2009 Course outline and Introduction VCE English Unit 1 2009 Course outline and Introduction

Course Overview Three Areas of Study (AOS) Reading & Responding (Text Study) Creating & Presenting (Context) Using Language to Persuade (Issue) This information is explained in detail in the Course Information booklet handed out in Orientation Week.

Reading & Responding “Reading & Responding” is what you will know as a “text study” In Unit 1, the text study will focus on Scott Anderson’s novel Triage; in Unit 2, a film text: Proof In this study, you will need to focus on four aspects of the way a novel works: Characters and themes Cultural influences evident in the text The way a writer shapes the text (and why) How a novel may be perceived and understood differently by different readers

About the Context The “Context” is Area of Study 2 of the VCE English course. It is known as “Creating and Presenting” The aim of the study is to create a collection of 3 pieces of writing. The pieces should be directly related to the defining “context” or focus. In this Unit, this will be “The Future” The process for developing pieces of writing will involve working from text to your own writing. You should aim to develop your writing, exploring “the future” using different styles and genres depending on the purpose and audience – and your favorite styles and topics! One of the pieces you write will be an exposition under time-constraints (ie: an exam-style timed essay). You will also construct a (PowerPoint) about a “future(istic)” film. Although we will work through a number of specific exercises in class, you are encouraged to undertake your own investigation of text/writing associated with this study. Explore! Find! Consider! You will find , of course, to draft and revise your writing outside class time. Respond … REACT!

1984 We will begin with a study of one of the 20th century’s most famous novels: George Orwell’s 1984. dystopia totalitarianism love social/political control doublethink thought control newspeak  W O R D S 

Context Unit 2 ... later The Context for Unit 2 will focus on Altruism The core text will be To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. You will need to read the novel well beforehand (you’ll start this during the last few weeks of term 2.) Start with two things: A question: what IS altruism? And some real people: WHO are altruists?

The outcome … One timed exposition. This will be set as an in-class exercise. You will be expected to discuss a prompt related to 1984’s vision for the future. And three pieces that you develop, from your own impetus, or from exercise begun in class. Perhaps, if I might be so bold … A “future” story – modeled on Gattaca or Bladerunner … Where will YOU be in … 20 years? (A letter from the future?) A Powerpoint (with speech?): Big Brother is alive and well! “I spy …” News article on the way “Big Brother” is watching us! And one PowerPoint presentation, related to a film (or other text) that you read in relation to the Future. Your aim will be to connect this text to 1984 and explore what visions it offers for the future. In Unit 2, the Outcome will be one piece of extended writing.

Using Language to Persuade The “issue” Focuses on a study of the ways that the media presents views on events not so much to convey information as to create (usually)emotional responses which can mould the points of view. This IS the assumption from which this study proceeds: every media article has a “slant” or an “agenda” … Your task is to discern, from the way language is used, what it is. In Semester 1, this study will proceed through the Issue Book. The Outcome will be a series of exercises from “The English Book” culminating in an analysis of selected media texts. In Semester 2, the study will culminate in a persuasive oral presentation of a point of view (yours!) on an issue in the Australian media