English Advanced Question Thread

[Razeen25]

I’m a little frustrated rn. It’s been months and I still haven’t been able to write a creative writing piece. I’ve read every post/piece of advice there is, read sample creatives, gone through experiences in my life, even attempted to just write a ‘bad’ creative for the sake of having something written down but I just can’t . Idk if I’m trying too hard to make it right on the first go, or maybe I’m just doubting my (pretty bad) idea which doesn’t have much discovery in it anyway (about overcoming a fear and the cliche self-realistion, etc).

I’ve been having anxiety over this for months and idk what to do lol.

[kauac]

I’m a little frustrated rn. It’s been months and I still haven’t been able to write a creative writing piece. I’ve read every post/piece of advice there is, read sample creatives, gone through experiences in my life, even attempted to just write a ‘bad’ creative for the sake of having something written down but I just can’t . Idk if I’m trying too hard to make it right on the first go, or maybe I’m just doubting my (pretty bad) idea which doesn’t have much discovery in it anyway (about overcoming a fear and the cliche self-realistion, etc).

I’ve been having anxiety over this for months and idk what to do lol.

Hi...

Ahhh, writer's block, it gets us all from time to time...

I was honestly in the same situation probably about 1-2 months ago, but it was RESEARCH that saved the day. Coming up with an 'original' plot or story idea can be infuriating, so maybe try and look for some inspiration. Think about any sort of events in the past that interest you, or read some online articles about current innovation and discoveries. It could be anything - science, archaeology, biographies, design, whatever you fancy.

If you find something that sparks your interest, try and come up with a basic plot or idea, and work from there. Be sure to add your own personal flare, too. Another thing to think about is try and manipulate the idea to convey a different aspect of discovery to what you would first expect.

E.g. a scientist discovering a new species, but then realises that what is most important to him is his family. (sorry that was really random, it was the first thing that popped into my head ).

If you still want to work with your idea at the moment, maybe try and approach it from a different angle (as above). But remember, the markers have been seeing creative writing for discovery for about 4 years now, so to some extent, the pieces that everyone writes this year may feel a little 'cliche'.

Keep in there, and don't give up!! Once you have a bomb idea in mind, it won't take you long to craft a piece out of it. 

[Caleb Campion]

Hey there! I have constructed the first part of the first of three short stories I will be using in my creative writing for discovery for the upcoming trials and was wondering what your initial thoughts are? It is a non-linear parallel short story structure (ie. 3 smaller short stories that explore different aspects of discovery but linked by a common theme, in my case, music). Thanks

“From the glow of enthusiasm I let the melody escape. I pursue it. Breathless I catch up with it. It flies again; it disappears…’’ - Ludwig van Beethoven

His tensed fingers swept across the neck in careless precision; the glare of the stage lights penetrated the shadow where he resided. The vibrations of his skin mimicked that of the strings as his hands danced awkwardly about the fretboard, yet attacked the pick guard in righteous vigour. His elevating height matched the magnitude of sound that rebounded throughout the room whilst the white attire of his guitar reflected his musical creed.

Back straight and eyes closed he fixed his stance and maxed his gain. Fingertips raced faster. Melodies flew seamlessly. Amplifiers grinned their privilege. The crashing crescendo ended in glorious tenor extending no further than the edges of the platform.

The silence grew louder than the music as empty faces stole his satisfaction - a daze settled in.

Tristan noticed the open door at the back of the room and the disorganised seats unfulfilled in design. The hall judged his ability as a courthouse damns a convict.

His eyes flickered between his hands and the small crowd of mirrors in front of him.

Tristan’s pulse picked up as the band’s practice fell to the wayside; each of the band members meticulously re-tuned their instruments and readjusted their straps, their clothing, their hair. What once were fervent vibrations stifled into a cold shiver.

[zanibalh]

Hey guys,
From previous years does anyone know if the CSSA trial has ever specified a specific speech for Module B?

[jamonwindeyer]

Hey guys,
From previous years does anyone know if the CSSA trial has ever specified a specific speech for Module B?

Hey! Yes, they did in my year in 2014 and I think they've done it since

[zanibalh]

Hey! Yes, they did in my year in 2014 and I think they've done it since

oh okay; does anyone know which ones they've actually specified?

[caitkel777]

I have a quote from my related text "Tracks" (novel by Robyn Davidson) that I need some help unpacking:

“the sky was cold, pale blue and pitiless, like an Australian psychopath’s eyes.”

This is for Mod C - Representations of Landscape

[jamonwindeyer]

oh okay; does anyone know which ones they've actually specified?

I think mine is irrelevant since the speech list changed between you and I, and I'm not sure what the specifications have been recently sorry! But I'm pretty sure they have been there

[jamonwindeyer]

I have a quote from my related text "Tracks" (novel by Robyn Davidson) that I need some help unpacking:

“the sky was cold, pale blue and pitiless, like an Australian psychopath’s eyes.”

This is for Mod C - Representations of Landscape

Welcome to the forums!

I see a few techniques here - You have a simile at the end, you also have alliteration of the 'p' sound in the middle! Sky is cold is a bit of tactile imagery not sure of the meaning of these since I don't know the text, but this might get you started! Good choice of quote

[eliseeeeee_m]

Hey guys,
I am doing W.B Yeats for module B and I am stuck on last year's HSC question. SOME HELP WOULD BE LIFESAVING xoxo

Yeats’ poetry employs unique voices to explore the tension between the real world and an ideal world that he imagines. That is its strength. That is its weakness.

I get the first part, the strengths and weaknesses are what's throwing me off. I also realise that all module B questions last year had the exact thing on strengths and weaknesses, please if someone could explain, it would be amazing.

[incheon]

QUICK QUESTION!
So ive written my AOS essay with a prescribed + related, but i didnt realise my related was kinda on the prescribed list for English. Its Kenneth Slessors 'Beach Burial'.. When the teacher marked my essay, she didnt say anything? so im assuming i can continue using it??..

Please give feedback ASAP so i can know if i need to change related (means i have to rewrite whole body)
Thanks.

[eliseeeeee_m]

QUICK QUESTION!
So ive written my AOS essay with a prescribed + related, but i didnt realise my related was kinda on the prescribed list for English. Its Kenneth Slessors 'Beach Burial'.. When the teacher marked my essay, she didnt say anything? so im assuming i can continue using it??..

Please give feedback ASAP so i can know if i need to change related (means i have to rewrite whole body)
Thanks.

I wouldn't take the risk. I was in a similar position, where I wanted to use the original 1981 version of the film Blade Runner as a related text but I was advised not to by my teacher, as the Director's Cut edition is a prescribed text.

[angewina_naguen]

This is not at all a question but I wanted to share this because it is just one of those thoughts I had that I could not keep to myself. I'm going to kid about this but for those studying 'Cloudstreet', it would be so funny if we quoted all our textual references without the quotation marks. Winton would have loved it.

[theyam]

This is not at all a question but I wanted to share this because it is just one of those thoughts I had that I could not keep to myself. I'm going to kid about this but for those studying 'Cloudstreet', it would be so funny if we quoted all our textual references without the quotation marks. Winton would have loved it.

i feel you fam

[NowYouTseMe]

QUICK QUESTION!
So ive written my AOS essay with a prescribed + related, but i didnt realise my related was kinda on the prescribed list for English. Its Kenneth Slessors 'Beach Burial'.. When the teacher marked my essay, she didnt say anything? so im assuming i can continue using it??..

Please give feedback ASAP so i can know if i need to change related (means i have to rewrite whole body)
Thanks.

This is the current prescriptions list: http://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/wcm/connect/22b7efaa-63d1-4d73-af0b-73e69d7d64ae/english-prescriptions-2015-20.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CVID=

As you can see, Kenneth Slessor doesn't come up on it once, however on the new syllabus going into effect 2019, he does in the new core module as can be found here: http://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/wcm/connect/7892a1f9-15a6-45b9-8bc4-22556ab30769/english-stage-6-prescriptions-2019-2023.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CVID=

tl;dr you're g fam