Emily - Ask a State Ranker! (Q+A Closed)

[bowiemily]

Hi Emily!
 I have my trial exams tomorrow :0  So I was wondering do you  have any advice on how to approach the Mod B question for Hamlet?
My entire class did a practice essay on Hamlet and my teacher said that it was done badly, so I am quite worried for Mod B.
Also do you have any other advice on approaching the questions for Mod A and smashing the reading section for paper 1?
Thanks so much!

Hey there! I didn't study Hamlet, but for Mod B I can more generally suggest to make sure you have quotes that cover form! I made the mistake of not having these in my Trial essay, and lost marks because of it.
For Mod A, make sure that you're not explaining context. Instead, it should be integrated within your analysis.
Regarding Section 1, don't be intimidated by the unseen texts! You only have to understand them in terms of the question - nothing more. So once you fin the answer to the question within the text, you can start writing your response

[bowiemily]

 

hey Emily! First off, just wanted to thank you spending your time with us on this forum on a Sunday afternoon

What are your predictions for this years paper one 15 Marker question?

No worries!
Hmmmm, I'm not one for predicting papers, particularly when there's only been two discovery questions previously. Maybe something about the ramifications of discovery? I don't think they've done that yet

[bowiemily]

Hey Emily!!
I'm in serious urgency in terms of creative writing. I'm almost unbearably giving up. I've tried so hard to find prompts and adopt a general idea to work with but I'm just not getting anything and it' s so frustrating. Do you have any tips or advice in formulating a unique and intriguing story?

I always suggest that you write from your own experience! It is very rare that anyone else is going to have the exact same experience and stories that you do. Its also much easier to remember your creative if you write it about a lived experience

[Dante1091]

Hi Emily

I was wondering, what time did you sleep before you exams?
Did you memorise essays or nah?
What did you do on the morning of your exams and the night before?
Any advice to come back from low rankings/results?

Thank you, in advance

[bowiemily]

Apart from techniques, what is the most important features in a Module B essay. Context? Purpose?

Thanks

Module B is aaaallllll about evaluation. So you need to make sure you're telling the marker that you think the author is effectively representing an particular idea. If they aren't doing such a great job, say that, and explain why this misrepresentation is important nonetheless!! If you are still struggling to form an analysis, throw some qualitative words into what you would regularly write. These are words like 'effectively, cleverly, ingeniously' etc. This can automatically lift your work to an evaluative level

[bowiemily]

Hi Emily, I was wandering what sort of structure you used for your study notes and preparation for HSC. Also, would you recommend going in with pre-prepared essays or memorized quotes? Thanks

I wrote my study notes in various different forms. These included palm cards, tables, lists and flow charts. I liked to have at least two different forms for each module, as this helped me to remember my key ideas and quotes. I never memorised my essays.

[paigek3]

Hi there!!

Did you complete four units of English?? If so...

For extension 1, what was the most effective way you structured your response, and in particular coming up with a thesis statement (I'm doing after the bomb) also, did you go into the exam having focused on two texts moreso than the third or did you study all three equally?

And for extension 2, did you structure your reflection statement paragraphs around the areas that have to be included listed on the NESA website, or another way?

Thank you!

[Nate311298]

Hi Emily,
With Studies Of Religion, did you have pre-memorised essays for your depth study, and did you go into the exam KNOWING which tradition you'd be writing about?

Also, regarding Module B (not sure what elective you chose), did you have a set amount of key quotes for each 'text' (I did Speeches), or did you just know your entire text back to front?
Thanks!

[ivytran2000]

Hey Emily!!

How did you memorise all 3 of your modules, the AOS essay and creative when you sat the HSC?

Thanks.

[bowiemily]

Hi Emily! What are your tips on developing a sophisticated thesis under exam conditions? Also what are some tips on thinking exemplar topic sentences under the pressure of time? 

Thanks! 

To develop a sophisticated thesis under exam conditions, I wouldn't simply argue the opposite of what the question is asking. Rather, expand the definitions of the questions key terms, so you can bring more evidence and analysis into your essay. For example, if the question is asking about the role of emotion in discovery, you should not only talk about the emotive experience it entails, but how emotion can inform creative, intellectual and spiritual responses to discovery as well.

[bowiemily]

Hey Emily,
thanks so much for doing this 
just wondering if u could give me some tips on how to analyse my techniques/quotes in more depth...
advanced AOS exam tomorrow and im kinda freaking out cos my practice essays have been pretty bad 

Always think: what is the author trying to teach us about discovery through this quote? After you've pinpointed what this is, you should write it in a sentence following the technique and quote. Of course, this idea is also an opportunity for you to link to the question you have been provided. Make sure you have at least three quotes per paragraph, and that all of these quotes are linked in some way. I like to think of my paragraphs as like a crescendo. You start with the simplest quote/expression of the discovery idea, and build upon it with other quotes until you meet your ultimate conclusion at the end of the paragraph - which should form some type of synopsis.

[Valkyrie]

Hi Emily,

With Trials coming up tomorrow, I was wondering what would be the most effective way to write an analysis for an essay paragraph after writing down the theme/idea, example and technique?

Thanks.

[bholenath125]

Hey Emily,

I'm currently working on my english extension 1 essay. We're doing after the bomb. Would you be able to see if my essay is coherent?

[klauren]

Hey Emily!
Bit late for trials...but with hsc in mind, what do you recommend for studying for English advanced paper 2? I have real trouble with writing essays in 40 mins....how do you practice for these, and do you memorize? And just any other helpful tips would be much appreciated!  Thanks 

[jackbyrnes]

Hi Emily!

How many words do you recommend (minimum/maximum) for discovery creative writing?

Thanks!