Tips for the exam?

[Linkage1992]

Okay, so I'm going to start my main study for English now (yay...), and I was wondering if you guys had any good tips for preparing (particularly for the context, because I'm not very good at thinking on the spot)

[Chavi]

We had the chief VCAA assessor for context come to talk us at school, and he said to succeed in this area (Context), you need 3 things:

1) Quality of ideas - (i.e. conceptualizing the main ideas from the texts and using them as a basis for your writing)

2) Linkage to the prompt - this is a response to the prompt, so there has to be a connection to what's being said (think of it as a springboard for your ideas). This basically assures that you don't show up to the exam with a memorized essay, or write whatever you like

3) Quality of writing - succinct, terse and sophisticated language. It doesn't mean using big words or trying to impress, it means using the right words. (if you do wish to experiment with verbosity, I would try and convince you otherwise by bringing in an anecdote, but it may just be easier for me to link you to this thread: http://vcenotes.com/forum/index.php/topic,28594.0.html). As a smart playwright by the name of Shakespeare once said: "brevity is the soul of wit".

So basically understand the main ideas behind your area of study, link it to the prompt, and write clearly and effectively. Also, if you have trouble thinking on the spot, it may be a good idea to brainstorm a list of ideas relating to your topic and saving them in a notebook. Every time you write a context piece, just refer back to your main ideas. Good luck

[mojomojo]

What if I have trouble to write sophisticated language? =[

[Chavi]

Building up a high standard of English is a long process. If you feel that you're not at that level, you can still compose quite effective pieces without mashing together an egregious collocation of vocables a confusing set of long, overblown adjectives. If you check out the 2009 VCAA report and the high scoring context examples, you'll find that some of the best pieces used simple language to convey ideas and intended effect.

Sophisticated language just means being as succinct as possible to convey meaning to the reader/examiner in the quickest possible way. If you start experimenting with verbosity at this time of year, you may find yourself repeating sentences over and over with different long words.

[mojomojo]

And also with the context writing, do I have to directly use examples from the text? Or can I just write an essay that conveys the main idea of the text, but without putting in any direct examples?

For example, "kyzoo"'s creative piece on "Illusions protect us from life’s harsh reality" in the "English Work Examples Directory" thread page 2.

[Chavi]

Spot on. You don't actually have to mention your text once. Although, there has to be a clear link between what you write, and the ideas in the text.

[mojomojo]

I've just looked at the 2008 and 2009 examiner reports and most of the c+p examples are creative writings. :S