PRACTICE SAC TOPICS

• On the Waterfront argues that standing up for one’s beliefs is paramount. Discuss.
• Tension and suspense are key narrative features Kazan employs in On the Waterfont to engage the viewer. Explain.

Mr Hoot – ‘Back to basics is worthwhile for all!’

So, some students find writing text response essays doesn’t come easily to them. Well, based on my years of experience, going back to the basics is a strategy many students find they can benefit from. I have seen numerous students develop their essay writing capabilities in leaps and bounds throughout the course of their VCE studies by doing just this. Make sure you take the time to deconstruct/unpack an essay topic and plan it before you write. Make use of the interactive essay mapping tool to think through each of the elements of your practice essay before you write. It provides a foundation for putting together a solid five paragraph essay. Once confident in this, it becomes a matter of aiming to build your capacity for putting together an essay discussion each time you write. Mapping out your essay forces you to think through the key ideas you wish to discuss in relation to the topic and directs you to pinpoint supp0rting details for each point you will make.

NB: Even if essay writing comes more naturally to you, it is worthwhile sourcing topics and mapping out response ideas. This is an excellent way to ‘bank’ discussion points about a text for when you have to write to essay topics cold in SAC and exam situations.