VCE English Question Thread

[99.90 pls]

Because of Wag the Dog is in this year's Whose Reality text list, would it be safe to assume that prompts pertaining to memories, shared experiences etc. will not appear this year? For instance, last year (the first year Wag the Dog appeared on the text list), the prompt was ‘Misrepresenting reality can have serious consequences', which fits perfectly with Wag the Dog, because the film is all about manipulating people's reality for political gain and the consequences which arise from doing so.

Surely the prompt must relate well to all four texts for Whose Reality? Or does VCAA expect you to know more than one Whose Reality text? Because we did Death of a Salesman as well, but I don't want to have to prepare for both texts for Context...

[Cristiano]

Because of Wag the Dog is in this year's Whose Reality text list, would it be safe to assume that prompts pertaining to memories, shared experiences etc. will not appear this year? For instance, last year (the first year Wag the Dog appeared on the text list), the prompt was ‘Misrepresenting reality can have serious consequences', which fits perfectly with Wag the Dog, because the film is all about manipulating people's reality for political gain and the consequences which arise from doing so.

Surely the prompt must relate well to all four texts for Whose Reality? Or does VCAA expect you to know more than one Whose Reality text? Because we did Death of a Salesman as well, but I don't want to have to prepare for both texts for Context...

The prompt may still include memories and shared experiences with the first year novel Foe appearing. This novel is not certainly based on memories, but certain parts you could draw upon are to do with past experiences. So don't completely rule this one out as we don't know what could appear, but ad least have a plan for what to do if it does. (most likely wont appear but yeah, be ready)

[99.90 pls]

The prompt may still include memories and shared experiences with the first year novel Foe appearing. This novel is not certainly based on memories, but certain parts you could draw upon are to do with past experiences. So don't completely rule this one out as we don't know what could appear, but ad least have a plan for what to do if it does. (most likely wont appear but yeah, be ready)

I know that other texts would definitely pertain to shared experiences/past experiences, but I guess the point I'm trying to make is that Wag the Dog doesn't whatsoever, so surely VCAA wouldn't leave all Wag the Dog students up shit creek without a paddle? Or would they expect you to make do or know another text?

[Lawyer]

I know that other texts would definitely pertain to shared experiences/past experiences, but I guess the point I'm trying to make is that Wag the Dog doesn't whatsoever, so surely VCAA wouldn't leave all Wag the Dog students up shit creek without a paddle? Or would they expect you to make do or know another text?

Im pretty sure the context prompt should relate to all texts in some way. In my case for conflict- i have managed to talk about the position of women in my selected text in every single vcaa prompt since 2008.

[Cristiano]

I know that other texts would definitely pertain to shared experiences/past experiences, but I guess the point I'm trying to make is that Wag the Dog doesn't whatsoever, so surely VCAA wouldn't leave all Wag the Dog students up shit creek without a paddle? Or would they expect you to make do or know another text?

Oh, I see. Correct, i am doing "Foe" and "WTD" so
1) No, the prompt MUST be relatable to all texts, you won't be required to know another text as it should suit all 4
2) Brean and his team have constructed an imaginary war, which means (something on imagination could come in) and also the fact that their songs such as "303" permit those Americans in the way they remember the war..

Not sure, but it's highly unlikely there'd be one on memories as it is too specific and probably doesn't relate that well to all texts.

What type of prompt are you hoping for? I have a feeling one either on power (imposed reality) or subjective reality will be on it!

[tashhhaaa]

Because of Wag the Dog is in this year's Whose Reality text list, would it be safe to assume that prompts pertaining to memories, shared experiences etc. will not appear this year? For instance, last year (the first year Wag the Dog appeared on the text list), the prompt was ‘Misrepresenting reality can have serious consequences', which fits perfectly with Wag the Dog, because the film is all about manipulating people's reality for political gain and the consequences which arise from doing so.

Surely the prompt must relate well to all four texts for Whose Reality? Or does VCAA expect you to know more than one Whose Reality text? Because we did Death of a Salesman as well, but I don't want to have to prepare for both texts for Context...

Similar question:
Does anyone think there will be a prompt about change and personal growth for ID&B? My teacher fucked us over for our SAC and gave us 'Sometimes we need to accept change in order to grow' (VCAA 2013) when The Mind of a Thief wasn't even on the text list in 2013... (I think)

My other text is Skin and of course there are changes in MOAT and Skin but no one really grows because of it -- it ends up being destructive? Does anyone agree? (I really struggled with this prompt)

[99.90 pls]

Oh, I see. Correct, i am doing "Foe" and "WTD" so
1) No, the prompt MUST be relatable to all texts, you won't be required to know another text as it should suit all 4
2) Brean and his team have constructed an imaginary war, which means (something on imagination could come in) and also the fact that their songs such as "303" permit those Americans in the way they remember the war..

Not sure, but it's highly unlikely there'd be one on memories as it is too specific and probably doesn't relate that well to all texts.

What type of prompt are you hoping for? I have a feeling one either on power (imposed reality) or subjective reality will be on it!

Oh okay, that's reassuring how they don't require you to know another text. As for WtD, the 'imagination' aspect is interesting and plausible (although a scary idea, because I would be direly fucked) but yeah, I agree that memories/past experiences can be safely ruled as impossible. The '303' aspect is a bit tangential, and is a very minor element of the film. I guess it's time to do some 'imagination' preparation!

I'm hoping for consequences of manipulating/constructing reality, the difficulty of trusting in (objective) reality or believing illusions over reality. I reckon it'll almost definitely be one of these three or subjective reality or imagination (the latter two I'm not prepared for)

[Cristiano]

I'm hoping for consequences of manipulating/constructing reality, the difficulty of trusting in (objective) reality or believing illusions over reality. I reckon it'll almost definitely be one of these three or subjective reality or imagination (the latter two I'm not prepared for)

For constructing reality, do you mind giving an example of consequences of this in WTD or /other examples?

I think i'd be fine with the other two, Subjective reality would be great though it might be something like 'those with power can construct reality....' etc.
Cheers

[99.90 pls]

For constructing reality, do you mind giving an example of consequences of this in WTD or /other examples?

I think i'd be fine with the other two, Subjective reality would be great though it might be something like 'those with power can construct reality....' etc.
Cheers

Moral consequences for the propagandists, and also think about the people on the receiving end of the propaganda, how it would affect their perceptions of reality and the loss of freedom (since you're essentially manufacturing their consent).

Just wondering what you did for subjective reality? Even some a couple of points would kick-start me, thanks

UNRELATED: Does anyone feel like one hour is way too little to annotate one/two language analysis pieces AND write an 800-1000 word piece? Has anyone in the past tried an exam structure like:
Section A - 50 minutes
Section B - 50 minutes
Section C - 1 hour 20 minutes

[Cristiano]

Moral consequences for the propagandists, and also think about the people on the receiving end of the propaganda, how it would affect their perceptions of reality and the loss of freedom (since you're essentially manufacturing their consent).

Just wondering what you did for subjective reality? Even some a couple of points would kick-start me, thanks

UNRELATED: Does anyone feel like one hour is way too little to annotate one/two language analysis pieces AND write an 800-1000 word piece? Has anyone in the past tried an exam structure like:
Section A - 50 minutes
Section B - 50 minutes
Section C - 1 hour 20 minutes

Thanks, for subjective realities i based mine on the novel Foe but i would say for WTD:

a) the singular perspective the story is told from, we only see one side of the story- the reality manipulators
b) We know that it is false, whereas the american public dont (the way you see things)

with the second question.

yes, i have done 50,50, 1.20
This is achieved by:
Reading Time: Plan A,B , Read over C twice.
Writing time= Finish A in 50 mins, Finish 5 in 50 mins, devote the rest of the time to write as much as possible on section C.
I actually prefer this method apart from the fact that u need to quickly do the other two and may have to re-read the article let me know if theres anything else i can answer!

[S33667]

I agree that memories/past experiences can be safely ruled as impossible.

I've also not done any work on this for the reasons you mention.

[Alter]

UNRELATED: Does anyone feel like one hour is way too little to annotate one/two language analysis pieces AND write an 800-1000 word piece? Has anyone in the past tried an exam structure like:
Section A - 50 minutes
Section B - 50 minutes
Section C - 1 hour 20 minutes

I do the English exam in CAB order and find that I always hit 60-70 minutes before I finished Section C. Personally, I find it is the one you have to devote the most amount of time because you can't take in as many ideas that you've already considered in the past. As a result, I don't spend as much time planning for section A/B, but this doesn't really hurt my work.

Contrary to what Cristiano is saying, I would absolutely always do section C first. You're going to be investing such a large proportion of your reading time to it that to change your focus for an hour or two would be, in my mind, to put your ideas in reading time straight into the bin. I would even go so far as to say I might not even read the section b prompt until I've finished writing it.

[Lawyer]

Moral consequences for the propagandists, and also think about the people on the receiving end of the propaganda, how it would affect their perceptions of reality and the loss of freedom (since you're essentially manufacturing their consent).

Just wondering what you did for subjective reality? Even some a couple of points would kick-start me, thanks

UNRELATED: Does anyone feel like one hour is way too little to annotate one/two language analysis pieces AND write an 800-1000 word piece? Has anyone in the past tried an exam structure like:
Section A - 50 minutes
Section B - 50 minutes
Section C - 1 hour 20 minutes

Thanks, for subjective realities i based mine on the novel Foe but i would say for WTD:

a) the singular perspective the story is told from, we only see one side of the story- the reality manipulators
b) We know that it is false, whereas the american public dont (the way you see things)

with the second question.

yes, i have done 50,50, 1.20
This is achieved by:
Reading Time: Plan A,B , Read over C twice.
Writing time= Finish A in 50 mins, Finish 5 in 50 mins, devote the rest of the time to write as much as possible on section C.
I actually prefer this method apart from the fact that u need to quickly do the other two and may have to re-read the article let me know if theres anything else i can answer!

I have tried exactly that structure and i got absolutely destroyed. All i was doing in Part A was thinking how i would deal with Part B and C, for me its nerve racking. My structure is:

1) Spend 15 min reading time going over C and analyzing, make points in the head- Write for 1 hour. Do not look at Section A + B
           2 hours + 15 min left at this stage.
2) Spend 2-3 min on structure/points of your text response and write for 1 hour. Again Do not look at Section B
             1 hour + around 10 min left
3) Spend 2-3 min on structuring points/essay for Section B. Write for 1 hour
             Around 5 min left
4) Go back and pray u didnt fuck anything up

[pi]

I looked at all the sections during reading time, focused more on LA and tried to read that a couple of times. Then I gave myself an hour for LA, then did my TR, then did Context (only needed like 30-40 mins thanks to some cheeky memorising of adaptable pieces). Then I came back to LA to finish it off (ended up just being a conclusion). Then I had a sigh of relief.

The best thing about English is when it's over haha.

[Cristiano]

I do the English exam in CAB order and find that I always hit 60-70 minutes before I finished Section C. Personally, I find it is the one you have to devote the most amount of time because you can't take in as many ideas that you've already considered in the past. As a result, I don't spend as much time planning for section A/B, but this doesn't really hurt my work.

The thing is with section A and section B, you need to memorise a ton of quotes, examples, ideas and (maybe paragraphs), so you would instantly be able to just write as much as you can once you see A and B at the start of the exam.
with section C, you can then basically write as much as you can instead of limiting your analysis to only 3 or 4 pages. However, if it is a comparative analysis, then remove all my ideas and messages and that one first

I've heard "the exam is in an order for a reason" and my sister who got a 43 did exactly ABC, so i guess it depends on the person and the given situation, prompts etc. if you dont really know how to tackle A or B then it would be best doing C first and then hopefully you can plan or have come up with something to say