Year 12 English: the most popular VCE Subject … not by choice.

4 Areas of Study. 7 SACs. 1 final exam. 3 essays in 3 hours. All to assess your analytical and creative thinking skills. 

Welcome to one of the most important and one of the least liked components of your VCE journey. Let’s break it down. Following the VCAA study design.

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Unit 3: Area of Study 1

Reading and Responding to Texts, first text

This is your classic Text Response Essay. Your school will select two texts to explore. one in Unit 3 and one in Unit 4. The task remains consistent across both. 

The task: You will be provided with two essay prompts and are expected to write an essay based off one of the prompts. 

In general, there are four main components to the assessment of a Text Response Essay

1. Textual Knowledge

How well do you know the text? Are you able to accurately use evidence and identify relevant sections for analysis? 

2. Analytical Ability

What is the author trying to convey? How well can you analyse your chosen evidence? How much depth of analysis can you reach? It is also very important to ensure your analysis is on-topic.

3. Relevancy to prompt & Essay Cohesion 

Have you fully addressed all aspects of the prompt? Were you able to logically structure you essay in response to the prompt? Were you able to challenge the prompt?

4. Use of Language

Have you applied the conventions of essay-appropriate language? Do you embed your quotes and write with fluency? 

Unit 3: Area of Study 2

Creating Texts

This is the Creative Component of VCE English. Your school will have selected a framework to engage collectively, and your SAC will be based on this framework. You should keep in mind that there are many different creative text types you can explore, and study the Mentor Texts as a guideline. In your assessment, you do not need to engage directly with the Mentor Texts.

The task has three components, and they should hold the same weighting for your SAC 

1. You will be given a title and three stimulus materials to write a creative piece. You must use the title and choose from at least one of the provided stimulus materials. This is done twice.
2. A reflective commentary to explain your writing process and intentions.

In general, there are four main components to the assessment of the Creative task:

1. Integration of Title and Stimulus

Is the title relevant to your creative piece? Are you able to establish it as an integral aspect? Have you engaged in the idea/s presented by the stimulus? Keep in mind that it is not enough to just quote a stimulus.

2. Presentation of Purpose

Is your purpose clear? Is at least one purpose consistent? (You are able to present more than one purpose)

3. Engagement in the Framework of Ideas

Have you appropriately related your essay to the chosen Framework? Have you engaged in the concept of the Framework throughout the essay?

4. Essay Cohesion & Use of Language

Is your writing cohesive? Is it complete as a solitary creative piece? Have you demonstrated appropriate literary or persuasive features? Have you used an appropriate voice and register?

Unit 4: Area of Study 1

Reading and Responding to Texts, second text

The requirements of this task are largely the same in Area of Study 1 in Unit 3. The only real difference is that the text type for Unit 4 cannot be the same as Unit 3.

Unit 4: Area of Study 2

Analysing Argument

Keep in mind that this is Argument analysis, not Language analysis. 

The task has two components:

1. An Argument analysis essay in response to one written material and on text in another mode (audio and/or audio-visual). 
2. A Persuasive Oral Presentation 

In general, there are four main components to the assessment of an Argument Analysis Essay

1. Understanding of Argument & Essay Cohesion

Are you able to clearly identify the contention, purpose and arguments? Do you show an understanding of the argument progression and argument construction? Have you addressed all arguments within an essay in a logical manner? Do the arguments identified support the contention?

2. Understanding of Language, Audio and Visual Features 

Are you able to accurately identify notable persuasive techniques? Can you do so across all modes of persuasive content?

3. Analytical Ability

How will the audience respond to the persuasive techniques? What will they think of the argument? How will they feel toward the argument? How do the persuasive techniques support the argument?

4. Use of Language

Have you applied the conventions of essay-appropriate language? Do you embed your quotes and write with fluency? 

Keep in mind that your SAC accounts for 50% of your study score, and the final exam will determine the other 50%.

To sum up all your SACs across unit 3&4 and their weightings:

Final Exam

The final exam is 15 minutes of reading time and 3 hours of writing time. There are 3 sections to the final exam. You must write in blue or black pen. You are not allowed to bring notes into the exam, but you are allowed to bring a dictionary. The whole exam content (should) be unseen material.

Section A: Text Response Essay

Each text will have two prompts available to choose from. You are to select one out of the two texts you have studied this year to write a text response essay. 

Section B: Creative Response Essay

Each Framework will have three stimuli and one title. You must choose one Framework and respond to at least one of the stimuli associated with that Framework. You must incorporate the given title.

Section C: Argument Analysis Essay

You will be given written material to respond to and must write an analytical essay on the given material.

English at HZ Tutoring

English classes will be tailored towards your needs. Whether you need to start from the fundamentals of analysis, understanding texts in-depth, SAC Preparation or essay feedback, the class will focus on your English ability and the best way to improve. 

See our resources for Math Methods.

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The Author

VCE English Resource Lead

Hazel He

Hazel is the author of this study guide. She has over 6 years of experience as a VCE English and EAL tutor and is also engaged as a practice exam external assessor. She puts a lot of effort into all the content written, and hopes that it helped you in your study of VCE English.

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Qualifications

TSSM study guide designer. 6+ years of English tutoring experience. Knowledge of almost all novels in the VCE English study design.