English Advanced Question Thread

[selinayinz]

Hi all,
I am currently studying Hamlet and i am preparing for my first assessment, which is a speech on our own interpretation of Hamlet. I have ideas and themes that i think shape Hamlet, but are there any study guide/prompt questions to help shape my interpretation? Thanks!

In terms of a related text for 'The Art of Travel', does anyone have any good film suggestions? (I was thinking Amelie, but I am not sure if it relates to the topic enough.)

Mod Edit: Posts merged

[elysepopplewell]

Hi all,
I am currently studying Hamlet and i am preparing for my first assessment, which is a speech on our own interpretation of Hamlet. I have ideas and themes that i think shape Hamlet, but are there any study guide/prompt questions to help shape my interpretation? Thanks!

In terms of a related text for 'The Art of Travel', does anyone have any good film suggestions? (I was thinking Amelie, but I am not sure if it relates to the topic enough.)

For Hamlet, we have a bunch of essays and notes here for free download - it includes essays by students. I've linked you to the Victoria and NSW page for Hamlet, because I thought the Vic ones still might provide you some great analysis even if they aren't NSW.

As for Art of Travel, a student has recommended this before!

Hi guys, for mod C, if anyone wants a related text for Alain de Botton's 'The Art of Travel', a good one is
'Half a Million Acres' (there is soooo much in terms of people and landscapes)
Link: http://www.abc.net.au/austory/specials/halfamillionacres/default.htm

[bholenath125]

Hey elyse,

For Mod C, im doing people and landscapes and am using the Magic tower as my related text. How exactly do I idenitfy how the play is constructed to perpetuate a certain meaning? Because the deconstruction of form, as you already know, is imperative in any mod C essay

[anotherworld2b]

Hi i was wondering how do you properly analyse a text to use for exams? I was hoping to do study notes for 1984 but i wasnt sure what to look for? Themes?

[kahuna327]

hi, just wondering what the difference between a 'theme' and a 'concept' is-> my teacher keeps saying that themes are too simplistic but i dont really understand how it differs to concepts?

[MisterNeo]

Hi i was wondering how do you properly analyse a text to use for exams? I was hoping to do study notes for 1984 but i wasnt sure what to look for? Themes?

Hi! For my study notes, I would collect a huge pile of quotes, techniques, ideas, and themes.
When analysing any text, such as poems or texts like 1984, you should look for good quotes and techniques that the author uses to portray his idea which builds onto a "bigger picture" like a theme. Basically, what is the author trying to say?
Hope this helps

[MisterNeo]

hi, just wondering what the difference between a 'theme' and a 'concept' is-> my teacher keeps saying that themes are too simplistic but i dont really understand how it differs to concepts?

Hi! There is a difference between the two terms, which a google search "difference between theme and concept" should answer.

"A theme is a general direction to follow. Like "war" or "sea" or "revenge". A concept is a description of the idea detailed enough to show how this particular movie stands out. The theme of a film is what the viewer is supposed to learn and take away from it while the concept is what it is about." Source: Quora

Hope this helps clear things up

[jamonwindeyer]

hi, just wondering what the difference between a 'theme' and a 'concept' is-> my teacher keeps saying that themes are too simplistic but i dont really understand how it differs to concepts?

Love the response from MisterNeo above, let me give you an example:

Shakespeare's text, Julius Caesar, emphasises the theme of power.

That's using a theme in an really simple intro. Now with a concept:

Shakespeare's text, Julius Caesar, emphasises that an individuals power is heavily reliant not on personal qualities, but on the acceptance of society.

Made them both up on your spot, but do you see how the second one is taking the basic idea and doing something more with it? ☺

[pikachu975]

I can only write around 900-950 which resulted in me leaving out quotes from my memorised essay so I lost marks for english, so I was wondering how do you write way faster? People I know from other schools can write like 1100+ so I'm not sure how to achieve this. I've tried jetstreams but it made my writing less legible because it's thicker etc but I used muji for the 900-950 words in 40 minute exam.

[MisterNeo]

I can only write around 900-950 which resulted in me leaving out quotes from my memorised essay so I lost marks for english, so I was wondering how do you write way faster? People I know from other schools can write like 1100+ so I'm not sure how to achieve this. I've tried jetstreams but it made my writing less legible because it's thicker etc but I used muji for the 900-950 words in 40 minute exam.

Hi! My advice would be to practise handwriting everything in class. Do you use a device? Try ditching the device to practise writing things by hand and getting your brain used to moving your hand.
Personally, I never use a device to write notes in class whereas everyone else does. My handwriting is neater and can write 1200 words in 45mins simply because I master it all these years.
Also try to relax your hand every few paragraphs or so by going to other sections in the exam to give your hand a break. Thinking too hard can also lead to messy handwriting under stress.
Keep practising and you will improve

[pikachu975]

Also would the related text "Children" by Takuya Okada work as both a discovery related text and a module C related text (people and politics)? I was thinking for discovery that he discovers freedom and escapes the system and laughs for the first time. For mod C all the children are the same but with numbers and it's a uniform system until someone rebels etc. My mod C text is BNW and AOS is motorcycle diaries.

Hi! My advice would be to practise handwriting everything in class. Do you use a device? Try ditching the device to practise writing things by hand and getting your brain used to moving your hand.
Personally, I never use a device to write notes in class whereas everyone else does. My handwriting is neater and can write 1200 words in 45mins simply because I master it all these years.
Also try to relax your hand every few paragraphs or so by going to other sections in the exam to give your hand a break. Thinking too hard can also lead to messy handwriting under stress.
Keep practising and you will improve

I usually handwrite notes but I just don't write fast enough. Would writing out stuff everyday as fast as possible help?

Mod: Merged posts

[elysepopplewell]

Hey elyse,

For Mod C, im doing people and landscapes and am using the Magic tower as my related text. How exactly do I idenitfy how the play is constructed to perpetuate a certain meaning? Because the deconstruction of form, as you already know, is imperative in any mod C essay

Hey bholenath125! I'm a little confused about your question I'm sorry. Are you asking me how to talk about the notion of representation, as meaning is represented in form? Or are you asking about an exact approach to the Magic Tower? Sorry! Let me know and I'll do my best

Hi i was wondering how do you properly analyse a text to use for exams? I was hoping to do study notes for 1984 but i wasnt sure what to look for? Themes?

Hey anotherworld2b To understand a text perfectly for an exam, you need to understand themes, techniques, and the plot, on both a macro and micro level. So in the creation of your study notes, look closely at which chapter different characters are introduced, or when the tense changes, or when the modality adjusts. Also, look for language techniques like metaphors or similes and what not. At the same time, themes are important! So you could organise your notes into themes, or just via techniques...it goes on

I can only write around 900-950 which resulted in me leaving out quotes from my memorised essay so I lost marks for english, so I was wondering how do you write way faster? People I know from other schools can write like 1100+ so I'm not sure how to achieve this. I've tried jetstreams but it made my writing less legible because it's thicker etc but I used muji for the 900-950 words in 40 minute exam.

hey pikachu! I just wanted to chime in and say - 900 words is a lot for 40 mins! I know you want to keep pushing, but it really is a solid amount. If you're looking at pens, I used an inkjoy pen.

I usually handwrite notes but I just don't write fast enough. Would writing out stuff everyday as fast as possible help?

100%! This definitely helps. The adrenaline in an exam will push you that little bit further, but practicing your writing speed outside of exam conditions will never disadvantage you!

[Sukakadonkadonk]

Follow up on my previous question, I had about bringing quotes into our class assessment. Our teacher adjusted the criteria, now we are allowed to bring in 200 words of quotes and/or notes into the assessment task.
What would be the best way to plan this 200 words out?

Thanks.

[Lachlan Morley]

Hi all,

What does everyone believe to be integral for a Module C essay, Does anyone have like a checklist of integral elements

[jamonwindeyer]

Follow up on my previous question, I had about bringing quotes into our class assessment. Our teacher adjusted the criteria, now we are allowed to bring in 200 words of quotes and/or notes into the assessment task.
What would be the best way to plan this 200 words out?

Thanks.

Hey! I reckon do quotes and techniques - Those are the two big things you need to remember to be able to present powerful analysis. You can put ideas/contextual stuff too if you want it, but the quotes and techniques should be first imo