Friday 14th April 10.00/10.30 (TBA) .
Hi All:
To kick start our argument analysis and to maximise our study time, I’ve organised a session over the holidays. I’m drawing upon the comments, feedback and pieces from students and teachers who completed their Argument Analysis SAC in Term 1.
Task 1: Viewpoints and Arguments
Please See Post on Teacher’s Feedback : https://www.englishworks.com.au/typical-teacher-feedback/
The Study Design states: “You must analyse each other’s point of view and their argument, showing a “thorough understanding of the arguments presented in the texts and how they have been constructed to position audiences”. (VCAA)
- Embedding references to “construction of argument”: I have prepared some sample sentences which will help you embed references to “tracking” the argument.
- I will also go over some of my “suggested responses” relating to past VCE Year 12 exams. (VCAA) and show you how to smartly do some of these references. (I’ll also go over a typical outline/structures of opinion pieces.)
2. Improving “intended effects” and positioning statements
Teachers typically want you to “dig deeper”. You must avoid a list-style of approach which is limited; it tends to be generic and you reach a dead-end in your analysis. You must read a chunk holistically; hone in on key techniques such as evidence/comparisons and work on a cluster of key phrases/emotive/figurative word choices in order to improve your “purpose” and “positioning”.
- See examples attached (Duck shooting and some related letters to the editor.)
3. Improving your grasp of metalanguage :
Analytical Vocab Builder
- See page 21: Analytical sentences: embed metalanguage
- See Emotive Language and purpose: pp 25 – 31. (If you group two or three emotively-related phrases, there is always at least two intended effects.)
- See p. 19: Call to Action: you need to weave viewpoint/purpose throughout your paragraph
- See p. 13-14: analysing comparisons ensures that you are working with a chunk of text; this is really important in a “key ideas” opinion piece
- See p. 43: “positioning” statements for audience: synonyms for how one “seeks to position”
4. Structure and viewpoints and timing
Time management is critical to a good response. I’ll give you tips on structure and time.
- We’ll analyse the three key sections of a range of longer and more complicated pieces and work on structure.
5. Sample response to get going
Please choose a letter or an opinion piece and write a paragraph, or do the letters I’ve attached in the email. Please send me a paragraph prior to Friday (if you have time)
