Choosing between VCE Literature and VCE English is essential for students in their last years of schooling. Both subjects will allow you to develop English language skills. Still, there are also specific areas of focus that allow you to further hone helpful academic skills.
Understanding the differences between VCE Literature and VCE English will help you better decide whether it's worthwhile to focus on deep literary analysis, explore different texts, or sharpen your persuasive writing skills.
In this guide, we'll look at both subjects, the structure of their exams, and the kinds of assessments involved. By the end, you'll better understand which subjects suit you and your academic goals.
Understanding the VCE Literature Exam
As the name suggests, the VCE Literature exam is more for students interested in analysing and interpreting literary works. There are several VCE English subjects.
VCE Literature is more than just reading and writing. Students are given opportunities to closely engage with literary works and how language, form, and structure play an essential part.
In VCE Literature exams, students can showcase their ability to interpret, critique, and explore meaning in literary works.
The VCE Literature exam is divided into two main parts.
Section A: Developing Interpretations.
In this section, students have two extended-answer questions based on a set passage from a text they studied during the year.
Question 1 will ask students to explore the significance of the set passage within the context of the whole text.
Question 2 requires students to address a key concept from the text, considering the set passage and the entire work.
Question 1 is worth six marks, and question 2 is worth 14 marks, for 20 Marks.
Section B: Close Analysis
In Section B, students must provide a sustained interpretation of a text from the VCE Literature Text List using two or more of the three set passages.
They must provide detailed analyses of the passages and interpret the text as a whole, focusing on language and literary features.
Much like Section A, Section B is also worth 20 marks.
There are 40 total marks in the exam.
How the VCE Literature Exam Differs from the VCE English Exam
The VCE Literature and VCE English exams involve reading, writing, and analysis. However, some key differences exist between their structure, focus, and the skills assessed.
Content and Focus
The VCE Literature exam focuses on close reading and literary interpretation. The exam assesses students' ability to engage deeply with a literary text.
Students are expected to focus on language, form, literary devices, and how these can all create meaning.
Literature students have to critically interpret texts, explore passages, and analyse the key themes and values conveyed by the author's techniques.
VCE Literature places a greater importance on creative thinking, exploring multiple perspectives, and literary theories.
VCE English, on the other hand, offers a much broader range of text types. Students may see texts from novels, films, media articles, and speeches. VCE English focuses more on language analysis, persuasion, and comparative writing.
Students taking VCE English will focus more on comparative analysis of texts, focusing on similarities and differences in themes, characters, and messages across different works.
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Structure of Assessment
It's hardly surprising that the VCE Literature and English exams are different, as they are different subjects.
We've seen how the VCE Literature exam is divided into Section A (Developing Interpretations) and Section B (Close Analysis). Both sections are equally weighted, and the whole exam lasts two hours.
The VCE English exam lasts 3 hours and includes three sections. Section A (Text Response), Section B (Comparative Analysis), and Section C (Language Analysis).
- Section A includes writing an analytical essay on one text from the VCE English Curriculum.
- Section B requires students to compare two texts and explore their themes, characters, ideas, etc.
- Section C analyses how language is used in an unseen persuasive text.
In the VCE English exam, each section is worth 20 marks, and the exam is worth 60 marks.
Analytical Essay
Compare two texts
Analyse a persuasive text
Types of Texts and Writing Styles
The critical difference between VCE Literature and VCE English is the text types and writing styles students must work with and study to prepare for their exams.
VCE Literature involves engaging with a range of classic and contemporary literature, such as novels, plays, poetry, and short stories. This can include more flexible and creative writing, where students can explore multiple possible interpretations of the texts. Students are rewarded for offering deep, nuanced insights into the text's form and language.
The texts and writing styles covered in VCE English are much broader. Since these don't just include literary texts, students can see media articles and even films.
The writing styles of the texts covered in VCE English are more structured, with a greater focus on formal, analytical essay writing. The Language Analysis section, for example, requires students to critically evaluate how writers use language to persuade, particularly in the context of media or advertising.
Skills and Study Requirements for VCE Literature
While there's certainly some overlap between the skills needed to excel in either VCE Literature or VCE English, there are also specific skills.
To succeed in VCE Literature, students must excel at close reading and interpreting how specific words, phrases, and literary devices contribute to the overall meaning of the texts.
Students also need to understand literary theory and apply it to analysing the texts in the exam. Students should also consider how different contexts and values influence the interpretation of texts.
VCE Literature students also need strong creative writing skills since the subject allows for more freedom in how the essays are structured and written. In VCE English, the essays follow a more rigid structure.
Skills and Study Requirements for VCE English
In VCE English, structured essay writing and language analysis are two primary skills you should focus on developing.
The exam features persuasive writing and comparative analysis, so students must be able to write in various forms.
Much like with VCE Literature, students still need to engage with the context of a text, especially for historical texts.
In the Language Analysis component of VCE English, students must dissect how language can be used to persuade, including word choice and rhetorical devices.
Choosing the Right Subject for You
Choosing between VCE English and VCE Literature isn't solely about the content of the subjects. Your choice is made according to your strengths, interests, and learning style.
Students who love the deeper meaning of texts and creative writing will naturally be drawn to VCE literature. However, if you prefer a structured approach to essay writing or would like to explore the role of language in media, VCE English is a better fit for you. Don't forget that there's also VCE English Language for those more interested in linguistics.
The demands of each subject must also be considered since VCE Literature includes more independent creative thought. VCE English, on the other hand, has a broader range of writing techniques to master.
What about both? Some students choose to study both VCE English and VCE Literature. Since there are a lot of complementary skills across both, getting better at one will naturally make you better at the other.
It would be best to consider the workloads for both subjects and how this will affect your other subject choices.
Students whose first language isn't English should consider VCE English as an Additional Language or EAL.
Studying VCE English or Literature with Superprof
Whether you pick VCE Literature, VCE English, or both, a private tutor could help you get better marks.
Tutoring isn't just for students struggling, though. A tutor can help any student gain a better understanding of a subject.
On the Superprof website, for example, you can find english tutors specialising in VCE English, VCE Literature, or even study skills.
They could help you across all your subjects or work with you to focus on exam techniques, vocabulary, writing skills, or any other aspect of your studies that could lead to better results.
The average english tutor vce on the site charges $36 an hour. Still, you can also find tutors in Australia specialising specifically in VCE English or VCE Literature.
per hour
Plenty of different tutors are available, and you can search for them on the Superprof website today. Many even offer the first session for free, allowing you to try potential tutors before you start working with the best ones.
Search for the subject or skill you'd like to study and start browsing potential tutors' profiles today. We recommend making a shortlist before contacting them for free sessions, though!
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