Lit_Happens Podcast

Tune in to Lit Happens, where we, two passionate HSC English educators, guide you through the transformative power of writing for all HSC English students, unlocking the path to Band 6 success. This episode is vital for inspiring students to embrace regular writing as a key to mastering skills and time management, essential for excelling in HSC assessments. Consistent writing practice can turn pot...

Tune in to Lit Happens, where we, two passionate HSC English educators, guide you through the power of mastering HSC verbs for all English students, paving the way to Band 6 success. This episode is a game-changer for decoding key verbs like analyse, evaluate, and synthesise, offering strategies to elevate your writing and meet NESA’s high standards. Understanding these verbs is crucial for excell...

Tune in to Lit Happens, where we, two passionate HSC English educators, guide you through the essential world of HSC English band descriptors for all students, unlocking the path to Band 6 success. This episode is critical for understanding what separates Band 4, 5, and 6 responses, offering clarity on NESA’s expectations and practical strategies to elevate your writing. Mastering band descriptors...

Tune in to Lit Happens, where we, two passionate HSC English educators, guide you through the art of crafting effective essay conclusions for all HSC English students, aiming for Band 5 and 6 success. This episode is vital for mastering the final impression of your essay, offering practical strategies to reinforce arguments and elevate your writing to meet NESA’s high standards. A powerful conclus...

Tune in to Lit Happens, where we, two passionate HSC English educators, guide you through the art of crafting effective body paragraphs for all HSC English students, aiming for Band 5 and 6 success across Advanced, Standard, Studies, and EAL/D courses. In this episode, we explore how to develop arguments and support claims with sophistication, offering practical strategies to enhance essay respons...

Tune in to Lit Happens, where we, two passionate HSC English educators, explore how to craft an effective essay introduction for HSC Advanced and Standard English students. This episode tackles critical questions: why introductions matter, what elements they need, how to create engaging THESIS statements, common pitfalls to avoid, and revision tips for clarity and impact. Before diving in, we laun...

Tune in to Lit Happens, where we, two passionate HSC English educators, explore how to write an essay, focusing on what makes a good essay and providing an overview of persuasive essay writing for HSC Advanced and Standard English students. This episode delves into the hallmarks of a strong essay: clear structure, compelling arguments, and effective evidence, while introducing persuasive essays as...

Tune in to Lit Happens, where we - two dedicated HSC English educators - guide you through Year 11 Advanced English Module A: Narratives That Shape Our World. In this episode, we examine how narratives, through their varied forms and historical contexts, shape individual and collective identities, values, and perspectives. We analyse the narrative techniques and structures that create impactful st...

Tune in to Lit Happens, where we - two passionate HSC English educators - guide you through Advanced English Module C: The Craft of Writing, with a focus on Noel Pearson’s evocative eulogy for Gough Whitlam. In this episode, we explore how Pearson’s speech honours Whitlam’s legacy of equality and Indigenous rights, analyse its masterful use of anecdote, rhetorical devices, and cultural references,...

Tune in to Lit Happens, where we - two passionate HSC English educators - guide you through Advanced English Module C: The Craft of Writing, with a focus on Kim Cheng Boey’s evocative poem, Stamp Collecting. In this episode, we explore how Boey captures the interplay of memory, heritage, and transnational identity through the symbolic act of stamp collecting, analyse techniques like extended metap...

Tune in to Lit Happens, where we - two passionate HSC English educators - guide you through Advanced English Module C: The Craft of Writing, with a focus on Colum McCann’s reflective short story, What Time Is It Now, Where You Are?. In this episode, we explore how McCann uses metafiction to bridge time, place, and human connection through the act of storytelling, analyse techniques like fragmented...

Tune in to Lit Happens, where we - two passionate HSC English educators - guide you through Advanced English Module C: The Craft of Writing, with a focus on Nam Le’s intricate short story, Love and Honour and Pity and Pride and Compassion and Sacrifice. In this episode, we explore how Le uses metafiction to examine the ethics of storytelling, cultural identity, and father-son dynamics, analyse adv...

Tune in to Lit Happens, where we - two passionate HSC English educators - guide you through Standard English Module C: The Craft of Writing, with a focus on Catherine Cole’s poignant short story, Home. In this episode, we explore how Cole’s narrative captures the migrant experience, highlighting themes of belonging, isolation, and hope, analyse the language techniques and episodic structure that s...

Tune in to Lit Happens, where we - two passionate HSC English educators - guide you through Standard English Module C: The Craft of Writing, with a focus on Ray Bradbury’s thought-provoking short story, The Pedestrian. In this episode, we explore how Bradbury’s narrative challenges conformity and celebrates individuality, analyse the language techniques and forms that shape its powerful message, a...

Tune in to Lit Happens, where we - two passionate HSC English educators - guide you through Standard English Module B: Close Study of Literature, with a deep dive into Peter Weir’s iconic film, The Truman Show. In this episode, we explore how the film examines reality, freedom, and control, analyse its cinematic techniques and narrative structure, and provide practical strategies for students to d...

Tune in to Lit Happens, where we - two passionate HSC English educators - guide you through Standard English Module A: Language, Identity and Culture, with a deep dive into Contemporary Asian Poetry. In this episode, we explore how language reflects and shapes individual and collective identities, analyse the cultural perspectives embedded in these poems, and assess how poetic forms and features c...

Tune in to Lit Happens, where we - two passionate HSC English educators - guide you through Module A: Textual Conversations, this time exploring the raw and resonant poetry of Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes. In this episode, we uncover the purpose of the module, dive into the intense emotions and striking imagery of their works, examine their resonances and dissonances, and share practical strategies...

Tune in to Lit Happens as two dedicated HSC English educators guide you through Module A: Textual Conversations, this time with John Donne’s timeless poetry and Margaret Edson’s modern play W;t. In this episode, we unpack the purpose of the module, delve into the metaphysical richness of Donne’s works and the poignant reflections of W;t, examine their resonances and dissonances, and offer practica...

Lit Happens Episode 7: Tempest and Hagseed – Navigating Textual Conversations Join us on Lit Happens as two passionate HSC English educators unpack Module A: Textual Conversations with Shakespeare’s The Tempest and Margaret Atwood’s Hagseed. In this episode, we dive into the art of comparative study, breaking down the purpose of the module, analysing key themes and concepts in both texts, explorin...

Dive into ‘Lit Happens’ Episode 6: Mastering the Craft of Writing   We’re two passionate HSC English educators sharing our story, from student to teacher, on why English matters. In this episode, we explore the "Craft of Writing" module for both Advanced and Standard English. We’ll break down the rubric, share practical strategies for sharpening writing skills, and offer tips on how students can d...

Dive into ‘Lit Happens’ Episode 5: Exploring the Reading to Write module   We’re two passionate HSC English educators sharing our story, from student to teacher, on why English matters. In this episode, we dive into the Advanced and Standard English rubric for the Preliminary Common Module, "Reading to Write." We'll demystify the module by offering practical advice on how to tackle it, highlightin...

Dive into ‘Lit Happens’ Episode 4: Calling New Teachers - Early Career Challenges We’re two passionate HSC English educators sharing our story, from student to teacher, on why English matters. In this episode, we share our insights on teaching English in the current climate. We reflect on the challenges we've encountered early in our careers, such as mastering classroom management, adapting to the...

Dive into ‘Lit Happens’ Episode 3: Module B Breakdown - Dissecting the Critical/Close Study with Lit Happens!   We’re two passionate HSC English educators sharing our story, from student to teacher, on why English matters. In this episode, we discuss the key components of the Advanced English rubric for Module B: Critical/Close Study as well as some practical guidance on how to approach the compar...

We’re two passionate HSC English educators sharing our story, from student to teacher, on why English matters. In this episode, we discuss the key components of the Advanced English rubric for Module A Textual Conversations as well as some practical guidance on how to approach the comparative analysis and plan for personal student perspectives.    Check out the FREE PDF resource: Guide Unpacking M...

Welcome to Lit Happens, your go-to channel for senior English teachers! We're passionate HSC educators here to demystify the senior syllabi. Dive into our trailer to discover how we tackle prescriptions, modules, rubrics, and texts, providing you with clear insights and practical strategies. Subscribe to enhance your teaching and empower your students. Navigate the world of senior English with con...