Analysing the Prescribed Text list 2009 – 2012

New texts

• There are 71 if my counting is correct.
• Of these 71 texts, 28 have never been prescribed at any time in the past.
• At the end of each brand new text cited is a link to the relevant section of the annotations document on texts prescribed for the first time fr4om the BoS website.
  

The list reflects a response to the steady criticism that has appeared in the press since the first list appeared in 2000 (?). Postmodernism is gone from Extension 1 but most of the texts, which were great, are still there. So there has been an adjustment to meet public perception but the integrity of the selection has been maintained.
Some of the new choices are very interesting but there are also some old texts – not canon type classics – making a reappearance or is that being resurrected from the bookroom.

Albee, Edward Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Advanced Module A Comparative Study of Texts and Context Elective 2: Texts in Time Drama · Austen, Jane Northanger Abbey Penguin Red Classics Extension Module B Texts and Ways of Thinking Elective 2: Romanticism Prose Fiction · Austen, Jane Pride and Prejudice Advanced Module A Comparative Study of Texts and Context Elective 1: Exploring Connections Prose Fiction · Auster, Paul The Invention of Solitude Extension Module A Genre Elective 1: Life Writing Nonfiction http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/pdf_doc/english-annotation-09-12.pdf · Baillie, Alan The China Coin ESL Area of Study: Belonging Prose Fiction · Baker, Mark Raphael The Fiftieth Gate Advanced Module C Representation and Text Elective 2:History and Memory Nonfiction · Beckett, Samuel Waiting for Godot Extension Module B Texts and Ways of Thinking Elective 1: After the Bomb Drama · Bird, Carmel (ed)/Human Rights Commission The Stolen Children – Their Stories ESL Module A Experience Through Language Elective 1: Australian Voices Nonfiction · Blake, William Selected Poems Standard Module C Texts and Society Elective 2: Into the World Poetry · Blixen, Karen Out of Africa Extension Module A Genre Elective 1: Life Writing Nonfiction · Board of Studies Speeches Website: www.boardofstudies. nsw.edu.au Standard Module A Experience Through Language Elective 1: Distinctive Voices Advanced Module B Critical Study of Texts Nonfiction · Board of Studies Workplace and Community Texts Website: http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au Standard Module C Texts and Society Elective 1: The Global Village Elective 2: Into the World ESL Module B Texts and Society Elective 1: Living and Working in the Community Nonfiction · Board of Studies Academic English Website: http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au ESL Module B Texts and Society Elective 2: Academic English Nonfiction · Bronte, Charlotte Jane Eyre Advanced Module B Critical Study of Texts Prose Fiction · Bronte, Emily Wuthering Heights Extension Module BTexts and Ways of Thinking Elective 2: Romanticism Prose Fiction · Browning, Elizabeth Barrett Aurora Leigh and Other Poems Advanced Module A Comparative Study of Texts and Context Elective 2: Texts in Time Poetry http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/pdf_doc/english-annotation-09-12.pdf · Burke, J C The Story of Tom Brennan Standard Module C Texts and Society Elective 2: Into the World ESL Module A Experience Through Language Elective 1: Australian Voices Prose Fiction http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/pdf_doc/english-annotation-09-12.pdf · Burns, Joanne On a Clear Day Standard Module A Experience Through Language Elective 1: Distinctive Voices ESL Module A Experience Through Language Elective 1: Australian Voices Poetry · Byatt, A S Possession Extension Module B Texts and Ways of Thinking Elective 2: Romanticism Prose Fiction · Calvino, Italo If on a winter’s night a traveller Extension Module C Language and Values Elective 1: Textual Dynamics Prose Fiction · Carey, Peter The True History of the Kelly Gang Advanced Module C Representation and Text Elective 2:History and Memory Prose Fiction · Cleven, Vivienne et al (eds) Contemporary Indigenous Plays (Harrison, Jane, ‘Rainbow’s End) Area of Study: Belonging ESL Area of Study: Belonging Drama · Coleridge, Samuel Taylor Samuel Taylor Coleridge: The Complete Poems Extension Module B Texts and Ways of Thinking Elective 2: Romanticism Poetry · Coppola, Sofia Lost in Translation Extension Module B Texts and Ways of Thinking Elective 3: Navigating the Global Film http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/pdf_doc/english-annotation-09-12.pdf · Cox, Deb Seachange Series 2 ABC Standard Module A Experience Through Language Elective 2: Distinctively Visual ESL Module A Experience Through Language Elective 2: Australian Visions Media · Daldry, Stephen Billy Elliot Universal Studios Standard Module C Texts and Society Elective 2: Into the World ESL Area of Study: Belonging Film · Day, Marele The Life and Crimes of Harry Lavender Standard Module A Experience Through Language Elective 1: Distinctive Voices Prose Fiction · De Heer, Rolf Ten Canoes AV Channel/Madman Area of Study: Belonging Film http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/pdf_doc/english-annotation-09-12.pdf · Dessaix, Robert Night Letters Extension Module C Language and Values Elective 1: Textual Dynamics Prose Fiction · Dickens, Charles Great Expectations Area of Study: Belonging Prose Fiction · Dickinson, Emily Selected Poems of Emily Dickinson (ed James Reeves) Area of Study: Belonging ESL Area of Study: Belonging Poetry · Dobson, Rosemary Selected Poems Website: http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au Advanced Module A Comparative Study of Texts and Context Elective 1: Exploring Connections Poetry · Donne, John Selected Poetry Advanced Module A Comparative Study of Texts and Context Elective 1: Exploring Connections Poetry · Edson, Margaret W;t Nick Hern Advanced Module A Comparative Study of Texts and Context Elective 1: Exploring Connections Drama http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/pdf_doc/english-annotation-09-12.pdf · Enright, Nick A Man with Five Children Standard Module C Texts and Society Elective 1: The Global Village Drama http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/pdf_doc/english-annotation-09-12.pdf · Fitzgerald, F Scott The Great Gatsby Advanced Module A Comparative Study of Texts and Context Elective 2: Texts in Time Prose Fiction · Fowles, John The French Lieutenant’s Woman Extension Module C Language and Values Elective 1: Textual Dynamics Prose Fiction · Frears, Stephen The Queen Icon Advanced Module C: Representation and Text Elective 2: History and Memory Film http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/pdf_doc/english-annotation-09-12.pdf · Gaita, Raymond Romulus, My Father Area of Study: Belonging Nonfiction http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/pdf_doc/english-annotation-09-12.pdf · Gibson, William Neuromancer Extension Module A Genre Elective 3: Science Fiction Prose Fiction http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/pdf_doc/english-annotation-09-12.pdf · Goldsworthy, Peter Maestro Standard Module A Experience Through Language Elective 2: Distinctively Visual ESL Module A Experience Through Language Elective 2: Australian Visions Prose Fiction · Guterson, David Snow Falling on Cedars Advanced Module C Representation and Text Elective 1: Conflicting Perspectives Prose Fiction · Haddon, Mark The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time Standard Module B Close Study of Text Prose Fiction http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/pdf_doc/english-annotation-09-12.pdf · Harwood, Gwen Selected Poems Advanced Module B Critical Study of Texts Poetry · Heaney, Seamus Opened Ground: Poems 1966–1996 Extension Module B Texts and Ways of Thinking Elective 3: Navigating the Global Poetry · Heller, Joseph Catch-22 Extension Module B Texts and Ways of Thinking Elective 1: After the Bomb Prose Fiction · Herbert, Frank Dune Extension Module A Genre Elective 3 Science Fiction Prose Fiction · Herrick, Steven The Simple Gift Area of Study: Belonging Poetry · Hersey, John Hiroshima Extension Module B Texts and Ways of Thinking Elective 1: After the Bomb Nonfiction · Hitchcock, Alfred Rear Window Universal Pictures Extension Module A Genre Elective 2: Crime Writing Film http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/pdf_doc/english-annotation-09-12.pdf · Hughes, Ted Birthday Letters Advanced Module C: Representation and Text. Elective 1: Conflicting Perspectives Poetry · Huxley, Aldous Brave New World Extension Module A Genre Elective 3: Science Fiction Prose Fiction · Ibsen, Henrik A Doll’s House Advanced Module B Critical Study of Texts Drama · James, P D The Skull Beneath the Skin Extension Module A Genre Elective 2: Crime Writing Prose Fiction · Jhabvala, Ruth Prawer Heat and Dust Area of Study: Belonging ESL Area of Study: Belonging Prose Fiction · Jones, Gail Sixty Lights Advanced Module B Critical Study of Texts Prose Fiction http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/pdf_doc/english-annotation-09-12.pdf · Kapur, Shekhar Elizabeth Universal Pictures Extension Module C Language and Values Elective 2: Language and Gender Film · Keats, John Complete Poems Extension Module B Texts and Ways of Thinking Elective 2: Romanticism Poetry · Kingston, Maxine Hong The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts Advanced Module C Representation and Text Elective 2:History and Memory Prose Fiction · Koch, Christopher The Year of Living Dangerously Standard Module C Texts and Society Elective 1: The Global Village Prose Fiction · Komninos komninos by the kupful ESL Module A Experience Through Language Elective 1: Australian Voices Poetry · Krakauer, Jon Into the Wild Standard Module B Close Study of Text Nonfiction · Kubrick, Stanley 2001: A Space Odyssey Warner Bros Extension Module A Genre Elective 3: Science Fiction Film http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/pdf_doc/english-annotation-09-12.pdf · Lahiri, Jhumpa The Namesake Area of Study: Belonging Prose Fiction http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/pdf_doc/english-annotation-09-12.pdf · Lawson, Henry The Penguin Henry Lawson Short Stories Standard Module A Experience Through Language Elective 2: Distinctively Visual Prose Fiction (short stories) · Le Carre, John The Spy Who Came In From the Cold Extension Module B Texts and Ways of Thinking Elective 1: After the Bomb Prose Fiction · Levertov, Denise Selected Poems Website: http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au Advanced Module C Representation and Text Elective 2:History and Memory Poetry · Levinson, Barry Wag the Dog Roadshow Advanced Module C Representation and Text Elective 1: Conflicting Perspectives Film http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/pdf_doc/english-annotation-09-12.pdf · Lowell, Robert Life Studies Extension Module A Genre Elective 1: Life Writing Poetry · Luhrmann, Baz Strictly Ballroom Fox Area of Study: Belonging ESL Module A Experience Through Language Elective 2: Australian Visions Film · MacLeod, Alistair Island Extension Module B Texts and Ways of Thinking Elective 3: Navigating the Global Prose Fiction (Short Stories) · Malouf, David Fly Away Peter Standard Module B Close Study of Text Prose Fiction · Miller, Arthur The Crucible Area of Study: Belonging Drama · Misto, John The Shoe-Horn Sonata Standard Module A Experience Through Language Elective 2: Distinctively Visual ESL Module A Experience Through Language Elective 2: Australian Visions Drama · Modjeska, Drusilla The Orchard Extension Module A Genre Elective 1: Life Writing Nonfiction Multicultural Programs Unit, NSW DET http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/pdf_doc/english-annotation-09-12.pdf · Making Multicultural Australia Website: http://www.multiculturalaustralia.edu.au ESL Area of Study: Belonging Multimedia http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/pdf_doc/english-annotation-09-12.pdf · Nowra, Louis Cosi Standard Module B Close Study of Text Drama · Noyce, Phillip Rabbit-Proof Fence Magna Pacific ESL Area of Study: Belonging Film · Ondaatje, Michael In the Skin of a Lion Advanced Module B Critical Study of Texts Prose Fiction · Ondaatje, Michael Anil’s Ghost Extension Module A Genre Elective 2: Crime Writing Prose Fiction · Orwell, George George Orwell: Essays Advanced Module B Critical Study of Texts Nonfiction · Owen, Wilfred War Poems and Others Standard Module B Close Study of Text Poetry · Pacino, Al Looking for Richard Fox Advanced Module A Comparative Study of Texts and Context Elective 1: Exploring Connections Film http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/pdf_doc/english-annotation-09-12.pdf · Paterson, A B Penguin Banjo Paterson Collected Verse Standard Module A Experience Through Language Elective 1: Distinctive Voices Poetry http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/pdf_doc/english-annotation-09-12.pdf · Plath, Sylvia Ariel Extension Module B Texts and Ways of Thinking Elective 1: After the Bomb Poetry · Potter, Sally Orlando Shock Records Extension Module C Language and Values Elective 1: Textual Dynamics Film · Proulx, E Annie The Shipping News Extension Module B Texts and Ways of Thinking Elective 3: Navigating the Global Prose Fiction · Pung, Alice Unpolished Gem Standard Module C Texts and Society Elective 2: Into the World ESL Area of Study: Belonging Nonfiction http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/pdf_doc/english-annotation-09-12.pdf · Robertson, Geoffrey The Justice Game Advanced Module C Representation and Text Elective 1: Conflicting Perspectives Nonfiction · Russell, Willy Educating Rita Standard Module C Texts and Society Elective 2: Into the World ESL Area of Study: Belonging Drama · Scott, Ridley Blade Runner– Director’s Cut Warner Bros Advanced Module A Comparative Study of Texts and Context Elective 2: Texts in Time Film · Shakespeare, William As You Like It Area of Study: Belonging Shakespeare · Shakespeare, William Hamlet Advanced Module B Critical Study of Texts Shakespeare · Shakespeare, William Julius Caesar Advanced Module C Representation and Text Elective 1: Conflicting Perspectives Shakespeare · Shakespeare, William King Richard Advanced Module A Comparative Study of Texts and Context Elective 1: Exploring Connections Shakespeare · Shakespeare, William The Merchant of Venice Standard Module B Close Study of Text Drama · Shakespeare, William Twelfth Night Extension Module C Language and Values Elective 2: Language and Gender Drama · Shaw, George Bernard Pygmalion Standard Module A Experience Through Language Elective 1: Distinctive Voices Drama · Shelley, Mary Frankenstein Advanced Module A Comparative Study of Texts and Context Elective 2: Texts in Time Prose Fiction · Sitch, Rob The Castle Roadshow Standard Module C Texts and Society Elective 1: The Global Village ESL Module A Experience Through Language Elective 1: Australian Voices Film · Skrzynecki, Peter Immigrant Chronicle Area of Study: Belonging ESL Area of Study: Belonging Poetry · Slessor, Kenneth Selected Poems Advanced Module B Critical Study of Texts Poetry · Smithsonian National Museum of American History September 11– Bearing Witness Website: http://americanhistory.si.edu/september11/ Advanced Module C Representation and Text Elective 2:History and Memory Multimedia http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/pdf_doc/english-annotation-09-12.pdf · Stewart, Douglas Selected Poems Website: http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au Standard Module A Experience Through Language Elective 2: Distinctively Visual ESL Module A Experience Through Language Elective 2: Australian Visions Poetry · Stoppard, Tom ‘The Real Inspector Hound’ in Tom Stoppard: Plays 1 Extension Module A Genre Elective 2: Crime Writing Drama · Tan, Amy The Joy Luck Club Area of Study: Belonging Prose Fiction · Theroux, Paul The Mosquito Coast Extension Module B Texts and Ways of Thinking Elective 3: Navigating the Global Prose Fiction · Thomson, Katherine Diving for Pearls ESL Module A Experience Through Language Elective 1: Australian Voices Drama · Tranter, John The Floor of Heaven Extension Module C Language and Values Elective 2: Language and Gender Poetry · Tykwer, Tom Run Lola Run Sony Pictures Standard Module A Experience Through Language Elective 2: Distinctively Visual Film http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/pdf_doc/english-annotation-09-12.pdf · Watson, Ken (Ed) At the Round Earth’s Imagined Corners Standard Module C Texts and Society Elective 2: Into the World Poetry · Weir, Peter Witness Paramount Standard Module B Close Study of Text Film · Weldon, Fay Letters to Alice on First Reading Jane Austen Advanced Module A: Comparative Study of Texts and Context Elective 1: Exploring Connections Nonfiction · Welles, Orson Citizen Kane Warner Bros Advanced Module B Critical Study of Texts Film · Whelan, Peter The Herbal Bed Advanced Module C Representation and Text Elective 1: Conflicting Perspectives Drama · White, Patrick The Aunt’s Story Advanced Module A Comparative Study of Texts and Context Elective 1: Exploring Connections Prose Fiction http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/pdf_doc/english-annotation-09-12.pdf · Wikimedia Wikipedia– The Free Encyclopedia Website: http://www.wikipedia.org Standard Module C Texts and Society Elective 1: The Global Village Multimedia http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/pdf_doc/english-annotation-09-12.pdf · Winch, Tara June Swallow the Air Area of Study: Belonging ESL Area of Study: Belonging Prose Fiction http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/pdf_doc/english-annotation-09-12.pdf · Winton, Tim Cloudstreet Advanced Module B Critical Study of Texts Prose Fiction · Woolf, Virginia A Room of One’s Own Advanced Module A Comparative Study of Texts and Context Elective 2: Texts in Time Nonfiction · Woolf, Virginia Orlando Extension Module C Language and Values Elective 2: Language and Gender Prose Fiction http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/pdf_doc/english-annotation-09-12.pdf · Wright, Judith Collected Poems 1942-1985 Standard Module B Close Study of Text Poetry · Yeats, William Butler W B Yeats: Poems selected by Seamus Heaney Advanced Module B Critical Study of Texts Poetry · Yolen, Jane Briar Rose Standard Module B Close Study of Text Prose Fiction

 

 

Cosi: Inner Journeys

Q: Your site has some great stuff on it – thnxs!
We are starting the play Cosi and I was trying to find some notes on it. I searched and found two sites online, but thats it! Do you have any ideas?

A: Cosi is a text for Inner Journeys so that the material in this resource list I’ve sent may not be a huge help. I’ve broken the resources into groups. Some of the material deals with the script as a text in performance which is not what you really have to study. There is a bibliography your school librarian could track down but I suspect it will be more on the script as theatrical performance and not too relevant to your needs.

With this text, focus on the personal (inner) journey of the principal characters. That is what you will be writing about; this is not a close study of a single text:

• what does Lewis take away from his experience with the patients? (How is he personally challenged? How does he change/grow?)
• examine what the experience mounting the opera gives to say three patients – you don’t have to do everyone
• why has Nowra chosen this particular opera?
• what connection is there between Nowra and the contents of his play?
• Can you identify (sympathise/empathise) in any way – the your understanding required by some HSC questions.

You will need to look at how Nowra expressed his message: structural features of the text and the language features he used. Remember, this is a play. It has structural divisions in terms of Acts/Scenes and the language features will become evident in the dialogue between characters.

Don’t  try to substitute the film for the play script. It will have been altered for a filming script. Examiners will want your personal response/understanding of the text.

You will need to make connections then to your Stimulus Booklet, probably one text (‘The Road Not Taken’ or ‘Journey to the Interior’), and related material of your own choosing. When choosing related material, it’s a good idea to choose something connected in some way to the prescribed text and the Stimulus Booklet. The film, Girl Interrupted jumps to my mind although there are other things to choose – this is a bit grim as a choice. But anything that requires introspection, the examination of self and a consequent growth in understanding.

Check for the resouces for Cosi: http://www.e-rudite.net/cosi

Check http://www.e-rudite.net/aosresources.htm for suggested related material for some texts to think about.

Area of Study and related material – Q & A

Q: I have a quick question, I have only one additional text which I have prepared for the Area of Study critical response. Will this limit my ability to reach higher order marks? Last year’s exam only requested one related text of own choosing.

A: I think it’s a good idea to have a text up your sleeve because there is the chance the one text you prepared won’t suit the question. I’ve worked with my students on the last 6 years HSC questions and there has been for most of them that one question where something else would be better.
I’ve always recommended two to my students.

Q: I am really confused about whether or not to use “I” in  essays asking for your own personal understanding.

A: By all means use ‘I’ for your understanding, but for the analysis/argument part of the essay use third person.

What is metalanguage?

Q: I have had a look at your website which is helpful.
What do you mean by metalanguage?

A: Metalanguage is the language we use to talk about the study of English so that when we talk about poetry, we use terms like verses, metaphors and similes, iambic pentameter etc to examine what a poet does with language to communicate his or her meaning. Metalanguage comes from the rise of critical theory thinking I think and refers to those terms that were once studied as ‘style’ and ‘form’.

“Belonging” and the Area of Study

This is a work in progress 2007 – 2008

Resources

Fiction

Roddy Doyle, Paddy Clark HaHa

Paul Gallico, The Snow Goose

J D Salinger, Catcher In The Rye

Ken Kesey, Kes

Geraldine Brooks, March

Lionel Shriver, We Need To Talk About Kevin

Alice Sebold , The Lovely Bones

Khaled Hoseini, The Kite Runner

Yann Martel, The Life of Pi

Jay Kopelman, From Baghdad With Love

 

Non fiction

My Place, Sally Morgan

Angela’s Ashes, Frank McCourt

Infidel, Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Falling Leaves, Adeline yen Mah

Graphic novels and picture books

Memorial, Gary Crew and Shaun Tan

Way Home, Libby Hathorn and Gregory Rogers

My Place, Nadia Wheatley and Donna Rawlins

Belonging, Jeannie Baker

Window, Jeannie Baker

Film

Home Song Stories, dir. Tony Ayers

The December Boys, dir. Rod Hardy

As It Is In Heaven, dir. Kay Pollack

My Life as a Dog, dir. Lasse Halstrom

High Tide, dir. Gillian Armstrong

The Italian, dir. Andrei Kravchuck

Little Miss Sunshine, dir. Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris

Look Both Ways, dir. Sarah Watt

Somersault, dir. Cate Shortland

In America, dir. Jim Sheridan

Whale Rider, dir. Niki Caro

Swimming Upstream, dir. Russell Mulcahy

“The Arrival” – some notes

I’ve put material on The Arrival on the website attached to the blog: www.e-rudite.net. On the left hand side of the Home Page is a list of texts you can access. Scroll to Skryznecki. I hope it’s useful. If not let me know.