Module B: Close Study of Text Text: Prose Fiction Briar Rose

Module Explanation This module requires students to engage in detailed analysis of a text. It develops students’ understanding of how the ideas, forms and language of a text interact within the text and may affect those responding to it.

Judging a Question There are three key aspects when looking at a question: 1. Text-type (What form do you have to write in?) 2. Audience (Who are you writing for?) 3. Focus (What does the question ask you to do?)

HSC Questions Distinctive ideas are at the heart of every novel. In your view, what is a distinctive idea explored in Briar Rose? Explain how this idea is developed throughout the novel. (2007 HSC)

Notes from the marking centre 2007 Better responses demonstrated a deep understanding of an idea or related ideas, drawing on detailed textual knowledge. They were thorough, fluently expressed and well structured. Better responses also reflected a personal perspective. This may have been expressed explicitly in the first person or in the more academic impersonal style where the sense of personal response may have been implicit. Selectivity was the key to success. Candidates who were able to select appropriate textual evidence – and explain why – were the most successful. The type of evidence chosen varied from scene, to quote, to incident. Weaker responses tended to rely on retell and assertion rather than argument.

Notes from the marking centre 2007 Stronger responses used the metalanguage appropriate to their text type: the language of film for Witness, the language of drama for Navigating and The Shoe-Horn Sonata, the language of the novel for We All Fall Down, and the language of poetry for Owen and Westbury. Weaker responses reflected an inability to move beyond retelling and were unable to move beyond identification of terms and simple examples. Candidates who clearly understood the purpose of their texts were able to demonstrate conceptual understanding and respond personally.

Notes from the marking centre 2007 Jane Yolen, Briar Rose Better responses engaged with the metaphorical nature of the fairytale narrative. More sophisticated responses connected these motifs and the genre to the power of storytelling and cultural narratives. Such candidates managed to skilfully explore how this was achieved with clear, well referenced and specific examples. Weaker responses tended to rely on recounting plot elements or focusing on a particular character (eg Gemma). Therefore, while candidates were familiar with the text, their responses were limited by narrow or insufficient analysis of how the distinctive idea was conveyed throughout the text by the composer.

HSC Questions In what ways does the author draw you into the world of the novel? In your response make detailed reference to your prescribed text. The prescribed texts are: Jane Yolen, Briar Rose (2006 HSC)

HSC Questions Identify a key episode in your prescribed text. Analyse the ways in which this key episode reflects both the ideas and characteristics of the text as a whole. Present your analysis in ONE of the following forms: (a) a speech at an HSC Study Day or (b) a contribution to an online HSC Resources site. The prescribed texts are: Jane Yolen, Briar Rose (2005 HSC)

HSC Questions On the basis of the distinctive features of your prescribed text, argue for its inclusion in the ‘Top Prose Fiction’ list. The prescribed texts are: Jane Yolen, Briar Rose (2004 HSC)

Briar Rose is shaped by the decisions of significant characters. Select ONE significant character in the novel and explore the impact of their choices and actions. (2009 HSC)

2009 HSC MARKING GUIDELINES Criteria Marks Explores effectively the impact of one significant character’s choices and actions Presents an effective exploration based on relevant, detailed textual knowledge Organises, develops and presents an effective response using language appropriate to audience, purpose and form 17–20 Explores competently the impact of one significant character’s choices and actions Presents a competent exploration based on relevant, sound textual knowledge Organises, develops and presents a competent response using language appropriate to audience, purpose and form 13–16 Explores aspects of the impact of one significant character’s choices and actions Presents a response based on adequate textual knowledge Organises, develops and presents an adequate response using language appropriate to audience, purpose and form 9–12 Describes aspects of the text Presents a response with limited textual knowledge Attempts to organise a response in a limited way 5–8 Demonstrates an elementary understanding of the text Attempts to organise a response in an elementary way 1–4

Practice Question You are to conduct an interview for an ABC radio program with the author of your text/s. The title of your program is – Altering audience perception through the power of literature. You are to refer closely to your chosen text/s and include appropriate textual evidence to support your answer.