1) By 'hook or by crook' know the text you are writing about. Without knowledge of text, characters and sequence of events  HSC English essay writing is impossible.

So start with the bleedingly obvious. Know your text. :)

2)Understand what the language in your text means, whether it be Drama, Shakespeare, Poetry, Novel Film or Short Story. This is a slight  but vital extension on knowing your text and what it is about.

So this is understanding the meaning of the language used!

3) The 2 tips above will get you started. Don't worry. People at Uni have the same issues with their English Essay writing as this! :)

Then you are ready to move to number 3.

Number 3 is a short hand way of summing up in a nutshell HSC English and HSC English Essay writing.

What techniques give impact to the main ideas the text appears to be conveying?

Identify the techniques which give force to the theme and say how these techniques are effective for the contemporary responder and you are well on the way to conquering the major hurdle of HSC English and Essay writing.

Stay tuned for regular updates and another 3 hints for Essay Writing and HSC English.

Remember the one true universal law or at least the one I tell my HSC English students.

" All things come in threes. " :)) The big 'techniquey' word for this idea  is 'tripartite' just in case you want to use it in your essays!

All the Best with your studies in 2010!

Jonathan Hardy

0402 825 824