Hey, everyone!
I just got back from uni so apologies if this is a really delayed response and you're all tucked in bed ready for the exam tomorrow. Hopefully you'll see this before Paper 2!
Hey! Just had a question about Module B. I studied T.S Eliot's poems this year (Rhapsody on a Windy Night, Preludes, The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock, The Hollow Men and Journey of the Magi) and I was wondering: how likely is it for them to specify a certain poem in the question?
I noticed they specified poems in 2015 and 2017 (Hollow Men in one year and Magi in the other). Currently, I've got a pretty decent essay for Preludes + Prufrock thoroughly reviewed and prepared. However, for the other three poems, I have analysed them again, made thorough notes and so I have a general overview in mind, but I'm still worried about them specifying one or more of the poems I don't have an essay on. Do you think its too late to write one at this point?
Also, if they were to specify a poem, would it therefore be very unlikely for them to specify Hollow Men and Magi again since they did it in the past?
Thank you, any advice is appreciated.
Hey, Essay127!
I highly doubt they will specify a poem since it's the first year of the new syllabus and it would be off-putting to. I always recommend students have a prepared essay if they really need to memorise something to feel confident but still cover enough bases in the unlikely event there is something left-wing thrown in the exam. As long as you have quotes and techniques in mind for the other poems, you'll be alright
I also don't want to make any predictions as to whether they will specify a poem or not if they decided to but I do think it's never entirely out of the picture, especially when the new syllabus is basically meant to be a clean slate. In short, I still don't think they will specify a poem for Module B and even if they did, what you've prepared will be more than enough for that event
Hi, I was wondering if someone can explain what 'cultural perspectives' (MOD A) means? Is it how an individual is perceived or perceives themselves in society? I'm so confused TT
Hey, kimlovesge!
Perspectives/perceptions are basically views that are held by an individual on themselves and/or in society. Cultural perspectives are views that are held as informed by the lifestyles, customs, norms, beliefs and values (all these contribute to culture!) the individual upholds. When writing about it in the essay, you would explore how personal, social and/or political perspectives are shaped in the text and what they show us about the cultures that are around them. You'd be justifying how language is used to share these perspectives to help us as audiences better understand people and their unique ways of living
Oh wait, I do currently have stuff like "prompts modern readers to realise...", which relates back to textual integrity?
I'm not sure if you've done Eliot before but in some trial papers, they detailed the need for only TWO poems to be discussed. However, my essay is a 3-poem structure. In past HSCs, they've never specified the number of poems...gosh, I don't know if I have time to revise another paragraph for each poem. :/
Hey, worldno1!
That example is a great way you've illustrated textual integrity in your response
I didn't study Eliot personally but I have tutored it for this year. I doubt the HSC exam will specify the number of poems for your essay because it's quite limiting to do that. If you have three, go with three
It wouldn't be wise to memorise another paragraph for each poem with Paper 2 around the corner. I would keep maybe two quotes from each of the other poems up your sleeve to use in the worst-case scenario that you might have to write them on the spot. Otherwise, do what works best for you!
Angelina