Essay Writing: STAR method.

Here is an abbreviated way to revise and remember the basic form of an essay. It is called the 'STAR' method.

S- Statement

T- Textual evidence

A- Analysis

R- Related

Hope this helps!

HSC 2009 Paper One: Are you prepared?

Thanks to one of my newly finished year 12 student, I have managed to get a copy of the exam questions which appeared in the 2009 Higher School Certificate in Paper One. The questions are as followed:

1. "Drawing on the ideas in ONE of these quotations, write an imaginative piece that celebrates the ways relationships contribute to a sense of belonging." Stimuli were "Human beings, like plants, grow in the soil of acceptance, not in the atmosphere of rejection" or "When someone prizes us just as we are; he or she confirms our existence."

2. "Understanding nourishes belonging... a lack of understanding prevents it. Demonstrate how your prescribed text and ONE other related text of your own choosing represent this interpretation of belonging."

Would you be ready to answer these?

Good Luck Year 12!

I just want to wish all of the year 12 students good luck for the upcoming exam period! Hope for the best, revise your essays, refine your thesis statements, re-annotate your quotes and with that little bit of extra luck, you should all be fine. Avoid burning out by the middle of examination period and keep organised and confident. You will be so grateful for the moment it is all over. If you have any last minute pieces you wish for me to mark, email me and I will get it to you as soon as possible. Moderation, persistence and confidence is key. Good luck!

Instructions: How to make a stress ball?

I figured that since it is indeed the holidays for you all, it might be nice to get crafty every once in a while. I have come across the instructions on how to make stress balls as a completely random idea which will be great for examination periods and a fun activity to do when you have the time.

Need:
- Balloons (not water balloons)
- Flour/Sand/Rice/Corn starch
- Funnel
- Crafty things to decorate it with
Instructions:
1. Get your small round balloon and blow it up until it is about 4-5 inches around but do not tie it.
2. Pinch the top of the balloon shut whilst slowly placing a funnel into the tip.
3. Fill the top of the funnel with either flour/sand/rice/corn starch and slowly let go of the balloon so the filing is able to slide in.
4. Continue adding until you are happy with the amount and the firmness of the filled balloon.
5. Pull up the top of the balloon tightly and allow any excess air to be released.
6. Tie the balloon as closely to the tip as possible.
7. Decorate with permanent markers or whatever you wish.

Enjoy!

Board of Studies.

To everyone who is either going to Year 11 in 2010 or Year 12 in 2010, please check the Board of Studies website so that you can have a look at what the English Syllabus requires of you. There are different categories of English which can be studied from Standard English (2U), Advanced English (2U), Extension One (3U) English, Extension Two (4U) English and ESL (2U). Hope the links below assist in your subject selection process.

Standard and Advanced English:
http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/english-std-adv.html

Extension One English:

http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/english-ext1.html

Extension Two English:

http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/english-ext2.html

ESL:

http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/english-esl.html

Study help: Wordle

Forget mindmaps and brainstorms, Wordle is the new way to go when it comes to writing your own notes in order to memorise particular key words to assist with your studies and revision. The site states that: 'Wordle is a toy for generating "word clouds" from text that you provide. The clouds give greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the source text. You can tweak your clouds with different fonts, layouts and colour schemes. The images you create with Wordle are yours to use however you like." Check out www.wordle.net for more information. Enjoy!

Study Splurge: The Filofax.

Add it to your Christmas (or birthday) wishlist if you must but the Filofax will have to be the ultimate luxe way to study and stay organised for the rest of the year and everyday after that. You might all know that I have the Finchley A5 in 'Vintage Rose' (yes that chunk of a diary is indeed a Filofax) and it's definitely had it's perks in keeping my life organised. Available in a huge variety of colours, fabrics and sizes, along with your choice in what goes onto the pages, it is the quality of organisation which money can actually buy even if you need to save every penny along the way, it's totally worth saving over. Otherwise, get it for your birthday like I did. It's the best.(Above) Finchley leather Filofax in 'Vintage Rose': $399.95, visit www.filofax.com.au for info.

Website of the day: www.eventful.com

I've found a site which is so handy for all my senior students who are planning to have a blast after the HSC and who don't want to go to typical Byron Bay or QLD. Check out eventful.com, a website that has the world's largest collection of events in every country, state, city and suburb imaginable! From festivals, to concerts, to sporting events and more, this site covers it all in one place. Enjoy!

High School Certificate Trials.

Good luck with your English Higher School Certificate Trials! I am positive that you will all do perfectly. Feel free to email me any essays and creative writing pieces which you have written so that I can provide feedback and critical comments to assist your preparation with the 2009 High School Certificate Exams. My new email is analyse_english@gmail.com Remember to balance study with relaxation and spend your time wisely for a second wasted is a second you will never get back! I look forward to seeing you all soon.