English
During Term 2, Year 10 English students have studied their unit on the Language of Media and Politics. A key component of their learning is to analyse the ways in which composers use rhetorical devices to persuade their audience. Aristotle’s principles of rhetoric for persuasion is the foundation of the students' understanding of the ways in which politicians, opinion providers, advertisers and media personalities attempt to win people over for their purposes, and simultaneously how they can use the same principles themselves. By focusing on the three core elements of Aristotle’s theory, students examined how composers build ethos (credibility), as well as appeal to the audience's pathos (emotions) and sense of logos (logic).
The assessment task for this unit asked students to write a speech in response to the following topics:
- Covid vaccinations should be compulsory for all adults
- Vaping should be legalised
- School uniforms should be abolished
- Social media does more harm than good
- The pen is mightier than the sword
Below are two excerpts of student work:
Like many students living in today’s world, I find myself addicted to my phone… Any free moment of time that I have, I’ll be scrolling through some form of social media. Although these platforms allow us to connect with each other and provide entertainment, the toll it takes on young people’s mental health and safety must force us to reconsider whether it is truly worth the momentary satisfaction that arises from these dopamine hits.
Trinity Guirguis
Vapes are often believed to be a safer alternative to cigarettes but behind the bright colours and fruity flavours, lay real danger. The Australian Institute of Health recently reported that 1 in 4 14 - 17 year olds openly admit to vaping in some capacity. Amongst 18 - 21 year olds the numbers rise to 49%. Clearly, the appealing features are designed to attract young people.
Olivia Bryant
Year 9 students have undertaken a study in short narrative fiction this term. This has focused on gleaning techniques to create a piece of writing, as well as several reflective items. With this unit recently completed, the cohort has commenced a study of the Documentary form and students are currently exploring this genre and its intentions.
A sample of student work is below.
Year 8 students have just concluded a very popular unit on Romanticism in Poetry where they linked the beauty of our contemporary world around Lake Albert with the contexts of the poems that were studied. Students are now undertaking a novel study, reading The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman and being quite intrigued by the text as it unfolds.
Mr. Damian Quinn | English KLA Leader