English Advanced Question Thread

[jamonwindeyer]

Can I please have some help with this question? 'consider the extent to which responses to each text can be shaped by different cultural contexts over time'. I'm not sure what it means by cultural contexts over time. I wrote for one of my responses that attitudes and values would be different for people living in a 1st world country when compared to a 3rd world country. Would that be answering the question?

That's the right interpretation of cultural contexts, but you need to look at it over time. How would Western audiences respond to a text on terrorism now, versus pre 9/11, for example - Look at how our culture/values influence our view of texts

[anotherworld2b]

Hmm okay. Would it be okay to ask if someone could have quick read over my response to that question? I'm not sure if my response actually answers the question

Spoiler

3. Consider also the extent to which responses to each text can be shaped by different cultural contexts over time.

Responses to the documentary ‘The Ugly Truth About Beauty’ by Barcroft TV can be shaped in numerous ways depending on the viewer’s cultural context. To people living in war-torn third world countries in the 18th century, tormented by poverty may be unable to understand the unhealthy obsession with ‘beauty’ explored by this documentary and respond with confusion. To others, such viewers in living prosperous and peaceful first world countries in the 21st century, the prominence of the increasing issue of obsession with ‘beauty’ is often understood and acknowledge instantly by the public with clarity. Therefore, different responses are shaped from different cultural contexts.

Individuals living in war-torn third world countries during the 18th century may be unable to comprehend the importance of the issue of obsession with ‘beauty’ and respond with confusion. Historically in third world countries poverty was and still is a pressuring issue experienced on a daily basis that threatens survival. Poverty has and continues to kill numerous children, adults and elderly around the world in the past. Over time, people who have been subjected to hunger on a daily basis simply begin to accept their predicament as a normal aspect of life. This is reflective of a determined attitude established to be one founded on survival rather than luxury. In addition, the value of the access of food and water is greater respected and appreciated by those who live in poverty. The issue conveyed in the documentary therefore may cause individuals stricken with poverty to respond with confusion to the promoted value to ‘be attractive’. As a result, to individuals that are tormented by poverty and war on a daily basis have a determined attitude towards survival rather than towards the foreign issue of being beauty. Hence, individuals tormented by poverty are likely to value food and water above all unnecessary luxuries such as having a favourable appearance.

On the contrary, individuals living in first world countries in the 21st century are likely to respond to documentary’s warning with interest and wonder. First world countries in the 21st century often provides its citizens with a wide access to luxurious utilities and facilities. In addition, one of the most pressing issues of discussion is body image and appearance. As a person living in a first world country I am able to see the prevalence of vanity in the pursue of a perfect appearance by using cosmetic surgery and procedures. Time and money are spent on the luxury called maintaining beauty rather than on essentials such as food, water and shelter. This reflects a vain attitude towards valuing luxuries such as maintaining appearance rather than things essential to survival. As a result, to individuals that are blessed with numerous privileges they may be able to appreciate and praise the documentaries exploration of the issue of body insecurity. Hence, a viewer's response is shaped by their cultural context.

That's the right interpretation of cultural contexts, but you need to look at it over time. How would Western audiences respond to a text on terrorism now, versus pre 9/11, for example - Look at how our culture/values influence our view of texts

[jamonwindeyer]

Hmm okay. Would it be okay to ask if someone could have quick read over my response to that question? I'm not sure if my response actually answers the question

Spoiler

3. Consider also the extent to which responses to each text can be shaped by different cultural contexts over time.

Responses to the documentary ‘The Ugly Truth About Beauty’ by Barcroft TV can be shaped in numerous ways depending on the viewer’s cultural context. To people living in war-torn third world countries in the 18th century, tormented by poverty may be unable to understand the unhealthy obsession with ‘beauty’ explored by this documentary and respond with confusion. To others, such viewers in living prosperous and peaceful first world countries in the 21st century, the prominence of the increasing issue of obsession with ‘beauty’ is often understood and acknowledge instantly by the public with clarity. Therefore, different responses are shaped from different cultural contexts.

Individuals living in war-torn third world countries during the 18th century may be unable to comprehend the importance of the issue of obsession with ‘beauty’ and respond with confusion. Historically in third world countries poverty was and still is a pressuring issue experienced on a daily basis that threatens survival. Poverty has and continues to kill numerous children, adults and elderly around the world in the past. Over time, people who have been subjected to hunger on a daily basis simply begin to accept their predicament as a normal aspect of life. This is reflective of a determined attitude established to be one founded on survival rather than luxury. In addition, the value of the access of food and water is greater respected and appreciated by those who live in poverty. The issue conveyed in the documentary therefore may cause individuals stricken with poverty to respond with confusion to the promoted value to ‘be attractive’. As a result, to individuals that are tormented by poverty and war on a daily basis have a determined attitude towards survival rather than towards the foreign issue of being beauty. Hence, individuals tormented by poverty are likely to value food and water above all unnecessary luxuries such as having a favourable appearance.

On the contrary, individuals living in first world countries in the 21st century are likely to respond to documentary’s warning with interest and wonder. First world countries in the 21st century often provides its citizens with a wide access to luxurious utilities and facilities. In addition, one of the most pressing issues of discussion is body image and appearance. As a person living in a first world country I am able to see the prevalence of vanity in the pursue of a perfect appearance by using cosmetic surgery and procedures. Time and money are spent on the luxury called maintaining beauty rather than on essentials such as food, water and shelter. This reflects a vain attitude towards valuing luxuries such as maintaining appearance rather than things essential to survival. As a result, to individuals that are blessed with numerous privileges they may be able to appreciate and praise the documentaries exploration of the issue of body insecurity. Hence, a viewer's response is shaped by their cultural context.

Sure! You've already got this in the Advanced marking thread I think so it will get feedback soon

[anotherworld2b]

 

Sure! You've already got this in the Advanced marking thread I think so it will get feedback soon

[anotherworld2b]

I'm a bit confused about cultural context. What does it refer to?
I am trying to write a response to this question for the text 'Mao's last Dancer'
Q. Consider also the extent to which responses to each text can be shaped by different cultural contexts over time.

I had a idea about to write about how people have different responses to Mao Zedong.
I was going to write about how people living during his reign often saw him as a living god while to a modern reader he is often perceived as just another communist leader. From this people would have different attitudes towards him. Could I say that for people living in his reign that they have a respectful attitude towards him while the modern reader may have a nonchalant attitude?
But would this still be considered cultural context? I'm not sure what context this would be

[elysepopplewell]

I'm a bit confused about cultural context. What does it refer to?
I am trying to write a response to this question for the text 'Mao's last Dancer'
Q. Consider also the extent to which responses to each text can be shaped by different cultural contexts over time.

I had a idea about to write about how people have different responses to Mao Zedong.
I was going to write about how people living during his reign often saw him as a living god while to a modern reader he is often perceived as just another communist leader. From this people would have different attitudes towards him. Could I say that for people living in his reign that they have a respectful attitude towards him while the modern reader may have a nonchalant attitude?
But would this still be considered cultural context? I'm not sure what context this would be

This is timed interestingly, I have a class at Uni tonight on Mao Zedong's perception!
Depending on how deeply you need to explore the idea of cultural context in literature, this site might help you!

Otherwise...
Cultural context in literature is the way that the world around a person is imitated in a text. The exploration of this context might be looking carefully at behaviour, opportunities, and values. Was this person's behaviour a reaction to or against the cultural norm? What opportunities were or weren't offered/accepted because of the culture?

Looking into the modern day: What standpoint do we come from when we look at Mao Zedong? We are in a Western country, capitalist, democratic, and in the future. A lot of people I know only know about Mao's dynasty because of Mao's Last Dancer. So consider what we do and don't know about the culture of China in the Maoist Dynasty, and then consider our own attitudes against the attitudes of those in the text

[AnnaBethy]

I am homeschooled and trying my best to understand the syllabus by myself. I am doing WH Auden poems for Module C. There are 7 poems in total that I am studying.

My question is: In the HSC do I write about all of the poems in my essay? I am unsure as online people talk about choosing 2 poems to focus on. I have learnt all 7, but should I cut my revision down to just a couple??

Sorry if this doesn't make sense or if it is a stupid question! I am just trying to make sure I fully understand what I need to do for this Module.

Ta

[jamonwindeyer]

I am homeschooled and trying my best to understand the syllabus by myself. I am doing WH Auden poems for Module C. There are 7 poems in total that I am studying.

My question is: In the HSC do I write about all of the poems in my essay? I am unsure as online people talk about choosing 2 poems to focus on. I have learnt all 7, but should I cut my revision down to just a couple??

Sorry if this doesn't make sense or if it is a stupid question! I am just trying to make sure I fully understand what I need to do for this Module.

Ta

Hey Anna! Welcome to the forums!

Basically, the choice is yours. You can discuss all the poems, or you can choose a few, whichever you think allows you to answer the question more effectively! That said, you should know all the poems, because the exam can specify specific poems to discuss (this happened to me with speeches) - Be at least moderately familiar with all, even if you focus on a few

Personally, I learned all my speeches for this Module in fairly close to equal depth, but I did have my favourites it's really a matter of what you feel comfortable with!

Feel free to shoot any other questions our way, there are no stupid questions!

[sageziman]

Hi There,

for module C I am doing people and politics and i was wondering if you could help me pick the best thesis statement. i have written a few of individualism and politics but im not sure which one sounds the best.

Political control inevitably results in the oppression of the public and their individualism

Individualism must be suppressed in order for authority to be maintained. 

Political control thrives by deliberately depriving human beings of their individuality in order to manipulate society through a communal consensus

The success of political control relies on the power of convention to mould each individual into a communal society to insure social stability

thank you 

[jamonwindeyer]

Hi There,

for module C I am doing people and politics and i was wondering if you could help me pick the best thesis statement. i have written a few of individualism and politics but im not sure which one sounds the best.

Hey hey! Of the ones you have written, I like this one the best:

The success of political control relies on the power of convention to mould each individual into a communal society to ensure social stability

It's not necessarily because it is the longest; I think it just leaves the most room to add layers of depth and complexity in your paragraphs, because you can define each term more closely. If I chose a second, it would be:

Individualism must be suppressed in order for authority to be maintained.

I actually probably like this more, but it would need a strong follow up to really make it shine. How is it suppressed, what are the effects of the suppression, etc

[J.B]

Hi,
I was just wondering, this is probably something silly but what would happen if you have analysed a related text at home for discovery, and say its a poem. What would happen if that poem was in the unseen text short answers of section 1?

[jamonwindeyer]

Hi,
I was just wondering, this is probably something silly but what would happen if you have analysed a related text at home for discovery, and say its a poem. What would happen if that poem was in the unseen text short answers of section 1?

Oooft, talk about considering all possibilities!

It is totally fine - You are allowed to use Section 1 texts in Section 3 anyway, and it will be clear in the depth of analysis you provide that, clearly, you'd seen the work before the exam itself won't change anything whatsoever!

[anotherworld2b]

thank you very much for your help

This is timed interestingly, I have a class at Uni tonight on Mao Zedong's perception!
Depending on how deeply you need to explore the idea of cultural context in literature, this site might help you!

Otherwise...
Cultural context in literature is the way that the world around a person is imitated in a text. The exploration of this context might be looking carefully at behaviour, opportunities, and values. Was this person's behaviour a reaction to or against the cultural norm? What opportunities were or weren't offered/accepted because of the culture?

Looking into the modern day: What standpoint do we come from when we look at Mao Zedong? We are in a Western country, capitalist, democratic, and in the future. A lot of people I know only know about Mao's dynasty because of Mao's Last Dancer. So consider what we do and don't know about the culture of China in the Maoist Dynasty, and then consider our own attitudes against the attitudes of those in the text

[parthie]

hey would anyone know any techniques for this quotes: Its for henry iv related

"Her refusal to condemn, or even fully acknowledge, the state-sponsored repression of her fellow countrymen and women, not to mention the violence meted out to them by Buddhist extremists ... makes her part of the problem, not the solution"

and

"In a genocide, silence is complicity, and so it is with Aung San Suu Kyi,"


Thanks

[sophroberts812]

What are everyone's tips for improving writing speed??... obviously without sacrificing legibility!

And does anyone have an favourite pens that write really well/fast? Some of my friends swear by basic ballpoints, some super inky pens and others rollerball. Any favourites?