Exam Revision

Year 12 English ATAR

Unit 3: The Syllabus Points and the Exam Questions
The questions in your exams will link to these points. If you want to do well in
your exam, then you should get familiar with the syllabus. You need to think
about how your studied texts in class can link to the concepts and skills in
this syllabus.

Syllabus Points My Class Content & The Exam Questions

Compare texts from similar
or different genres and
contexts by:
You might be asked to compare texts in both the comprehending
and the responding section. You need to be prepared for this.
The questions below have been taken from the 2016 English
WACE exam- the Responding section. Can you see how these
questions link to the syllabus points?

Analysing language,
structural and stylistic
choices
Explaining how each text
conforms to or challenges
the conventions of
particular genres or modes
Q: Compare the effectiveness of the endings of two texts to position
their audience to respond strongly to their themes or ideas.
Study Tip: Draw up a table (with two columns) for this question.
Choose two texts that you have studied- e.g. Chosen Vessel (and
The Drovers Wife These two texts obviously explore the same issue
and convey similar themes- but is one more effective than the other?
How? Why? Think about the genre/mode of both texts.
You could also try and apply this question to the film you studied
and another film of the same genre.

Analysing and evaluating Or Fly Away Peter( print text and written mode) with Gran Torino
how similar themes, issues, (visual text and film mode)
ideas and concepts are
treated in different texts. Q: Account for the differences in the way two texts use generic
conventions by considering their contexts.

Study Tip: This is a tough question! You will need to revise this term
generic conventions and the concept of context. What would be
your angle into this question, and which texts would you use? You
could consider context of production (the environment in which a
text is created)- generic conventions being linked to genre (which is a
product of cultural/social context). What is considered to be
generic in a genre can change as culture changes. E.g.
Representations of gender have changed over time in texts because
gender roles have changed over time. You could account for the
differences in a film or narrative produced within a particular time
period and now.

So, what should I do to study these syllabus points and make sure
I am prepared for any type of question?

Analyse the language; structural and stylistic choices made

in a text you have studied. E.g. Nineteen Eighty-Four and The

Compare and contrast
distinctive features of
genres by:
Analysing the techniques
and conventions used in
different genres, media and
modes
Considering how the
conventions of genres can
be challenged, manipulated
or subverted
Examining how genres and
their conventions have
changed and been adapted
over time.
Pedestrian. Draw up study notes which address each of those
words.
Draw up notes about how your chosen text conforms or
challenges the conventions of its genre.
Compare two texts you have studied and how they have
constructed similar themes in similar or different ways. Draw up a
table or compile a list of dot points.
Another exam question from 2016- it seems to be drawing upon
these next points in the syllabus:
Q: Explain how at least one text has transformed or adapted genre to
alter an audiences attitude towards an issue or concept.
Study Tip: Use your knowledge of The Tall Man. You could argue that
as well as being interpretive, it is also imaginative.
Consider the fact that Mike Moore employs a range of techniques
in order to privilege particular ideas about the people involved.
He characterises people in particular ways- think about how the
NRA are depicted and Moores persona. There are elements of a
narrative embedded within this text- he creates characters, he
builds an image of setting, he keeps returning back to a conflict
the conflict between pro-gun and those who oppose is
developed.. But, he also connects to a wider societal conflict-
America s colonial/racist past and how it might still be having an
impact in our present time.
Think about the language that he uses to build a portrayal of her
time documenting this case. Think about the language patterns
which can include both spoken language and also film language.
Think about how he conforms to, or subverts the
expository/documentary genre. He does use interviews, expert
opinions, written code, and still frame imagesetc. However, he
also intrudes into this text- he provides his own opinions. Moore
includes cartoons, stand up comedy and a mocking tone. Think
about the language choices and how they convey particular
attitudes to NRA, Heston and Maryln Manson as well as American
society or those supportive of the 2nd amendment.
Think about his mocking, sarcastic, cynical, critical, patronising or
contemptuous voice- the personality of the text.
So, what should I do to study these syllabus points and make sure
I am prepared for any type of question?
I would actually practise responding to this essay question. It
MIGHT be useful.
You could try and also apply your studied film to this question too.

Analyse and critically
appraise how the
conventions of texts
influence responses,
including:
The ways language patterns
can create shades of
meaning
How expectations of
genres have developed and
the effect when those
expectations are met or not
met, extended or
subverted
How responses to texts and
genres may change over
time and in different
cultural contexts
The role of the audience in
making meaning.
Reflect on their own and
others texts by: question?
Analysing and evaluating
how different texts
represent similar ideas in
different ways
If you want to use your film in the exam, you should probably
practise writing about it. Consider how your film genre may have
changed over time.
More exam questions from 2016- yet again, they are drawing upon
the syllabus points:
Q: Explore how the patterns of language or structure are used to
represent a complex idea in at least one text.
Study Tip: Draw up a table with the headings language patterns and
text structure. This is a perfect question for texts such as Fly Away
Peter and Nineteen Eighty-Four. You may dislike them, but these texts
are winners when it comes to the exam questions! Make smart choices
in your exam- dont base your preparation on whether you like a text
or not.
1. What language patterns are evident in Fly Away Peter?
2. What comments can you make about text structure?
3. How do these work to represent complex ideas?
4. How does each of these affect how an audience make
meaning?
So, what should I do to study these syllabus points and make sure
I am prepared for any type of question?
Think about the role of audience in making meaning from a text.
Brainstorm your own response to texts you have studied this year
and think about why you have made meaning in this way. What
effects how you read a text?
Try this for 1-2 texts you have studied this year.
What key words from these syllabus points have been used in this
Q: Reflect on how at least one text works to challenge or endorse a
controversial perspective.
Study Tip: the first thing to consider with this question is what does
Explaining how meaning
changes when texts are
transformed into a
different genre or medium
this phrase controversial perspective mean? And who will find it
controversial and why? You should probably look up the word
perspective.
How would you apply this question to a text you have studied

this semester?
Brainstorm an approach to this question- use examples and
Comparing and evaluating
evidence from a text of your choice.
the impact of language Devise a thesis- and think about validating this thesis with
conventions used in a supporting points.
variety of texts and genres. Draw up an essay plan.

So, what should I do to study these syllabus points and make sure
I am prepared for any type of question?

Create a mind-map, which explores those (3) points from the syllabus
and use texts that you have studied to address each of those points.

Text Revision Template

Study Questions Studied Text

Connected to the Make sure that you support your answers with
Syllabus Points detailed evidence/examples from your text.

What is the genre/mode of your

text?

What are the generic

conventions of this genre?
How are these generic
conventions a response to
cultural context?

Have these generic conventions

changed over time? How? Why?
Give examples within the genre.

Does your studied text

conform, challenge or subvert
these expectations of genre?
How?

How is your text structured?

How does this affect the
meaning you make from the
text?
Are there any significant
language patterns evident in
your text? What meaning is
created through the use of
these language patterns?

What other
conventions/techniques have
been manipulated in order to
privilege particular
ideas/themes within your text?

What stylistic choices have

been made in your chosen text?
Make sure you support your
ideas with evidence.

Does your text share similar

ideas, themes or issues to
another text?
Compare and contrast how
these ideas are constructed.
Evaluate which text does it
more effectively. Note down
reasons why.

What is your role in making

meaning from the text? What
has affected the way you have
interpreted the ideas of the
text?