Choosing a related text

As an English tutor, choice of related text is one of the most commonly asked questions I’ve come across. But this question doesn’t have a very simple answer; there is no ‘best related’ for any particular module. Instead, you should carefully consider what will best complement your prescribed texts in terms of textual form, techniques and ideas. This blog will discuss a broad approach to considering your related texts.
 
Complementing your prescribed text
Before beginning to choose your related text, I think it is very important to have at least some idea about what you would like to discuss for your core text. Most of this will be done in class at school, where you may go over themes, ideas and appropriate techniques. Whatever point or points you choose to discuss in your core text should heavily influence your choice of related text.
 
This also depends on the module. For Area of Study, you would require further discussion on Discovery, with some links (whether they are similar, or starkly different) to the core text. That said, the discussions you make should not be arguing PARALLELING ideas (such as in Module A). For example, if you were prescribed Ang Li’s ‘Life of Pi’, don’t choose ‘Cast Away’, unless you have a very good idea of how to make your points different. On the other hand, try to avoid choosing a related text that can’t related at all to your prescribed discovery text. For example, ‘The Breakfast Club’ is a great coming of age film about self-discovery, but doesn’t pair well with Bradley James’ Wrack. At the end of the day, you should develop a well-rounded insight into discovery with great examples from your texts chosen.
 
This is of course different in Module C. In the HSC ® Exam syllabus, you are actually NOT required to make a link between your texts (however, your school may mark differently). Instead, you are trying to argue as much, and as in depth of an insight as possible into your specific elective. For this reason, it is incredibly important to avoid choosing texts that are too similar to each other. I’ve seen many students take this path (because that’s what they thought was the correct thing to do) but ended up with a lot of difficulty writing a full-length essay with bright, original ideas. For example, if you are prescribed Arthur Miller’s ‘The Crucible’, please avoid choosing ‘The Scarlet Letter’, or even ‘Easy A’. Similarly, Brave New World is an incredible science-fiction novel, but I would reconsider complementing it with other science fiction texts such as ‘Metropolis’ or even ‘Gattaca’.
 
Your related text is a COMPLEMENT, not a FOCUS or a PARALLEL.
 
Choosing the right textual form
It goes without saying that the text you choose should be of a different form to your prescribed text. Use the opportunity of free reign to show off your skills in English. Show your markers that you are proficient at many textual forms and different techniques. Films, picture books, graphic novels and other visual texts use very different techniques than literary texts such as poems, short stories, essays and novels. Plays and speeches also have their own unique plethora of techniques. Being diverse with your analysis will also help you separate your arguments to make a clearer essay overall.
 
Having ‘fun’, being ‘smart’
I always liked doing films for my related text, because they were fun to watch and there is often many great analyses already on YouTube or the rest of the internet. One of the more important things that teachers often overlook, is just to have fun with your choice of related text. Don’t pick one that will frustrate you and make you pull your hair out at 12AM the night before the essay is due. Choose something you genuinely enjoy and your work will be a lot easier for it.
 
Did you know, that in the HSC ® Exam, there are separate markers for Area of Study and Module C? If you are short for time, you can take the lazy path and choose the same related text for both of your essays. OBVIOUSLY, the discussions MUST BE VERY DIFFERENT. But that said, it can save you a lot of time finding new texts and new analyses.
 
Ultimately, your related text is going to be your own choice. Everyone has their own reasons for choosing what to complement their core texts with. The above may simply help you with your final decision.