Nagle Catholic College

English Unit 2A: Language and Action

Some people dream of success... while others wake up and work hard at it.
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As you know this is an important year of study. Your performance this year will determine the English course you will be permitted to study in Year 12. This course is rigorous and demanding in both its intellectual concepts and work load. This means that you will be required to work hard during the year in order to have success in this course. This also means that homework, reading and research is essential. It is highly recommended that you keep an organised file, go over your notes and keep up to date with your assignments as well as the readings and class activities.

The title for the 2A unit is language in action. In this unit you will be developing language skills by exploring issues of concern or controversy and examining the way in which language can be used to express both attitudes and values but also to influence our future by promoting change. Having a good command of both written and spoken English will enable you to pursue successful and productive lives in your chosen career path. Therefore it is in your best interest to work as hard as you can to achieve the best possible grade.

The aim of this course is to further develop your skills and understandings to prepare you for the demands of Year 12 English. You will be consolidating your understanding and knowledge of the conventions of a range of text types and demonstrating these understandings in the four English outcomes: READING, WRITING, VIEWING and SPEAKING AND LISTENING.

You will be expected to come to class fully prepared each day. You must have the following: A designated workbook for English in the form of lined paper in a file or a subject notebook, and a storage system, such as a file or document wallet, for worksheets Pens, pencils and other relevant stationery Your assigned class text when requested by your teacher Laptop, sufficiently charged (when needed)

Homework: Homework is given to either complete tasks we do not have time to do in class, consolidate the lesson of the day, build skills, or to prepare for assignments or complete assignments. It is imperative that, when homework is given, it is completed by the specified date. This is expected and not optional. Extensions may be granted in exceptional circumstances but must be applied for prior to the due date. Failure to be fully prepared for class or to submit homework/assignments on time may result in a lunchtime detention, contact with parents and significantly jeopardise your grade. Parents will also be contacted about lack of commitment. If you have any issues or problems please come and see me before it becomes a major problem. N.B. - Please refer to your copy of the College Assessment Policy in your diary for more detail concerning the failure to complete assessment and homework tasks.

Exam: There is an exam at the end of this unit. It is compulsory for all 2A students. It is worth 20% of your Semester One mark. The exam will cover the Reading, Writing and Viewing Outcomes. There is no need to panic we will be spending sufficient time in class revising and preparing for the exam. However, you should spend a significant amount of your own time working on essay writing skills and timed written responses, to ensure you achieve the best results possible.

Plagiarism: It is important that all students are aware that plagiarism of any kind will not be tolerated. Teachers are always familiar with their students work and when it is markedly different it is very noticeable. You must always provide a bibliography and cite the words you are taking from another text; internet, book, newspaper, etc. Students will be heavily penalised for plagiarising, please refer to your student diary if in doubt. Remember you are not learning anything if you copy someone elses work.

SCHEME OF ASSESSMENT Unit 2A: Language and Action

Assessment Task Type 1. Investigation/ Response Type Weighting Task Description
1a. Response Common Assessment Task Complete an in-class comprehension on a short story. 1b. Response - Comprehension Complete an in-class essay on the autobiography The Damage Done focusing on the writing techniques and ideas presented. 1c. Investigation Article Write an article on an aspect of the justice system and/ or corruption of power. 2a. Creative writing- Short story Students create a short story based around the idea of language and action. 2b. Written Production Documentary An in-class essay on the techniques and conventions used to influence viewer response in the documentary Bra Boys. 2c. Visual analysis Static Images An exam style in class essay on static images. 3a. Formal oral: Static Image An individual or group tutorial where you will analyse ONE image from the documentary and ONE image of your choice and present the information to the class. 3b. Informal oral: Participation and contribution to class discussions.

Task Weighting

Outcomes Assessed

My Result

35% (CC 20-40%)

10%

Reading Writing

10%

Reading Writing

15%

Reading Writing

2. ProductionWritten/Visual

30% (CC 20-40%)

5%

Writing

15%

Writing Viewing

10%

Writing Viewing

3. Oral Participation /Production

10%

15% (CC 10-20%)

Listening and Speaking Viewing

5%

Listening and Speaking

4. School Examination

20% (CC 10-30%) TOTAL

4a. Participation in a three hour exam assessing reading, writing and viewing.

20% 100%

Reading Writing Viewing

**The program may change due to the availability of texts and other disruptions.

Course Outline Unit 2A: Language and Action

Weeks 1 5

SHORT STORIES

By studying the narrative structure and style of short stories students will be able to understand and comment on the themes, issues and ideas embedded in the text. We begin to study the attitudes and values presented in various stories and contemplate how language can be related to action or power. This unit will build on the structures and conventions that you learnt in Year 10 and focus on the themes and issues in a variety of stories such as, The Letter, Machette, The Test, At Seventeen and An Ugly Mood. Assessment Tasks: 1A CAT: This is an in-class written response to a specific, teacher-chosen short story. Students will be given a question to which they are required to write an extended response in class. This is a common assessment task for all Year 11 Stage 2 students. 2A Creative Task: Students are required to write a short story around the theme of language and action or power. This task is to be completed at home over approximately 3 weeks.

Weeks 6 - 9

AUTOBIOGRAPHY
First of all, students will answer the questions, what is an autobiography and why do we study non-fiction? They will discover consider structural elements of this text type and complete note-taking activities, comprehension questions, individual and group work in order to develop an awareness of how autobiographical texts are constructed. We will study the conventions and persuasive elements of autobiographies and consider how the reader is positioned to accept particular versions of reality through the use of structure, point of view, language and selection of detail.

Assessment Tasks: 1B In-class Essay: You will be given the question the day before and permitted to prepare one page of notes. 1C Investigation: Create an article based on one of the ideas raised in the text, for example, power corruption, injustice or violation of human rights.

Weeks 10 13

DOCUMENTARY

Students will investigate the representation of society and the exploration of social issues, such as violence and gangs, through the documentary Bra Boys. In particular, students will explore depictions of young males and anti-social behaviour such as drug-taking, binge drinking, violence, as well as ideas about family and friends. Particular focus will be paid to the viewer response to attitudes and values presented within this text. Assessment Tasks: 2A Formal Essay: An in-class essay on the techniques and conventions used to influence the audience response. 3A Class Tutorial: In groups of 3-4 you will be given one scene from the documentary to take notes on the SWAT codes, issues and purpose.

Weeks 14 - 15

STATIC IMAGES

This unit focuses on the representation of objects, individuals, groups and society in still images. Students will analyse images based on the use of character, colour, positioning, body language, objects and setting and study the importance of written, symbolic and technical codes. The class will discuss and complete activities on symbolism, representation and audience positioning. Assessment Tasks: 2B Visual Analysis: Select three static images to annotate from the documentary Bra Boys. Write an essay plan for one of those images and then complete the introduction for that essay.

Week 16 17

REVISION & EXAM

We will be reviewing all of the work completed over the semester before the exam. You will have a variety of activities to complete focused on short stories, novels, static images, themes, issues, conventions and purpose. We will revise essay structure and comprehension strategies and then it is up to you to focus on where you think you need improvement. It is highly recommended that you complete some timed activities/responses to prepare for the examination. Examination style questions will be available to you well in advance of the exam. Assessment: 4A Exam: This is an unseen exam that covers reading, writing and viewing. It is worth 20% of the semester grade. Remember to look over the assessment policy in the front of your school diary. If you are having any problems, you must come and see me before the due date. Miss Wood