Assessment Type 3: Text study (30%)

The external assessment is divided into two sections, Part A and Part B.

Part A: Comparative Text Study (15%)

A comparative text study that compares one of the texts studied in the shared studies with another text individually chosen by the student, in a response of a maximum of 1500 words. This response is a critical essay, in which the two texts are discussed in relation to each other. Students frame their own question and develop their response during the year, and submit the completed response for external assessment.

Teachers and external assessors appointed by the SACE Board assess the comparative text study, with reference to the performance standards.

The following specific features of the assessment design criteria for this subject are assessed in the comparative text study:

• knowledge and understanding — KU1, KU2, and KU3
• analysis — An1, An2, and An3
• application — Ap2 and Ap3

Part B: Critical Reading (15%)

A critical reading of one or more short texts. The short texts may be in a variety of forms (e.g. prose, fiction, non-fiction, poetry, texts with graphic or visual elements, or excerpts from film or soundtracks).

The critical reading is a 100-minute examination developed by the SACE Board.

The following specific features of the assessment design criteria for this subject may be assessed in the examination:

• knowledge and understanding — KU1, KU2, and KU3
• analysis — An1, An2, and An3
• application — Ap2 and Ap3.