How to Write a Belonging Creative Piece

Although I usually focus my tutoring on the analytical aspects of English (the essay part), I do find that students do struggle with the creative writing aspect too. And they do so for the following reasons:

1. They feel like they are totally uncreative - they don’t know how to “make up” a story.
2. They have an idea of what they want to write, but don’t know how to go about it (how should it start?).
3. They don’t know what makes a good creative writing piece.

Drafting up a creative writing piece on Belonging that you can prepare and take into the exam is as important as the essay!

Writing a creative piece on the spot…will NOT turn out well. Unless you’re a creative writing genius. But even then, think of all the reknowned authors in the world – I’m sure they had to write several drafts!

So here is a guide to helping you to plan and ultimately write your Belonging creative piece.

Book Review: Success in HSC Extension English Crime Fiction 2nd Ed. by Suzan & Bruce Pattinson

Publisher: Five Senses Education

Publication Date: 2003

I borrowed this book from my local library yesterday for my Extension student, who is doing Crime Writing in 2010!

Frankenstein: Context – Quick Questions

Here are some quick questions to help you draw links between Frankenstein and its context. As with Blade Runner, Frankenstein reflects a variety of concerns and styles.

General

1. In what time was Frankenstein composed? Answer.

Romanticism

Definition:

1. What is Romanticism?. Answer.
2. What is it a reaction against?

November Update

So I’ve left my job at the law firm. Don’t know what I’m going to do. Got 3-4 months until next semester.

In the meantime, I’ve got a few new students for the 2010 HSC:

• English Standard
• English Advanced
• English Extension 1: Genre – Crime Writing
• English Extension 2
• Biology

So I’ll be tutoring these texts:

• Peter Skrzynecki – tutored in 2009
• Richard III and Looking for Richard – new!
• The Great Gatsby and Browning Poems – new!
• Hamlet – tutored in 2009
• Cloudstreet – new!
• Fiftieth Gate – kind of tutored in 2009.
• The Justice Game – tutored in 2008 and 2009.
• The Rear Window – new!
• The Real Inspector Hound – new!
• Anil’s Ghost – new!

So yes, expect some posts coming up on the above texts as we go through them.

Past HSC and Practise Questions for English Extension 1: Genre – Crime Writing

Here is a collection of the past HSC questions for Crime Writing (previously Crime Fiction).

Past HSC Questions

2009:

Write an essay in which you explore the interplay of the traditional and innovative in Crime Writing. In your response, refer to TWO prescribed texts and texts of your own choosing.

2008:

Crime Writing explores the unravelling of mystery from different angles.

Write an essay in which you evaluate the extent to which this is true.

In your response you must refer to TWO prescribed texts AND at least TWO texts of your own choosing.