21 years supporting the

teaching & learning of Legal Studies

HSC Student lectures at the

University of New England
June 2nd, 2014
HSC LEGAL STUDIES

TIPs and TRAPS

Presented by
Keith Thomas

 Background to the Legal Studies Association of NSW

FOUR sessions:
Tips and Traps
Crime
Human Rights
Family option (with me!) OR Global Environmental Protection
(with Tim) OR World Order (with Paul)

* Exam structure
* Being prepared for the exam - How to best prepare for Legal
Studies

* The rubric
* Planning
* The glossary of terms
* The HSC writing booklet!
* Evaluating the effectiveness of the law
* Before, during and after the exam
* The POSITIVE marking process
* Resources (probably the best tip!)
* Specific tips and traps

* HSC LS Specimen paper

* HSC LS examination 2011
* HSC LS examination 2012
* HSC LS examination 2013
http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/hsc_exams/

HSC external examination

specifications
*The examination will consist
of a written paper worth 100
marks.
*Time allowed: 3 hours plus 5
minutes reading time.
*The paper will consist of three
sections.

SECTION I: CORE Crime and

human rights
20 marks
*There will be objective response
questions to the value of 20
marks. (Presently multiple
choice!)
*Questions to the value of 15 marks
will be drawn from Crime.
*Questions to the value of 5 marks
will be drawn from Human Rights.
*Questions may refer to stimulus.

SECTION II: CORE Crime and human

rights 30 marks
Part A: Human Rights 15 marks

*There will be short-answer questions to

the value of 15 marks.

*The questions may be in parts. There will

be 34 items in total.

*Questions may refer to stimulus.

Part B: Crime

15 marks

*There will be one extended response

question to the value of 15 marks.

*The question may refer to stimulus.

*The expected length of response is around
four examination writing booklet

*pages (approximately 600 words).

SECTION III: OPTIONS 50 marks

*There will be seven extended response
questions, one for each Option.
*Each question is worth 25 marks.
*Each question has two alternatives.
*Candidates answer two questions, each
from a different Option.
*The expected length of response is around
eight examination writing booklet pages
(approximately 1000 words).

*Having a study plan for LS is

paramount!

*2 extended and a 600 word

response (effectively 3
essays!!!), with 20 multiple
choice and 3-5 short
answers, on four different
topics, requires much study!
Geezthats not rocket
science is it?!

* Summaries of ALL FOUR units:

LEARN Tos
LEARN ABOUTS
PRINCIPAL FOCUS
THEMES & CHALLENGES
CASES
MEDIA
LEGISLATION
CONTEMPORARY ISSUES/EXAMPLES
* AKA KNOW THE SYLLABUS!!!

*Study timetable and stick to it!

*Varied memory techniques
*Past papers
*Test yourself
*A tutor?
*Help from older siblings?

*Asking key questions of your teacher/s,

submitting answers to questions from
study guides / past papers!

*Having a neat, well-organised, quiet

work space!

*Drinking lots of water and feeding the

brain!

*Being here today!

In your answer you will be assessed on how

well you:
demonstrate knowledge and understanding
of legal issues relevant to the question
communicate using relevant legal
terminology and concepts
refer to relevant examples such as
legislation, cases, media, international
instruments and documents
present a sustained, logical and cohesive
response

KNOW that this rubric applies

to both:

*The CRIME 600 word response

And..

*The TWO essay option questions

*Calculate: Ascertain/determine from given facts,

figures or information
*Clarify: Make clear or plain
*Classify: Arrange or include in classes/categories
*Compare: Show how things are similar or different
*Construct: Make; build; put together items or
arguments
*Contrast: Show how things are different or opposite
*Critically (analyse/evaluate): Add a degree of
accuracy depth, knowledge and understanding,
logic, questioning, reflection and quality to
(analysis/evaluation)

*Calculate: Ascertain/determine from given facts,

figures or information
*Clarify: Make clear or plain
*Classify: Arrange or include in classes/categories
*Compare: Show how things are similar or different
*Construct: Make; build; put together items or
arguments
*Contrast: Show how things are different or opposite
*Critically (analyse/evaluate): Add a degree of
accuracy depth, knowledge and understanding,
logic, questioning, reflection and quality to
(analysis/evaluation)

*Deduce: Draw conclusions

*Define: State meaning and identify essential qualities
*Demonstrate: Show by example
*Describe: Provide characteristics and features
*Discuss: Identify issues and provide points for and/or
against

*Distinguish: Recognise as being distinct or different

from; to note differences between

*Evaluate: Make a judgement based on criteria;

determine the value of

*Examine: Inquire into

*Explain: Relate cause and effect; make the

relationships between things evident; provide why

and/or how

*Extract: Choose relevant and/or appropriate

details

*Extrapolate: Infer from what is known

*Identify: Recognise and name

*Interpret: Draw meaning from
*Investigate: Plan, inquire into and draw
conclusions about

*Justify: Support an argument or conclusion

*Outline: Sketch in general terms; indicate the
main features of

*Predict: Suggest what may happen based on

available information

* Propose: Put forward (for example a point of view, idea,

argument, suggestion) for consideration or action

* Recall: Present remembered ideas, facts or experiences

* Recommend: Provide reasons in favour
* Recount: Retell a series of events
* Summarise: Express, concisely, the relevant details
* Synthesise: Putting together various elements to make a whole

* More recently there have been a lot of questions set that have
started with:

* Some examples include:

To what extent has law reform responded effectively to

contemporary consumer law issues? Consumers essay 2013

What impact does state sovereignty have on the protection of
human rights? AND How has the promotion of ONE contemporary
human rights issue been influenced by the media? Human Rights
short answers 2012
* To what extent are courts the only means of achieving justice
within the criminal justice system? Crime response 2012

*Write a plan for the Crime 600 word and the TWO

options 1000 word responses.

*The plan will help clarify for you how to structure your
response.
*The best time to plan for all THREE responses is
immediately after the writing time starts. Then
complete ONE piece of extended writing straight away.
*The best place to plan is on the first page of each
answer booklet.
*Refer back to (check) that you are following the set
plan.
*Many HSC markers read plans.
*If candidates run out of time, most markers take into
account points / issues read in the plan that werent
addressed.

*Be familiar with this booklet.

*Ask for more.
*Plan on the first page.
*Ensure name, question, A or B for
Family, Consumers etc. is clearly
labelled.

*No. of booklets used, eg: 1/2, 2/2

*To what extent? Means: How far? How well does

it achieve?
*Be contemporary
*Refer to cases, law reform, media, suggested
improvements.
*Dont lump LAW, LEGAL SYTEM & MECHANISMS
all together for evaluation
*Criteria can utilise some of the Preliminary
and / or students own criteria

Criteria to evaluate effectiveness could

include (from the Preliminary course):
*resource efficiency
*accessibility
*enforceability
*responsiveness
*protection of individual rights
*meeting societys needs application of the
rule of law has justice been achieved?

Intensification
Nearly
(effective)
Slightly
(effective)
Just (effective)
Somewhat
(effective)
Moderately
(effective)
Rather
(effective)
Relatively
(effective)
Fairly
(effective)

Quantification
Very (effective)
Greatly
(effective)
Extremely
(effective)
Utterly
(effective)
Totally
(effective)

Little (improvement)
Small (improvement)
Moderate
(improvement)
Average
(improvement)
Large (improvement)
Huge (improvement)

Clarifying
in other words
for example
that is
namely
in fact
Sequencing ideas
firstly, first, second,
third...
at this point
to conclude
given the above
points
to get back to the
point

Showing
cause/result
so
therefore
consequently
due to..., owing to
because of this
Adding information
too
in addition
also
again
similarly

Indicating time
then
next
finally
meanwhile
previously
Condition/concessio
n
in that case
however
despite this
even so
if not

*Before

during
after

Before during
after

BEFORE

*Be prepared as best as you can be. Ensure that the

general Marking Centre comments have been read.

Know of the performance band descriptors. Know the
exam structure and how much time to allocate to
each section of the paper. Know what you are going to
do in the all-important 5 minutes reading time.
Summaries learnt, up-to-date with media. Confident!

*Rule off studying sometime before you leave home for

school. If you dont know it by breakfast, you will
probably never know it.

Before during
after

BEFORE

*Look after your system sleep, eat and use the

facilities.

*Plan to get to school safely and in plenty of time.

*Plenty of pens (in a clear plastic pencil case).
*Get into the zone as you are called into the exam

hall. Be focussed. Its three hoursand unless you end

up studying lawthat could very well be the end of
law for you. So be ready to give it your best shot!

BEFORE
Band 6 Performance Band Descriptor
* analyses, synthesises and interprets information to evaluate the
effectiveness of the domestic and international legal system in
addressing issues
* demonstrates extensive knowledge and understanding of the
operation of the legal system and the processes involved in law
reform
* synthesises and analyses legal information from a variety of sources
including relevant legislation, cases, media, international
instruments and documents to support arguments in a domestic and
international context
* communicates coherent arguments on contemporary issues from
differing perspectives and interpretations
* communicates an argument using relevant legal concepts and
terminology

Before during
after

BEFORE

Performance Band descriptions Legal Studies

The typical performance in this band:
Band 6

analyses, synthesises and interprets information to evaluate the

effectiveness of the domestic and international legal system in addressing
issues
demonstrates extensive knowledge and understanding of the operation of
the legal system and the processes involved in law reform
synthesises and analyses legal information from a variety of sources
including relevant legislation, cases, media, international instruments and
documents to support arguments in a domestic and international context

communicates coherent arguments on contemporary issues from differing

perspectives and interpretations
communicates an argument using relevant legal concepts and terminology

Before during
after

DURING

Before during
after

DURING

*READING TIME: My suggestion: Read the 4 essay

choices for your TWO options. SELECT the Two

questions that you are going to write.
*WRITING TIME: Write a plan for Part Section II (B)
Crime. Write a plan for Option 1 (eg: Consumers)
and Option 2 (eg: Family). Then its up to you.
Perhaps knock over one of the option essays (eg:
Family) straight away.
*ATTACK the QUESTION: Highlight directive terms
(eg: identify, explain, assess). HIGHLIGHT T&C and
Principal Focus aspects within the questions.

Before during
after

DURING (Continued)
* STRUCTURE RESPONSES: Short answers: if TWO answers are

required: 12 or bullet points. With essays, use the plan to write

an introduction, sequential (sustained, logical and cohesive as the
rubric says) body and a strong conclusion. The conclusion is the last
thing that most markers will read. Take the opportunity to remind
them of key aspects of law reform, evaluative points. Evaluate the
legal system right from the start of the essay dont be shy! Write
legibly!

* Know the syllabus integration of principal focus, T&C linked with a

Learn To. (Higher order thinking comes from here!)

Before during
after

DURING (Continued)
* Ensure that time limits are as close as possible, adhered to.
* NO Brain dumping DONT writing everything down that you

know. Refer back to the question. Brain dumps may NOT: analyse,
assess and / or evaluate, which will be expected by the question.
RTBQ and ATBQ!

* Be aware that rubrics apply to Crime and the TWO options

Before during
after

AFTER

Before during
after

AFTER
*Chat with classmates about the paper and your answers.
*DONT second guess yourselfits too late to change it.
*Keep your fingers crossed! The markers will do the rest!
*Rest!
*Drink lots of water!!!
*If you have got another exam to get ready formove on!
*Way down the track, if you exceeded expectations or were on
par with other performancespat yourself on the back. If
Legal Studies was below expectationdont slit your wrists or
bang your head against the wallyou cant change it now.

Before during
after

* HSC Legal Studies markers are very fair people overall.

There is a
rigorous process involved in marking the HSC, which includes many
hours of briefings, and sometimes re-briefings, to ensure that groups
of markers are best positioned to apply the marking criteria,
provided by the exam committee, fairly and consistently.

* The Crime response and the options are double-marked. Any

discrepancies, of which there are few in Legal Studies, may be

marked a third or even fourth time in order to exact procedural
fairness for the candidate.

* Candidates across the state should feel confident that their whole

response will be read and that they will earn the marks that their
work deserves.

MARKING CENTRE COMMENTS

General comments
* Teachers and candidates should be aware that examiners may ask questions
that address the syllabus outcomes in a manner that requires candidates to
respond by integrating their knowledge, understanding and skills developed
through studying the course.
* Candidates need to be aware that the marks allocated to the question and
the answer space (where this is provided on the examination paper) are
guides to the length of the required response. A longer response will not in
itself lead to higher marks. Writing far beyond the indicated space may
reduce the time available for answering other questions.
* Candidates need to be familiar with the Boards Glossary of Key Words,
which contains some terms commonly used in examination questions.
However, candidates should also be aware that not all questions will start
with or contain one of the key words from the glossary. Questions such as
how?, why? or to what extent? may be asked, or verbs may be used
that are not included in the glossary, such as design, translate or list.

MARKING CENTRE COMMENTS

* In preparing for the examination, candidates should:

note that the objectives and outcomes in the syllabus are very important to
all parts of the course and to all parts of the examination

develop a sound understanding of the basic concepts and processes found

in the course, as these are most likely to be referred to in questions

note that the rubric applies to Section II Part B (Crime) and Section III
(Options) of the examination paper

in Section III, clearly identify the alternative (a) or (b) being answered
directly address a quotation if required by the question.
* Candidates should note that responses that are clearly pre-prepared reflect
little engagement with the issues raised in the question and will not attract
higher marks.

* http://www.legalanswers.sl.nsw.gov.au/about/liac/

* http://blog.sl.nsw.gov.au/hsc_legal_studies/

* Exam
workbooks

https://bosho.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au
/cgibin/LANSAWEB?PROCFUN+IW@shop+iw@m
ain+prd+funcparms+gotoitem(A0150):HSC
&Workbook

Tips:
*Toilet door theory
*Dont keep memorising

what is already
knownfocus on hard to
learn info, not what is
committed to memory

*Multiple choice strategy

*Resources

Tips:
Watch NOW:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2i7IPr-gn3g
Listen to at home!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmxuQAw-6kA

* Multiple choice questions, especially HR questions, can be very

difficult. Candidates have to select the best possible
alternative. ALL 4 alternatives may in fact be correct to some
degree as the Examination Committee are given a brief of
making all 4 alternatives for each question plausible.

* Suggestion: process of elimination, select one and give it as

the answer. Check ,if time permitting, towards the end of the
allocated 3 hour time period. Now thats not rocket science
and your teachers would have suggested that to you.

* DO NOT try and make sense of the multiple choice answers

from year to year. They vary. The law will never be an exact
science! Doing this will do your head in!

*Students should know laws, cases and media

and be able to relate it to a part of the
syllabus/course/unit.

*Use your assessment tasks. Deconstruct them.

*Timed responses to tune up your timing
*Highlighting essays: directive terms, technical
terms, content, support, evaluation /criteria
(5 highlighters required!)

Traps:
*Bus stop theory
*Thinking youre studying
*Dont expect to know it in

the examif you dont

know it when youre
studying, it wont
miraculously appear in the
3 hours of the HSC.
Certainty comes from
preparation.

*Not caring, being motivated

Traps:

Traps:
You guys

wont fall
into this trap
you are here!!!