Paper 1 Section 1
Paper 1 Section 1 is the reading component of the common Standard and Advanced English examination. All candidates undertaking either the Standard or the Advanced English Course complete this paper. Therefore, it is competitive and you can improve your opportunities to gain full marks by developing strategies and skills, which will prepare you thoroughly.
The format of the paper is not predictable. However, the methodology of responding appropriately to the requirements of the paper is essential.
Paper 1 Section 1 does not require students to refer to any texts beyond what is presented in this section. There is no expectation that students will refer to the prescribed stimulus booklet, set text or any related material. Including reference to any other texts, not contained in this paper, will not enhance responses or results. You should save that knowledge for other sections of the Area of Study paper.
The known fact is that Paper 1 Section 1 will contain several texts where The Journey is represented.
The unknown fact is the form those texts will be presented in and how The Journey is represented in those texts. This is a paper where the best responses will clearly identify and discuss language forms, features and techniques as the means for representing The Journey. A response which may make a simple statement, that is, this text is about [insert name, place, event etc] on a journey does not reflect any knowledge on the part of the candidate in relation to the how meaning is created and represented.
Rubric
All HSC examination papers are printed and formatted in the same manner. At the beginning of any question is the rubric, which defines, for candidates, the guidelines or criteria their response will be aligned too in determining any mark for any paper. It is essential that for every HSC question, in any subject, that these guidelines are read and considered when composing a response to any question.
In 2004 HSC Paper 1 English exam the following rubric was used:
In your answer you will be assessed on how well you:
* demonstrate understanding of the way perceptions of the journey are shaped in and through texts
* describe, explain and analyse the relationship between language, text and context
The explanation for terms used can be accessed through the Board of Studies website: A glossary of key words Selecting this link will take you to an external site.. This explanation of terms is common to all courses, anytime these terms appear in any paper they are used in the same context and meaning. A clear understanding of the meanings listed in this glossary will enhance your opportunities across all subjects.
You should access and develop a thorough understanding through glossary of key words to ensure:
* that the context in meaning for any term will not differ between subject areas
* that you are competently able to deconstruct both the rubric and the question
* your response to any question will be informed by deep knowledge and understanding.
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Time management during the exam
You need to assume responsibility for the timing of your responses to ensure that all sections of the paper are completed with time allocation appropriate to the mark for each section.
Question 1 has historically had a 15-mark allocation. A question worth 1 mark only requires a brief answer. Perhaps one word, but at most two-three sentences is usually enough. Students who write more than this are compromising their time to answer the last question, which usually has the highest mark allocation. The glossary of terms is evident in the style of each section, eg, ‘describe’, ‘explain’, ‘analyse’ and ‘identify’. To obtain the best marks these terms must be applied to each answer.
You should download copies of past papers Selecting this link will take you to an external site. and work through the format of the questioning in Area of Study, Paper 1 and Question 1. The allocation of marks is similar and by going over past papers you can develop an understanding of the time it will take you to respond to each section.
Timing of each section throughout the actual HSC exam is important and you should ensure you have a watch or a clear view of a wall clock to maintain a consistent and appropriate pace in completing all sections of the paper/s.
Students’ approaches may differ in how they respond to each section, or the order in which they do so can be considered. However, it is clear that a deep understanding of all texts included in this question in Paper 1 cannot be developed unless each text is read or viewed in its entirety.
The paper builds in intensity and this is reflected in the mark allocation. Sequential answering of each section of the question progressively develop your knowledge of the texts, in the paper, better preparing you to demonstrate understanding of the way perceptions of journey are shaped in and through texts in the final question. In other words, it is necessary to synthesise ideas to clarify meaning and develop new meanings. The synthesis of following the sections sequentially will clarify the meaning allowing candidates to develop new meanings in a personal, analytical manner for the final section.
It should be noted that these comments are based on the historical format of Paper 1: Question 1 and there is no indication given here on the format of future papers.
The rubric displayed at the start of the question has been shown, here, to be repeated in the actual questions and through the sequential building of understanding in both texts and meaning, which is reflected in the marks allocated per section. They are inclusive, sequential and the degree of knowledge and skills required increases throughout the paper.
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Reading to respond
Respond do not simply retell! Paper 1 does not require you to retell or recount the included texts. It requires you to basically do two things, identify the journey and consider how the composer has presented/represented that journey through the language forms and features of the text/s.
How = techniques
‘How’ is one word, which can be expanded to read explain what language techniques the composer uses to represent journey in the text. ‘How’ does not, in any way, translate to just copy out something from the included text/s as your response to each section.
Quotations can and should be used to support a response by considering how, for example:
* a metaphor “insert quotation from text” is used to represent the harshness of the journey…
* the body language of the person/character/animal in the visual text “insert name of text” explains they were happy about moving house…
* alliteration is used “insert quotation” to reinforce the importance of the journey…
The language technique must be identified in the response in relation to the terminology of the question; describe, explain and analyse the relationship between language, text and context. The text in the section and the context is the journey. To continue the responses above for example:
* a metaphor “insert quotation from text” is used to represent the harshness of the journey/s undertaken by the victims to rebuild the devastation and destruction caused by the Tsunami.
The texts included in Paper 1 are generic to all three forms of journey so they may relate to imaginative, inner and/or physical. To describe, explain and analyse it further supports your understanding of the included texts if the form the journey takes can also be identified.
The term way is also closely linked to the how and requires direct reference to the language forms and features (techniques) of the texts. Quoting from the text to support the ‘how’ is essential. To successfully address the question of the way journey is represented in any text there is an expectation of higher order thinking and this requires some form of synthesis between the ‘how’ as technique, the appropriate quote from the text and the question as a whole. A direct quotation from the text does not prove or determine the ‘way’ unless it is supported.
Text forms
The texts included in Paper 1: Question 1 can be in any form. It is important to be familiar with the elements that go together to produce each text. Some forms in past papers have included:
* poems
* song lyrics
* speeches
* articles
* websites
* cartoons
* comic strips
* excerpts
* extracts.
There is no way of predicting which textual forms will be included in the paper this year. Students need to have an understanding of a variety of texts forms, which is in keeping with the spirit of the syllabus. There is no way of predicting which text forms will be required to be responded too in any section. This is a positive process and one that ensures those candidates with the best knowledge; skills and understanding achieve the marks they deserve.
Historical perceptions
Past examination papers are available from the Board of Studies websites. Another resource candidates can explore is the HSC Notes from the Marking Centres Selecting this link will take you to an external site.. These notes are available for the Area of Study and Modules papers for all English courses. Some of the general comments have already been discussed here, particularly in relation to the time candidates spend on each section.
The markers’ notes have been prepared thoroughly from feedback by the actual markers of those sections. The strengths and weaknesses of student responses are identified and highlighted. Visiting this section of the website and taking the time to consider and align your own strengths and weaknesses with the markers’ notes will provide assistance in how to improve your own weaker areas in this section.
Synthesis
The HSC Glossary definition of the term Selecting this link will take you to an external site. ‘synthesise’ is putting together various elements tomake a whole and the final question in Paper 1 Section 1 expects your responses to synthesise the included texts and the knowledge gained as this section is being completed. Recounting responses to earlier questions does not bring together the various elements of the texts. This final response should have a balance between the number of texts stipulated by the question, historically two. If the weighting of your response is imbalanced this may affect the final mark. Again, timing is such an important element in ensuring that you have sufficient time so allocate sufficient time to balance the weighting, eg, 2 texts=50% for each within the breadth of your response.
To successfully synthesise, compare and contrast between the texts, don’t simply retell or recount. Choose the texts that you are most comfortable with, don’t try and choose one because it might be ‘harder’ and ‘get more marks’ if you do that text. In past HSC exams, this question has asked students for their considered and formed opinion on more than one of the included texts. Writing in a subjective manner using an objective voice would be preferable, eg, instead of “I think text #…” try “It is obvious that text #…” as this demonstrates connectivity between the question and the response that is considered and informed.
Direct reference to the texts is essential. Q uotations should be appropriate and support the overall context of the response. The common link between the texts is the concept of the journey. Don’t simply make a brief link at end, almost as an afterthought. Integrate your connections throughout your response.
Use connecting words such as:
* by comparison…
* by contrast…
* a parallel can be drawn with…
* a similar technique/idea is used in…
* another wayof portraying journey is shown in…
Prepared answers that are regurgitated seldom answer this year’s question sufficiently to expect full marks. The structure of this paper and the questions is designed to test your s’ knowledge and understanding, not your memory.
Paper 1 Section 1 moves through each text to the concluding question, where you are expected to demonstrate, in your answer, your developed understanding of the concept of journey in and through the included texts. A prepared answer will not demonstrate that development, as specifically related to the included texts, the question and the included texts must shape your response.
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General tips
Quotations should not be used in isolation and require explanation in a cohesively developed response, which provides equal balance to the included texts. To correctly time each section quotation s should be short, succinct, relevant and explained.
This paper is about language, form, features, techniques and how they create meaning, which represents some form of journey. Full marks cannot be gained if these elements are not addressed in and through question responses.
Consider the mark value of each section and allocate time appropriately.
Visual literacy techniques are as important as written language techniques. Become familiar with terminology such as:
* layout (visual, written, language, font size etc)
* images
* body language (facial, stance, direction of gaze)
* framing
* types of shots (long, medium, close-up, extreme close-up)
* composition (collage, layered)
* symbolism (particularly consider this in ‘how’ a particular sign or symbol represents journey)
* reading paths (direction, positioning)
* gestures (pointing, implied direction, signs).
Language features in written or spoken language
This section is rich with language features and the texts have been carefully chosen to provide opportunities for all candidates to find, locate, describe, explain and evaluate those features such as:
* structure
* form (letter, poem, lyrics, web page, extract etc)
* figurative (simile, metaphor, personification)
* repetition
* sound (alliteration, onomatopoeia, assonance)
* word choice (verbs, nouns, adjectives)
* dialogue
* authentication (quotes from known experts to support information in interviews, articles, extracts, speeches)
* integrity (statistics, sourced information (eg government).
Identifying the effectiveness of texts for a particular audience
Consider whether the purpose and structure of the text is appropriate for the intended audience. Evaluate how well the text does this by comparing and contrasting the forms and features of the text/s and their effectiveness in representing the concept of journey.
To successfully demonstrate your knowledge of how journey is represented in and through the included texts you will be expected to:
* know and identify the form (letter, poem, lyrics, web page, extract, and so on)
* features (through reading, identify the language techniques in written, spoken and visual)
* identify, assess and explain the effectiveness of representing and communicating the concept of journeys from the included texts
* use quotation s succinctly, with relevance to the question and to support candidates own analysis
* make detailed reference to the texts including quotations , language forms and features, elements of composition and representations of journey.
Time your responses
Paper 1 has three sections each has an equal mark value to the other. The maximum time allowed for each section is 40 minutes. Use the past papers available and be proactive in developing the skill of working within a specific time frame for each section of all the papers.
Walk into the examination with an air of confidence knowing that you have taken the time to adequately prepare for Paper 1 Section 1 – Reading of the Area of Study by being knowledgeable about the concept of journey and the language forms and features of multiple texts.
