VCE English – Putting it into Context

Context is the broadest section in the English course. You have the freedom to write in whatever form you want, as long as you reference your set text and make a clear response you to the prompt you are given in the exam. This actually trips a lot of students up in their VCE® Exam exam prep. Examiners recommend that students avoid standard essay-type responses in this section. They even encourage students to be creative and come up with different interpretations of their set text and context.

Having this sort of freedom can be daunting. For Context, you are expected to do the opposite to what you have probably become used to doing in high school. You are given an open prompt on a global theme which you can interpret in virtually any way you like.

This leaves a lot of students asking the question:

“Where do I even begin?”

If I’m not supposed to write a straight essay, what other forms can I choose?

This is entirely up to you. However, to simplify things, most students talk about writing in one of three forms: expository, persuasive and imaginative.

• Expository – open discussion of an abstract concept, with reference to some appropriate ‘real-world’ examples

• Persuasive – presents an opinion with the intention of persuading readers

• Imaginative - set in some fictional context; can be an anecdote, journal, even a narrative

Some students will adopt a ‘hybrid’ form, where they combine imaginative elements in an otherwise expository or persuasive piece. Whatever form you do end up choosing, make sure that it is convincing. Keep within style. For example, if you are writing a scientific article, you are expected to do some research and provide scientific evidence.

Why do people say I shouldn’t write a narrative for Context?

Narratives can be a risky option for a one-hour exam. With any creative writing, there is a chance that you will get crippling ‘writer’s block’ in a pressurised exam situation. Expository pieces give you the chance to directly discuss the central themes of your set text, whereas in creative pieces you will have to be a bit more subtle.

If you are planning to do a narrative, don’t be discouraged! If creative writing is your strength, go for it. Just make sure you have a plan for a wide variety of prompts so that you don’t get surprised in the exam.

Should I memorise an essay/article/story for the exam?

The exam prompts for Context are usually quite predictable, so for your VCE® Exam exam prep, make sure you do plan for them. You shouldn’t waste time memorising a piece word-for-word, but you should have a central idea and do most of the planning before the exam. Make adjustments during the exam, but don’t try to write an article or story from scratch as this will rarely be effective.

I didn’t get the marks I wanted for my Context SAC? How can I improve?

If your first Context SAC didn’t go as planned, then get feedback on it. Getting feedback is the key to VCE® Exam preparation, and Context is no different. Ask yourself whether you can still make your idea for your piece work with a few touch-ups, or whether the idea itself doesn’t work. A problem that a lot of students will have is that their piece does not have a clear link to the prompt or the set text. In this case, you will have to make major changes. If your piece only has minor issues, then you only need to make adjustments.