I've been hearing this question a lot, so I've pretty much copied my answer that I put in another forum under the *COPIED AND PASTED* subheading. Unfortunately, I didn't do any of the texts that you are doing, but I'll try and answer your question for Mod A using an example from my texts. In regards to Mod A, I looked at King Richard III and Al Pacino's 'Looking for Richard.' Due to the importance of context in this module, I compiled a comparison table where I directly compared and contrasted various themes/ideas, and the way that context has either reformed or upheld these ideas over time. (I.e. In analysing Al Pacino's film, I remember looking at the role of the 'cult of the celebrity' in explaining how the excessive power of modern media and Pacino's celebrity status is fallible to corruption. Ironically, Richard's excessive power as King in Shakespeare's text exemplifies this same ideal: that man's inherent values and desire for power transcends context, yet still remains susceptible/fallible to corruption.)
To be honest with you, my marks at the start of Year 12 were quite poor. I ended up getting around 50-60% for my first two assessment tasks, which really pulled my rank down. I remember having really bad notes, and trying to memorise certain ideas which didn't really work for me. I know a few of my friends who did the 'master essay' method, and it worked out really well for them. However, I think that your open-book past papers idea is a really good way to start things out. I did this 3-4 weeks before my trials, before moving to closed book around 1-2 weeks beforehand. It really helped me to solidify my ideas whilst also familiarising myself with the various question that NESA could pose. By doing this, as well as what I put down below, I managed to get 2nd place in my grade for our trials, which really boosted me up before HSC and gave me a rough idea of what the markers expected.
*COPIED AND PASTED*
For English advanced, I started the common module and module B by typing out like three or four short dot points about the context of the texts which I would broadly address in my introduction to both of these essays. With module A, I did a small comparison table between the contexts of my two texts (Richard III and LFR) which pretty much gave me a direct comparison/contrast that formed the basis of my intro and individual ideas in each paragraph. For Mod C, I found like 4 quotes (2 from each text) that covered as many techniques/ideas as possible (E.g. tone, metaphor, third-person etc.) that, if needed, I could draw reference to when creating my mod C piece. In regards to the notes for my common module, mod B and mod C sections, I grouped my quotes under three main broad themes of the text. Under each quote, I would then put a line or two of analysis and highlight/underline the techniques used which helped me to remember them. As mod A is focused heavily on context, I also put a line relating to the quotes reflection/impact on context, and how it is meaningful in that regard. In relation to the creative/discursive/persuasive aspect of mod C, I wrote some practice creatives throughout the year, and borrowed ideas from those that both my teacher and I thought were strong and simple enough to write well under exam conditions.
This may seem like a lot, but once you get your themes and list out your quotes, you're pretty much 80% there! I know it's cliche, but the key to doing well in English advanced is PRACTISE and ANSWERING THE QUESTION! Once you feel comfortable with everything, go on THSC and do some of the practise papers there. Especially for the comprehension and mod C, the papers give you a rough idea of what can be asked, as well as the different ways these questions can be asked. (I.e. through pictures as stimulus, different wording etc.)
I didn't memorise any essays as, personally, I felt that I would get too caught up in memorising my essay and completely neglect to answer the question. It depends completely on what you guys prefer, but I personally wouldn't recommend it as I feel that it'd throw you off if you forget something important.
This may seem like a lot, but it's not too overwhelming once you break it down. Work hard and be confident in what you guys do!
Good Luck!
