essay questions on human experience

Essay Questions

1. How has your understanding of the challenges of human experience been shaped by your study of the prescribed text

2. Through the sharing of stories, we become more aware of ourselves and our shared human experiences. Explore this statement with close reference to your prescribed text.

3. How do composers reveal the anomalies of human motivation and behaviour? In your response,  refer closely to your prescribed text.

4. "Human experiences, and the way they are constructed within texts, always offer the opportunity for reflection". Evaluate the relevance of this statement to your prescribed text.

5. How do composers create meaning through their exploration of powerful human experiences? In your response, refer closely to your prescribed text..

6. The human experience is highly provocative, often eliciting profoundly emotional responses from individuals. To what extent is this conveyed in your prescribed text?

7. Through the language of composers, complex human experiences are given voice, thus allowing challenging encounters to be more readily understood by audiences. How does the composer of your prescribed text effectively convey complex human experiences?

8. The human experience is highly paradoxical. Discuss in relation to your prescribed text.

9. Texts about human experience inevitably reveal the highly personal motivations driving human behaviours and actions. Explore how this is conveyed in your prescribed text?

10. Texts about human experiences inevitably reveal the anomalies and inconsistencies that underpin human behaviour. Do you agree? In your response make detailed reference to your prescribed text.

11. Texts about human experiences stimulate personal reflection, thus enabling readers to gain new and renewed insight into human nature and the world. Explore how this is seen through your prescribed text.

12. Exposure to human experiences can challenge an individuals preexisting beliefs, thus igniting new ideas and personal reflection on the true nature of humanity. To what extent have your understandings of human experiences been shaped by your study of your prescribed text?

13. "Human experience resembles the battered moon that tracks us in cycles of light and darkness, of life and death, now seeking out and now stealing away from the sun that gives it light and symbolises eternity" - Eugene Kennedy

Using the above quote as a stimulus, discuss the ideas of the human experience explored in your prescribed text.

14. "Novels attempt to render human experience; that's all they really are. They are meant to convey empathy for the character." Explore this statement in relation to the ideas about the human experience conveyed in your prescribed text.

15. Texts "hold as 'twere a mirror up to nature: to show virtue her feature, scorn her own image, and the very age and body of the time his form and pressure" - Hamlet (3.2.17-24). To what extent does this statement reflect representations of individual and collective human experiences in your prescribed text?

16. ‘When composers create characters or personas who are authentic and engaging, then we are more likely to understand and learn from their experiences.” Have you found this to be the case in your prescribed text? Discuss.

17. Explore how your prescribed text represents human experiences, igniting new ideas and positioning you to see the world differently.

18. How do composers use literature to reveal the challenges and triumphs of human experiences?

19. Texts represent how human experiences arise from and are associated with human qualities and emotions. Explain how language is used to shape these representations in you prescribed text.

20. Quality texts invite their responders to see the world differently. Explain how this is true in your prescribed text?

21. Quality texts invite their responders to challenge assumptions. Explain how this is true in your prescribed text?

22. Quality texts ignite new ideas in the minds of responders. Explain how this is true in your prescribed text?

23. Engaging texts allow us to the opportunity to reflect personally about our own experiences. Explain how this is true in your prescribed text?

24.  Stories are powerful tools that allow individuals to understand the challenging human experiences of themselves and others. Explore this statement with close reference to your prescribed text.

25. "...but the human experience is often paradoxical." - George Elliot

How do texts try to make sense of the human experience? Explore this statement with close reference to your prescribed text.

26. "No man is an island." - John Donne

How is the individual experience ultimately a collective one? Discuss this idea with close reference to your prescribed text.

27. An individual’s experience is underpinned by a complex negotiation between themselves and their world. To what extent does this interpretation align with your understanding of your prescribed text?

28. ‘We are challenged by the human experiences conveyed in texts as they force us to examine how we too are bound by our own or others experience.’ Explore how this is evident in your prescribed text.

29.  It is a story’s ability to ignite new ideas about human behaviour that allows us as readers to see the world differently. In your response, discuss this statement with detailed reference to your prescribed text.

30. The telling of stories invites us to view our experiences and the experiences of others in a new light. Explore this statement with close reference to your prescribed text.

31. Storytelling ignites new ideas about the multifaceted nature of human behaviour. Discuss this statement in relation to your prescribed text

32. The function of stories is to reflect and express our humanity. To what extent do you agree with this view? Discuss with close reference to your prescribed text.

33. To what extent is the meaning of a text as a representation of human experiences dependent on the purpose of the composer and the context in which it is composed? In your response make detailed reference to your prescribed text.

34. The art of the composer is to reveal us to ourselves. How effectively has the composer of your prescribed text revealed what it is to be human?

35. Evaluate how effectively the composer of your prescribed text has used form and language to convey the range and complexity of human experiences.

36. 'Stories can only be as strong as the techniques used to represent them'. Evaluate the ways in which the composer of your prescribed text has implemented techniques to craft strong stories about the human experience.

37. We like to think of ourselves as individuals, but paradoxically, we also like to think of ourselves as deeply connected as a universal human race. Explore the extent to which this paradox is addressed within your prescribed text.

38. How do texts apply various literary and/or visual devices to represent human behaviour and motivations. In your response, make detailed reference to your prescribed text.​

39. How do all texts offer a reflection on human experiences, both deeply personal and shared?

40. How do texts use the exploration of life scenarios of individuals in order to convey important ideas about the human experience?

41. ‘Human behaviour flows from three main sources: desire, emotion and knowledge’ – Plato. To what extent does your prescribed text align with this statement?

42. 'Literature contains knowledge of the human experience that is not available otherwise' - Aleksandar Hemon. How are such ideas communicated through your prescribed text?

43. 'Literature takes the reality of human experience as a starting point, transforms it by means of the imagination, and then sends readers back to life with a renewed understanding of it' - Leland Ryken. To what extent does the above quote resonate with your study of texts and human experiences?

44. 'Literature adds to reality. It does not simply describe it' - C. S. Lewis. To what extent has your study of your prescribed text added to your understanding of human experiences?

45. 'Literature provides us with experiences it would not be wise or possible to introduce into our own worlds and thus enlarges our understanding of the very nature of humanity' - Louise Rosenblatt. How does your prescribed texts deepen your understanding of human experiences and the world?

46. Texts reflect both human integrity and human imperfection. Do you agree? Justify with detailed reference to your prescribed text.

47. The experience of telling and receiving stories is an experience of learning about who and what we are. How true is this in light of your study of your prescribed text?

48. 'Literature presents characters portraying human experience in all its richness and contradictions' - Julia Alvarez. How is this conveyed in your prescribed text?

49. Human experiences can be both unique and universal. How does studying your prescribed text and ONE other related text deepen your understanding of this notion?

50. To what extent are texts culturally significant due to their explorations of the complex emotions and qualities that define humanity?

51. Explain the significance of form in expressing and evaluating what it means to be human in your prescribed text.

52. Explore how texts illuminate the inconsistencies in our behaviour, and how this shapes our understanding of what it means to be human.

53. The most important texts are ones that invite the responder to see the world differently. To what extent is this true of your prescribed text and one text of your own choosing?

54. How do texts reflect particular lives and cultures, and what does this tell us about the relationship between storytelling and humans? In your response, make close reference to your prescribed text and one other related text.

55. Texts are a vessel in voicing the concerns of society, resonating within readers the complexity of individual and collective experience, thus instigating renewed perceptions of the world. Explore how this is conveyed in your prescribed text.

56. Texts about human experiences illuminate how collective experiences shape an individuals human qualities and behaviours. To what extent does the text you have studied demonstrate that individual and collective experiences are interconnected?

57. Texts convey the relationships between human emotions and human experiences. How is this revealed within the text you have studied?

58. Human beings are given the opportunity to choose their experiences and, thus, their reality. To what extent does the text you have studied illustrate the influence of personal choice on human experiences?

59. Our experiences are a reflection of our human identity. Do you agree? Justify your response with close reference to your prescribed text.

60. Our life experiences are created through our actions and reactions to life’s stimuli. Explore this statement in relation to your study of texts and human experiences.

61. Texts can invite the responder to see the world differently through deepening our understanding of the impacts of human emotions. Evaluate this statement with reference to your prescribed text.

Year 12 HSC Common Module: Texts and Human Experiences Practice Questions

Can’t find any helpful questions for HSC Module Text and Human Experience? Here are 10 brand new questions for you!

TutorTime would like to help you prepare for the HSC English Common Module (paper 1). 

A great place to start is to understand what you have to demonstrate-you can find it here straight from NESA:

“In this common module students deepen their understanding of how texts represent individual and collective human experiences. They examine how texts represent human qualities and emotions associated with, or arising from, these experiences. Students appreciate, explore, interpret, analyse and evaluate the ways language is used to shape these representations in a range of texts in a variety of forms, modes and media.

Students explore how texts may give insight into the anomalies, paradoxes and inconsistencies in human behaviour and motivations, inviting the responder to see the world differently, to challenge assumptions, ignite new ideas or reflect personally. They may also consider the role of storytelling throughout time to express and reflect particular lives and cultures. By responding to a range of texts they further develop skills and confidence using various literary devices, language concepts, modes and media to formulate a considered response to texts.

Students study one prescribed text and a range of short texts that provide rich opportunities to further explore representations of human experiences illuminated in texts. They make increasingly informed judgements about how aspects of these texts, for example context, purpose, structure, stylistic and grammatical features, and form shape meaning. In addition, students select one related text and draw from personal experience to make connections between themselves, the world of the text and their wider world.

By responding and composing throughout the module students further develop a repertoire of skills in comprehending, interpreting and analysing complex texts. They examine how different modes and media use visual, verbal and/or digital language elements. They communicate ideas using figurative language to express universal themes and evaluative language to make informed judgements about texts. Students further develop skills in using metalanguage, correct grammar and syntax to analyse language and express a personal perspective about a text.”

Read more about the NESA English syllabus here:

https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/wcm/connect/f2ef71a2-ea7c-4b96-92f6-398fe141925c/english-stage-6-prescriptions-2019-2023.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CVID=

Here are some general essay tips:

• Time your essays. You should allow 40 minutes to write the essay and don’t forget to add in the rubric words.
• Hand write your essay, get writing fit, you won’t be able to type your essay in the HSC!
• Don’t forget to answer the question in your introduction.
• Write in clear paragraphs with obvious spacing. 
• Edit your work. 

Some Common Module Questions

1. ‘Representations of historical collective human experiences influences how individuals live their lives today.’

Discuss this statement with reference to the text you have studied.

2. ‘Without love, there can be no hate. Without lies, there can be no truth. Without deceit, there can be no honour.’

How has the text you have studied explored the paradoxical truths of the human experience?

3. ‘Transgressions, lies and deceit form a fundamental part of the human experience. Composers aim to highlight how responding to such tribulations can shape the way individuals view the wider world.’

How has the text you have studied explored this idea?

4. ‘Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely’. 

With reference to the above statement and your prescribed text, to what extent do you believe the individual human experience is defined by one’s struggle with power? 

5. ‘Humans are inconsistent creatures. We love, we envy, we hate. There is no formula to life’. 

To what extent has your understanding of your prescribed text informed your opinion of the above statement? 

6. ‘The one thing that I know for sure is that I don’t know anything for sure’.

How have the paradoxes inherent to the human experience informed your understanding of your prescribed text? Reference the above quote in your answer. 

7. With reference to your prescribed text, to what extent can literature truly capture the inconsistent realities of the human experience? 

8. ‘Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so’.

Evaluate the above statement in line with your understanding of your prescribed text. 

9. To what extent does your prescribed text suggest desperation to be an innate aspect of the human experience?

10. ‘We only reveal our true selves in moments of difficulty’

To what extent is the human experience defined individual suffering? Answer this question with reference to the above statement and your prescribed text.

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Paper 1 - Section I - 10 Full-Length Reading Tasks

Paper 1 - Section II - 60 Practice Essay Questions

This article contains several sample HSC questions for all modules of the year 12 Advanced English Course.

5 minute read

Last updated 

October 8, 2021

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Six Second Summary

Introduction.

As regular practice is essential to effective study regimes, students should utilise these questions in the lead up to trial and HSC exams. Questions are best practised under timed conditions to best prepare for the exams in an authentic environment.

These questions have been prepared by top state-ranking tutors at Premier Tutors with several years of experience teaching the new syllabus, including three tutors who have placed 1st in NSW for English Advanced.

Common Questions

“Through the language of emotion, texts may provide timeless and universal portraits of humanity.”

To what extent does this statement relate to your own understanding of your prescribed text? In your response, refer to the quotation and your prescribed text.

“Literature always anticipates life. It does not copy it but moulds it to its purpose.” – Oscar Wilde

Assess the effectiveness of your prescribed text in providing an authentic image of reality. In your response, refer to the quotation and your prescribed text.

“It is difficult to maintain individual identity in the face of homogenous collectives.”

To what extent does this statement relate to your own understanding of your prescribed text?

How does your text represent the paradoxical nature of human behaviours and motivations?

Literature’s power comes from its ability to confront the reader’s assumptions by representing new perspectives on the human experience. How does your understanding of your prescribed text reflect this statement?

“One’s identity is a culmination of their individual and collective human experiences.”

To what extent does this statement align with your understanding of your prescribed text? In your response, refer to the quotation and your prescribed text.

How does your text represent the inconsistencies between morality and human behaviours?

“The medium is the message” – Marshall McLuhan

How does the composer of your prescribed text communicate their perspective on the human experience through their form choices? In your response, refer to your prescribed text and the above statement.

“Despite our different behaviours, human motivations are all the same.”

How does your composer respond to their context to represent enduring ideas about the human experience? In your response, make close reference to the given statement and the prescribed text.

Question 10

“If the world were clear, art would not exist.” – Albert Camus

How does your prescribed text use storytelling to clarify the uncertainties and inconsistencies of the human experience? In your response, refer to the given statement and your prescribed text.

Question 11

How does the composer of your prescribed text experiment with form to challenge readers’ perspectives about the human experience?

Question 12

“The only constant within the human experience is change.”

To what extent does this paradoxical statement reflect your understanding of your prescribed text?

Question 13

How does your text use storytelling to deepen the responder’s understanding of the power of human relationships?

Question 14

How does your text develop a strong voice to shape the reader’s perspectives about the nature of individual experiences?

Question 15

“The most powerful and transcendental human experience is love.”

Love can come in many different forms. How does your text represent the impact of this emotion on individual and collective human experiences? In your response, make close reference to the above statement and your prescribed text.

Form Questions

Question 16 - prose fiction.

“The primary purpose of prose to create an authentic representation of the human experience.”

To what extent does the given statement align with your understanding of your prescribed text? In your response, discuss how narrative voice and structure help create this authenticity.

Question 17 - Poetry

“The power of poetry is not so much in the literal meaning of the words, but in the feelings that it evokes through imagery and other creative choices. It is through those feelings that we learn about the human experience.”

To what extent does this statement align with your understanding of your prescribed text?

Question 18 - Drama/ Shakespearean Drama

Analyse your prescribed text’s use of performance devices in representing human emotions.

Question 19 - Nonfiction

Analyse how the narrative voice of your prescribed text deepens your understanding of the individual experience represented.

Question 20 - Film & Media

Analyse how visual techniques work in conjunction with dialogue to accurately portray the interaction between individual and collective human experiences.

The following are all text-specific questions:

All the Light We Cannot See (Doerr, Anthony):

Question 21.

How does Doer represent the impact of adversity on the individual and collective behaviours?

Question 22

“So how, children, does the brain, which lives without a spark of light, build for us a world full of light?”

How has Doer’s representation of hope deepened your understanding of the human experience? In your response, make close reference to the given quotation and your prescribed text.

Question 23

How does Doer’s complicated portrayal of heroes and villains reveal the universality of our underlying humanity?

Vertigo (Lohrey, Amanda):

Question 24.

How does Lohrey represent the importance of connection with place in shaping the individual human experience?

Question 25

“To awaken human emotion is the highest level of art.” – Isadora Duncan

Discuss how Lohrey’s representation of the range of human emotions has enhanced your understanding of the human experience. In your response, make close reference to the given quote and your prescribed text.

Question 26

How does Lohrey represent the impact of loss and grief on individual human experiences?

Nineteen Eighty-Four (Orwell, George):

Question 27.

“Don’t let it happen. It depends on you.” – George Orwell

How does the above quotation resonate with your understanding of Orwell’s authorial intent?

Question 28

How does Orwell represent the power of collective narratives to homogenise individual human experiences?

Question 29

How does Orwell represent the nature of human emotions within a totalitarian regime, and how does this representation help support his authorial purpose?

Past the Shallows (Parrett, Favel):

Question 30.

“No man is an island entire of itself.” – John Donne

Does the above quotation affirm or challenge Parrett’s representation of isolation in Past the Shallows?

Question 31

Analyse how Parrett’s representation of fear shapes your understanding of human behaviours and motivations.

Question 32

How does Parrett represent the influence of setting on individual and collective human experiences?

Rosemary Dobson Collect Poems

‘Young Girl at a Window’, ‘Over the Hill’, ‘Summer’s End’, ‘The Conversation’, ‘Cock Crow’, ‘Amy Caroline’, ‘Canberra Morning’

Question 33

How does Dobson experiment with form to examine the impact of internal conflict on the individual human experience? In your response, refer to AT LEAST TWO of Dobson’s prescribed poems.

Question 34

“His eyes lit windows facing west / to the lemon-coloured light.” - Over the Hill, Rosemary Dobson

How does Dobson’s poetry engage with the different human reactions to change? In your response, refer to the above quotation and TWO OR MORE of Dobson’s prescribed poems.

Question 35

How does Dobson use her poetic form to explore the depth of human emotions? In your response, make clear reference to specific FORM choices made by Dobson in NO MORE THAN TWO of her poems.

Kenneth Slessor Selected Poems

‘Wild Grapes’, ‘Gulliver’, ‘Out of Time’, ‘Vesper-Song of the Reverend Samuel Marsden’, ‘William Street’, ‘Beach Burial’

Question 36

How does Slessor use imagery to evoke confronting emotions and experiences? In your response, refer to AT LEAST TWO of Slessor’s prescribed poems.

Question 37

How does Slessor highlight the paradoxes and anomalies inherent within the human experience? In your response, refer to NO MORE THAN TWO of Slessor’s prescribed poems.

Question 38

How does Slessor’s use of poetic personas allow him to shine light on complex aspects of the human experience? In your response, refer to AT LEAST TWO of Slessor’s prescribed poems.

The Crucible (Miller, Arthur)

Question 39.

“Whilst The Crucible is clearly a response to Miller’s context, it also contains enduring messages about human behaviours and motivations.”

How does the above statement reflect your understanding of the human experience represented in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible?

Question 40

How does Miller represent the power of institutional narratives to overwhelm and shape individual and collective human experiences?

Question 41

“Fear is the primary motivator within the human experience.”

To what extent does this statement reflect your understanding of the human experiences represented in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible?

The Merchant of Venice (Shakespeare, William)

Question 42.

How does Shakespeare represent differing motivations and their impact on human behaviours?

Question 43

“Life itself, my wife and all the world / Are not with me esteemed above thy life.” (Bassiano to Antonio, IV.i.275-276, The Merchant of Venice, William Shakespeare)

How does Shakespeare represent the importance of connection with others in providing value to human experiences?

Question 44

How does Shakespeare in The Merchant of Venice represent the influence of social laws and norms on both individual and collective human experiences?

The Boy Behind the Curtain (Winton, Tim)

Question 45.

How does Winton’s memoir form invite the reader to reflect upon the impact of past experiences in shaping individual identity? In your response, refer to AT LEAST TWO of Winton’s stories prescribed for study.

Question 46

To what extent does Winton engage with the tensions between individual motivations and collective expectations? In your response, refer to NO MORE THAN TWO of Winton’s stories prescribed for study.

Question 47

“For many, certainty has become the new normal, but it’s an illusion…We’ll forever be vulnerable to havoc.” – Havoc, Tim Winton

How does Winton represent the illusions within the human experience? In your response, make specific reference to above quotation and AT LEAST TWO of Winton’s stories prescribed for study.

I Am Malala (Yousafzai, Malala & Lamb)

Question 48.

“We realise the importance of our voices only when we are silenced.” – I am Malala, Malala Yousafzai

How does Yousafzai represent the importance of storytelling to empower individuals and collectives? In your response, make close reference to the above quotation and your prescribed text.

Question 49

How does Yousafzai represent the importance of maintaining individual values in the face of challenging individual and collective human experiences?

Question 50

How does Yousafzai in I am Malala represent the emotions and behaviours associated with experiences of inequality?

Question 51

How does Yousafzai in I am Malala represent our underlying, universal humanity despite our different beliefs and backgrounds?

Billy Elliot (Daldry, Stephen)

Question 52.

“We cannot change who we are, no more than we can change the rising of the sun or the coming of the tides.”

Does the above statement affirm or challenge your understanding of the representation of individual identity in Daldry’s Billy Elliot?

Question 53

How does Billy Elliot use visual techniques to engage with the difficulty of overcoming social expectations?

Question 54

How does Daldry in Billy Elliot represent the importance of acceptance to the human experience?

Go Back to Where You Came From (O’Mahony, Ivan)

Question 55.

How does Go Back to Where You Came From use documentary techniques which confront the viewer’s expectations to reveal the range of human experiences?

Question 56

How does Go Back to Where You Came From represent the power of new experiences to change existing perspectives?

Question 57

How does Go Back to Where You Came From represent our underlying, universal humanity despite our different beliefs and backgrounds?

Waste Land (Walker, Lucy)

Question 58.

“A powerful artistic vision is undeniable.”

Does the above quote affirm or challenge your understanding of Waste Land’s representation of the importance of artistic purpose for individual identity?

Question 59

How has your study of Waste Land enhanced your understanding of the power of creative expression to unite communities?

Question 60

How does Waste Land use visual techniques to shape our understanding of the timelessness and universality of human concerns and challenges?

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Paper 2 - module a - practice questions.

13 Sample questions for Module A

October 6, 2021

Prepared by Premier Tutors' top tutors, this series contains 10-full length Practice HSC English Advanced and Standard Paper 1 exams.

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Citation style, your citation.

HSC texts and human experiences

Highly accomplished English teacher, Jowen Hillyer, answers questions from students studying for their HSC in the lead up to the 2021 exams.

In my experience integrated is better. Longer quotes can be useful sometimes but the examiners want to see your words more than the words from your text.

As a general rule it is 2 minutes 15 seconds per mark, but allow some thinking time so if you allow 2 minutes per mark you have time to read over your responses and add/subtract things. 10 minutes for a 5-mark question is about right (with wriggle room of 1 minute or so).

Look for synonyms. Rewrite the question in your own words. Look to the verbs – what does it want you to do with the question?

Look for clues. The heading will tell you what type of text it is (even if it doesn’t look like a poem, trust that it is and look for language devices you expect to see in a poem).

The stimulus is in a separate booklet to the question booklet. They are often (or have been in the past) stapled together.

A good tip is to separate them as soon as you are given reading time so that you can look at the question you are answering on a text at the same time as reading that text –rather than flipping between booklets.

While there is no rule to say that you should, it helps to do it in order for two reasons.

While there is no ‘one way’ to do this, it helps to have a structure in mind.

No. This module is for the text you studied for Texts and Human Experiences only.

There are four ways you can maximise your reading time.

The exam is designed to be unpredictable so that you show what you know not what you memorised.

The exam is designed to make you think on the spot about what you know about the module and how the text demonstrates that.

Of course! Just don’t ignore the question. If it asks about setting you can define what that means in your introduction.

It is a good idea to write a few different essays in response to questions, but this is more for your time management and quote retention purposes.

The best quotes to memorise are ones which do more than one thing.

Instead of saying ‘to a large extent’ try evaluative adverbs (passing a judgement without having to directly state it), eg.‘Creatively, (composer) does …, ‘Succinctly …', ‘Clearly …’.

The rubric shows what you need to learn but not what will be examined.

This is all about representation. Why did the composer choose film/poetry/prose etc as the best way to get their ideas across to you?

Back to HSC English

Other pages in this section

• HSC English Standard - Module A – Q&A
• HSC English Advanced - Module A – Q&A

Common Module Cheat Sheet - All Texts

Download a printable version here., module description.

In this common module students deepen their understanding of how texts represent individual and collective human experiences. They examine how texts represent human qualities and emotions associated with, or arising from, these experiences. Students appreciate, explore, interpret, analyse and evaluate the ways language is used to shape these representations in a range of texts in a variety of forms, modes and media.

Students explore how texts may give insight into the anomalies, paradoxes and inconsistencies in human behaviour and motivations, inviting the responder to see the world differently, to challenge assumptions, ignite new ideas or reflect personally. They may also consider the role of storytelling throughout time to express and reflect particular lives and cultures. By responding to a range of texts they further develop skills and confidence using various literary devices, language concepts, modes and media to formulate a considered response to texts.

Students study one prescribed text and a range of short texts that provide rich opportunities to further explore representations of human experiences illuminated in texts. They make increasingly informed judgements about how aspects of these texts, for example context, purpose, structure, stylistic and grammatical features, and form shape meaning. In addition, students select one related text and draw from personal experience to make connections between themselves, the world of the text and their wider world.

Key Statements

Dimensions of the Human Experience

The human experiences represented in your prescribed/unseen texts will always be connected to one of the subcategories of the “wellness wheel”:

Words to include in textual analysis

These make markers happy for some reason.

• Appreciate - when making a judgement about the value of something
• Explore - when discussing the themes of the text
• Interpret - when discussing the audience’s interaction with the text
• Analyse - When discussing your understanding of the text
• Expression - When discussing the author/poet/artist’s connection to the text
• Elicit - When discussing how a technique results in an emotion

Plutchik Wheel of Emotions

Essay length.

For paper 1 unseen texts, a good estimate is 2-3 lines per mark, while the extended response should be ~800 words/6 pages. If you don’t hit those numbers, that’s totally fine, it’s just a good estimate.

RESOURCE: CHIPS Question Breakdown Strategy

Body paragraph structure.

• Statement about the concept
• What type(s) of experience from the wellness wheel is represented, and is it collective or individual?
• What emotions from the Plutkich wheel are present, and how are they used (Example/Technique from PETAL paragraphs)?
• How does the experience of the example present anomaly/paradox/inconsistency in the human experience?
• Personal reflection? Challenging the reader’s assumptions? Persuading you of something?
• Conclude with a mash of steps 1, 2, and 3

Positive and Negative Words

Words to describe the human experience that mean nothing but for some reason get more marks

Targets of a text

Punchy Phrases

• Aids in this improved understanding of the textual material
• Indicates the universality in the subject matter being contemplated
• Brings reader to consider more deeply the manner in which ___
• An intimacy is generated between the viewer and ___
• Creates a more nuanced understanding
• Attracting to the audience to both ___
• To further impress upon the reader the idea of ___
• Further clarify and cement reader’s understand of the literal content
• Further elucidates the impression that

Free Thesis Statements

• Texts represent how human experiences are dependent on one’s context and their ability to transcend the limitations of context
• Texts about human experience invite the audience to contemplate on their own experiences and reflect on the processes that shape their identity
• Human experiences may be recursive but they are transformative nonetheless
• Texts offer a representations of human experience that challenges our assumptions and thus intensifies our awareness of self and others
• Representation of relationships in texts highlight the way in which human experiences may differ in varied interactions
• Texts offer a representation of the human experience to record the social and emotional development of the individual and the collective
• Our experiences expose our capacity for fortitude and focus, particularly when our individual ideals are challenged by contextual values / societal expectations

Last updated on November 17, 2021

Billy Elliot Questions

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Resource Description

1. Explore the ways in which your prescribed text represents the individual and collective human experience.

2. To what extent has your understanding of the human experience been challenged by your prescribed text?

3. We can never truly understand the motivations of others. To what extent is this true in your prescribed text?

4. Every individual human experience has a collective significance. To what extent is this true in your prescribed text?

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HSC English Texts and Human Experiences: Practice Short Answer Questions

Searching for more English short answer practice questions for Texts and Human Experiences ?

Look no further! We’ve got a sample paper you can use right here. We’ve put together a whole range of Common Module: Texts and Human Experiences short answer practice questions with sample answers so you know exactly what your responses should include to get full marks in the HSC English exam!

First things first, let’s delve into some crucial steps students ought to follow to excel in those short answer questions:

Step 1 : Begin by thoroughly understanding the HSC common module question. What is the key verb ? Are there any key themes, characters or ideas mentioned? Step 2: Formulate a focused thesis statement that directly addresses the question. Step 3: Utlise specific textual evidence to demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the content, aligning with key syllabus outcomes. Note: these could be visual or literary techniques.  Step 4: Critically engage with the text, providing insightful interpretations and exploring different layers of meaning. Step 5: Proofread meticulously to eliminate errors, ensuring a refined response that meets the expectations of the HSC common module.

Access the paper below along with the answers by simply entering your name and email address!

Sample Paper  and  Answers

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If you’re studying poetry by Kenneth Slessor for the Common Module, you can brush up on his poem ‘Wild Grapes’ with our summary and analysis !

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HSC Texts and Human Experience Sample Essay & Essay Analysis: The Crucible

Subject: English

Age range: 16+

Resource type: Other

Last updated

21 September 2021

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This is a three-part resource for students undertaking the NSW HSC Common Module Texts and Human Experience.

A generic essay plan shows students how to compose an essay suitable for Stage 6, progressing them from the simpler PEEL/TEAL models of Stage 4 and 5.

A sample essay for the prescribed text, Miller’s The Crucible, answers a sample question for this module.

There is also a second copy of the essay, marked up to show how it follows the plan, and with five short questions which require students to engage critically with the essay and its form.

Pair it with The Crucible Study Notes for even more depth.

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Human Experience Essays

Exploring the intersection of technology and human experience, exploring the essence of home: elements, perspectives, and definitions, bad memories, good decisions, and the three joels, meaningfulness of life among children, popular essay topics.

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• Send us an e-mail

Understanding the Definition and Impact of Crises in Modern Society

This essay about crises examines their significant disruptions and impacts on society. It discusses how crises, whether sudden like natural disasters or gradual like climate change, challenge the status quo, reveal societal vulnerabilities, and demand urgent responses. The text explores the economic, social, and psychological repercussions of crises, highlights their role as catalysts for change, and emphasizes the unequal effects on vulnerable populations. Additionally, it addresses the evolving perception of crises and the importance of effective governance and international cooperation in crisis management.

How it works

In the grand narrative of human history, crises serve as the threads that intricately weave through various epochs, leaving profound and lasting impacts on societies and civilizations. Broadly defined as significant disruptions that endanger the stability and functioning of communities or systems, crises manifest in multiple forms, from natural calamities to economic downturns, pandemics to political turmoil. A thorough understanding of the definition and implications of crises in contemporary society necessitates an exploration of their multifaceted nature, underlying causes, consequences, and the adaptive responses they elicit from societies.

At its essence, a crisis marks a pivotal point where the established order is disrupted, often bringing about significant consequences for individuals, communities, and institutions. These events can arise suddenly, like earthquakes or terror attacks, or develop over time, such as climate change or economic recessions. Regardless of their origin or nature, crises possess common traits: they disrupt normalcy, induce uncertainty, and require immediate attention and action.

A key characteristic of crises is their tendency to expose and intensify existing vulnerabilities within societies. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted global disparities in healthcare access and socioeconomic inequalities, disproportionately affecting marginalized groups. Similarly, economic crises often uncover structural flaws in financial systems or governance, leading to unemployment, poverty, and social unrest. In such times, the impact of crises extends beyond immediate material losses to encompass deeper social, psychological, and political consequences.

The repercussions of crises permeate all aspects of society. Economically, they can cause market instability, business closures, and job losses, exacerbating inequalities and reshaping economic landscapes for years. Socially, crises can strain community cohesion, increase interpersonal tensions, and challenge trust in institutions. Psychologically, individuals may experience heightened stress, anxiety, or trauma, especially during prolonged or recurring crises such as armed conflicts or environmental disasters.

Furthermore, crises often act as catalysts for change, prompting societies to reassess priorities, innovate solutions, and adopt new practices. The aftermath of crises can foster resilience as communities rebuild infrastructure, strengthen social safety nets, and implement policies to prevent future catastrophes. Innovations born from crisis-driven necessity, such as medical advancements during pandemics or technological breakthroughs following natural disasters, showcase humanity’s ability to adapt and evolve in the face of adversity.

However, the impact of crises is not evenly distributed. Vulnerable populations, including low-income groups, racial minorities, and marginalized communities, frequently bear the brunt of crises due to preexisting disadvantages and systemic inequalities. Addressing these disparities requires proactive measures to ensure equitable access to resources, services, and opportunities both during and after crises.

The definition and perception of crises also shift with societal norms and values. What was once viewed as a natural disaster may now be understood through the lens of climate change, leading to calls for sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. Similarly, advances in technology and communication have transformed how societies prepare for and respond to crises, facilitating faster dissemination of information, remote work capabilities, and virtual collaboration during emergencies.

In the realm of governance, crises challenge the effectiveness of policies, leadership, and institutional resilience. Successful crisis management depends on preparedness, coordination, and the ability to make timely, informed decisions under pressure. Failures in crisis response can erode public trust and have enduring repercussions on political stability and legitimacy.

Moreover, the interconnectedness of the modern world means that crises rarely remain confined to one locale. A financial downturn in one region can trigger a global economic recession. A disease outbreak can spread rapidly across continents, transcending borders and necessitating international cooperation. Addressing these transnational challenges requires collective action, diplomatic engagement, and solidarity among nations.

In summary, crises are integral to the human experience, profoundly shaping societies and individuals. They test resilience, expose vulnerabilities, and drive change. Understanding the definition and impact of crises in modern society requires a comprehensive approach, considering social, economic, political, and environmental dimensions. By learning from past experiences, fostering resilience, and promoting equity, societies can mitigate the effects of crises and build a more sustainable future. As history unfolds, the lessons of past crises serve as beacons of wisdom, guiding humanity towards greater preparedness, compassion, and collective resilience in the face of adversity.

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Development — Multidimensional Development: An Integrated Approach to Human Progress

Multidimensional Development: an Integrated Approach to Human Progress

• Categories: Development

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Words: 533 |

Published: Jun 13, 2024

Words: 533 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Table of contents

Introduction, economic dimension, social dimension, environmental dimension.

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Build a Corporate Culture That Works

There’s a widespread understanding that managing corporate culture is key to business success. Yet few companies articulate their culture in such a way that the words become an organizational reality that molds employee behavior as intended.

All too often a culture is described as a set of anodyne norms, principles, or values, which do not offer decision-makers guidance on how to make difficult choices when faced with conflicting but equally defensible courses of action.

The trick to making a desired culture come alive is to debate and articulate it using dilemmas. If you identify the tough dilemmas your employees routinely face and clearly state how they should be resolved—“In this company, when we come across this dilemma, we turn left”—then your desired culture will take root and influence the behavior of the team.

To develop a culture that works, follow six rules: Ground your culture in the dilemmas you are likely to confront, dilemma-test your values, communicate your values in colorful terms, hire people who fit, let culture drive strategy, and know when to pull back from a value statement.

Start by thinking about the dilemmas your people will face.

Idea in Brief

The problem.

There’s a widespread understanding that managing corporate culture is key to business success. Yet few companies articulate their corporate culture in such a way that the words become an organizational reality that molds employee behavior as intended.

What Usually Happens

How to fix it.

Follow six rules: Ground your culture in the dilemmas you are likely to confront, dilemma-test your values, communicate your values in colorful terms, hire people who fit, let culture drive strategy, and know when to pull back from a value.

At the beginning of my career, I worked for the health-care-software specialist HBOC. One day, a woman from human resources came into the cafeteria with a roll of tape and began sticking posters on the walls. They proclaimed in royal blue the company’s values: “Transparency, Respect, Integrity, Honesty.” The next day we received wallet-sized plastic cards with the same words and were asked to memorize them so that we could incorporate them into our actions. The following year, when management was indicted on 17 counts of conspiracy and fraud, we learned what the company’s values really were.

• EM Erin Meyer is a professor at INSEAD, where she directs the executive education program Leading Across Borders and Cultures. She is the author of The Culture Map: Breaking Through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business (PublicAffairs, 2014) and coauthor (with Reed Hastings) of No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention (Penguin, 2020). ErinMeyerINSEAD

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