Year 10 English: Anything but an Essay

What if the best way to demonstrate critical thinking isn’t always an essay? 

That was the challenge Miss Duncan posed to Year 10A English students this term. After studying Angie Thomas’ The Hate U Give, students grappled with some of the novel’s most challenging questions about justice, identity and protest. Their final task required them to develop a sophisticated response using textual evidence, authorial intent and connections to the real world. But there was one rule: no essays allowed.

Instead, students had to decide how best to communicate their thinking. The result was our ‘Anything but an Essay’ Expo: a room transformed by news reports, podcasts, artworks, installations, evidence boards, performances and interactive exhibits, with students discussing their ideas with visiting staff and students.

Behind the creativity was a serious academic purpose. We want our students to understand that intellectual rigour is not defined by a particular format. Deep, critical thinking involves questioning, interpreting evidence, making connections, considering an audience and communicating ideas with purpose.

                                                                                    Congratulations Year 10A English!