Hey everyone! I'm Jeffrey, a 2016 HSC graduate, and today I want to share with you my experience completing a Major Work, and a quick rundown of the process involved. I did Drama as part of my HSC (and loved it!). HOWEVER, I want to make sure that this guide is usable for any subject that involves a major work (e.g. English Extension 2, creative arts subjects, technology subjects, humanities research projects etc). If I can summarise the guide in a few words, it would be: if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. (I'm here all week. Try the veal.)
So, without further ado:
1. When searching for ideas, cast your net wide. Many people start their HSC year with an idea for their Major Work in mind. And while I'm not saying that you absolutely shouldn't, I think it's best if you are still open to exploring new paths. This is for two reasons: (a) you may find something else that you could do even more brilliantly, and (b) you have several 'backup' ideas if your first choice doesn't go as planned.
Ideas for a Major Work don't just come out of thin air, or from a divine stroke of inspiration. It's tough, and it can take a lot of time. At the beginning of your HSC, you need to just immerse yourself in as much content as possible. Consume all the content that you can - if you're a Drama student, go on YouTube and watch amazing performances. And also, consume content that isn't related to your discipline, because originality comes from unexpected things coming together and making something new and amazing. For example, read or watch the news for interesting and diverse takes on topical issues.
2. Once you have an idea, figure out what your thesis will be. On the surface, this point seems more relevant to students of subjects like English Extension 2, Society and Culture, History Extension, and so on. But no matter what subject you are taking, you are required to communicate something to the markers. This is to show that you understand that no work is created without a reason - creators always have something to say. Thus, having a thesis elevates your Major Work in two ways: (a) it ensures you are hitting all the marking criteria; that is, you are not only rewarded for your performance skills, or your facility with words, or your ability with tools - you are rewarded for your whole approach and concept, and (b) having a thesis as a guide, or something to come back to when you're stuck, will make your work better structured, highly original and meaningful, and much more coherent.
But what actually is a message? What should it look like, especially for subjects that don't normally deal with a thesis? Well, it's the same as with English - your thesis is what you want to say through your work. For example, a thesis for Design and Technology could be about the effect of unchecked deforestation on local animals and the timber industry; a thesis for Music could be about how the idea of childhood is represented in certain pieces. It can be specific to your discipline, or about a universal concept. Just make sure that you have one!
If, by the end of Term 4, you have completed these two steps, you are well on your way!
3. Experiment, experiment, experiment. If your thesis is what you want to say, your Major Work is how you actually express it. So, you need to get up, research, and experiment with different forms, methods and techniques, until you hit on something that feels just right. Many students get stuck at this step, the bridge between ideas and implementation. My advice: just do it! The hardest part is starting, but once you start it's much easier to keep going.
The most important thing throughout this step is to keep asking yourself questions. Questions drive exploration, which give rise to learning and creation. What do I care about? Why isn't this working? Where could I take this?
Throughout this process, keep a record of what you've done, what you've tried, what has worked and what hasn't, and what you want to try next. This is a good idea even if your subject doesn't require a final report, folio or logbook, because you can always come back to this record if you're stuck.
Most people finish this step halfway through Term 1. You're in a really good place if you can move on by the end of the summer holidays.
4. Start crafting your work. So far, all this talk of 'concepts' and 'theses' and 'ideas' may seem a little vague. Now it's time to get down to business. Map it out - draw sketches, diagrams, lists, whatever you need, so that you end up with a detailed vision of what your final Work will be like. Hone your practical skills, and be very familiar with the requirements of whatever form, style or issues you are exploring (e.g. the conventions of Absurdism for Drama, or the various arguments about teenage social media usage for CAFS). Creating your Major Work requires small, regular efforts; maybe one hour, three times a week. It is not something you can cram.
An important part of this step is to constantly seek feedback from everyone, because people bring so many different perspectives to your work. People familiar with your subject will tell you how to change the finer details, while people who have no idea about your subject can give you a 'man-on-the-street' opinion - if they don't understand it at all, you aren't being clear enough.
Your final physical draft should be finished at least a month before submission, so you can spend plenty of time refining and editing.
5. Add the finishing touches. Once you finish the final physical draft of your work, sit back and relax for a bit! A week or two away from your Major Work is really helpful to get your energy back. Plus, you come back to your work with fresh eyes.
The reason why I use the word 'draft' is to emphasise that your Work always has room for improvement, right until the day of submission or performance. Even with, say, Visual Arts, there may be some bits you can retouch, some small pieces you can add. However, you don't want to be completely overturning your work at this stage. Just keep at it.
6. Crunch time. A few tips for the actual day:
- Have a checklist of props, pieces, equipment etc. that you need to bring in, and check them off when you pack them.
- Fill out all the paperwork in advance. The worst thing is having to rush around on the day for a stupid piece of paper.
- If you are performing something, get a good night's sleep, eat a nutritious breakfast, and bring all your energy.
- Performers, if you're feeling overly nervous before your performance, go outside and take five deep breaths. During the performance, adrenaline and nervous energy will kick in, and you may be inclined to go faster than usual, or to make on-the-spot decisions. However, it is unfortunately too late to improvise. Resist that temptation and stick to what you've practiced, and you'll smash it.
7. PARTY!!!
So! Phew. I hope that helped. For all your Major Work troopers out there, you are doing a fantastic job. Even choosing to complete a Major Work (or a few!) is something you should be really proud of. And if I can say something quickly to close off, make the most of this opportunity. For the vast majority of your time in school, you are being assessed on how well you can remember pointless facts, how well you respond to an exam paper. But for your Major Work, you are not reactive, but proactive. You have a chance to create something that is new, meaningful and truly your own. Carpe diem, everybody.
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