A marker will spend around six minutes reading your essay. More than half of that time, and of the marker’s attention, will be spent on the first page. I’ve heard teachers say that they can just about predict the eventual mark from the introduction alone. So what are the ingredients of a good introduction? Establishing [...]
Posts Tagged ‘exams’
Best Foot Forward: Writing a Good Introduction
Posted in HSC English, tagged essay, exams, HSC, introductions, writing on April 24, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
Essay Planning: Breaking Down the Question
Posted in HSC English, tagged AoS, Area of Study, belonging, Blade Runner, Comparative Study, Emily Dickinson, essay, exams, HSC, Module A, Module B on April 19, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
Essay planning in an exam situation can be tricky. You need to ensure that your essay answers the whole question; however, you’re also pretty pressed for time. In the HSC, taking five minutes to plan is worth it and the first part of your planning time should be spent breaking down the question. Here are [...]
Short Story Writing Tips
Posted in HSC English, tagged AoS, Area of Study, creative writing, exams, HSC, Kurt Vonnegut on April 13, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
from master of the art, Kurt Vonnegut [with additional HSC specific comments from me]. Use the time of a total stranger [for you, this is the marker] in such a way that he or she will not feel the time was wasted. Give the reader at least one character he or she can root for. [...]
Establish, Thesis, Topic, Conclude: Strong Essays
Posted in HSC English, tagged AoS, Area of Study, belonging, essay, exams, HSC, writing on October 21, 2011 | 4 Comments »
The ingredients of a strong essay are: An Establishing Statement. This allows you to demonstrate your personal understanding of the module, and because it focuses on the module rather than on the question (we’re getting to that) you can prepare it in advance. This gives you something to write so that you’re not staring at [...]
Paper 2 Strategy
Posted in HSC English, tagged Blade Runner, Comparative Study, conflicting perspectives, context, essay, exams, Frankenstein, Hamlet, history and memory, HSC, Module A, Module B, Module C, texts in time on October 15, 2011 | 1 Comment »
Here is how I would approach Paper 2: Tactic Time (mins) Count Down Clock Reading Time Read the questions for Modules A, B, and C. Make sure you check that you read the correct questionfor your elective/text. 5 2h Writing Time Annotate the question for Module A and plan your response, including a strong thesis [...]
Paper 1 Strategy
Posted in HSC English, tagged AoS, Area of Study, belonging, exams, HSC on September 25, 2011 | 4 Comments »
A friend of mine, an English teacher, recently said to me (and her class), “In an exam, don’t think; just recall.” I like this idea but it only works if you’re prepared; not just with your textual knowledge and essay writing skill but with a specific strategy for managing your precious time. Here’s my suggested [...]
Trial HSC Feedback
Posted in HSC English, tagged AoS, Area of Study, assessment, belonging, Blade Runner, exams, HSC, review, study, Trial HSC on September 15, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
So you’ve done the Trial HSC, your papers have been marked and returned to you. You have moved up or down in the rankings (or you’ve remained static). You’re either joyous or in despair. What do you do now? Hold onto those trial papers. Grab a sheet or two of paper and rule up four [...]
Dear Year Eleven Part One
Posted in HSC English, Writing, tagged assessment, essay, exams, Extension 2, HSC, journal, paragraphs, Preliminary, reading, writing on August 31, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
If you’re in Year 11, you can probably see the pre- and post-Trial HSC chaos around your school. If you’re in Year 11 and you’re smart, you might be thinking, “that’s going to be me in a year’s time.” If you’re in Year 11 and you’re really smart, you might be thinking, “what can I [...]
Creative Writing Skills – Word Hoard
Posted in HSC English, tagged AoS, Area of Study, belonging, creative writing, exams, HSC on August 26, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
I found this exercise in the Writing Challenges podcast, which is published by Warwick University. I have adapted it for the specific needs of creative writing in the Area of Study. Step 1: pick up a Belonging print text. This could be your core text, one of your related texts, a text from a Section [...]
Make Your English Teacher Work For You
Posted in HSC English, tagged exams, HSC, study on May 4, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Your English teacher wants you to do well. Even if you think she or he doesn’t like you as a person, the previous statement is still true. All good teachers feel professional pride when their students (even the irritating ones) excel. One of the most frustrating experiences for me as a teacher was when my [...]
