VCE: English

2026 VCE English Pathways 

The VCAA requires all students to achieve a satisfactory result in at least Unit 1 or Unit 2 English or Literature, followed by a satisfactory Unit 3 & 4 English or Literature sequence. Students considering Literature Units 1-4 should consult their English teacher and/or the English Coordinator prior to completing their subject selection form. 

*Note: Students who are looking to progress to VCE Literature must achieve a minimum of a 75% average across their results in Year 10 English and receive a teacher recommendation. If the average is not achieved, and the student still wishes to study Literature, then the student is also required to study VCE English as well.

In Year 12, students are able to select Unit 3 & 4 English if they choose not to continue with Unit 3 & 4 Literature.

English and English as an Additional Language

Unit 1

In this Unit, students engage in reading and viewing texts with a focus on personal connections with the story. They apply, extend, and challenge their understanding and use of imaginative, persuasive, and informative text through a growing awareness of situated contexts, stated purposes and audience.

Areas of Study:

• Reading and Exploring Texts
• Crafting Texts

Unit 2

In this Unit, students develop their reading and viewing skills, including deepening their capacity for inferential reading and viewing, to further open possible meanings in a text, and to extend their writing in response to text. Students also consider the way arguments are developed and delivered in many forms of media. They explore the structure of these texts, including contention, sequence of arguments, use of supporting evidence and persuasive strategies. They closely examine the language and the visuals employed by the author and offer analysis of the intended effect on the audience.

Areas of Study:

• Reading and Exploring Texts
• Exploring Argument

Unit 1 & 2 Assessments

• A personal response to a set text
• A student-created text such as: short stories, speeches (with transcripts), essays (comment, opinion, reflective, personal), podcasts (with transcripts), poetry/songs, feature articles (including a series of blog postings) and memoirs. A commentary reflecting on writing processes
• An analytical response to a set text
• An analysis of the use of argument and persuasive language and techniques in text(s)
• An oral presentation of a point of view text

Unit 3

In this unit students read and respond to texts analytically, considering their dynamics and complexities. They then build on those skills by reading and engaging imaginatively and critically with mentor texts of a set context to inspire their writing.

Areas of Study:

• Reading and Responding to Texts
• Creating Texts

Unit 4

In this unit students consolidate their capacity to critically analyse texts and deepen their understanding of the ideas and values a text can convey. They will analyse the use of argument, language and visuals in texts that debate a contemporary issue. They create an oral presentation intended to position audiences about an issue currently debated in the media.

Areas of Study:

• Reading and Responding to Texts
• Analysing Argument

Unit 3 & 4 Assessments:

• Two analytical responses to a text in written form
• A written text constructed in consideration of audience, purpose, and context
• A commentary reflecting on writing processes
• An analytical response to argument in written form
• A point of view oral presentation

Unit 3 & 4 Assessments (EAL):

Comprehension of an audio/audio visual text focussed on historical, cultural and/or social values in the set text, through:

• Short-answer responses
• Note form summaries
• Two written texts constructed in consideration of audience, purpose, and context
• A set of annotations reflecting on writing processes
• An analytical response to text in written form
• An analytical response to argument in written form
• A point of view oral presentation

External Assessment

The level of achievement for Units 3 & 4 is also assessed by an end-of-year examination, contributing 50% of the final assessment.

Literature

Unit 1

In this unit students focus on the ways in which the interaction between text and reader creates meaning. Students analyse the features and conventions of texts and respond critically, creatively, and reflectively to the ideas and concerns of texts. They also explore the concerns, ideas, style, and conventions common to a distinctive type of literature seen in literary movements or genres.

Areas of Study:

• Reading practices
• Exploration of literary movements and genres

Unit 2

In this area of study students explore the voices, perspectives and knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors and creators. They consider the interconnectedness of place, culture and identity through the experiences, texts, and voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including connections to Country, the impact of colonisation and its ongoing consequences, and issues of reconciliation and reclamation. Students also focus on text and its historical, social, and cultural context. Students reflect on representations of a specific time period and/or culture within a text.

Areas of Study:

• Voices of Country
• The text in its context

Unit 1 & 2 Assessments:

• Close analysis of one or more selected passages
• Creative response to texts and genres studied
• Oral reflection

Unit 3

In this unit, students consider how the form of a text affects meaning, and how writers construct their texts. Students also explore the different ways we can read and understand a text by developing, considering, and comparing interpretations of a set text.

Areas of Study:

• Adaptations and transformations
• Developing interpretations

Unit 4

In this area of study students focus on the imaginative techniques used for creating and recreating a literary work. Students also focus on a detailed scrutiny of the language, style, concerns, and construction of texts.

Areas of Study:

• Creative responses to texts
• Close analysis of texts

Outcomes & Assessments

Unit 3

• Analyse aspects of a text, drawing on close analysis of textual detail, and then discuss the extent to which meaning changes when that text is adapted to a different form.
• Develop interpretations of a set text informed by the ideas, views and values of the set text and a supplementary reading.

Unit 4

• Respond creatively to a text and comment critically on both the original text and the creative response
• Analyse selected passages to present a close textual analysis of a text.

Assessment tasks for Units 3 & 4:

• Contribute 25% each to the final assessment
• The examination contributes 50% to the final assessment