Witness Section B: Writing in Context Identity and Belonging
Exam Requirements Read and digest the prompt VERY carefully Answer this section last Definitely NOT under 2 pages, aim for 3-4.
How to score a 9 or 10 Demonstrates an insightful grasp of the implications of the prompt, and perceptively explores its conceptual complexity using an appropriate strategy for dealing with it. Achieves an assured, cohesively structured piece of writing in an appropriate form, successfully integrating, in a sophisticated way, ideas suggested by the selected text/s. Makes fluent and effective use of language appropriate to the purpose and audience specified in the task.
The Prompt Is the overall message of your piece, what the piece is REALLY about. Is worth approx 1/3 of your mark Should determine what happens in your piece – should control the action, dialogue, discussion topic, investigation, etc. Should be examined closely for opportunities – cannot all be pre-planned content
What can I pre-plan? You might have a pre-considered tone, voice, character or setting Your form and expression is worth approx 1/3 of your mark Develop a sophisticated vocabulary list that compliments any of the above that you have pre- planned Practise your chosen form – pay close attention to specific conventions
What do I need to know? Conventions of your chosen form How to pull apart a prompt and address it in full The IDEAS regarding Identity and Belonging that are evident in ‘Witness’
Form Be as clear as possible. Make it as easy for the assessor to see your form as possible. Eg. essay of any description – give it a title and tell us where it’s published Use language appropriate to your form. Always show don’t tell. Make it clear you know how to write in your chosen form
Complexity Your piece needs to show complex ideas. Try to reduce your connection to I & B to one or 2 sentences. Are you saying something interesting? Can I take your message home and think about it/apply it to my life? It can be helpful to think about your piece in terms of change. If imaginative: where do your characters start? What journey do they go on? What do they explore? If essay – what point are you making at the beginning? How is it explored/changed from the start to the end of your essay
The Film: How identity is shaped People are products of the worlds in which they exist Individualistic modern western society vs. staunchly community minded, traditional society Children are inducted through rituals from early age We learn from others, which helps form our identity (Book & Schaeffer, Eli & Samuel)
The Film: How group identity is represented We are identified by the way we look We are identified by the way we act Changing our look or actions may result in exclusion from a group
The Film: Identifying the self as an individual and as a member of a group Conflict can occur between the identity of the group and that of the individual We can oscillate between the two identities Our oscillation can manifest both verbally and non-verbally
The Film: Identity and gender Respectable women are expected to put their children above romantic relationships Real men are expected to have their own family There is often conflict between how people are expected to behave according to their gender, and how they actually behave
The Film: How and why identity changes Experience with a different community can change our identity We can recognise elements of our own beliefs/values within those who are different to us New groups can fill missing parts of our lives
Putting it all together Planning should take 5 minutes and involve: FORM – what it looks like PROMPT – what will happen/ the message IDEAS – about Identity and Belonging that are evident in the text
Practice Prompts CRISIS – A single event can change who a person is PLACE – Everyone is a product of their environment RELATIONSHIPS – The people around you define who you are BELIEFS – We are categorised by our actions rather than our words
Bibliography VCE OXFORD ENGLISH 3 & 4