Important - Please Read (3 Viewers)

[jhakka]

I suppose it also comes down to learning/work styles. I can study for English because I learn stuff that can be applied to almost any question. No worries because the modules are quite small. However, Ancient History is extremely broad, and they can ask you anything about a massive topic, even to write a response about something that may not have even been covered in class.

Which is probably why Extension 2 was my favourite course. It's the complete opposite of Ancient History. Sure you gotta write in the correct style for assessments, but it's all your own work, and you can work at your own pace.

 

[goldendawn]

I suppose it also comes down to learning/work styles. I can study for English because I learn stuff that can be applied to almost any question. No worries because the modules are quite small. However, Ancient History is extremely broad, and they can ask you anything about a massive topic, even to write a response about something that may not have even been covered in class.

Which is probably why Extension 2 was my favourite course. It's the complete opposite of Ancient History. Sure you gotta write in the correct style for assessments, but it's all your own work, and you can work at your own pace.

Yeah, its the difference between being a "resoponder" and a "composer". Some are simply better composers than responders. I far prefer being a composer in my own right and I'm sure you do as well.

 

[jhakka]

I hate responding to boring things. When it's interesting, or at least halfway interesting, like stuff in English can be, it's great. When it's boring stuff that requires heaps of research that they probably won't ask you about, it sucks.

Having said that, however, yes I much prefer being the composer. I'm not restricted by form as much as I would be in an essay, and every technique you use is based on what you want to convey to the audience, rather than keeping your response strictly formal and structured.

 

[goldendawn]

I hate responding to boring things. When it's interesting, or at least halfway interesting, like stuff in English can be, it's great. When it's boring stuff that requires heaps of research that they probably won't ask you about, it sucks.

Having said that, however, yes I much prefer being the composer. I'm not restricted by form as much as I would be in an essay, and every technique you use is based on what you want to convey to the audience, rather than keeping your response strictly formal and structured.

I think that new structures are important, and I think this is why we have this constant cycle of "reactionary" philosophies, breaking down old structures and engendering creative freedom (the "Dada" movement were absurd for the sake of being absurd and intentionally mystifying - the were breaking down old Victorian constructs of art - E.G: Duchamp used a toilet seat on its own as an artwork). On a personal level, the way in which we express ourselves is an affirmation of who we are, because our work embodies our thought and feeling and our sense of place in the greater world. Our universe is intensely meaningful in our own work. I think composing is a way of self-definition and awakening. I don't think this is as fully realised when we are "responding" within prescribed forms.

 

[jhakka]

I suppose that's why being marked on my creativity (to an extent) appeals so much to me, rather than being marked on how well I can repeat myself over and over in an essay (linking every paragraph to the question, intro and conclusion, etc).

 

[goldendawn]

I suppose that's why being marked on my creativity (to an extent) appeals so much to me, rather than being marked on how well I can repeat myself over and over in an essay (linking every paragraph to the question, intro and conclusion, etc).

But being marked on creativity has its own problems. Creativity seems to exist in a realm separate from logic, even though its application can be 'logical'. Everyone perceives creative work differently, and a mark based on the extent of artistic and creative resolution cannot always be relied upon if the marker doesn't 'get' what you mean. I don't necessarily like the current marking criteria or the Board of Studies approach, and I am sure something better can be made, even though I have yet to come up with anything...

 

[jhakka]

If they can't appreciate our work for the concepts explored, they still need to appreciate how well they been explored and how the text was composed. Their not liking the story should have no relevance to how it is evaluated.

But as I said above, it's better than the repetitive nature of essays. It's good to do something different once in a while (and the scaling is nice, too).

 

[goldendawn]

If they can't appreciate our work for the concepts explored, they still need to appreciate how well they been explored and how the text was composed. Their not liking the story should have no relevance to how it is evaluated.

But as I said above, it's better than the repetitive nature of essays. It's good to do something different once in a while (and the scaling is nice, too).

Yeah, hehe, it certainly is better than exam essays. And the scaling is very welcome too...

Ahh, not long until HSC is over! I am taking next year off, going travelling and working on my book(s)...can't wait...

 

[jhakka]

I can't wait until it's over. When I have some spare time I have twenty books to read, some serious writing to do (might as well work on my style, etc, if I want to get something published) and employment to seek. Fun stuff to keep me busy until uni starts next year (assuming I get in, of course).

 

[goldendawn]

Yeah, and if you don't get in, don't worry! the School of Life is always teaching us new and important things. hehe. (sounds like I should publish a corny "Marcus's Fables" book, teaching you all the social and moral injunctions you shall ever need to know hehe) Life goes on, existing within, above and beyond all educational institutions.

 

[jhakka]

But if I get into uni, I will eventually be teaching people. And that means I'm the one in power. Bwarhar.

 

[goldendawn]

But if I get into uni, I will eventually be teaching people. And that means I'm the one in power. Bwarhar.

Haha - you are planning to be a teacher?

 

[jhakka]

Yup. For lack of any better ideas.

Anyways, I'm off. Seeya.

 

[glitterfairy]

glitterfairy is late on the scene, as per usual, and has completely missed the incredibly in-depth, philosophical D&M between golden and jhakka. *sigh*

Goldie, (you don't mind me calling you that, do you? Let me know if you object) you're a walking literary critic. Don't get lost when you're in Rome, you'll love it there - provided you can write, speak and read italian, which I wouldn't put beyond you.

Jhakka, are you seriously thinking of taking up teaching? If it's what you want to do, fine and I support you, but if it's just your course "for lack of knowing what else to do" then come on, you have to be incredibly talented and educated to get this far, isn't there anything else you'd rather do - like a B of Arts, or Creative Arts and majoring in creative writing? (which is what I plan to do next year, unless someone persuades me to do drama, which is unlikely seeing as I have about zilch acting experience)

 

[jhakka]

Nah, I genuinely want to do teaching. It was my second choice after writing, and the career paths from teaching seem more promising to me. There's nothing to stop me working casual for a couple of years and going back to uni for creative writing after I finish my teaching course, anyway. Anyhoo, not all writers need courses, eh?

 

[goldendawn]

You can call me goldie if you want. And no, I don't speak, read or write enough Italian to go to Rome, but I can speak Greek and Chinese ( I am going to continue these languages at uni - I also hope to pick up Bulgarian, Macedonian and Hindi somewhere along the line - I enjoy learning languages), if that counts for anything.
As for being a walking literary critic, hehe, well, its never been something I have really wanted to be. I am an artist, a poet, a writer!

 

[jhakka]

But then again, most people in this forum are writers.

 

[400miles]

Not me. I'm just a hippo.
An angry angry (and remarkably hungry) hippo.

This thread whilst initially extremely relevant, was a light thread of irrelevancy.

Stop being relevant.

And serious.

And what ever happened to that guy Llyrai? I didn't really mean what I said about the porn.

 

[mayhemily]

on the topic of irrelevancy, I feel like pancakes.

 

[liamduncan]

Boy: Why did the dinosaurs die out?
Museum Man: BECAUSE YOU TOUCH YOURSELF AT NIGHT!