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

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:

• An outline of the areas of study within VCE English Units 1 and 2
• What the VCE English units require of you
• The coursework and assessments you’ll face

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.

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:

• Bridging English as an Additional Language
• English and English as an Additional Language
• English Language
• Foundation English
• Literature

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:

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.

Unit 1, Area of Study 2: Crafting Texts

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

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

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

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