How to write a BAND 6 essay?

[brassedoff]

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Right through year 11 I did all the right things... This year seems to have slumped. I think the 6 weeks holiday I was supposed to study in numbed my brain.

[kibb]

lol good on ya.... my main problem is a lack of backing up wat your saying... ur idea may b top notch but u got no proof and the best u will do is 50-60%...my english teacher is a hsc marker most yrs so she knows wat the markers r looking for... also intertextuality is a biggi!!!

[felixcthecat]

first time i actually went to english forum ^0^'' ahh i'm so bad in english, i really don't get it.. i kno i gotta put quotes, i kno i gotta analyse quote and i kno that each paragraph i hav to link it bac to the introduction./topic.. and sumthing to link it with the next paragraph.. but i still dun seem to get that spark of how to write a good essay.. ><'' any ideas how i could change?............

[tennille]

Originally Posted by felixcthecat

first time i actually went to english forum ^0^'' ahh i'm so bad in english, i really don't get it.. i kno i gotta put quotes, i kno i gotta analyse quote and i kno that each paragraph i hav to link it bac to the introduction./topic.. and sumthing to link it with the next paragraph.. but i still dun seem to get that spark of how to write a good essay.. ><'' any ideas how i could change?............

Write clearly. Don't babble on (eg. long sentences- try to get straight to the point because in the exam, you won't have time to write a lot). Mention a technique, give an example (a quote, etc) and then explain how it creates the meaning, etc. Each paragraph should mention a different idea. If you're talking about certain themes in a text, the easiest way to set out your essay is to have each theme in a different paragraph. Try to make the essay flow. Similar ideas are placed in the same paragraphs, etc.

[whatever88]

I find it easier to write essay if u actually plan it first before going straight into it. I would first write down all the key points that i would want to put down first. Then i would plan my paragraphs. It would look something like: first paragraph: (key point) quotes, techniques. 2nd paragraph: (key point) quotes, technique etc. That way the essay would just flow when you get down to it. Also, link every paragraph using words such as: Also shown in, On the other hand, In contrast to, According to, In support as etc. My english teacher taught me that and it has helped me alot. I went from getting 15/20 for my essay to 20/20. oh and remember, they're really big on techniques so metion a few of them in your essay.

[glitterfairy]

In case no-one's mentioned this so far:

A good place to start is any one of the SEXY/SEE etc formulas. It's not going to guarentee you a great essay, but if you follow it to a tee you should at least be fine for content.

Refining further, you can start the hamburger theory/more integration.

Otherwise, you hit the big league where you just go into an essay and write This is where you get to start bending the rules and playing a bit, but if you're aiming for a Band 6 essay, this is where flair comes in

[Eagles]

Originally Posted by glitterfairy

Otherwise, you hit the big league where you just go into an essay and write This is where you get to start bending the rules and playing a bit, but if you're aiming for a Band 6 essay, this is where flair comes in

That was somewhat inspirational

[samuelblayden]

practice and practice a lot

[angmor]

is enligsh advanced scaled down in any way? or else i would be better off in standard xD?

[Di_Angelo]

If you want to check out the scaling of subjects you can go to the official Board of Studies website and look it up...I don't think it scales you down. It may not scale you up too high but definitely not down.

Um as for a band 6 essay, I use the P.E.E.L technique. As in peel an apple:

* Point - What is the point of the paragraph you're going to write (i.e subject but don't babble on)

* Explanation - Discussion of your point, what is being compared or contrasted

* Example - techniques, how is your point shown, quotes

* Link - link back to the question (THIS IS A MUST according to my teacher lol)

However, bear in mind your EEs must be elaborate. You really have to describe your point and give EXAMPLES of how it is shown, give quotes and techniques. You have to VERIFY what your point is.

And remember - you can't expect to get exceptional marks if your paragraphs are 5 lines. Make them at the least 8-9 and not in huge writing!

You should also have linking words at the beginning of each paragraph such as "like, similarly, contrastingly, as opposed to" when comparing texts.

I hope this is helpful! Just remember.....PEEL PEEL PEEL PEEL PEEL AN APPLE JUST PEEL!!

[fernando]

Originally Posted by angmor

is enligsh advanced scaled down in any way? or else i would be better off in standard xD?

The top band for standard that you could get is Band 5. Even if you get like 17/20 for your standard english essay it's taken as a band 5. So basically doing Eng Standard scales you down. Though like 3 people last year that did english standard got band 6... but that's out of THOUSANDS so you know.. :P It's up to you ...english advance requires alot of hard put in work (or at least for me it's like that). *shrugs*



For essays i use the 4-point plan... pretty easy to remember
question > quote > technique > explanation

[funnybunny]

For eng adv last year, i got band 6 and used something my friend told me:-
State
Explain
Prove
Linkback
It's pretty good, but u'd need to modify it a little for long paragraphs in essays:
S
E
P
S
E
P
L
Some ppl dont use it, but, meh...it worked for me..
LINKING WORDS: additionally, furthermore, whereas, in effect, consequently, however, alternatively, likewise
English advanced is scaled down...just like every other subject, except mathematics ext 2...the higher u get in eng (eg, 96) the less u get scaled down (gets scaled down to 94-95)..if u get 88, that gets scaled 2 around high 70s or low 80s....So, becasue of the poor scaling of eng compared to other subjects, it would be wise to concentrate on english more than u do on the other subjects...english is the subject that either makes or breaks ur uni dreams..lol

[beautiful bethy]

these are notes i got in class examiners responses etc, i'll try and write it brief:

~ There is no 'correct' formula in terms of response structure

~Markers expect a sense of balance between texts in your response

~40-60% of u'r essay (or whatever) should be your prescribed texts

~Related texts are often the most compelling for markers to read

~if the question asks for at least one text, one text is absolutley fine, three is too
many. They want you to show your understanding and go into u'r texts with a bit of focus and depth. NB. nothing will stop u from getting full marks if u only use one text.

~Make links between texts eg direct comparison/contrast

~AVOID:
Simplistic links - Frost's journey in not a hard one but Molly's is
Superficial links - both Coleridge and Tan imagine the journey
Repetitive links - they tend to take away from what you are saying




thats about all i've got for the moment, hope it is of some interest : )
byes

[Jessica_00]

Originally Posted by Komaticom

STAR system for each paragraph of your body:

S- statement
T- textual evidence
A- analysis
R- resolution

STARS AND SEX... what more can you want!!! hahaha

JUST REMEMBER:

S=state your point,
E=example with a quotation from text,
X=x'plain, refer back to question, justify its inclusion..

STAR system for each paragraph of your body:

S- statement
T- textual evidence
A- analysis
R- resolution

[MattBaker]

A good one to follow is WAPTEEL

W - What (key point/thesis)
A - Audience (How does the audience relate)
P - Purpose (what is the purpose)
T - Technique
E - Example or Evidence
E - EFFECT (What and why)
L - Link (to the next key idea)