English Advanced Question Thread

[Celeriac]

Thank you so much for the speedy reply! 

I've been a silent observer on the forums for months haha (too ashamed to post after I forgot to thank Elyse for responding to a question I asked in the legal studies thread  )

In reference to the last part of your answer, I was wondering if you could check the analysis here:

Before:
During his pursuit, he discovers Kurtz’s true nature manifested in the form of shrunken heads. The provocativeness of this discovery is represented through an idiom: “These round knobs were not ornamental but symbolic; they were expressive and puzzling, striking and disturbing -- food for thought”. The idiom “food for thought” conveys the fact that the Marlow feels conflicted and provoked by this unexpected discovery.

After:
Conrad represents the provocative nature of Marlow's discovery through the idiom "food for thought", effectively conveying a confronting image to the audience as they too discover the confronting nature of imperialism. (I'd probably reincorporate the whole striking/disturbing part to reinforce that it's confronting).

I'm concerned that I rely too much on retell. I'm also unsure about how to rely less on the character/plot and more on the concept.

I had one more question as well:
I know that the markers like to see a variety of techniques. Would it look bad to refer to a technique (e.g a metaphor) more than once in an essay? In times when I have done this, I usually tie in another technique with the metaphor (e.g. a metaphor and auditory imagery). Would it be better to omit the metaphor entirely or is it fine as long as other techniques are added?

[jamonwindeyer]

Thank you so much for the speedy reply! 

I've been a silent observer on the forums for months haha (too ashamed to post after I forgot to thank Elyse for responding to a question I asked in the legal studies thread  )

In reference to the last part of your answer, I was wondering if you could check the analysis here:

Before:
During his pursuit, he discovers Kurtz’s true nature manifested in the form of shrunken heads. The provocativeness of this discovery is represented through an idiom: “These round knobs were not ornamental but symbolic; they were expressive and puzzling, striking and disturbing -- food for thought”. The idiom “food for thought” conveys the fact that the Marlow feels conflicted and provoked by this unexpected discovery.

After:
Conrad represents the provocative nature of Marlow's discovery through the idiom "food for thought", effectively conveying a confronting image to the audience as they too discover the confronting nature of imperialism. (I'd probably reincorporate the whole striking/disturbing part to reinforce that it's confronting).

I'm concerned that I rely too much on retell. I'm also unsure about how to rely less on the character/plot and more on the concept.

I had one more question as well:
I know that the markers like to see a variety of techniques. Would it look bad to refer to a technique (e.g a metaphor) more than once in an essay? In times when I have done this, I usually tie in another technique with the metaphor (e.g. a metaphor and auditory imagery). Would it be better to omit the metaphor entirely or is it fine as long as other techniques are added?

Glad to hear it! We'd love you to be posting more though, we love having people to talk to (and coming back would make Elyse very happy if that helps )

Your second example of analysis is definitely more effective. As you say - It is less reliant on retell, it is a far better analytical approach! Great work with it, and excellent tie in to the audience!

As for repeated techniques, using the same technique twice is definitely fine. Three times with something else blended to one or two of them, likely also fine. Beyond that is pushing. Essentially, markers just want to see what you've used something more than just "imagery" and "metaphor" over and over again for the example you've described, using the metaphor twice is definitely 100% all sweet

[Celeriac]

Thank you again 

One final question - apologies for the question spam.
With a question such as last year's discovery question "The process of discovery involves uncovering what is hidden and reconsidering what is known." how would you avoid retell when dealing with a question like this? For example, if I were to use the example of a character reconsidering their morality, wouldn't I have to indicate what exactly they are reconsidering (e.g the composer's use of alliteration highlights that the persona is reconsidering.....)?

[jamonwindeyer]

Thank you again 

One final question - apologies for the question spam.
With a question such as last year's discovery question "The process of discovery involves uncovering what is hidden and reconsidering what is known." how would you avoid retell when dealing with a question like this? For example, if I were to use the example of a character reconsidering their morality, wouldn't I have to indicate what exactly they are reconsidering (e.g the composer's use of alliteration highlights that the persona is reconsidering.....)?

No no that's okay! So your phrasing in that example there is spot on, occasionally just the slightest amount of retell is sort of unavoidable. But, exactly as you've done, you limit it to the bare minimum (a single phrase). You can even avoid the retell altogether if you think the technique speaks for itself! Remember the marker knows your text, and so you only need enough that they know what you are referencing at the time  

[vyca]

Hi! what technique would this be?

"The world ends, not with a bang but with a whimper”.

[elysepopplewell]

Hi! what technique would this be?

"The world ends, not with a bang but with a whimper”.

With some more information about the text, it could be a metaphor, but I don't know that. I think this could be an example of itotes, which is where you use a negation (not) to emphasise an affirmation.  That's usually used for "She was not very happy" instead of "She was upset." So this is a more abstract example, but I still think it is litotes. On a simpler note, the contrast between the connotations of bang and whimper say a lot. So I'd be more inclined to go with the contrast of connotations

[JemexR]

Hi there, just wondering what technique would be in this little quote, other than it completing a rhyming couplet within the poem? It's from Easter 1916.

"O when may it suffice"

and

"Of a mocking tale or a gibe / To please a companion / Around the fire at the club"

Thanks

[Celeriac]

Hi, I have a question about Module A.

Should the personal context of an author never be mentioned? As in an event that they personally experienced?
For Sonnets from the Portuguese I've usually mentioned the author's restrictive father and then linked this to the liberation brought by love. 

Would it be better to attach part of the broader historical context to this or just remove references to personal context altogether?

[elysepopplewell]

Hi there, just wondering what technique would be in this little quote, other than it completing a rhyming couplet within the poem? It's from Easter 1916.

"O when may it suffice"

and

"Of a mocking tale or a gibe / To please a companion / Around the fire at the club"

Thanks

Hey! The first one there is actually a rhetorical question, it has a question mark at the end - so it's worth discussing that! Perhaps also the word choice "suffice" - meaning adequate. Particularly if you're exploring the notions of war - is senseless death adequate in response to division?

Admittedly, I didn't talk about either of these quotes in my own study for Easter 1916 - and you can download my own analysis of that poem for free here! But, I'd be more inclined to talk about that section as a contrast to another section where all chaos is compared. Personally, I was never attracted to those lines. But this is a great resource that I used to help me analyse his poetry, if you haven't already seen it!

Hi, I have a question about Module A.

Should the personal context of an author never be mentioned? As in an event that they personally experienced?
For Sonnets from the Portuguese I've usually mentioned the author's restrictive father and then linked this to the liberation brought by love. 

Would it be better to attach part of the broader historical context to this or just remove references to personal context altogether?

I think the author's personal context may be very relevant to particular texts, and by the sounds of it, this especially. Be aware that a question may actually specify that they want you to talk about historical context (if they are being picky!). So, definitely prepare historical, social, personal and cultural context, but consider personal context on a more privileged level if you think that it has a truly important impact! It sounds like you're thinking is on the right track!

[Elenaa]

hi! i just have 2 questions,

1. I heard someone say at my school that we had to prepare for different text types because in the HSC they could ask us to write in any form instead of an essay, like an interview, feature article etc? I don't know if thats true or not and if it is, how would i prepare for it?

2. For mod C, do we need to include the page number from where we got our quotes from, because in my trial essay, the teacher wrote pg number? on the quotes

Thanks !!!!!!

[tasiakuz]

Hi guys I have a question about module B critical study for speeches. I'm really anxious about them prescribing Atwood, Lessing or brooks as I have done Keating and Sadat. How should I approach integrating a prescribed text into my current essay? How many times would I have to reference the prescribed text and how many textual examples do I need to have for each speech? Thanks so much

[jamonwindeyer]

hi! i just have 2 questions,

1. I heard someone say at my school that we had to prepare for different text types because in the HSC they could ask us to write in any form instead of an essay, like an interview, feature article etc? I don't know if thats true or not and if it is, how would i prepare for it?

That could happen, but it is virtually impossible. Like, 0.001% chance of happening. I was told the same thing but they would cause an absolute uproar, don't think they'd dare in any case, time spent preparing for that is way better spent preparing for an essay!

2. For mod C, do we need to include the page number from where we got our quotes from, because in my trial essay, the teacher wrote pg number? on the quotes

Hmm, curious, I certainly never did! What text was it? I don't think page numbers are necessary in the HSC, perhaps it is a personal preference of theirs?

[jamonwindeyer]

Hi guys I have a question about module B critical study for speeches. I'm really anxious about them prescribing Atwood, Lessing or brooks as I have done Keating and Sadat. How should I approach integrating a prescribed text into my current essay? How many times would I have to reference the prescribed text and how many textual examples do I need to have for each speech? Thanks so much

Hey! I had the same fear as you, and unfortunately my fears came true and they prescribed a speech for my HSC. It was the stupid speech too (no offence William Deane ).

My advice is to have a game plan in place for those prescriptions, which it sounds like you are working towards. Be sure to have at least a few quotes from every speech, so that no matter what, you are prepared

Beyond that, you should try writing your prepared essay incorporating two examples from your prescription per paragraph. I'd say that is a minimum to get proper balance (depending on the question, obviously). See if it works. If it doesn't you might need to 'prepare' another essay, or (and this is usually easier), just be ready to write one on the spot. If you have quotes and techniques to draw from, you can always pull a rabbit out of the hat

So in summary; have at least 5-6 quotes for every speech (this sucks, but it's the only way to cover yourself). Practice writing about the ones you haven't done in as much detail, either as part of your prepared essay or on the spot. Just make sure you've prepared for the worst case. Beyond that, if you get in to the exam and see a bad speech, just write an essay blending the prescribed speech and one of your favourites. As long as you've remembered those quotes, you will pull through!!

[lozil]

2. For mod C, do we need to include the page number from where we got our quotes from, because in my trial essay, the teacher wrote pg number? on the quotes

Thanks !!!!!!

I've asked quite a few people and everyone I talked to said you dont need page numbers for HSC level... but also your text could be different?

[vyca]

hi! i just have 2 questions,

1. I heard someone say at my school that we had to prepare for different text types because in the HSC they could ask us to write in any form instead of an essay, like an interview, feature article etc? I don't know if thats true or not and if it is, how would i prepare for it?

2. For mod C, do we need to include the page number from where we got our quotes from, because in my trial essay, the teacher wrote pg number? on the quotes

Thanks !!!!!!

For your second question, I'm doing brooklyn for mod C and my teacher said it wasn't necessary to state the page numbers!