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In this article, we share expert tips to help you excel in Section B of the VCE exam English paper and elevate your creative writing skills.
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In Section B of the VCE English Exam, you’ll need to create a text based on a given title, stimulus, and idea from the VCAA Framework of Ideas. In this article, we’ll give practical tips and strategies to help you succeed in Section B of the VCE English Exam. You should also take a look at how to tackle Section A and Section C of the exam.
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Here is our step-by-step guide to preparing for Section B.
Section B of VCE English is Reading and responding to texts.
In this section, you’ll need to create a text that expresses quality ideas, has a clear purpose, has a distinctive voice, and uses form, structure, and language features effectively.
In Section B of the VCE Exam, you’ll need to create one prose text, i.e. not a song, poem, or verse. Your text must:
The Framework of Ideas is designed by the VCAA to promote ideas and discussion. This framework has four options:
1. Writing about country
Ideas about place and its relationship to our identity and sense of belonging
2. Protest
Ideas about conflict and why we tell stories about interpersonal and social conflict and dissent
3. Personal Journeys
Ideas about the role of storytelling and why we tell stories about real experiences
4. Play
Ideas about personal, lived experiences and the role of plays and play-acting in culture
Each of the four ideas is linked to a set of texts. These texts introduce you to different types of expression, creative writing, and forms (like articles, short stories, life writing, presentations and film).
The text you create must have a clear purpose.
A purpose: What the writer intends to achieve when creating the text. This purpose determines how the writer uses language to create meaning.
Your purpose might be to:
Your text’s purpose will shape your language and how you explore an idea.
In Section B, you’ll also need to create text that demonstrates your unique style or “voice”.
Voice: Refers to who is speaking in the text, whether it’s the author, the narrator, or another character. You create this voice using techniques like tone, word choice, and style.
Note that for Section B, you will not refer to your mentor text. The mentor text simply gives you ideas about how to write creatively and for a specific purpose.
Here’s a sample question provided by the VCE:
“Write a text drawing on ideas about personal journeys.”
As you can see, this question asks you to consider “personal journeys” carefully.
To succeed in Section B:
Your text will score higher if it is clear, well-structured, and expressed using language creatively.
This section is worth 20 marks, so it plays a significant role in your final score for the VCE English exam. It’s important to practise creating texts with different purposes. On exam day, follow the instructions closely and manage your time to maximise your score.
Section B will be assessed against the following criteria:
To achieve the highest possible mark, you must:
Your work in Section B will be marked against the following criteria:
Section B gives you a lot of freedom in terms of the direction you can take your writing—but it can be tricky to know where to start. The key is to prepare well before the exam to adapt your ideas and write confidently when you see the prompt.
Here are some strategies to help you prepare.
Since you won’t know the exact prompt until the exam, practise writing responses to various ideas. Use past exam prompts or make your own based on possible themes around the Framework of Ideas.
When practising, ask yourself:
Getting comfortable with different prompts will make handling the unseen ones easier in the exam.
Pro tip: Prepare texts of different forms and purposes in advance. Each one should explore your perspective on an idea from the Framework of Ideas.
Most VCE English Section B prompts are built around universal themes like identity, relationships, change, or conflict. Familiarise yourself with these themes and think about how you might explore them creatively. You can even brainstorm potential storylines or ideas for each theme.
Ask yourself:
Having a bank of ideas ready will make it easier to pivot quickly and start writing when you see the exam prompt.
No matter how prepared you are, the exam prompt might surprise you. Stay flexible and adapt your existing ideas to fit the question rather than starting from scratch.
For example:
Focus on one main idea and develop this idea throughout. Keep your language tight and impactful, so every sentence adds meaning and engages the reader. Don’t overload your text with details that don’t serve the purpose.
One of the most common mistakes students make in VCE creative writing is overcomplicating their texts.
Simple doesn’t mean boring–it means your text is straightforward and has a clear purpose. Fitting too many ideas into your piece will confuse the reader and weaken your overall message.
You already know you need language features to make your writing more engaging and to create more complex meaning. Use metaphors, similes, and other language features in a considered, original way to enhance the meaning of your text.
For example, instead of saying, “Home is where the heart is,” use a more unique and subtle approach, like describing the effect that being in a place has on you. Let the reader feel the moment through description and exposition.
Read more about how to avoid cliches in writing.
You’ve probably heard this before, but it’s one of the most essential tips for improving your writing. Showing rather than telling is a great way to bring your characters and story to life.
Here’s an example:
The second version is much more vivid and helps the reader see and feel what’s happening. Practise this technique whenever you can—it’ll make a massive difference in the quality of your writing.
Read more about how to show, not tell.
In Section B, you only have 50-55 minutes to write a complete creative response (to leave enough time for Sections A and Section C), so practise writing under timed conditions. Set a timer and write responses to practice prompts within the exam time limit.
Here’s a suggested time breakdown:
Spending extra time on planning will save you time in the long run because you’ll write with a clear sense of direction. It also allows you to review and fix any mistakes before submitting.
One of the best ways to stand out in Section B is by developing a personal, authentic voice. Here are some tips:
Ask yourself: What new perspective on an idea do I want my reader to take away from my text?
Avoid predictable plots and overused storylines—always add your unique twist. For example, if your story is about friendship, try exploring the darker side of loyalty rather than just its positives.
Think outside the box and challenge yourself to create something fresh and exciting.
High-scoring VCE English Section B fiction texts usually feature well-developed, complex characters.
It’s not enough for your character to go through the motions of a story—you need to make them feel real. Giving them flaws, contradictions, or internal conflicts is a great way to do this.
Avoid making your character purely “good” or “bad.” Instead, give them flaws, contradictions, and internal struggles. Maybe they have noble goals but make questionable choices to achieve them. This makes them more realistic and engaging.
Ask yourself: How can I show who I am and what’s important to me through my writing?
Write in a way that feels comfortable and authentic to you. While you should always push yourself to improve, your writing should still sound like you.
It can be tempting to mimic the style of top-scoring responses, but staying true to your own writing voice is important. Examiners can tell when a student writes in a style that doesn’t feel natural. Your unique voice will make your story stand out, so embrace it.
Each idea in the Framework of Ideas comes with suggested texts. You won’t directly reference these in the exam, but reading them can help shape your writing.
Reading widely outside of school also exposes you to different styles and ideas, giving you fresh inspiration for your own work.
By reading diverse voices, you are exposed to new perspectives, forms and expressions. The more you do this, the more confident you’ll be with writing different structures and tones, which helps your writing stand out.
Even if you’re already doing well in English, there’s always room for improvement. Sharing your writing with a peer, teacher or tutor, and ask for honest feedback on where you could improve, especially in areas like:
Once you’ve received feedback, refine your work based on the suggestions you’ve been given. This habit of continuous improvement will pay off in the exam because you will be more aware of your strengths as a creative writer.
Even high-achieving students can fall into common traps. Here are a few things to watch out for:
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Written by Matrix Education
Matrix is Sydney's No.1 High School Tuition provider. Come read our blog regularly for study hacks, subject breakdowns, and all the other academic insights you need.
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