The VCE English Year 12 Exam
The VCE English year 12 exam is a 3 hour exam divided into 3 sections covering Section A: Analytical interpretation of a text, Section B: Comparative analysis of texts and Section C: Argument and persuasive language.
The First 15 Minutes is Reading Time
The first 15 minutes of the exam is dedicated to reading time and you are not allowed to write anything during this time. Look at Section A and Section B prompts for your specific texts and mentally pick a prompt that you know you can answer. Then move on quickly to Section C. Firstly, read the background box on the front page that gives you the information about the articles, then read the language analysis article or articles and visual texts. Use this time to annotate in your mind what is the main contention of each writer, what are their arguments, identify the persuasive techniques used, tone and appeals and if the visual texts endorses the article or opposes it.
Section C: Argument and Persuasive Language Analysis
As soon as the 15 minutes reading time is up, go straight to Section C: Language Analysis and prepare to briefly annotate the texts. Read over the articles again while annotating the texts and be careful with your time, allow yourself 3-5 minutes only with annotations but make sure you identify the arguments.
Remember Argument and Persuasive Language is for you to identity:
What is being argued? How it is being argued? Why it is being argued in that particular way? The Intended Effect on readers/audience.
Then get straight into writing your analysis. Be careful that you DO NOT write your opinion about the topic. You are analysing what THE AUTHOR thinks, his argument, not yours. Don’t forget how important his argument and persuasive techniques are to POSITION the READERS / THE INTENDED EFFECT.
Be concise with your analysis
Stick to the arguments and do not respond with too much detail or long-winded quotes from the articles. If you want to include quotes about the language identify how the language works and be specific about its intended effect on the reader.
Section A – Analytical interpretation of a text & Section B – Comparative analysis of texts
Make sure your Introductions are clearly answering the prompt question with a Main Contention, Topic Sentences that develop the argument and the Message of the Author. Conclusions are important for you to give your final insight into the question and reiterate what the author’s legacy is in regards to the discussion your essay outlines.
Timing During the Exam
Remember that the English exam is 3 hours, but out of that time 15 minutes is reading time. Divide your time carefully between the 3 sections in the exam and stick to it. I suggest that you allow yourself 50 minutes to write each essay. Try to give yourself about 3-5 minutes at the end to proof read and check spelling.
If you find that your 50 minutes is up and you are still writing one of the essays, then to conclude just use dot points. At least the assessors will know where your essay was headed at the end rather than a blank page with absolutely no conclusion. The assessors are really good but definitely they are not mind readers so at least give them something to read instead of nothing.
If you have time at the end of the exam in the 5 minutes left, go back to those dot points you did not finish and see if you can make them into sentences that are more cohesive.
Practice Past Exam Papers
Check the VCAA site for Past Exams and the Reports that assessors give their advice on Sections A, B and Section C. Look at the language analysis in those previous exams and use them as your practice analysis pieces, noting carefully the assessors comments.
Don’t Stress, Believe in Yourself, Revise Carefully
You have worked all year towards this exam along with your other subjects and the best advice I can give you is to not stress. Believe in your own abilities. For the remaining time before the exam focus on revising carefully by brainstorming plans that will answer the prompts. Write full Introductions clearly outlining your Main Contention, Topic Sentences and Message of Author . Learn quotes related to themes and characters that will be used as your evidence in essays. Make sure when revising your analytical interpretation of texts and comparative analysis of texts that you know clearly THE MESSAGE OF THE AUTHORS in context of the ‘world of the text’. Practice language analysis articles from past exams.
Good Luck for the Year 12 English Exam
I send all my very best wishes to every student sitting VCE Year 12 English. In particular, good luck to every one of the VCE Year 12 students I have tutored. It has been a privilege to teach you.