1. The Lives
of Animals
Animals and the News

2. Key inquiry questions
How can texts influence the audience through design, language and imagery?
How do beliefs about animals differ between different groups of people?

3. Brainstorm
What animal issues are raised in The Lives of Animals?

4. Brainstorm: Animal Issues
Animal issues raised in The Lives of Animals:
Animals
used in
entertainment (e.g. rodeos, circuses)
Animals
held in captivity (e.g. zoos, aquariums)
Animals
used for
food and fibre
Live export of farmed animals
Animal experimentation
Hunting of wild animals

5. Media Report: Research
Choose a topic that relates to animals
Form inquiry questions (Who, What, Where, When, Why and How)
Research - at least three sources - with different points of view
Consider how each of the sources uses format, language and imagery to influence the audience

6. Media Report: Discussion
Which different techniques do you identify?
How have they been designed to influence the audience?
Which was the most influential, and why?
How does this differ to others in your group?

7. Media Report: Discussion (feedback)

8. Media Report: Create
Create a media report on your animal issue topic (e.g. magazine article, news website article, video piece).
Include fictional responses from Elizabeth Costello and one other character from The Lives of Animals. These should support a particular argument in keeping with the character in the text.
You should consider:
Multiple perspectives on the issue
Choice of language
Choice of images
Information to be included and excluded, and how this will affect the tone and message
How it will persuade the audience to adopt a certain perspective