Secondary ATAR results

[bloodpumpsRnB]

On the Waterfront and Whose Reality (Streetcar Named Desire). Both effectively consisting of the exact same actors!

I thought you couldn't do two films?

I'm doing The Crucible for Encountering Conflict, and Richard III for text. Should be fun.

 

[Hellgood]

Also - general questions for anyone. We get our results on the 28th of December, yes? And so do we get a lump mark, say, our ATAR mark. Or can we find out the marks of our respective courses and exams?

Secondly has anyone ever gotten into a course (preferably someone in WA could answer this, but anyone's answer will do) with an ATAR lower than the courses requisite ATAR? So, if I get 67, could I get into a 70 Curtin course? Or, a 78, and an 80 UWA course?

And what about regional scaling. I've been told a 75 can get you into UWA, as long as you are a country student.

You get your ATAR, your exam score, raw score then scaling score from what I recall.

I know someone who got a pretty ordinary ATAR last year, 70-75ish, but went to Curtin for a semester then got a transfer to UWA, I think if you are desperate enough and close enough to that mark, I think you can probably get into any uni you want.

ATAR certainly isn't the be all and end all, yes getting a good one makes your path easier, but it is not the only pathway.

 

[Dani Pacheco]

Yeah, I too neglected that in my revision. That and everything else.

How'd you in that question regarding Italy and England and Australia? I had no idea. We didn't even touch on anything like that. Certainly odd. The more I think about the whole thing, the more I'm torn as to how I went...

What kind of marks have you been getting all year in Australian history?

And what about regional scaling. I've been told a 75 can get you into UWA, as long as you are a country student.

Yeah, no idea on the Italy/GBR/Australia source. Didn't even touch on that in the course work. Think I bullshited about Italy's involvement in World War II which flew in the face of whatever the source was about.

Australian history I think I was around 70 for the course. Not great, but made up for it in 3b (Russia) and ended up around 73/74. Found the Australian stuff pretty dull to be honest.

And the 75 for UWA applies for rural areas (I think) and low socio-economic areas, but it's dependant on places being available in the desired course.

 

[GreatBradScott]

It was between Interpreter of Maladies and Waterfront for me, and Waterfront wins hands down. I actually liked On the Waterfront and find it fairly straightforward to deconstruct.

How is everyone at language analysis? Personally I love it and find it really straightforward. Managed to get a 9/10 for my trial exam on it which I'm hoping to replicate on Thursday.

Agreed, language analysis I plan on eating for breakfast. I've managed to pretty much nail one in 35 minutes, so I'm gunning for the language analysis first.

Also props on the **** off Heart thing. Agreed 110%

 

[YeSLaN#]

Let's be honest, the big one is in two days time. I am pumped.

What text/context are you guys doing?

Text Response: The Reluctant Fundamentalist
Conflict: The Crucible/Secret River

 

[Colin D'Cops]

Let's be honest, the big one is in two days time. I am pumped.

What text/context are you guys doing?

Year of wonders / conflict (crucible/secret river)! Pretty keen to get this out of the way...Want an a+

I'm doing On The Waterfront for the text, and Conflict for the context (Crucible/Secret River); much like MJ. Blood's pumpin' RnB for sure, just want to get it out of the way and start off exams on a positive note = finish each piece and explore each idea; even if not entirely accurate. Ready to rumble.

 

[Speck]

I thought you couldn't do two films?

I'm doing The Crucible for Encountering Conflict, and Richard III for text. Should be fun.

It's the play of Streetcar so it's not actually the movie (I didn't even watch the movie in full as there's a few differences I didn't want to confuse myself about). I don't know if there's actually a rule like that it's the schools choice of texts/films and I doubt many schools would choose more than one film.

The context of Whose Reality I find strange to write about though and would much prefer Conflict like I did last year in year 11.

Agreed, language analysis I plan on eating for breakfast. I've managed to pretty much nail one in 35 minutes, so I'm gunning for the language analysis first.

Yeah language analysis first in 40-45 minutes easy, I tend to follow the same sort of structure every time and it works.

 

[bloodpumpsRnB]

I usually take around 50-55 for LA, but I spend quite a bit of time daydreaming, and also it takes some time for me to figure out which parts I'm going to analyse. Once I get past that initial barrier I'm away though.

So a lot of you haven't actually decided which texts you're doing? Have you just been doing the same amount of work for each? Wouldn't it be more beneficial to focus all your energy on the one you know you're going to do? At least that's what our school encourages.

 

[Silent Alarm]

Well certainly under WACE questions, it'd be pretty absurd to focus on one question. You'd be a brave man. For example, one of our texts was the documentary 'Last Man Hanged'. Is the final act of capital punishment in Australia really applicable to all questions? As I said, I don't want to be stuck with one singular text - I could be there thinking "how can I twist and warp this, so my text can be linked to the question?

And how hard is it to "study" for numerous texts? We covered around five to seven in class. Surely enough. I've gone through simple things - the date published, the author/directors, the basic conventions utilised. I'm naturally really strong in my English, so with my knack of writing well, and some pretty decent knowledge, I should be in a good position.

I just got my school mock marks and overall marks back. My school marks point toward an ATAR of 76-82. Yet my mock marks sit between 69, and 74.

I understand your two scores (WACE exam marks, and school marks) are aggregated so that, if you get 90 all year, but 70 in the exam, your middle mark for the two equals 80. Is this correct? So do I look like i'll achieve a mark of about 73, to 78? Of course, this is presuming my mock marks will be the same as my proper WACE exam marks.

 

[bloodpumpsRnB]

It's definitely different in Victoria. We've only covered two texts for the Text Response and two for Context, and are always encouraged to focus on one for each. Not meaning to brag but my school consistently finished in the top handful in the state every year, so they know what they're doing.

 

[GreatBradScott]

It's definitely different in Victoria. We've only covered two texts for the Text Response and two for Context, and are always encouraged to focus on one for each. Not meaning to brag but my school consistently finished in the top handful in the state every year, so they know what they're doing.

I wouldn't say that's the work of the school, it's the work of talented teachers who can get the best out of a student. I was blessed this year getting awesome teachers.


18 hours to go. Nerves?

Tips and Hints you'd like to share?

 

[Colin D'Cops]

I'm doing one text for the Text Response, but two to back up my context piece (as well as history)... If I can get a break on the rest, I'll take it.

Done two nights of solid study and am supremely confident. I have studied pretty hard when it has come to SAC's throughout the year, and did well (constant A's); so it was all relatively stuck in my head before I even started studying. Looking forward to getting it out of the way.

EDIT: Tips and hints-
- Put your pen down by 10pm tonight. Have a late one and a sore arm heading into tomorrow, would be worrying.
- Have a banana about half an hour before the exam as well as a glass of water. You don't want your metabolism/bladder working overtime whilst sitting the exam, so don't drink/eat too much.

 

[bloodpumpsRnB]

I wouldn't say that's the work of the school, it's the work of talented teachers who can get the best out of a student. I was blessed this year getting awesome teachers.


18 hours to go. Nerves?

Tips and Hints you'd like to share?

Certainly, and we've had the same teachers for the last few years.

You guys probably know this already, but definitely do LA first. Obviously read through the article or whatever it is during reading time so you don't have to re-read later on.

Make sure you are strict with time. Aim for 1 hour maximum for each piece, and if, like me, you struggle with that, be even stricter by maybe giving 17 minutes for each paragraph to ensure you're on track. If you can give yourself extra time by knocking off LA in less than an hour than all the better.

 

[getthefooty]

Not sure if the system has changed since I left, but here's a few tips for LA. No point discussing the other two really, everyone should pretty much already know exactly what they're going to write.

- Always remember the primary focus of your piece is to analyse how the writer is persuading you to his/her view. A lot of people get bogged down in the so called 'language techniques' and the end result is too vague, broad and irrelevant.

- Pick out individual sentences and even more importantly individual words within sentences and explain how that one word makes a difference to how the author is arguing something. E.g. compare 'How is that possibly justifiable??!?' to 'How is that justifiable?'. The sentence with 'possibly' is more geared towards targeting the reader's emotions, whereas the sentence without it represents a more level headed, rational argument.

-If there is a picture, comment on it. Don't however confuse yourself between a picture that is simply decorating the page as opposed to a picture used as part of the author's argument.

- Do it first, and try and get it knocked off in 50 minutes. It doesn't need to be as long as the other two essays.

 

[bloodpumpsRnB]

It's the play of Streetcar so it's not actually the movie (I didn't even watch the movie in full as there's a few differences I didn't want to confuse myself about). I don't know if there's actually a rule like that it's the schools choice of texts/films and I doubt many schools would choose more than one film.

There is under "Instructions"

 

[Speck]

Not sure if the system has changed since I left, but here's a few tips for LA. No point discussing the other two really, everyone should pretty much already know exactly what they're going to write.

- Always remember the primary focus of your piece is to analyse how the writer is persuading you to his/her view. A lot of people get bogged down in the so called 'language techniques' and the end result is too vague, broad and irrelevant.

- Pick out individual sentences and even more importantly individual words within sentences and explain how that one word makes a difference to how the author is arguing something. E.g. compare 'How is that possibly justifiable??!?' to 'How is that justifiable?'. The sentence with 'possibly' is more geared towards targeting the reader's emotions, whereas the sentence without it represents a more level headed, rational argument.

-If there is a picture, comment on it. Don't however confuse yourself between a picture that is simply decorating the page as opposed to a picture used as part of the author's argument.

- Do it first, and try and get it knocked off in 50 minutes. It doesn't need to be as long as the other two essays.

All very good points.

The writers language can often be good to talk about, not just techniques.

You should also pick the key areas the writer uses to persuade, and base your paragraphs on those areas. Don't base your paragraphs on persuasive techniques. Listing techniques and effects in no order makes for a very disjointed essay.

With the visual, spend a lengthy paragraph discussing it, the examiners will love you for it. The visual will almost always have a significant reason it was included.

There is under "Instructions"

Didn't know that but seeing as Streetcar is the play and not the movie I'm fine.

 

[bloodpumpsRnB]

With the visual, spend a lengthy paragraph discussing it, the examiners will love you for it. The visual will almost always have a significant reason it was included.

I find the best thing to do with the graphic is to find points of differences between that and the main piece. My first paragraph is always on the graphic, and then to lead into the article analysis I'll say "In contrast..." and go from there. It makes for a much more interesting piece if you're showing how they differ rather than how they are similar.

 

[getthefooty]

You should also pick the key areas the writer uses to persuade, and base your paragraphs on those areas. Don't base your paragraphs on persuasive techniques. Listing techniques and effects in no order makes for a very disjointed essay.

Another good point here. Structure for your LA is fairly flexible when compared to text and context, there's no definitive way to approach things. However basing your paras on language techniques is an absolute sin. You will run out of things to say after 3 sentences and the whole essay will be completely disjointed.

A good essay will flow. I just used to structure it by simply starting from the top of the article with the first para and working my way to the end, separating the paras in a logical way. Not only was it always simple to write, there is always a reason behind how the author has structured their article, and hence explaining why he/she has put certain things before others is great analysis.

 

[Silent Alarm]

May I ask what LA is?

We have a structure in WA of:
• Writing - Usually presented with 5 phrases, questions, etc. You write about them. Ala, "it was the best of the times, it was the worst of times. Expand upon this statement in a writing style of your choice".
• Reading - Given two extracts - each to be attempted analytically. Again, draw in from a class text.
• Viewing - Presented with a bevy of images. You choose one, and often tie it to an image studied in class.

 

[bloodpumpsRnB]

May I ask what LA is?

We have a structure in WA of:
• Writing - Usually presented with 5 phrases, questions, etc. You write about them. Ala, "it was the best of the times, it was the worst of times. Expand upon this statement in a writing style of your choice".
• Reading - Given two extracts - each to be attempted analytically. Again, draw in from a class text.
• Viewing - Presented with a bevy of images. You choose one, and often tie it to an image studied in class.

LA=Language Analysis

Presented with a persuasive piece which may be in newspaper article/speech/internet blog form, and the idea is to analyse the ways in which the writer uses language to present their point of view. There will always be a graphic or visual image of some sort, which must be analysed as well.

The other sections are Text, where each text from a list of about 20 has two questions of which only one has to be answered, and Context where you are presented with a prompt and are meant to explore ideas suggested within your given context (there are 4), and must draw some ideas from one of the given texts.

 

[Speck]

I find the best thing to do with the graphic is to find points of differences between that and the main piece. My first paragraph is always on the graphic, and then to lead into the article analysis I'll say "In contrast..." and go from there. It makes for a much more interesting piece if you're showing how they differ rather than how they are similar.

Depends really whether it's supporting or not supporting. Personally I just analyse the different aspects of the visual and show why it has been included, and the effect it has on its viewers.

 

[OzBomber]

For those doing conflict, what are you guys using as your external sources? Throughout the year I've used the Cronulla Riots, Oskar Schindler, MLK and the apartheid. So I'll probably go through all them once more tonight and then choose two that will suit the prompt.

From tomorrow until next Wednesday, I have an exam every day. 5 in total. Once these are over I won't be anywhere as stressed as I am at the moment. I've noticed the stress with my sleep too. I've been waking up a fair bit during the night lately, not thinking about the exam though. I've also noticed that I've been drinking a hell of a lot water. I'll wake up and I'll skull a whole bottle then I'll to back to sleep. Keen for it to be all finished, especially when I'm hearing that some people in NSW have finished all of their exams.

 

[Colin D'Cops]

Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela are the external sources for me. God bless 'em.

 

[bloodpumpsRnB]

For those doing conflict, what are you guys using as your external sources? Throughout the year I've used the Cronulla Riots, Oskar Schindler, MLK and the apartheid. So I'll probably go through all them once more tonight and then choose two that will suit the prompt.

From tomorrow until next Wednesday, I have an exam every day. 5 in total. Once these are over I won't be anywhere as stressed as I am at the moment. I've noticed the stress with my sleep too. I've been waking up a fair bit during the night lately, not thinking about the exam though. I've also noticed that I've been drinking a hell of a lot water. I'll wake up and I'll skull a whole bottle then I'll to back to sleep. Keen for it to be all finished, especially when I'm hearing that some people in NSW have finished all of their exams.

My external sources are the anti-terror laws implemented by the US government after 9/11 and McCarthyism. Both proving similar things - that the government will always create a perceived fear in order to control people.

I also use a quote from a poem by Rudyard Kipling both at the start and the end of the essay which ties everything together nicely.

 

[Speck]

External sources for Whose Reality are a bit of a pain.

I've got the Occupy Protests (living in a world others create), Tiger Woods (was under the illusion he would never be caught/the publics reality different to his) , Facebook/Internet (escaping from reality/creating a second life), Drugs/Alcohol (escaping from reality), Gambling/Tattslotto (illusion that you will win lots of money) and Beauty (attempting to fit into a normal reality).

Problem is that it's so abstract and easy to go off topic. A lot of them may not be relevant to the prompt either.