The Personal Interest Project (PIP) is worth 40% of the HSC exam. Students spend approximately 3 weeks each term working on it in class and must work on it consistently over 9 months at home. The PIP requires a title, contents, introduction, log overview, central material with footnotes, conclusion, annotated resource list, and optional appendix. Teachers provide instruction, approve topics, supervise development, view drafts, and certify that projects are original work. Students work regularly on their project throughout the year, keep their teacher informed, and submit evidence of development. When choosing a topic, students should pick something of personal interest that relates to their subjects and is approved by their teacher.

1. About the PIP
T Ellam 2023
Tara Ellam , 2023
tara.ellam@det.nsw.edu.au

2. - 40% of your HSC Exam
- Class time approx 3 weeks
each term
- Major Work = marked by
NESA
- Requires consistent work
on it at home over 9 months
About the Pip
Tara Ellam , 2023
tara.ellam@det.nsw.edu.au

3. - Title
- Contents
- Intro
- Log overview
- Central Material with
footnoting
- Conclusion
- Annotated Resource List
- Optional Appendix Tara Ellam , 2023
tara.ellam@det.nsw.edu.au

4. Tara Ellam , 2023
tara.ellam@det.nsw.edu.au

5. Tara Ellam , 2023
tara.ellam@det.nsw.edu.au

6. Teachers
Role
Certification
Student
Role
- Process where teacher
‘signs off’ on your final
project as an original so
work developed under
their supervision.
- We are signing to say it’s
not plagiarised or AI
generated, or done by a
family member etc.
- Provide instruction on ‘how to’
parts of PIP
- Advise and approve topic choice
- Supervise consistent
development
- View drafts and log throughout
terms
- Collect and keep evidence of
your development
- Certify or not certify project
- Work in project regularly
throughout the year
- Keep teacher in loop
- Submit certification tasks /
evidence of development
- Keep a log in real time
- All My Own Work
agreement
- Check in with teacher for
advice and support
Tara Ellam , 2023
tara.ellam@det.nsw.edu.au

7. - Of personal interest or relevance
- Ethical for you and subjects
- Is approved by teacher
- Relates to fundamental concepts
and HSC course concepts
- Is sociologically important.
- Methodologically accessible
- Can consider other perspectives
through a cross culture
- Has a continuity and or change
element
Choosing a topic
Tara Ellam , 2023
tara.ellam@det.nsw.edu.au

8. Tara Ellam , 2023
tara.ellam@det.nsw.edu.au

9. Hobbies
Roles
Beliefs and values / ideology
Cultural
groups
Social issues
There is no perfect or unique topic.
You make it so through work.
Interests
Political issues
Tara Ellam , 2023
tara.ellam@det.nsw.edu.au

10. Tara Ellam , 2023
tara.ellam@det.nsw.edu.au

11. Tara Ellam , 2023
tara.ellam@det.nsw.edu.au

12. Tara Ellam , 2023
tara.ellam@det.nsw.edu.au