HSC Korean and Literature (NSW) key terms

The skill of understanding spoken Korean in dialogues, announcements or interviews and answering questions about main idea, detail, speaker attitude and purpose. Candidates hear the text, often twice, before responding.

The ability to summarise what a spoken or written text is fundamentally about, distinguishing the central message from supporting examples, background detail or digressions.

The skill of retrieving particular facts from a text, such as a time, price, name or condition, and using them accurately to answer a question or complete a task.

Reading or listening beyond what is literally stated to work out implied meaning, such as a speaker's feelings or an unstated consequence, using clues in the text.

The stance or feeling a speaker conveys through word choice and tone, for example approval, worry, sarcasm or regret. Questions often ask which option best describes it.

The emotional colouring of a text, such as ironic, nostalgic, urgent or detached, created by diction, rhythm and punctuation. Tone differs from mood, which concerns the reader's response.

Meaning suggested rather than directly stated, including connotations, irony and cultural allusion. Recognising it requires attention to context and to what a writer chooses not to say.

The surrounding words, situation or cultural setting that determines how an expression should be understood, especially for words with several possible meanings.

The range of words and expressions a learner can recognise and use, including synonyms, antonyms and collocations, which underpins accurate comprehension and effective writing.

Words with similar meanings and words with opposite meanings. Recognising these relationships helps candidates paraphrase, avoid repetition and identify the closest meaning in multiple-choice items.

Restating a text's content in different words while preserving its meaning. It is tested when candidates must choose which sentence best matches or summarises a passage.

Condensing a text to its essential points, omitting examples and repetition, usually in a set number of sentences or words. It demonstrates understanding of structure and relative importance.

The way a text is organised, for example introduction, development and conclusion, or problem and solution, or cause and effect. Recognising it helps readers locate information and follow argument.

Connecting words such as 그러나, 따라서 and 왜냐하면 that signal contrast, consequence or reason. They are key clues to the logical relationships between ideas in a passage.

The position a writer advances and defends in an opinion piece, together with the reasons and evidence offered. Candidates identify the claim and evaluate how well it is supported.

The reasons, examples, statistics or expert views a writer uses to support a claim. Evaluating whether evidence is relevant and sufficient is a common higher-order reading task.

Reading that questions a text's assumptions, checks the logic of its reasoning and considers alternative viewpoints, rather than accepting stated claims at face value.

Producing original Korean text for a specified purpose, audience and format, such as a letter, speech, diary entry or persuasive essay, within a set word count and time.

The reason for writing, such as to persuade, inform or entertain, and the intended reader. Both shape register, tone, content selection and format in a writing task.

The contrast between formal written style, often ending in 다 or 습니다, and conversational style using 해요 or 반말 forms. Choosing the right register is essential for appropriateness.

The Korean system of showing respect through verb endings, honorific infix 시, and special vocabulary such as 진지 and 연세. Correct use depends on the relative status of speaker and addressee.

Words used to address someone directly or refer to them, such as 선생님, 사장님 or 김민수 씨. Their selection reflects age, role, closeness and formality in Korean interaction.

Words and phrases such as 그런데, 그래서 and 결국 that organise speech and writing, signalling topic shifts, contrast or conclusion. They make extended Korean text coherent and natural.

The pre-writing step of ordering ideas into an introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion before drafting. A clear outline improves coherence and helps manage the time limit.

Reviewing a draft to correct grammar, spelling and spacing and to improve clarity, cohesion and register. It is a distinct skill assessed in writing tasks and examinations.

The standard rules for writing Hangul correctly, including spacing between words and particles, and correct forms of verb endings. Errors in these reduce accuracy marks in writing.

The invention of the Korean alphabet in 1443 and its proclamation in 1446 under King Sejong, described in the Hunminjeongeum. It is a foundational topic in Korean cultural history.

The name of the original Korean alphabet and of the 1446 document explaining it. The text sets out the shapes of letters and the rationale for creating an easy writing system.

The fourth Joseon king, who reigned from 1418 to 1450 and oversaw the creation of Hangul along with advances in science, music and printing. A frequently referenced historical figure.

A traditional Korean narrative performance in which a single singer, accompanied by a drummer, performs a long story using song, speech and gesture. It is recognised by UNESCO.

One of the five surviving pansori repertories, telling of the love between Chunhyang and Mongryong and her resistance to a corrupt magistrate. It is also preserved as a written novel.

Prose fiction of the Joseon period, often written in Hangul, dealing with love, family conflict, moral trials or fantastical journeys, and frequently read aloud to audiences.

A traditional Korean poetic form of three lines with a fixed syllable pattern and a twist or turn in the final line. It remains a common focus for literary analysis.

Poems of the Silla and early Goryeo periods written in the hyangchal system, which used Chinese characters to record Korean sounds. Twenty-five examples survive in the Samguk Yusa.

A recurring emotional concept in Korean literature and culture, describing deep accumulated sorrow, resentment and longing that is often endured rather than openly expressed.

A Korean cultural concept of warm attachment and affection that develops between people through shared time and experience, often invoked to explain loyalty and generosity in stories.

The customs and arts inherited from Korea's past, including food, dress, festivals, music and crafts, which frequently provide the setting or theme of literary and listening texts.

Examining a poem or story for theme, character, setting, imagery and narrative viewpoint, and explaining how these elements combine to create meaning and emotional effect.

The central idea or insight a literary work explores, such as sacrifice, identity or social change, usually expressed as a statement rather than a single word.