Hey Beastie Boy! Seriously, it's true you can dramatically change ur mark in ur HSC from what u have been getting all year. Just put ur mind to it...If it makes u fell better, I'm doing Eng Ext 2, so that's three times worse, lol...
Ok, Paper 1 is your Area of Study. The Journey topic you either have Inner, Imaginative or Physical Journey.
The first part of the paper, you will be given texts to look at (visual, written etc...) and you will be asked broadly to look at how journey is portrayed, so learn techniques and how they position the audience.
Second part of the paper is something creative. It could be a narrative, interview, letter, etc...try to have some scenarios prepared before you enter the exam, so u can manipulate them according to the question.
The third part will be an essay, where you are provided with a statement on journey. Here you will be asked to dicuss your prescribed Journey text, one Stimulus Booklet text and at least one related text. Make sure you have a back up related. You can try to prepare an essay, but make sure you have clear links for each to the Journey core, and links between each text.
Last minute tips?! Hmm, ok, when u are writing any sort of response, straight away think and what and how. What themes are being portrayed, what techniques are being used by the composer, and how do they position the audience...always remember the 'e' words: elicit, encourage, exaggerate, emphasise, entice, evoke, etc...Even if you don't understand the question, include EVERYTHING you know, and at least you can get good marks for that. Remember, they give the questions to display your knowledge of the course. Make sure you know lots of quotes and the course syllabus words. Use them throughout, and let the quotes formulate your sentences. Never leave a paragraph without a couple of quotes, and use a magic quote for your conclusion. When thinking techniques, straight away think narrative voice, first person, second person, third person. It's barely ever in second person, but first person is intimacy with the audience, and third person a detached, unbiased view...third person is the omniscient narrator.
Hope that helps, good luck!
Nessa...