Year 11 English

Context: Future Worlds

Holiday Homework
- All THREE tasks are due Thursday 18th April 1. Read the feature article You choose our babys name, why not choose their face? by following this link: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/you-choose-your-babys-name-why-not-choose-theirface-20090307-8rv4.html When you have read the article, answer the following questions:
a) Find the meaning of these words and phrases used in the article: eugenics, commodified, Aryan super race. b) Parents can already choose the sex of their child. What does this involve? c) What did the Fertility Institute in LA announce in March 2009? d) What does this technique involve? e) In paragraph 3, the read is informed of some ethical concerns relating to this technique. Explain in your own words what they are. f) According to Lee Silver, how might parents in the future choose which embryo to have implanted? g) Would this technique guarantee the perfect child? Explain your answer. h) Why would some parents be likely to choose this option despite the cost? i) Where do most people working in the biotechnology industry draw the line? j) Why might parents what to choose genes linked with good looks for their children? k) How likely is it that this technology will be used in the future?

2. Practice Task 1: Persuasive Writing

Prompt: Biological make-up is less important than strength of character. Your task is to write a letter to the editor in which you present your opinion on the issue of whether parents should be able to make use of advancements in biotechnology to choose the genetic makeup of their children. Prompt In presenting your point of view on this issue, you must also address the prompt by discussing whether biological make-up (or genes) is less important than an individuals strength of character. Set Text You must use examples from the film Gattaca as evidence to support at least one of your key points. (You can also use information from the feature article above as evidence, as well as any other relevant sources.) Form Your letter should employ the correct structure and features of a letter to the editor (see the advice below) and be approximately 500 words in length.

 Language In writing your letter to the editor, you should try to use a range of persuasive language techniques to convince your reader to agree with your viewpoint. Aim to include at least three. For example, emotive language, expert opinion, rhetorical question, appeal to fear, repetition, inclusive language and exaggeration. (See the table on pp. 22-25 of your Using language to persuade textbook.) Getting started: Begin by deciding your opinion on the issue, then brainstorm as many possible points to support it as you can. Choose your three strongest points to form your argument and begin writing!

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the editor are usually written in response to an event or issue of great personal interest to the writer. The writers purpose is to express their point of view on an issue and convince readers to agree with them.

Structure
Introduction - Begin with the phrase Dear Sir/Madam - Get your readers attention by using a hook (see below) - Give some background information - Clearly state your opinion on the issue - Very briefly outline your argument Body Each of your body paragraphs should present a new point in your argument. (3 points = 3 paragraphs) Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence and give a detailed explanation of your point, supporting it with evidence (examples, quotes from experts, etc.). Conclude with a linking sentence to your next point. To enhance your letter, in a fourth body paragraph you might like to rebut an opposing argument. (This means explaining what is wrong with the other sides argument in order to strengthen your own case.) Conclusion - Restate your viewpoint - Summarise your argument - Finish with a call to action: what do you want your readers to do? - Give your name and suburb (It may be real or fake!)

Features
Vary in tone from restrained and reasoned to passionate and inflammatory. A combination of formal and informal language is acceptable, depending on context and audience. You may use the first person. Try to create a distinctive voice. Use present tense to present your argument. Use linking words and sentences to make your writing flow and demonstrate the connections between the points in your argument. Ensure your argument is logical and consistent. (Be careful not to contradict yourself!)

HOOKS
These are the main types of hooks: 1. Opening with an unusual detail: Species are currently becoming extinct at a faster rate than at any time in the past. 2. Opening with a strong statement: Dogs and cats are not toys that can be discarded when their novelty wears off. 3. Opening with a quotation: Prime Minister Malcom Fraser once said Life wasnt meant to be easy. 4. Opening with an anecdote: An anecdote can provide an amusing and attention-getting opening if it is short and to the point. 5. Opening with a statistic or fact: Sometimes a statistic or fact will add emphasis or interest to your argument. More than 50% of people fined for speeding in 2009 were under the age of 25. 6. Opening with a question: Have you ever considered how many books wed read if it were not for television? 7. Opening with an exaggeration: The whole world watched as the comet flew overhead. Please note that these examples are not related to Future Worlds!

3. Using Language to Persuade (These exercises require the use of your Using language to persuade textbook.) Complete Exercise 4.5 on pp.62-63 about tabloid and broadsheet newspapers. Read the section Print texts in newspapers on p.71 of your textbook, then read the two news reports which follow: Review of child support urged and Deadbeat dads dud kids. Compare and contrast the two articles, identifying the differences between them in terms of content and objectivity, by completing the table below: Review of child support urged
Name of Newspaper Broadsheet or Tabloid? What information is conveyed? Tone (Give an example)

Deadbeat dads dud kids

Is the language formal or informal? Is it objective? Does it contain any opinion? If so, how much on each side? Give examples.