1. Stage 2 English
External Study

2. External Assessment (30%)
Assessment Type 3: Comparative Analysis
Students complete a written comparative analysis of two texts and evaluate how the language features, stylistic features, and conventions in these texts are used to represent ideas, perspectives, and/or aspects of culture, and to influence audiences.

3. Comparative Analysis 30%
These texts can be selected from one or more of the following categories:
extended texts: a novel, a graphic novel, a collection of short stories, a biography, or other non-fiction prose text
poetry: a poet study, anthology, theme study or song lyrics
drama texts: a drama text or performance
film texts: a feature film
media texts: television, advertisements, talkback radio programs, magazines, technical journals, news presentations, sports reporting, political commentary or cartoons, editorials, websites, social media, blogs, podcasts, gaming, and other forms of digital media.

4. Drawing on Prior Learning
In completing their comparative analysis students may draw on learning from, but must not use, texts read or viewed in other parts of the assessment program. However, students may use texts that are similar in type and purpose.
Students are equally encouraged to further develop their learning from school assessment which offers opportunities to develop their skills in comparative analysis:
Responding to Texts – One piece can compare one or more texts
Creating Texts – Writer’s Statement can draw comparison between two created texts

5. Independent Study
The comparative analysis must be a product of independent study, but it is appropriate for teachers to advise and support students in choosing texts to compare. Students must not complete the comparative analysis as a shared exercise.

6. Word Count The comparative analysis should be a maximum of 2000 words.
Students need to state their word count at the end of their document.
There will also be a cover sheet for External Assessment available on the SACE Board website which will be attached to student work, similar to the one used previously for the Folio.

7. Performance Standards
Student achievement will be judged using all of the Performance Standards.
Knowledge and Understanding
Analysis
Application
Ensure you are using Performance Standards from 2017 and not as there are significant changes.

8. Similarities and Differences
2016
2017
Number of components
Two parts: Part A) Response to an example of communication and Part B) Text Production with Writer’s Statement
One part: Comparative Analysis of two texts
Performance Standards
All Performance Standards, but An2 used to judge student achievement
All Performance Standards used to judge student achievement
SIMILARITIES
Written
All written tasks
All written task
Word Length
2000 words
Independent Study
Drafting
One draft policy
Referencing
No references to texts beyond that under analysis
No references to texts beyond those under analysis
Cover Sheet
SACE Cover Sheet stapled to front of student work
SACE Cover Sheet stapled to front of student work
Student Anonymity maintained
Student SACE Numbers used instead of names and school names not disclosed.

9. Strategies
Suggestions about how to support students to complete their External Assessment.
Text choice
Comparison
Scaffolding
Drafting
Editing