English Advanced Question Thread

[elysepopplewell]

About how long should the discovery creative be?
thanks!

Maybe...750 to 1100 words? Anywhere in there is fairly standard You can get a killer creative in 800 words, or you could take slightly longer to get to the point and get the same mark at 1000 words. So don't stress about word/mark relations - just know that anywhere from maybe 750 to maybe 1100 is not uncommon!

[imtrying]

The one thing from the discovery rubric I'm struggling with is the way in which a discovery could be creatively meaningful, especially trying to find that in my texts.
Would someone be able to give me some general ideas on what a creatively meaningful discovery could entail?
Thank you so so much:)

[isaacdelatorre]

That's funny you've been told it's a must - I kind of think it's overused. The human condition is basically a term used to describe the collective experiences and emotions of humans that will be relatable and experienced through epochs - they aren't context specific. So, we could say that if Shakespeare plays on the experience of yearning, he relates to the human condition in a way that means his work is accessible through time, not just in his context.

It's my personal pet peeve when people say, "The Tempest is relatable through time because of it's treatment of the human condition" - and then they NEVER EXPLAIN what the human condition is according to their perspective. Unlike my example above, where I identified yearning as an aspect, some treatments of the human condition look like it's just thrown in there.

Is the human condition a necessity for discovery? No. Is it necessary for any module? No. Is it helpful in the modules? Yeah! Is it possibly a good route for discovery? yeah!

So use it if it adds something to your work, and not just because it sounds nice. The rubric doesn't specify it after all, so you can't be marked down for not talking about it

That clears things up, especially knowing that I don't need to include it!!

Would this be using it correctly, and sufficiently explaining it?

"Nasht explores the human condition through Hurley's confronting discovery of humanity's insignificance against nature, which creates renewed perceptions of the world around him"

[senara]

Heyy
When referring to the responder... say we use "responder" in the beginning of the essay do we have to keep referring to "responder" throughout the entire essay or can we say "audience" or "reader" (does that make sense? like can we swap between the words?) 

[elysepopplewell]

That clears things up, especially knowing that I don't need to include it!!

Would this be using it correctly, and sufficiently explaining it?

"Nasht explores the human condition through Hurley's confronting discovery of humanity's insignificance against nature, which creates renewed perceptions of the world around him"

As long as you go on to explain how the human V nature thing is an experience that transcends context, then that works perrrrfectly!

[studybuddy7777]

Heyy
When referring to the responder... say we use "responder" in the beginning of the essay do we have to keep referring to "responder" throughout the entire essay or can we say "audience" or "reader" (does that make sense? like can we swap between the words?)

Hey senara,

Definitely mix it up a little bit otherwise the markers will be sooooo bored of hearing the same term.

Responder, audience and reader are all good terms that should be used throughout, (almost in an ABCA sequence)

Hope this helps and goodluck for tomorrow

[:3]

Hey everyone,

I'm a bit stumped on how to alter my discovery essay to answer the question regarding: "The process of discovery can be a complex one and can lead to significant changes".

I'm fairly sure I can adapt to significant changes, but for the complex bit, what should I be talking about?

[elysepopplewell]

Heyy
When referring to the responder... say we use "responder" in the beginning of the essay do we have to keep referring to "responder" throughout the entire essay or can we say "audience" or "reader" (does that make sense? like can we swap between the words?)

I definitely recommend changing it up! So you're definitely free to do that

The one thing from the discovery rubric I'm struggling with is the way in which a discovery could be creatively meaningful, especially trying to find that in my texts.
Would someone be able to give me some general ideas on what a creatively meaningful discovery could entail?
Thank you so so much:)

Definitely! Ok, creativity. We think of creative as artful or relating to imagination. But we have to consider that it doesn't just involve art or strikes of inspiration. A creative discovery may be that someone considers something in an original light (potentially also an intellectual discovery). A creative discovery might mean looking outside the box. So, I could argue that in my text, Go Back To Where You Came From, that the perspectives on asylum seekers changed from anti to understanding - and that can be a creative discovery, because the people had to consider outside of their normal perspectives and use their imagination to perceive exactly the circumstance that asylum seekers come from.

So, I suppose you need to be a bit creative in your approach as well, and consider that anything outside the box is in some ways, a creative approach to discoveries

[Celeriac]

I mean, it's such a tiny little difference that I hardly think you'd get marked down, but I don't know that there is a benefit to doing it either. Was it a teacher that suggested it to you before? I haven't seen this so I feel a bit out of my depth giving you a definitive answer, I'm just trying to weigh the pros and cons.

It was a teacher who suggested it. I used it throughout all my half yearlies and trials (from year 11 up to year 12) but I'm just a little wary about it for the HSC. I agree that it's a tiny difference so I'll probably avoid it this time around 

[imtrying]

Definitely! Ok, creativity. We think of creative as artful or relating to imagination. But we have to consider that it doesn't just involve art or strikes of inspiration. A creative discovery may be that someone considers something in an original light (potentially also an intellectual discovery). A creative discovery might mean looking outside the box. So, I could argue that in my text, Go Back To Where You Came From, that the perspectives on asylum seekers changed from anti to understanding - and that can be a creative discovery, because the people had to consider outside of their normal perspectives and use their imagination to perceive exactly the circumstance that asylum seekers come from.

So, I suppose you need to be a bit creative in your approach as well, and consider that anything outside the box is in some ways, a creative approach to discoveries

Thank you so much, I actually can see where I could incorporate that into my arguments:) I can leave panic mode again haha

[sudodds]

Hey everyone,

I'm a bit stumped on how to alter my discovery essay to answer the question regarding: "The process of discovery can be a complex one and can lead to significant changes".

I'm fairly sure I can adapt to significant changes, but for the complex bit, what should I be talking about?

You can mention that its a multi-dimensional and multi-faceted process that does not always present itself in the same way every time, or have the same affect upon each individual that encounters it You can also talk about the responses to discovery, and how they are often not one-dimensional, wholly positive or wholly negative.

Also quick question. Does anyone know how good the trials are as an indication of the focus of the HSC? I know that the creators of the trials often try to anticipate the question, and I'm just wondering if its really just a coincidence that a lot of this years trials, including the CSSA (I'm not sure about the Independent) focused upon "transformative discoveries". I know that they also wouldn't know what the question was when writing it, but does anyone know if they are fairly accurate/have predicted the question right before? Either way I'm gonna make sure I'm fine for everything, just wondering cos I've already got an essay on that haha.

[elysepopplewell]

Hey everyone,

I'm a bit stumped on how to alter my discovery essay to answer the question regarding: "The process of discovery can be a complex one and can lead to significant changes".

I'm fairly sure I can adapt to significant changes, but for the complex bit, what should I be talking about?

Some ideas that come to mind when I consider a complex process of discovery:
-Discoveries being experienced by different people in different ways, because they all come from different contexts.
-Sometimes discoveries can be planned, but that will actually prompt unplanned discoveries in the mean time.
-The ramifications of discoveries can't always be predicted, thus complicating things.
-Complex: potentially several events come together to amount to a single moment of discovery.

Basically, it can mean whatever you want it to mean, you just need to clearly identify the way you perceive complexity

[isaacdelatorre]

Hey ,,

This might seem like a really simple question... but what exactly is the purpose of linking texts in the AOS essay? I've been told to have link between related and prescribed, but without knowing why, I'm unsure as to how in depth the comparison needs to be and what aspects to compare.

Also.. for my related which is a speech - am I allowed to use aspects of audience reaction such as standing ovation to show they are affected by her speech? or is that ... not part of the speech (unsure of how to word this any better)

Thank you sooo much; sorry for all these question, I am low key (that's a lie - more like majorly) freaking out for tomorrow!!!

[elysepopplewell]

Also quick question. Does anyone know how good the trials are as an indication of the focus of the HSC? I know that the creators of the trials often try to anticipate the question, and I'm just wondering if its really just a coincidence that a lot of this years trials, including the CSSA (I'm not sure about the Independent) focused upon "transformative discoveries". I know that they also wouldn't know what the question was when writing it, but does anyone know if they are fairly accurate/have predicted the question right before? Either way I'm gonna make sure I'm fine for everything, just wondering cos I've already got an essay on that haha.

Excellent question! Two of my CSSA trial questions were almost replicated identically in the HSC exam. The CSSA committee, and assuming the Independent Paper committee, pick patterns and aim to suggest the question. Difficult with discovery because it's only the second year - but I think the transformative nature of discovery would be GREAT. Deep down, it's my hunch too! Seriously under-evidenced, but just a hunch. 

[studybuddy7777]

You can mention that its a multi-dimensional and multi-faceted process that does not always present itself in the same way every time, or have the same affect upon each individual that encounters it You can also talk about the responses to discovery, and how they are often not one-dimensional, wholly positive or wholly negative.

Also quick question. Does anyone know how good the trials are as an indication of the focus of the HSC? I know that the creators of the trials often try to anticipate the question, and I'm just wondering if its really just a coincidence that a lot of this years trials, including the CSSA (I'm not sure about the Independent) focused upon "transformative discoveries". I know that they also wouldn't know what the question was when writing it, but does anyone know if they are fairly accurate/have predicted the question right before? Either way I'm gonna make sure I'm fine for everything, just wondering cos I've already got an essay on that haha.

Hey,
They always try to predict what the question is going to be, but it is only just a guess at the end of the day. Certainly don't base your study on the trials, but it wouldn't hurt to pay closer attention to "transformative discoveries" just in case they are right!

Hope this helps and best of luck for tomorrow and Friday