Login

Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

March 28, 2024, 11:20:39 pm

Author Topic: VCE Literature Questions Thread  (Read 27244 times)  Share 

0 Members and 2 Guests are viewing this topic.

Joseph41

  • Administrator
  • Great Wonder of ATAR Notes
  • *****
  • Posts: 10823
  • Respect: +7477
VCE Literature Questions Thread
« on: February 09, 2018, 10:48:54 am »
+9
VCE LITERATURE Q&A THREAD

What is this thread for?
If you have general questions about the VCE Literature course or how to improve in certain areas, this is the place to ask!

If you're looking for essay marking and feedback, go to the English Work Submission and Marking board.


Who can/will answer questions?
Everyone is welcome to contribute; even if you're unsure of yourself, providing different perspectives is incredibly valuable.

Please don't be dissuaded by the fact that you haven't finished Year 12, or didn't score as highly as others, or your advice contradicts something else you've seen on this thread, or whatever; none of this disqualifies you from helping others. And if you're worried you do have some sort of misconception, put it out there and someone else can clarify and modify your understanding! 

There'll be a whole bunch of other high-scoring students with their own wealths of wisdom to share with you, including TuteSmart tutors! So you may even get multiple answers from different people offering their insights - very cool.


To ask a question or make a post, you will first need an ATAR Notes account. You probably already have one, but if you don't, it takes about four seconds to sign up - and completely free!


OTHER LITERATURE RESOURCES
« Last Edit: February 26, 2020, 03:19:55 pm by PhoenixxFire »

Oxford comma, Garamond, Avett Brothers, Orla Gartland enthusiast.

lilyrosee

  • Trendsetter
  • **
  • Posts: 156
  • Respect: +25
Re: VCE Literature Questions Thread
« Reply #1 on: February 09, 2018, 11:16:53 am »
+2
Great thread idea! This will be super helpful for current/future Lit students!
2016: Psychology
2017: English [47] | Literature | Drama [42] | Media | Australian History [43]
2018 - 2020: Bachelor of Arts @ the University of Melbourne

VCE English Essay Marking $10 per essay or 3 essays for $20 - DM for details

colline

  • MOTM: NOV 19
  • Forum Obsessive
  • ***
  • Posts: 341
  • ♡ 2 Timothy 1:7 ♡
  • Respect: +512
Re: VCE Literature Questions Thread
« Reply #2 on: October 30, 2018, 08:16:37 pm »
0
Hi hi! Not sure if I'm posting in the right place, but with the literature exam coming up I'm wondering what's the recommended length of each essay? My teacher said 1000 words each, also checked the examiners reports and they are all just under 1000, however I'm struggling to write more than 600 words give or take in the time limit. I just want to know if we have explored the ideas and provided justifications, would the short length be a detriment or would it not matter?

Also, are oxford commas allowed? My teacher crossed out all of my oxford commas on essays even though I'm sure they're both accepted.

Thank you! :D

VCE: Literature [50] Methods [50] Further [48] Chemistry [40] Biology [33]
2022: Bachelor of Science (Mathematical Economics) @ ANU

hums_student

  • MOTM: SEP 18
  • Forum Obsessive
  • ***
  • Posts: 379
  • Respect: +520
Re: VCE Literature Questions Thread
« Reply #3 on: November 04, 2018, 09:49:17 am »
+2
Hi hi! Not sure if I'm posting in the right place, but with the literature exam coming up I'm wondering what's the recommended length of each essay? My teacher said 1000 words each, also checked the examiners reports and they are all just under 1000, however I'm struggling to write more than 600 words give or take in the time limit. I just want to know if we have explored the ideas and provided justifications, would the short length be a detriment or would it not matter?

Also, are oxford commas allowed? My teacher crossed out all of my oxford commas on essays even though I'm sure they're both accepted.
I'm not too sure with the word length, but I'm pretty sure 1000 words is just a guideline. I don't think you'll necessarily be marked down for having less, but maybe not too less.
My lit teacher said generally students should generally aim for 700+ words.

Oxford commas are definitely allowed.
2019-21: Bachelor of Arts (Politics & Int'l Relations / Economics)

colline

  • MOTM: NOV 19
  • Forum Obsessive
  • ***
  • Posts: 341
  • ♡ 2 Timothy 1:7 ♡
  • Respect: +512
Re: VCE Literature Questions Thread
« Reply #4 on: November 04, 2018, 03:39:21 pm »
0
I'm not too sure with the word length, but I'm pretty sure 1000 words is just a guideline. I don't think you'll necessarily be marked down for having less, but maybe not too less.
My lit teacher said generally students should generally aim for 700+ words.

Oxford commas are definitely allowed.

Cool! Thank you so much :)

VCE: Literature [50] Methods [50] Further [48] Chemistry [40] Biology [33]
2022: Bachelor of Science (Mathematical Economics) @ ANU

Coobsons

  • Fresh Poster
  • *
  • Posts: 3
  • Respect: 0
Re: VCE Literature Questions Thread
« Reply #5 on: December 12, 2018, 07:23:47 pm »
0
Hi everyone! I’m not sure how to express my question clearly but I’d really appreciate it if someone could please help out!  :-\

I’ve been averaging around 60 percent in my SACs this year and am worried at this point about year 12 lit. I feel like its just me struggling with this problem but I find it difficult to understand what the examiners are expecting us to address in the tasks (mainly close analysis). because of this, my essays are lacking direction and I sense that I’m not addressing what the examiners want to see

So I guess my question is: what do the examiners want to see on the paper? My teachers keep telling me that the essays have to be centred around how the author uses language features to creates meaning. This makes sense except for the fact that I am able to analyse the effect of using specific language features but I struggle in finding a contention that keeps the essay together. For example, in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, I find that some language features are used to explore repressed sexuality and materialism and greed. I usually go in depth into these ideas in separate paragraphs but I struggle with the introduction and conclusion due to my lack of clear, strong contention. The intro and conclusion is usually where I lose much of my marks from.

Any contribution from someone who is able to help or struggling with the same sort of thing would be very much appreciated!

Sorry about the super long post! :P
:)

Quinapalus

  • Forum Regular
  • **
  • Posts: 50
  • You will eat the fruit of your labor-Psalm 128:2
  • Respect: +8
Re: VCE Literature Questions Thread
« Reply #6 on: December 23, 2018, 05:03:54 pm »
0
I'm not too sure with the word length, but I'm pretty sure 1000 words is just a guideline. I don't think you'll necessarily be marked down for having less, but maybe not too less.
My lit teacher said generally students should generally aim for 700+ words.

Oxford commas are definitely allowed.

If the quality is good, some examiners won't even mind if you don't finish your essay. Still, you should be practising to try and achieve 1000 words in an hour, (700+ at least), otherwise you won't have enough well-developed ideas.
99.95 Aggregate: 220.45

2017: Methods [45~48.79] Music Performance [50] (Premier's) (Violin)

2018: French [45~51.94] Latin [45~54.05] Chemistry [47] Specialist Maths [48~54.59] Literature [50]

2019, 2020: Biomed @ Melbourne

Offering tutoring, selling notes/essays, or even general VCE advice, PM Quinapalus via ATAR notes if interested or email [email protected]

Quinapalus

  • Forum Regular
  • **
  • Posts: 50
  • You will eat the fruit of your labor-Psalm 128:2
  • Respect: +8
Re: VCE Literature Questions Thread
« Reply #7 on: December 23, 2018, 05:11:27 pm »
+4
Hi everyone! I’m not sure how to express my question clearly but I’d really appreciate it if someone could please help out!  :-\

I’ve been averaging around 60 percent in my SACs this year and am worried at this point about year 12 lit. I feel like its just me struggling with this problem but I find it difficult to understand what the examiners are expecting us to address in the tasks (mainly close analysis). because of this, my essays are lacking direction and I sense that I’m not addressing what the examiners want to see

So I guess my question is: what do the examiners want to see on the paper? My teachers keep telling me that the essays have to be centred around how the author uses language features to creates meaning. This makes sense except for the fact that I am able to analyse the effect of using specific language features but I struggle in finding a contention that keeps the essay together. For example, in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, I find that some language features are used to explore repressed sexuality and materialism and greed. I usually go in depth into these ideas in separate paragraphs but I struggle with the introduction and conclusion due to my lack of clear, strong contention. The intro and conclusion is usually where I lose much of my marks from.

Any contribution from someone who is able to help or struggling with the same sort of thing would be very much appreciated!

Sorry about the super long post! :P

Can completely relate! In close analysis, a single contention is not necessary. However, the importance is on flow and linking of your excellent ideas. Reading/writing a good close analysis essay should build up as it develops, like an unravelling spiral or the momentum of the waves. You should feel emotionally and intellectually engaged as you build up to a climactic point when you successfully link the strands of your essay together.


The best way I found to keep essay direction was to plan thoroughly. When writing practise essays I would sometimes even give myself a day or two to plan and generate ideas which I could form paragraphs from, and then the rest of the week to write. In the exam, you will only have 5 minutes at most to plan (inculding reading time), but by then you should be really clear with the ideas of the text, and ideally you should have written enough essays by then to make this possible. With regards to analysis and direction, always analyse with a purpose. The analysis should support an interpretation. You don't have to enter the analysis with a fixed idea, but as you develop your analysis an interpretation should form. The interpretation should be further supported by your other ideas. They mutually support each other.

In short:
1.Plan beforehand
2.Develop an interpretation that is supported by your ideas
99.95 Aggregate: 220.45

2017: Methods [45~48.79] Music Performance [50] (Premier's) (Violin)

2018: French [45~51.94] Latin [45~54.05] Chemistry [47] Specialist Maths [48~54.59] Literature [50]

2019, 2020: Biomed @ Melbourne

Offering tutoring, selling notes/essays, or even general VCE advice, PM Quinapalus via ATAR notes if interested or email [email protected]

sos1123

  • Fresh Poster
  • *
  • Posts: 3
  • Respect: 0
Re: VCE Literature Questions Thread
« Reply #8 on: December 30, 2018, 12:03:14 pm »
0
Hi everyone!

I am a bit worried for Literature next year as my school isn't studying any texts from the Novels section on the VCAA Text List.

We are studying: Ariel (poetry), A Room of One's Own (other literature), Twelfth Night (play), Othello (play) and Foreign Soil (short stories).

Should I address this issue to my teacher or wait until school commences?

Quinapalus

  • Forum Regular
  • **
  • Posts: 50
  • You will eat the fruit of your labor-Psalm 128:2
  • Respect: +8
Re: VCE Literature Questions Thread
« Reply #9 on: December 30, 2018, 12:36:16 pm »
+4
Hi everyone!

I am a bit worried for Literature next year as my school isn't studying any texts from the Novels section on the VCAA Text List.

We are studying: Ariel (poetry), A Room of One's Own (other literature), Twelfth Night (play), Othello (play) and Foreign Soil (short stories).

Should I address this issue to my teacher or wait until school commences?

This is a concern that your school isn't doing any novels for 3/4 Lit. I would try to contact your teacher ASAP, but please don't panic! You can always start the novel later in Unit 4 (most people start Heart of Darkness in term 3/4).
See VCAA Text List, 2019 (quote in italics):

Teachers must consider the text list in conjunction with the relevant text selection information published on page 15 of the VCE Literature Study Design 2017–2020 for Units 3 and 4.
The selection must include:
•   one novel
•   one collection of poetry
•   one play
•   two further texts selected from novels, plays, collections of poetry, collections of short stories, other literature or films.
At least one of the texts selected must be Australian.


Another thing you will need to take note of is that you cannot write on both plays (Twelfth Night and Othello) in the exam. You need to write on two different 'text types' (so play and poetry, or short story and poetry, etc.)

What text will you do for critical perspectives (Section A)? I did Twelfth Night for Section B Close Analysis and it was perfectly suited to the task, but I think Othello would do similarly well. I absolutely loved Twelfth Night! The language is amazing, and so many interesting philosophical/societal issues raised in a seemingly comedic fashion., ranging from gender, social class, time, the metaphysical, fantasy, reality, illusion, and even performance itself! Also some amazing one-liners (If music be the food of love (starting a fantastical play with the hypothetical if), Taste your legs (hedonistic decomposition of meaning through the corpulent metaphor), etc.)

Please let me know if you have any questions! All the best, Lit was my favourite subject, so hope you enjoy the year!
99.95 Aggregate: 220.45

2017: Methods [45~48.79] Music Performance [50] (Premier's) (Violin)

2018: French [45~51.94] Latin [45~54.05] Chemistry [47] Specialist Maths [48~54.59] Literature [50]

2019, 2020: Biomed @ Melbourne

Offering tutoring, selling notes/essays, or even general VCE advice, PM Quinapalus via ATAR notes if interested or email [email protected]

darthnucleus

  • Adventurer
  • *
  • Posts: 8
  • Respect: 0
Re: VCE Literature Questions Thread
« Reply #10 on: February 07, 2019, 12:14:35 am »
0
Hi, I was wondering what is the best way to colour code your highlighting in your texts? Like do you do it by theme? Characterisation?

Quinapalus

  • Forum Regular
  • **
  • Posts: 50
  • You will eat the fruit of your labor-Psalm 128:2
  • Respect: +8
Re: VCE Literature Questions Thread
« Reply #11 on: February 07, 2019, 02:54:36 pm »
0
Hi, I was wondering what is the best way to colour code your highlighting in your texts? Like do you do it by theme? Characterisation?

Depends on what your aim is. Generally 'theme' is better.

99.95 Aggregate: 220.45

2017: Methods [45~48.79] Music Performance [50] (Premier's) (Violin)

2018: French [45~51.94] Latin [45~54.05] Chemistry [47] Specialist Maths [48~54.59] Literature [50]

2019, 2020: Biomed @ Melbourne

Offering tutoring, selling notes/essays, or even general VCE advice, PM Quinapalus via ATAR notes if interested or email [email protected]

Booop

  • Adventurer
  • *
  • Posts: 10
  • Respect: 0
  • School: Emmanuel College
  • School Grad Year: 2020
Re: VCE Literature Questions Thread
« Reply #12 on: February 17, 2019, 02:18:27 pm »
0
Hi,
I just have a quick question regarding taking literature 3/4 in year 11. So I am currently doing lit 3/4 in year 11 and was wondering if I still have to take an english subject for year 12 or am I free to not take one since I have already finished an english subject.

colline

  • MOTM: NOV 19
  • Forum Obsessive
  • ***
  • Posts: 341
  • ♡ 2 Timothy 1:7 ♡
  • Respect: +512
Re: VCE Literature Questions Thread
« Reply #13 on: February 17, 2019, 04:56:46 pm »
0
Hi,
I just have a quick question regarding taking literature 3/4 in year 11. So I am currently doing lit 3/4 in year 11 and was wondering if I still have to take an english subject for year 12 or am I free to not take one since I have already finished an english subject.
Hello! :)

You don’t necessarily have to take another English subject for year 12 - according to VCAA you need three English units to be eligible for an ATAR, two which has to be 3/4. Therefore if you complete an additional English unit this year as a year 11, you don’t have to do English again in year 12.

HOWEVER, if you did literature 3/4 as your ONLY English subject, then you have to complete another 3/4 English subject once you are in year 12 or you won’t be able to receive an ATAR!

For example, I did literature 3/4 last year as a year 11, in addition to unit 2 of English in the second semester. This year I’m doing no English subjects. :)

I hope that clears up any confusions you may have!

Colline x
« Last Edit: February 17, 2019, 04:59:04 pm by colline »

VCE: Literature [50] Methods [50] Further [48] Chemistry [40] Biology [33]
2022: Bachelor of Science (Mathematical Economics) @ ANU

Booop

  • Adventurer
  • *
  • Posts: 10
  • Respect: 0
  • School: Emmanuel College
  • School Grad Year: 2020
Re: VCE Literature Questions Thread
« Reply #14 on: February 17, 2019, 05:50:06 pm »
0
Hello! :)

You don’t necessarily have to take another English subject for year 12 - according to VCAA you need three English units to be eligible for an ATAR, two which has to be 3/4. Therefore if you complete an additional English unit this year as a year 11, you don’t have to do English again in year 12.

HOWEVER, if you did literature 3/4 as your ONLY English subject, then you have to complete another 3/4 English subject once you are in year 12 or you won’t be able to receive an ATAR!

For example, I did literature 3/4 last year as a year 11, in addition to unit 2 of English in the second semester. This year I’m doing no English subjects. :)

I hope that clears up any confusions you may have!

Colline x
Hey thanks for answering, so if literature is the only english I do in year 11 does that mean I have to do english 3/4 in year 12 or can I just complete 1 unit of english and not have it as a subject on my final atar.