FROM STRAIGHT 'C' STUDENT TO ENGLISH TUTOR

FOR THOSE UNBOTHERED TO READ THE ENTIRE ENTRY, ENGRAIN THESE 3 SENTENCES INTO YOUR MIND:

Literature is the WHAT to the HOW. It explores WHAT is experienced in life. HOW does it do so? By uses literary techniques to encapsulate WHAT humanity is all about.

In full honesty, English has always been my weakest subject. It's become more clear to me, that it's actually my hidden strength. I'm an over-thinker, and seeing how you are reading this, I know you are too.

I understand that the HSC seems like this big, overwhelming blackhole that only the students with high IQ's can unlock a band 6 in English Advanced.

I must say, straight up, I've been a straight 'C' student when it comes to English. The highest grade I've ever received is a 'B'. Let it be known that my return as a Band 6 HSC English Advanced Student and High Achiever, is a big uno reverse. The only reason I got a 'b' was because I was an ABSOLUTE POET with my creative writing. Creative writing was my strength (A level type stuff) but it was always my essays that let me down (especially in exam conditions.

Understand that us who overthink are exactly like William Shakespeare, Albert Camus, Kamel Daoud, T.S. Eliot, Margaret Atwood and Glen Harwood.

Common Module

Unseen Texts

In order to study for English, you have to actually read the texts and watch them too. When you are experiencing a text for the first time, it actually counts as studying if you genuinely enjoy it for what it is. However, don't think you can ever write about something if you can't have your own opinion on it. Grab a notepad and a pen, and while you read/watch, note down the quote and the questions that pop up in your head! DO NOT ANALYSE YET. Do this, and you're one step ahead! (did u see that, i RHYMED)

Learning Shakespeare ever since Year 7 has caused me to view Shakespeare as a long and treacherous journey of fancy schmancy words and complex ideas. However, after surviving advanced English as a straight 'C' student, I've come to realise the beauty in literature.

If I could rewind time, here's how I would "study for English":

1. stalk the author

   GO SHERLOCK HOLMES ON THE AUTHOR, find out where they lived, who they lived with, what the context was like when they were writing it, what people believed in at that time, what major events happened that shaped their experiences. Find golden nuggets and inspirational quotes from them LOL. Research the genre and style of the text. Familiarise yourself with the genre (tragedy, comedy, etc.) and any specific movements (Modernism, Romanticism) that the text is associated with.

   
   

2. ENJOY THE BOOK / PLAY -

   I would fully soak in everything for what it is and note down every single question or quote that pops out to me, these thoughts ARE SO VALUABLE in writing an interesting essay! (DO NOT GO OVERBOARD, don't go into detail, these should take 30 seconds to write. Focus on understanding the basic plot, character dynamics, and key events) These thoughts eventually become your thesis statements, so you must WRITE THEM DOWN otherwise you WILL FORGET about how you feel about the text.

   
   

3. 
   

   Instead of staring at my book and highlight quotes I found interesting, I would look at the notes I took on my first reading, (I'll use M.O.V as my example) open up the script next to me, and find more quotes that link to my thoughts. I would be

'The Merchant of Venice' - 11/10/24

I shall teacheth what I knoweth of Merchant of Venith

LOL

So it's currently 11:17 pm and I have NOT studied at all for the English exams on Tuesday and Wednesday (It's Friday rn). All I know is that, I have been studying the entire year, and that I have the present moment to take action

update: it's 1:45 am - omg guys i just cheated english

• USING CHATGPT HAS SAVED MY BRAIN SO MUCH ROTTING

USE THIS PROMPT:

"hey chatgpt pretend you are [insert author], if you could simplify the [insert text], what would the top 5 lessons you'd like the audience to take from"

• i did this with common mod, mod a, mod b and mod c

  • this has allowed me to come up with a thesis that IS NOT OVERCOMPLICATEDDD

    • i struggle so much with overthinking and overcomplicating and using verbose language or not even making my sentences make sense

    • using this prompt has allowed me to say what i wanted to say in 5 SENTENCES.

• bless technology omg

• ngl i'd be DEAD without chatgpt

after you type in that prompt:

• for each point, list 3 characters from the merchant of venice who emulate this: