English Works

Middle Years (Skills)

 Top of the Class: Students in Years 8-9-10

Perfect your Argument, Persuasive and Reasoning Analysis Skills and your written expression.  As you learn the metalanguage in the workbook and apply it to our exercises, you will learn to locate viewpoints and understand how they are reinforced through a variety of (argument and persuasive) techniques and word choices. You will improve your analytical skills and write (and quote) with greater precision and polish — skills that will stand you in good stead for VCE.

(ISBN 978-0-9924942-8-5)

Purchase the Workbook + Access our Green Membership Program + Plus Dr Jenny’s Zoom classes

For example:  

  1.  The author’s evidence: views: arguments and key ideas: Arcade Games: Exercise 6   (page 9)

Green Membership Program

  1. The author’s evidence:  Exercise 7: A need to re-think recycling: a problem with a solution (See article, page 11 for Exercise 7)
  2. The author’s tone and style:  Exercises 8-9, and Exercises 9; p. 13
  3. The author’s style: “Be Nice: It costs nothing”,  Exercise 11, p. 15
  4. The author’s tone/techniques: Naplan Texts, Exercise 12 p. 16 and Exercise 13, Flash of Frustration, p. 17.
  5. The language of appeals: Exercise 14, p.19; Destroying ancient songlines
  6. See Lesson 4: author’s appeals: key argument values/principles  (Exercises 14-16) pp 19-21 
  7. See Lesson 5: author’s reasons: key argument reasoning strategies (Ex 17 – 21)
  8. See Article:  Exercise 21, Toe the Line by Dr Carren Clegg,  p. 33; See Suggested Response: Exercise 21, Toe the Line by Dr Carren Clegg,  p. 33
  9. See Lesson 6: author’s attack: key argument/rebuttal strategies (Ex. 22 – 27)
  10. The author’s words: Figurative Language “Hoon” driving: Exercise 23, p. 41 and Exercise 24, p. 43. and Fashion Fun
  1. See a slideshow overview: Become an expert
  2. See Lesson 7: tasks on media (comparing viewpoints and strategies) (Ex. 36-39)
  3. See Lesson 8: Writing the Essay, (Ex 42-43)
  4. Summary of “Now Turn to: Taking it Further” Exercises Page
  5. Our Aim: This is where we want to be at the end of the year: an insightful paragraph/analysis

Language and Expression Tips

  1. See notes from Zoom Class 19th April: zoom classes: rules 1 – 10; expression and metalanguage
  2. See our Call to Action verbs 
  3. You must quote words with an “analytical” story.  What does this mean? (Tips for expression/metalanguage)
  4. Please trawl through the “language of comparison”; and practice using these terms in a variety of ways and contexts.  

Please see our slideshow for an overview:

The English Works Pack ($95): Includes:

  • a copy of each of the five workbooks (Techniques of Persuasion, The Language of Persuasion: become an expert; Arguments and Persuasive Language an essay-writing guide; Better Essays and Persuasive Techniques and Clear Writing: language and grammar).

“I began using The Language of Persuasion (Become an Expert) in Year 10. It immediately improved my vocabulary and my ability to produce quality analytical pieces – thus providing me with a strong foundation to transition seamlessly into Year 12 English. The books introduced me to metalanguage and analysis techniques in a very coherent and accessible format.  I would wholeheartedly recommend Jenny’s resources for students aiming for an A+ grade in Year 12.” Brendan L. (44)  (John Monash:  Award for Excellence in English)