1st in Advanced English 2016 - Ask Me Anything!

[bowiemily]

Hi Emily,
1. How would I integrate context with themes and techniques in a Module A essay? Especially contexts such as modernism or expressionism
2. How many techniques, examples or quotes would you suggest to add to your essays?
3. Top 3 favourite authors?

Thanks Heaps

3 first because I like this question: I would have to say Drusilla Modjeska, Vonnegut annnnnndddd Heaney. I mean, Heaney is a poet. But he's so damn brilliant that he has to be included in this list.

You want to integrate context through key words and phrases. It basically becomes the effect on the audience. So, a quote may look like this:

"Quote" employs chiascuro to embolden the close up shot, mimicking the contextual exploration of individualism and duality in Weimar Germany, and indeed, Modernism itself.

Don't ever explain contextual scenarios, such as hyperinflation in Weimar. By simply using the term, your marker will know what you're talking about

[bowiemily]

Hi, I've got an Advance English assesment essay coming up, Yeats poetry. And wanted to know which poem you think would go well with "Leda and the Swan". The Wilde Swans at Coole or The Second Coming? Thanks heaps.

Either would go well! If you were using Wild Swans, you could contrast how Yeats oeuvre shifted from Romanticism to modernism, and how is texts became less personal and more so about the world around him. With SC, you could write more so about political turmoil and the struggling Irish identity.

[Bubbly_bluey]

Hi Emily just general questions about studying:
1) on most days how hours do you sleep and have you ever pulled all nighters? I'm the type of person who focuses when i have my sleep 8-9 hours. But i heard people sacrificing their sleep and in the end doing really well in the hsc.
2) I dont know where to start when studying for legal. Just starting to write my notes but its so content heavy. any tips?
thank you  

[HayleyTighe]

Hi I was just wondering what you found to be the best way to make notes and learn quotes for English texts because I struggle with this!
Thanks !

[bowiemily]

Hi Emily! 

Congratulations on your extraordinary mark for not only english but hsc overall! I read over some of your replies to other people and I'm kind of struggling with Romanticism for extension now. I've read through quite a few essays from the bostes published books and it always says something about not letting your related text limit your analysis and I'm finding it really hard to find a solid related text that could satisfy that point and that also differs in regards to medium to the prescribed text (shelley's novel, coleridge's poems and campion's film). Most of the related texts that i find are usually more focused on one type of issue - or theme. E.g. Rousseau focuses on childhood, etc and I find that it really limits my ability to analyse it to the depth that I believe is sufficient enough. Do you have any recommendations?

I feel like I'm hitting a bit of a bottom right now with english because I'm getting pretty disappointed with my marks that have dropped pretty dramatically. I always write up draft essays to receive feedback on from the teacher and my tutor and I get back the results with comments like "first class response", with about 14 ticks in the A range and one tick in B range that drops my essay from 100% to a 70%. I understand there's always some exams that people screw up on but it's been a constant streak of low's and my motivation level has really dropped. i'd really appreciate the advice, thank you! 

Thank you!

I used lots of John Keats' poems as ORTs throughout my study, but this would be difficult seeing as you're doing Campion. Perhaps you could do an artwork? I also did On the Ignorance of the Learned by Hazlitt, and although it seems narrow (as you were saying), it stands for the Romantic tenets provided to you in the syllabus. These are the best way to clarify whether your ORT is suitable or not.

Firstly, don't worry. You've never done this before, so it's natural that your marks aren't going to be spectacular straight away. My first assessment for English was around 75%. It inspired me to work harder and move away from my comfort zone - this meant writing essays in exam conditions at home. The only way you can improve in exams is through practice, and you can't leave such practice until you're actually sitting in the exam room. You're going to be okay, and you have potential! Just focus on where you need to improve, and you'll soon see an increase in your marks.

[WeeniePotatoes]

Hello, I was just wondering on how to analyse insightfully. I think I am doing this in my work but everyone has told me that I need to work on it much more. I have a few more questions to do with english:
- What is analysis?
- How to annotate your text effectively while reading (if it is a novel)
- How to develop the way you think about things in English
- How do you know when you have reached good analysis (even if you have seen many teachers and they say it is god, how do you accept good work?)
- What is a good way to develop a thesis and ideas on a text?
- Why is English a good subject for you?
What is your process of thought when analysing?

(Sorry if there is alot of grammar/ syntax problems, I wrote this in a rush and I am not that good at english )

[mercurial]

Hi Emily. Congratulations on the brilliant marks. I have a few questions, some specific and others general
1) How do I best approach a comparative essay
2) What are your best tips for analysing texts insightfully, specifically novels
3) How do I maximise marks for my Modern History essays
4) How would you organise notes for Modern History
5) How many hours would you study a day
Cheers

[Tnguyen18]

Hi Emily,
1. How did you write notes and study for legal studies ?
2. What has been your favourite book to read? Any recommendations?
Thank you!

[tabithalethlean]

Hi Emily!

I have some more study based questions
1) with the 3 hours study per night which I know is also the bostes recommended amount, did this include homework and working on assessments? because there doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day?
2)I have trouble sticking to a set timetable, I'm still moderately productive but it's sometimes inconsistent and less structured, any advice?
3)For the short answer section I always have trouble in the last question that is usually worth 5 marks, it could be that it is usually the most rushed, I find I do really well in all the others as all I have to do is find the techniques, analyse and link but the same doesn't always get me the marks for the last question, any advice?

Thank you so much for your help, wish I could have been to the lecture!

[Lollzza]

First of all, you are now my new idol. For both the marks and the bingeing of FMA and Death note.

I'm starting Year 11 English Advanced and I'm also taking Preliminary Extension English. My question is, should I write solely integrated essays for Extension? For advanced I heard it's alright to keep with the standard text by text format, but I want to push myself as far as I can. So would it be beneficial to start trying integration early on, and taking my chances in assessments now rather than my HSC?
Also, with related texts, do they have to be 'academically credible' or simply sound sophisticated? There's poetry I really want to use but because the author isn't famous/it's translated from another language I'm not sure how the markers would react to that?

Thank you so much for answering all of these I honestly think you're amazing.

[brenden]

Emily's gone to bed all - she'll be answering more tomorrow!

[sarahkhan]

Hi, congratulations first of all!!

My first question, what format was your related text for AOS, was it a short story, novel?? Also do u suggest a short story is a good related text to use

Secondly, throughout year 12, did you get 100% in every internal assessment to get a 100 overall HSC mark?

Lastly, for legal studies, did u type or write your notes, and approximately how many pages of notes did u have  for each topic

Thank you!!

[georgiaou]

Hi Emily,

Firstly, congratulations on your amazing achievements!

I was just wondering whether you used literary theorists/perspectives/critics to aid your essays at all?

Thank you

[jessdang1708]

Hi, just wondering do you have any good related text suggestions? preferably  short text or tips on picking short text

[efsane]

hello congratulations on your achievement!
i just wanted to know if you memorised your creative writing piece and how did you come up with an idea? i cant seem to come up with a good enough creative writing.
Also, what can i do in my prelim year to assure success in my hsc year for english? i dont feel confident in my class as theres so may students who are so talented in writing creative pieces.