What To Do When Studying for English (1 Viewer)

[taxman]

Hey, I'm just started a study timetable now and I need a bit of help to decide what to do with English. I'm setting aside about half an hour a day for English study, but I really don't know what to do. I'm going to write an essay a week on a random topic, but as for day-today stuff, I'm a tad lost. My teacher told me to start writing and looking at language techniques and stuff (I'm currently doing Module C, Telling the Truth as an elective) but that didn't help me too much at all.

So, for those that did particularly well in English, how did you study, what did you do, etc?

Thanks in advance.

 

[astro]

i just read my 'edible english' book...it's a bible for english techniques....
doing creative writing and formulating ideas would also be helpful instead of just writing essays....even though i prefer essays...

 

[glitterfairy]

Hmm...

For now, I wouldn't worry that much. To do well you need to truly UNDERSTAND your texts and your modules, and since you're not quite up to that point yet...

Day-to day study might be looking up related texts and techniques

 

[baaaa]

Hi glitterfairy, I think that there is some truth in what your teacher is saying. For this course, you just have to write write write. Make sure you know your syllabus well, and structure a generic response that satisfies the criteria stated.

When you have done this try different essay questions, and mould your generic essay around them. Also, of course, be aware of the form. If you really are going to take half an hour each day studying English, it's best to review techniques and form. Make sure it's constructive though, eg if you already know what rhetoric is there's no point doing exercises on it. Aim to learn just one new thing in each of your study sessions.

After you finish all your texts, stop the reviewing of techniques (unless there's something you're VERY uncomfortable with) and increase the load on the questions. Basically, KNOW YOUR SYLLABUS (like in any other HSC course) while following a systematic approach like this, and you should be set.

 

[silvermoon]

ok, well I'm assuming that you've just started year 12 - here's what I did (or at least, what I had planned to do before my social life and television got in the way...). At the start of the year there's probably not a lot of point doing essays - you haven't yest learned your topics and what to put in them, so it's a little pointless. instead, READ YOUR TEXTS - all of them. you should have read all texts before you start a module and you should aim throughout the year to have read all texts at least 5 times (but hopefully a lot more). Read once to get an idea of what it's about, than go back through and study particular scenes, chapters etc. noting techniques and quotes (remmeber page references so you can find them again easily!). also start looking for related texts - ones that you can use in assessments and ones that will give you ideas for creative pieces, background information etc. as you prgress further in your studies, THAN start making exam notes and practing essays.
if you are determined to study every day, it is a good idea to spend a portion of that time just going over what you learned in class that day. did you really understand it? do you need to go over it? will you remember it in a month? if you make notes based on the important things you've covered, than it will become very easy to use these as full study notes later on (you can always cut them back again for quick exam revision).

good luck to all of you!