruling, and satisfy the varying political relationships. Your essay might revolve around political manipulation, how democratic behaviours could just be hiding selfish motivations.

Really, it's up to you. You choose how to differentiate them, and you choose how they overlap (if at all). You just need to make your interpretation obvious in the introduction 

[elysepopplewell]

When doing speeches, you need to take into account that there is an audience you'll need to persuade (that is the main purpose of the speech obviously) and keep an audience in mind

Never make your speech into the form of an essay, you'll get marked down for that

Conic has provided some really good speech techniques here. Thinking about the audience has always been a trick of mine to making sure my speeches are a step above. Answering the question in an engaging way will nearly always be in speech criteria.

As for making your speech like an essay, it can work. The way you deliver needs to be what carries you over. By making it like a speech I mean, have your thesis idea, some smaller arguments, etc. But, you need to deliver through using the tone of your voice, rhetorical questions, maybe jokes, it all depends on how your style is. If you're introverted, you might need to fake your confidence a little bit in the effort to cross the line into showing your marker that you have a lot to offer to an audience! Delivery is everything

[aoife98]

Is it true that HSC markers believe essays are more simplistic if you include the title of your text in your thesis statements at the start of each paragraph?

[jamonwindeyer]

Is it true that HSC markers believe essays are more simplistic if you include the title of your text in your thesis statements at the start of each paragraph?

It's not that they believe they are more simplistic, it is that they usually are 

Including your text in the conceptual statements at the start of the paragraph signals to the marker that you are writing a text focused response. This means you are focusing on the text; and you may or may not be about to retell. Really, it doesn't matter, because either way it indicates that you are not thinking conceptually, not thinking in terms of the composers ideas first and foremost 

You can absolutely prove the marker wrong, but it's not the way a Band 6 student starts their paragraphs. Like, you can then launch into incredibly powerful analysis and commentary, and the marker will still say: "Great response, topic sentences require conceptualisation." You want the marker to be with you the whole way 

I'll also add that you can blend concept and text into something almost as good as a purely conceptual motherhood statement (intro sentence), but it is a little tougher. The markers will judge you on merits, but putting the text in there usually does signal a less effective response, not because of prejudice, but because it is a structural indicator of what is to come