Is it suggested to memorise pre-written essays for the HSC? (1 Viewer)

0hNivlek

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For my half yearlies for English i memorised one very broad belonging essay which i wrote and then adapted it to the question.
 

Tully B.

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I'm not all that good at adapting to essay questions, but will try to do so for the trials. Always memorise short stories though.
 

ninetypercent

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yes; if you can adapt it to the essay question. memorising saves time thinking, and tends to give you a more logical structure in your essay.
 

annabackwards

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yes; if you can adapt it to the essay question. memorising saves time thinking, and tends to give you a more logical structure in your essay.
Exactly this.

If you can't memorise a complete essay then at least memorise a basic structure including techniques and quotes :)
 
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QUOTE: from Nick1990 the P - plater


''what i did was prepare an essay plan that covered the 'big ideas' of each module, with points you wanna make about the text and appropriate evidence and textual references to back up those points. so something like:

-point
-any techniques used
-textual references

if you use highly relevant and topical material, you should be able to adapt any essay to your generic essay plan structure. also, memorise your thesis so you can just spit it out once you walk in to the exam room. again, the thesis should be highly topical and easily adaptable to the question. usually, it's easy to pre-empt what kind of questions they ask in each module. formulate a thesis that you can manipulate around these themes.

also, it's absolutely essential to have your own unique 'personal interpretation' of each module, and this should be reflected in your thesis. try to avoid being generic. if you want to be generic, do it in the body, not the thesis''
</SPAN>
 

hollaholla

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Memorize the ENTIRE thing and then just add the required stuff!!..
do not EVER go in without having a foundation/base.
 

johony

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i didnt do it before this year, but then i started doing it and my marks went up. so, yes if you know how to adapt the question well.
 

ninetypercent

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English memorised essay: 10/15 (still shit; but it was third place!)
English NOT memorised esssay: 7/15 :(
essay in Economics NOT memorised: 25/25 :D

For English, memorise your essays! For other subjects - doesn't really matter.
 

youngminii

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But no one knows what type of question they could ask for belonging.
 

electrolysis

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our teachers keep reiterating that we shouldnt memorise essays, but i reckon 90% of our class still do... its alright if you can mold it to any question, but if its too specific then it isnt worth it

BOS cant really test you on a whole range of topics, if you check the syllabus (http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/pdf_doc/eng_stg6_prescrpt_0912.pdf - check page 10 for AoS and other stuff depends on what text you do) they pretty much tell you what the questions have to be based upon in a neat little box, all you gotta do is link all your notes to each of the issues and voila, you cant get stuck :)
 

Timothy.Siu

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well, if u write practise essays, even if u dont try to memorise it, u'll end up writing about what u wrote in practise anyway. well thats what happens for me. so it's nto that important to memorise them. just write some practice ones so u know what ur doing and what ur texts are about.
then in the exam, just think about the question and you'll start incorporating your practice stuff in ur exam essay.
 

Uncle

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For English
If you want a Band 4 or lower.

Do not take the advice of at least half the posters here.

I earned very good marks by writing four fresh extended responses in the HSC rather than memorise stale essays that most of the kids did minutes before the HSC English exams which also shows how much time you wasted in class making your learning not worthwhile.
 

Aquawhite

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Remembering essays (entire essay) is not exactly the wisest possible thing one could do. I prefer to prepare a little by making a structure and techniques and quotes.... identifying the 'so what's?' as well.

Have fun essay writing.
 

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