English Works

Specialist Classes (Years 10-11)

VCE preparation: Years 10-11

(Check times this weekend)

We will focus on persuasive texts (reasoning and persuasive skills and the development of an analytical vocabulary) and key passages from a range of significant texts (development of concepts/key ideas and an awareness of creative strategies/brilliance).

Focus:

Persuasive texts: (from a range of sources)

  • in-depth development of persuasive and reasoning skills/techniques (Green and Orange Workbooks plus online support)
  • focus on metalanguage in order to write clear and sophisticated analytical sentences (based on a series of sentence models)
  • essay-writing tasks on current issues (persuasive and creative) (newspaper texts etc.); focus on sophisticated planning techniques (students will apply their knowledge of persuasive and reasoning techniques)
  • advanced Grammar (Australian Curriculum: Years 9 – 11); we will use this knowledge to improve sophistication of written expression; we will focus on key grammatical pitfalls; we will also study grammatical constructions in sophisticated texts such as short stories and newspaper editorials

Text/book work 

  • close passage analysis from a range of significant texts: with a focus on key ideas, views and values (structure); and a keen analysis of author’s word choices and their implications (depth of analysis); and an analysis/awareness of an author’s creative strategies (creative essays)
  • focus on skills of comparison: analytical awareness of shared concepts (of issues, of themes, of characters) based on a variety of prompts
  • in-depth work on creative writing and stimulation of ideas: in-depth character and thematic analysis/characterisation (please bring folders.)
  • intensive practice of vocabulary extension and sophisticated turn of phrase (grammar and expression). (tone words from workbooks)

Notes; reminders and homework

  1. Please bring plastic sleeve folders to the class to organise the handouts- particularly on people stories/themes/characters.
  2. Please summarise/analyse the “people” stories we have been discussing/ working on in class (2-3 stories);
    we must include precise details/quotes to show a deep and accurate understanding of people, places and events; (discuss the difference between “storytelling”, “summarising” and “analysing”)
    we must also practice linking and explaining these examples; comparing and contrasting their stories to each other
  3. Please bring 2-3 paragraphs: short analysis of articles in the Green Book using appropriate metalanguage.
  4. Each week; please keep learning the tone words we have been using – as an adjective and as an adverb. (Also see tone tests)

Please see the Slide Show: this includes the skills that you need to do well in Year 12.

Ongoing

In addition to the workbook activities, here’s some more Language Analysis exercises

  1. A summary of Students’ Tasks (extra homework activities)
  2. Also extra (short) homework examples to work on for Language Analysis
  3. Please keep going over the people stories and practice writing comparative analysis pieces. Example: people grow through conflict.
  4. Return to: English Works Classes