In this module, students strengthen and extend their knowledge, skills and confidence as writers. They write for a range of authentic audiences and purposes to convey ideas with power and increasing precision. Students appreciate, examine and analyse at least two challenging short prescribed texts as well as texts from their own wide reading, as models and stimulus for the development of their own ideas and written expression. They examine how writers of complex texts use language creatively and imaginatively for a range of purposes, to describe the world around them, evoke emotion, shape a perspective or to share a vision. 

Through the study of texts drawn from enduring, quality texts of the past as well as from recognised contemporary works, students appreciate, analyse and assess the importance and power of language. Through a considered appraisal of, and imaginative engagement with these texts, students reflect on the complex and recursive process of writing to further develop their ability to apply their knowledge of textual forms and features in their own sustained and cohesive compositions. 

During the pre-writing stage, students generate and explore ideas through discussion and speculations. Throughout the stages of drafting and revising, students experiment with a range of language forms and features for example imagery, rhetoric, voice, characterisation, point of view, dialogue and tone. Students consider purpose and audience to carefully shape meaning. During the editing stages students apply the conventions of syntax, spelling, punctuation and grammar appropriately and effectively for publication. Students have opportunities to work independently and collaboratively to reflect, refine and strengthen their own skills in producing crafted, imaginative, discursive, persuasive and informative texts. Note: Students may revisit prescribed texts from other modules to enhance their experiences of quality writing. 

You will study at least TWO short prescribed texts, to be chosen by your teacher. These texts are drawn from a giant list put out by NESA containing a range of short, high quality texts.

•You may briefly analyse these texts in class, however, you will not be expected to write essays on them, as you would for your other prescribed texts.

What will I study in Module C: The Craft of Writing? 

•Rather, you will approach these texts as a stimulus or a model for your own writing.

•Your prescribed texts are your greatest source in this module – they are there for a reason, that reason being that they are great texts that you can learn a lot from, in terms of becoming a better writer.

Internal Assessment (In-School):

Module C must count for 25% of your school assessment.

It can be assessed either on its own or alongside your other modules. We assess it alongside your Mod A and Mod B assessment- E.G AT2.2 

Note, it is also assessed in your trial examination AND the HSC. 

•There is a huge variety in what they can ask for Module C so even if you did memorise something, chances are you’d have to change it substantially anyway.

•It’s a good idea to go into your exam with some prepared plot ideas and characters that you can adapt to a range of questions. This is not the same as a prepared response.

•Most importantly though, you will be marked on how well you craft your language to address the demands of the question on the day.

•You’ve likely heard stories from older siblings or friends about memorising a pre-prepared creative writing piece to use in the exam – well, those days seem to be over – or are at least, numbered.

Tip #1: Know the Rubric. This is VERY IMPORTANT for all of your modules. This is what NESA uses to create the exam questions.

•Tip #2: Know your techniques!

•Tip #3: Know your prescribed texts!

•Tip #3: Write, write, write!

•Tip #4: Read, read, read!

Aim

Influence/inspiration

Structure

Language

Evaluation

This is a checklist. You need to write a justification that has these elements throughout. You can combine your AIM and INFLUENCE and you should use EVALUATIVE LANGUAGE when you are describing your structure and language.

Step 1 - Aim: Begin by stating what your goal was with this piece of writing.

● What was your purpose? To scare, intrigue, engage, inform, anger, entertain?

● What genre (if any) were you trying to create? (E.g.: Horror, action, romance, comedy, etc.)

● Which stylistic or language feature were you attempting to use to represent your understanding? (E.g. in media res, symbolism, characterisation, dialogue, atmosphere, conceptual ideas)

 Step 2 - Influence: Here, you need to discuss what inspired you during the writing process.

● What other writers have inspired you? What other texts gave you ideas to try in your own writing?

● Where can we see it in your piece?

● What research have you done or websites have you visited to help gather ideas?

Step 3 - Structure: Explain the reasons why you have used certain structural features such as: sentence length, paragraphing, punctuation, first, second or third person, dialogue, etc. Be sure to link it to your aim.

Step 4 - Language: Explain the reasons why you made certain language choices, such as: figurative language, word choice/connotation, tone. Link it to your aim.

Step 5 - Evaluation: Use Evaluative language. These words show how you can measure your success in achieving your aim.