My own sample exam responses

[Minai]

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I have scanned and uploaded the essays I roughly based my responses on for the 2002 HSC Exam. I reckon these are Band 6 responses, since they got me 93 as an exam mark.

Changing Self: My Place
http://www.flatface.net/~minai/AOS.zip

Module A: Transformations - Hamlet/R+G Are Dead
http://www.flatface.net/~minai/Hamlet.zip

Module B: Critical Study - John Donne
http://www.flatface.net/~minai/Donne.zip

Module C: Powerplay - 1984
http://www.flatface.net/~minai/1984.zip

[d00d]

correct me if i'm wrong, but in john donne aren't u suppose to analyse the same poem in two different contexts, thus giving different interpretations (thats what the rubric says). the file u have uploaded is just a dominant reading of the poems.

what i was expecting for the love poetry for example is an interpretation that believes it shows the persona's great love for his partner while a gender perspective think its all sexist,etc.

[Minai]

no thats just one tract
going down that path is fairly narrow in my opinion
remember, u are giving your own opinions in your essay, an opinion that is explained through examples of techniques. However u dont simply dismiss different readings on the poetry, and I have incorporated the idea where changing contexts and hence values, have an affect on the value of his poetry - using different readings over time.

I'm not too sure about your 'comparison' style approach, because I never used it at all - but if its been getting u good marks this year, u can't complain

[freaking_out]

hey, minai...when u memorised and adopt the essays to the question, is there like a certain method that u used, to make your prepared essay suite the question?

[Minai]

Originally posted by freaking_out
hey, minai...when u memorised and adopt the essays to the question, is there like a certain method that u used, to make your prepared essay suite the question?

Kinda...u need to have a quick mind, a deep understanding of your modules, and superior english skill basically. I wrote those essays in anticipation of broad questions in the HSC, which is what I got, so basically I just adjusted my introductions a bit to suit what they were asking - the content remains the same.

However for Module B, where it was a conversation - I jus wrote the content of my essay out, where one person was talking about one side of my argument, and the other talking about an opposing side - the content remained the same.

So I guess it just comes down to your ability to write english and the speed at which your mind can react to the situation (since u dont have a lot of time to think in this exam)

[freaking_out]

hmm...hey can u tell me how much can an average person write under the 40 min time limit?? i.e how big should my prepared essay b?

[swangal]

Originally posted by freaking_out
hmm...hey can u tell me how much can an average person write under the 40 min time limit?? i.e how big should my prepared essay b?

i can spin 6 or so pages out (depending on how well i kno the topic) but most others in my class do about 4 1/2..so 4-5 pgs i guess

[freaking_out]

Originally posted by swangal
i can spin 6 or so pages out (depending on how well i kno the topic) but most others in my class do about 4 1/2..so 4-5 pgs i guess

yeah, everyone is telling me page wise, but i wanna know word wise...i.e how long should my prepared essay be?

[Minai]

Originally posted by freaking_out
yeah, everyone is telling me page wise, but i wanna know word wise...i.e how long should my prepared essay be?

U have to figure that out yourself - prepare a few essays and write them under exam conditions (ie 40 mins), to see how much u can actually write in that time frame - and watever that amount is should be how long ur essay must be. u cannot force urself to write faster if u cant.

Originally posted by Daedalus
minai: can you please give us your creative writing one as well?

hehe...well, I'd have to go to the boardofstudies and request my exam paper from them or something...coz that's one thing u really shouldnt prepare - its fairly easy anyway

[Minai]

Originally posted by Lazarus
Hmmmm... perhaps we should make arrangements...

Bribing current students to test this? hehe

Originally posted by Ringo
Did your teacher ever say that half the essay was meant to be on the core text? Ours always have and so most of it is. What mark did you get for that essay? (If I may ask without seeming imprudent)

No, since it doesnt really matter - as long as your main argument links together well with the texts u have done. But of course your prescribed text will more likely take up more of your essay - it doesnt necessarily have to be half of it - it can be integrated into your essay as u "link back to ur prescribed text"
incidently, I got 13/15 for that in the trials...and used it again in the HSC

[Beaky]

Looking at previous questions from the "Transformations" module, it's pretty safe to prepare a pre-made essay, With a general outlined argument in the back of your mind, so that your argument doesnt get mixed up with the question...

Im a bit sceptical of learning other Modules off by heart (like a pre made essay)

Originally posted by HannieStar
I try to memorise them but i can't- how are people doing it?

Read a sentence, say it in your head, read the next sentence, say both sentences in your head, read third sentence, repeat all 3 sentences in your head... you get the idea. After you've done one paragraph, start over with the next one. After you know all your paragraphs, memorise their order. Simple as that.

[freaking_out]

Originally posted by HannieStar
I try to memorise them but i can't- how are people doing it?

another way i do is to read it out on an audio tape...and then just listen to it. also memorise by sentences not words...that'll b much easier. also for me i can only memorise in certain times of the day, late night...

also don't forget to learn how to manipulate ya essays to suite the question and text type, by doin' lots of practice.

Originally posted by HannieStar
what did you end up getting for english in the hsc

he got 93 exam mark, i'll die for that mark.

[Minai]

Originally posted by ND
Read a sentence, say it in your head, read the next sentence, say both sentences in your head, read third sentence, repeat all 3 sentences in your head... you get the idea. After you've done one paragraph, start over with the next one. After you know all your paragraphs, memorise their order. Simple as that.

Hmm..the way I did was to write the whole essay out multiple times...I'd keep wrting the essay (under exam conditions, 40 mins) over and over, until I didnt need to look at the specimen essay anymore

Originally posted by Minai
Hmm..the way I did was to write the whole essay out multiple times...I'd keep wrting the essay (under exam conditions, 40 mins) over and over, until I didnt need to look at the specimen essay anymore

But didn't you find that it took an unnecessarily long time? I mean, you'd have to write it a few times to make sure you can do it in 40 mins, but writing takes alot longer than thinking.