A common misconception in VCE English is that higher marks come from more complex language, longer sentences and ambitious phrasing. Many students believe that sounding sophisticated is the key to impressing examiners. Examiner’s Reports tell a different story. Year after year, clarity is identified as the defining feature of high-scoring responses.
This is not because VCAA undervalues language. It is because clarity is evidence of control.
Examiners prioritise meaning over style
Examiners read hundreds of scripts in a short period of time. Their task is not to be entertained. It is to assess how effectively a student addresses the set task. Writing that is clear, direct and precise allows assessors to identify quality thinking quickly.
When language becomes overly complex, meaning often suffers. Sentences become difficult to follow, arguments blur, and explanation loses force. Examiner’s Reports regularly note that unclear expression limits otherwise sound ideas.
Clarity ensures that thinking is visible.
Sophistication emerges from precision, not ornamentation
High-scoring responses often use relatively simple sentence structures. What makes them sophisticated is not vocabulary, but precision. Ideas are expressed accurately, evidence is integrated cleanly, and explanation is purposeful.
Students who equate sophistication with embellishment often add layers of phrasing that do not deepen analysis. This can create the impression of confidence without substance.
True sophistication lies in saying exactly what needs to be said, no more and no less.
Clear structure supports clear thinking
Another reason clarity is rewarded is that it reflects structural control. Responses with clear topic sentences, logical progression and explicit links to the prompt are easier to assess at a high level.
Examiners consistently favour responses where each paragraph has a clear purpose. When structure is loose or overly elaborate, arguments become harder to track and marks suffer.
Clarity of structure mirrors clarity of thought.
Overwriting is a common cause of mark loss
One of the most frequent issues noted in Examiner’s Reports is overwriting. Students include excessive explanation, multiple quotations or tangential ideas in an attempt to demonstrate depth.
In practice, this often weakens the response. Key points are buried, and assessors struggle to identify what the student is arguing.
High-scoring responses are often shorter than mid-range ones. They feel focused and intentional.
This applies across all areas of study
In Text Response, clarity allows a clear line of argument to emerge. In Analysing Argument, it allows language effects to be explained precisely. In Creating Texts, it allows reflective commentary to articulate decisions effectively.
In each case, clarity supports assessment.
Students who prioritise being understood consistently outperform those who prioritise sounding impressive.
How students can improve clarity
Improving clarity involves simplifying language, tightening sentences and ensuring that each paragraph does specific work. Students should practise explaining ideas out loud before writing them. If an idea cannot be explained simply, it is not yet clear enough.
Editing for clarity is more valuable than adding detail.
Students should also reread their work with the question in mind, checking that every sentence contributes directly to the task.
Why this matters under exam conditions
Under time pressure, complex language is harder to control. Students who rely on simplicity are more resilient. They make fewer errors, maintain coherence, and preserve meaning even when tired.
This is why exam performance often favours clarity over ambition.
An ATAR STAR perspective
At ATAR STAR, we train students to value clarity as a strength, not a limitation. For high-performing students, this often involves stripping back language to sharpen meaning. For students who lack confidence, it involves recognising that clear writing is powerful writing.
VCE English does not reward who sounds the smartest. It rewards who communicates thinking most effectively.