English How to study

Study vs Homework Doing your homework exercises and assignment work is not the same as studying for English. It helps, of course, but if you really wish to perform well in your exams, you need understand the difference.

Three areas to focus on There are THREE areas that you need to focus on in your studies. To be successful students need to demonstrate: A sound understanding of SYLLABUS CONCEPTS Familiarity with the studied TEXTS CRITICAL LITERACY / WRITING SKILLS

SYLLABUS CONCEPTS Read and understand your unit descriptions – these explain the focus and expectations of the unit. Learn and revise course concepts and the specific terminology used.

Check and work from your course outlines.

From English Course Glossary Reading practices: the process we use to makes sense of a text. The particular values, assumptions and beliefs a reader holds will determine the particular meaning the reader makes from a text. Readers may consciously choose to use a reading practice by reading a text from a particular ideological perspective. When this is done it is possible to construct a reading that creates a contradictory meaning of a text to that created by a first reading of the text.   Reception: in this course, the term refers to a process where the reader actively makes meaning when reading or viewing a text using the reader’s knowledge of the genre and history of the text. This meaning may be constructed by the reader using personal experiences as a reference point but these meanings generally remain within certain limits set by the text. Repertoire: is a list of skills or reading practices that a student is able to use. Representation: refers to the way people, events, issues or subjects are presented in a text. The term implies that texts are not mirrors of the real world; rather, a construction of a 'real world'. This construction is partially shaped through the writer’s use of conventions and techniques. Response/Investigation task: one of the types of assessment listed in the course. Students completing a unit must be assessed on their comprehension and interpretation of oral/visual/written texts. This response may include an investigation of the use of language in particular texts or contexts. Resistant reading: a way of reading or making meaning from a text which challenges or questions the assumptions underlying the text. Resistant readings employ a discourse different from the dominant discourse. The classification of readings into alternative, resistant or dominant is quite arbitrary, depending on the ideology held by the reader.

FAMILIARITY WITH TEXTS Students should revisit studied texts regularly, adding a couple of quotes each week to their notes. You need to retain a good understanding of the text, its context, ideas, use of conventions, your response and how your context has influenced your response. You also need to be able to substantiate any assertions you make with examples – hence the necessity of learned and memorised quotes.

Critical Literacy and Writing Skills Critical literacy is a fundamental component of the English course. Note that in Writing, you are assessed in terms of both your functional literacy and critical literacy.

So what do I actually DO to study?

Studying methods Your studying methods may change as the Semester and year progress. Study may involve: Writing questions to ask in class Re-reading texts, or extracts from texts Maintaining SAAO charts, Y charts, etc Keeping notes on additional texts (not studied in the course). Revising glossary terms and concepts Practising writing responses Final exam preparation

Your Journal Your journal will obviously been a main resource in your study, particularly as exams approach. It is therefore very important that you keep it well organised, with headings, lists, charts, etc easy to locate and revise. Use the back of your journal for specific study notes, so they are not mixed among your class exercises.

Exams Be aware of what the exams will be assessing: Reading - Unseen text(s) and studied text(s). Writing – choice of 5 or 6 questions. Viewing – Unseen still images and studied text(s).

Also useful for exam study – Memorised crib notes – 1 side of A4 Title, author(director, etc), year of publication. Ideas generated through text Construction – use of conventions, quotes My response – to ideas, to construction Relationship to context - author/producers -mine

How do I practise for the exam? Reading and Viewing sections: Practise writing analyses on various unseen texts. Feature articles, novel extracts expository texts are commonly used in exams. Questions usually ask for discussion of ideas/representation, conventions and context.

How do I practise for the exam? Writing section Prepare ideas to use for answers Choose topics wisely Know what sort of writing you are good at.

Common types of Writing Questions Discussion of text(s) studied A Current Issue An issue arising out of the course Response to a stimulus A quote to discuss.

Don’t try to ‘wing it’- it rarely works. ‘Natural’ talent helps, but it won’t get you the best marks possible. Preparation leads to confidence