VCE English Study Guide: Units 1 and 2 [NEW 2023 curriculum]

VCE English Study Guide Units 1 2 New 2023 curriculum Hero Images - Blog Guides 2 (1)

Never understood how to tackle English? Find out what your markers are really looking for in this VCE English Study Guide for Units 1 and 2 in the new 2023 curriculum.

 

All about the VCE English Study Guide: Units 1 and 2

What do I need to know?

During every semester in Year 11 and 12, you will complete one VCE English unit — in total, there are 4 units. Most schools will teach Unit 1 and 2 in Year 11, and Unit 3 and 4 in Year 12.

In each unit, you will explore 2 areas of study; you can think of them as related topics. It’s important that you have an understanding of what each unit is about, so you can present your work in a way that scores highly against the specific marking criteria.

We discuss:

 

What are the components of the VCE English Units 1 and 2?

Let’s take a look at what you are learning in each area of study!

Please note that this VCE English Study Guide is for the new Units 1 and 2 in the 2023 curriculum.

 

Unit 1, Area of Study 1: Reading and Exploring Texts

This course is designed to encourage students to use their personal experiences and insights to interpret texts.

In this area of study:

  • Students closely read texts to analyse the characters, settings, plot, language, structure and form.
  • They should take note of how these representations are shaped by the point of view and the voice of the text.
  • By acknowledging their own personal experiences, students should be able to connect more closely with the key ideas, concerns and tensions presented in the text.
  • They should find similarities and differences between the values exhibited in the text and their own, as shaped by the different contexts.
  • Students share their insights about their texts through a process involving writing practice, feedback, reflection and editing.

VCE English books

 

Unit 1, Area of Study 2: Crafting Texts

This course focuses on improving students’ writing skills in imaginative, persuasive and informative forms.

In this area of study:

  • Students read ‘mentor’ texts to see how text structures and language features can be used effectively in writing.
  • Using these ‘mentor’ texts as inspiration, students are encouraged to experiment with forms, features and language in their writing.
  • Students will learn to manipulate these techniques in their writing to fulfill a clear purpose for a specific audience

 

Unit 2, Area of Study 1: Reading and Exploring Texts

This course has a similar focus to the first area of study in Unit 1, but it challenges students to consider multiple meanings of their text to a deeper level.

In this area of study:

  • Students infer meanings in their texts. These interpretations do not necessarily have to be obvious or what the author originally intended, but they do need to be supported using evidence from the text.
  • Students will continue to develop their ability to critically analyse the author’s context and any values projected in the text which may have been impacted by their context.
  • Students discuss these interpretations in formal essays.

 

Unit 2, Area of Study 2: Exploring Argument

This course teaches students to unpack how arguments are intentionally constructed to be influence others and apply these principles to their own attempts at persuasion.

In this area of study:

  • Students read and analyse texts with a particular focus on the use of persuasive elements.
  • Students will learn to recognise persuasion in various mediums of text such as print, digital, audio and audio visual.
  • Using this understanding of how visuals and both written and spoken language can be refined to influence others, students will produce an oral presentation that creates an argument and a persuasive effect on the audience.

 

Why is it important to know your Areas of Study?

Each area of study requires a specific set of skills that you must demonstrate in your work to score highly.

Knowing what these requirements are makes it much easier for you to meet the criteria for high marks.

There are more compelling reasons to be familiar with your areas of study for VCE English:

  • The area of study descriptions make studying for English less ambiguous because they tell you what features your teachers are looking for in your work.
  • They give you insight into what your school-based assessments could look like.
  • Your teachers will be using these descriptions as a guideline to mark your work.

 

The complete VCE Study Designs for all the English subjects can be found at the following links on the VCAA website:

 

 

VCE English Assessments

Units 1 and 2

For VCE English Unit 1 and Unit 2, your assessments are determined by the school. Your marks in Unit 1 and Unit 2 will not affect your final ATAR, but you do need to receive a satisfactory grade to pass the course.

VCAA has suggested that the following assessments are suitable for Units 1 and 2, so it’s likely that your school will decide to test you with similar assessments:

Source:  VCAA
Unit 1Unit 2
  • A personal response to a set text
  • Two student-created texts such as: short stories, speeches (with transcripts), essays (comment, opinion, reflective, personal), podcasts (with transcripts), poetry/songs, feature articles (including a series of blog postings) and memoirs
  • A description of writing processes
  • An analytical response to a set text
  • A set of annotated persuasive texts (including visual texts) that identify arguments, vocabulary, text structures and language features
  • An analysis of the use of argument and persuasive language and techniques in text(s)
  • An oral presentation of a point of view text.

In this VCE English Study Guide, we provide more detailed examples of these assessments for Units 1 and 2 in the new 2023 curriculum, below.

 

Unit 1, Area of Study 1: Reading and Exploring Texts

You will be required to respond personally to a text.

Sample assessment 1
Source:  VCAA
Write a personal response to the set text.

Use one or both of the following statements to guide your response.

  1. Identify two key ideas from the text, explore how they are represented in the text and then connect those ideas and representations to your own lived experience.
  2. Identify two key characters from the text, explore their story arc and consider the ways the text resolves their story then connect those arcs and resolutions to your own understanding of the way individuals experience the society around them.

 

Sample assessment 2
Source:  VCAA
Keep a journal about the set text. As you discuss, explore and challenge the text in class, record your impressions and connections with contemporary or personal experiences or events.

At the end of the area of study, you will write a concluding reflection in their journal, outlining the ways you have connected with the text throughout the study.

 

Unit 1, Area of Study 2: Crafting Texts

You will be required to produce two texts and one reflection on the processes of writing.

Source:  VCAA
Sample assessment 1
Students develop a text and document the writing processes of:

  • planning for their text
  • drafting of their text
  • receiving sample of feedback from a peer
  • revising their text to reach a final version

 

Sample assessment 2
Source:  VCAA
Under timed examination conditions, craft a text in response to the below statement.

Conflict cannot survive without your participation. – Wayne Dyer

The text should be shaped around a purpose (express, entertain, argue, inform) and must consider the concerns and the language of the indicated audience.

Audience: Peers

Unit 2, Area of Study 1: Reading and Exploring Texts

You will be required to produce an analytical response to a text.

Sample assessment 1
Source:  VCAA
Under timed examination conditions, write an analytical response to ONE of the below statements.

Option 1: ‘The chaos in Frankenstein does not come from acts of creation but from acts of neglect.’ To what extent do you agree?

OR

Option 2: ‘While Victor condemns ‘the acquirement of knowledge’, the novel ultimately condones the benefits of knowing.’ Discuss.

 

Unit 2, Area of Study 2: Exploring Argument

You will be required to:

  • Produce an analytical response to a persuasive text
  • Create your own persuasive oral presentation
Source:  VCAA
Sample assessment 1
View the persuasive text, linked here.

Analyse how contention, argument, language and persuasive techniques are used together to create a persuasive effect on the reader/audience.

 

Sample assessment 2
Source:  VCAA
In groups, decide on a social issue you would like to explore.

Choose a form for your presentation (debate, discussion or dialogue) and develop individual scripts or speeches to explore the issue through different points of view, for persuasive effect.

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