Blog Contents

Skill Tutorials
1: What on earth is CITCAT???
2: Identifying Issues 101
3: Identifying and Outlining an Author's Contention
4: An Audience NOT an Audience By Any Other Name
5: The Tone of It All + Tone Bank
6: Writing a Kick-Arse Intro: LA edition
7: A Tale of Three Arguments: Identification
8: My Argument/His Argument
9: PLTs: Identification and Analysis
10: The PLT list
11: Analysing Language: A Basic Guide
12: Avoiding Vague Analysis
13: Article Analysis Basics
14: Answering the WHY???
15: Analysing Images
16: How to write a conclusion 10 minutes

Structuring Your Essay
17: The Language Analysis: Putting It All Together
18: Language Analysis: A Definitive Guide
19: Language Analysis Structure with a focus on the Body Paragraphs

Practice Article
20: Practice Article #1- Shark Tales
21: Practice Article #2- Policy Shames Us All
22: Practice Article #3- School Life Just Became More Fruitful
23: Practice Article #4- Choosing Is Hard, But It's Still A Life Style Choice
24: Practice Article #5- 'Why I Won't Be Travelling...'
25: Practice Article #6- 'WA Entitled to Shark Cull'
26: Practice Article #7- 'Cecil The Lion's Plight...'
27: Practice Article #8- 'Stop Messing Around With Marriage...'

Sample Essay
29: Sample Annotations- Andrew Charles Article
30: Sample Introduction #1- (Medium) With Annotations
31: Sample Introduction #2- (High) With Annotations
32: Sample Introduction #3- (Med/High) 'Why I Won't Be Travelling...'
33: Sample Body Paragraph #1- (Med) With Annotations- Nguyen Article
34: Sample Body Paragraph #2- PT (High)- Gentle Article
35: Sample Essay #1- Policy Shames Us All (Med/High)
36: Sample Essay #2- Devine Article (Med/High)
37 Sample Essay #3- Sinnerton Article (Med/High)

Learning Activities 
38: The Cake Bake
39: A series of Mini Articles
40: A series of Mini Articles #2
41: PLT Tests
42: Sentence Starters for the Language Analysis Unit
43: Comprehension Questions #1: 'Parents Stop Letting Kids...'

(43) Comprehension Questions #1: Parents stop letting kids drink, please.

Article: Parents Stop Letting Kids Drink, Please.
Completed: 13/4

Instructions: Complete Questions 1-9 in response to the article 'Parents Stop Letting Kids Drink, Please.'

1.Who is the author of the article?

2.What is the title of the article?

3.Where was the article published?

4.What is the issue the article is addressing?

5.Why is this issue a problem within society?

6.What is the author’s contention?

7.What is one reason the author provides for his contention?

8.Who would you suggest the author is addressing the article at?

9.What do you think is the authors tone and how does it effect the intended audience?

(42) Sentence Starters for the Langauge Analysis Unit

Sometimes it can be difficult to find a place to start when writing an essay.

Here are some ways to begin and phrase sentences when stating a supporting argument the author uses to defend their POV on the issue:

·         The writer goes on to assert that…

·         The author opens by arguing that…

·         In a … tone, the writer declares that…

·         The writer argues that…

·         The author makes the statement that...

·         The writer argues that… which influences the reader to…

·         The author makes the suggestion that…

·         The author infers that…

Here are some ways to begin and phrase sentences when analysing how language has been used to position the reader…

·         The use of… positions the reader to share the writer’s viewpoint by…

·         [author] uses the emotive term… to describe… this could encourage readers to…

·         [author] opens by employing a [PLT] by making the suggestion that…

·         By following this [PLT1] with a [PLT2] the author is able to…

(41) PLT Tests

The purpose of the PLT Test is to practice identifying and analysing persuasive devices. The argument is provided for you, as is three relevant text extracts, you job is to analyse each of the extract in relation to the provided argument and thus construct a LA body paragraph.

A reminder of how to analyse devices…

1. What is the technique used? (Identify or describe the technique)

2. How is the technique used? (Describe how the author employs the technique, include quote)

3. Why has the technique been used? (How and why does the PLT position the reader?)

PLT Test #1

Analyse the three text extracts from the Andrew Charles article

MA1: Charles argues that boat people are going to destroy the Aussie way of life.

1. ‘illegal boat pirates’
2. ‘Our land is girt by a wild, lawless sea.’
3. ‘I call on all Australian’s to protect our way of life’

PLT Test #2

Analyse the three text extracts from the Joshua Douglas article

MA1: Douglas argues that betting advertising can have an adverse effect on the futures of our children

1. 12 year old betting bandits
2. ‘Future of forgotten morals, family violence and entrenched poverty’
3. Joshua Douglas,

Werribee, Father

PLT Test #3

Use the quoted extracts from ‘Policy Shames Us All’ to analyse how and why language is employ in such a way to support Nguyen’s POV.

MA1: The author argues that asylum seekers are being persecuted and subjugated in their home country and they need to be protected by Australia

1. ‘As the daughter of two incredibly hard-working people.’
2. ‘Death is more appealing than staying alive in a state of horror.’
3. ‘Terrifying conditions… similar hardships… leaving your home in dangerous circumstances.’

(40) A series of mini articles #2

Empathy makes us human

"We can't afford to let the empathy we feel for the desperate circumstances that many people find themselves in cloud our judgment," said our Prime Minister last week. Our judgment of what, exactly? Isn't empathy an important part of what makes us human? Otherwise we are just robots, or worse, like the Daleks from Dr Who, incapable of feelings.

Another young refugee on Nauru has set herself alight; we can't begin to imagine the desperation and despair that led to this, yet our government continues to ignore the pleas of doctors and many others to stop the damaging treatment of innocent fellow human beings who have sought our help.

This isn’t about politics or Australia, this is about our humanity and the dignity and pride that some of us clearly take for granted. Malcolm Turnbull and Peter Dutton need to stop using vulnerable people like pawns in a disgraceful political game.

Teddy Munners, Blackburn North

Hijacked by sport

Since when did Anzac Day become an Anzac weekend starting on April 23? Answer: when one of Australia's biggest businesses decided to hijack it for its own profitable gain. Shame AFL, shame.

When broadcasters refer to the players as ‘modern day warriors,’ comparing them to soldiers sacrificing them themselves on bloody battlefields a little part of me dies.

Anzac Day should be ceremonially, honourably and respectfully celebrated on one day. A day of remembrances, of honour and of tributes to the young lives that made our country great.

The memory and deaths of these young loves should stand alone. They should not be profited from. Should not be monopolised. Should not be exploited.

Extending it for your own capitalist reasons, in the name of sport, is unethical, un-Australian, and an utter disgrace.

Teddy Munners, Blackburn North

(39) A series of Mini Articles

The TASK: Complete 2 of the three tasks below by following the instructions that proceed each article. Each piece needs to be submitted to Mr Munro however should be peer assessed within class time. 

Task 1: Mini Article #1

Instructions: Write a LA introduction on the article ‘Our Land is Girt by a Wild Lawless Sea

3 marks: Student has identified the issue and context

3 marks: Student has identified the text details, intended audience and the tone of the article

1 mark: Student had identified the author’s contention

3 marks: Student had introduced any secondary article and the contention, tone and intended audience if it differs from the primary article

Our Land  is Girt by a Wild Lawless Sea          1/1/2011

To the editor of the Herald Sun,

I call on all Australians to protect our way of life. A way of life that is being threatened by illegal boat pirates and mooching human cargo. My tax dollars shouldn’t go to funding the exorbitant whims of boat people who are increasingly becoming a scourge on our society. My job and indeed no Aussie job should be sacrificed so a two-buck immigrant can be given a fair go. We live in the lucky country. Let’s keep it that way.

Andrew Charles

Werribee, Father

Task #2: Mini Article #2

Instructions: Identify the contention and 2 supporting arguments on the article ’12 Year Old Betting Bandits’ below.

2 Marks: Student is able to identify and outline the issue and context of the article.

2 Marks: Student can identify the author's contention and express it in an appropriate manner.

6 Marks: Student can identify 2 supporting arguments and outline the argument in a full sentence that relates to the issue/contention

12 year old betting bandits

To the editor,

I was watching the footy with my son the other day when he tells me the ‘Pie’s are gonna win becauseBetsport has them at $1.58’ and that ‘we should put 100 bucks on them to pay for dinner.’ When did the financial interests of unethical betting houses trump the rights and future of our children? When does the exploitation stop? When does the government’s financial reliance end? It seems like the only interest that isn’t being considered is our children. Who will repay for the lives, families and financial future destroyed by this government cash grab? The onus is on the government and the consequence of not acting now will be a future of forgotten morals, family violence and entrenched poverty. We need to put a stop to betting during sports so that children, our future doesn’t grow up thinking betting on sports is normal. Let’s not promote a culture of addiction.

Joshua Douglas, 4/5/2012

Werribee, Father

Task 3: Mini Article #3

Identify how persuasive language is employed within the article ‘Junk Food Junkies,’ the contention and one supporting argument is supplied if you need.

3 marks: Student has identified how the author opened their piece (the technique), has employed a quote and has identified how this may position readers.

3 marks: Student has identified how the author has used language and has identified how this may position readers (with textual evidence)

3 marks: Student has analysed the image and how the image has been employed to impact the intended reader.

1 mark: One further persuasive technique has been identified (no analysis required)

Contention: Davis contends that school canteens need to phase out the sale of junk food to students to ensure the health and wellbeing of our society.

Supporting Argument: The author opens by suggesting that junk food sold in canteens can have a large impact on the health of our students.

Junk food Junkies                       The Age, 15/4/2015

To the editor,

I had to call the plumber the other day because my gutters were blocked. He called me out after being on the roof to show me a pile of mouldy sandwiches and rotten fruit. Apparently my son enjoys the taste of salty, fatty, sugary school canteen food more than my healthy sandwiches. Why should public schools be risking our children's health, wellbeing and future (not to mention their pocket money) due to entrenched laziness and small financial gains. Canteens need to remove these offending products for the wellbeing of our entire community.

Sue Davis,

(38) The Cake Bake

THE CAKE RECIPE: A different way of looking at the LA structure

Language Analysis Essay

An essay that analyses how language is used to persuade a reader of their point of view

Paragraphs: 5 (Introduction, 3*body paragraphs, Conclusion)

Ingredients:

To Write the introduction:

·         Issue

·         Context

·         Audience

·         Text details

·         Contention

·         Tone and effect

To Write the Body Paragraphs

·         3 Arguments (one for each body paragraph)

·         3 examples of persuasive language and the effect the examples have on the reader

·         3 examples of persuasive techniques and the effect the examples have on the reader

·         1 suggestion of how the author opens the piece and the effect this has on the reader

·         1 suggestion of how the author closes the piece and the effect this has on the reader

·         1 suggestion of how the tone changes within the piece and the effect this change has on the reader

• Analysis of the image and how it positions the reader.

To Write the Conclusion

·         Contention

·         A comment on how the author leaves the reader feeling

Method:

Introduction

1^st sentence: you need to outline what the issue is and how the issue arose. (What ‘sparked’ the issue?

2^nd sentence: you need to introduce the text, the author and the publication details while outlining the author’s contention

3^rd sentence: you then make a suggestion of the authors intended tone and how this particular tone would affect the reader.

Body Paragraph 1

1^st Sentence: Outline the opening argument the author employs within their article.

2^nd and 3^rd sentences: you identify how the author opens the article and the effect this would have on the reader and how it could persuade the reader of the author’s opening argument.

4^th and 5^th sentences:  you identify an example of persuasive language the author has used to argue their first argument and analyse the effect the use of this language would have on the author.

6^th and 7^th sentences: you identify a persuasive technique employed by the author and how it has been used to influence the author.

Body Paragraph 2

1^st Sentence: You outline the 2nd argument the author employs within their article.

2^nd and 3^rd sentences: you identify an example of persuasive language the author has used to argue their 2nd argument and analyse the effect the use of this language would have on the reader.

4^th and 5^th sentences:  you identify a persuasive technique employed by the author and how it has been used to influence the reader.

6^th and 7^th sentences: analyse how the author changes the tone and the effect this would have on the reader.

Body Paragraph 3

1^st Sentence: Outline the closing argument employed by the author within their article.

2^nd and 3^rd sentences: you identify an example of persuasive language the author has used to argue their closing argument and analyse the effect the use of this language would have on the reader.

4^th and 5^th sentences:  you identify a persuasive technique employed by the author and how it has been used to influence the reader.

6^th and 7^th sentences: Outline how the author concludes and how this could influence the reader.

Conclusion

1^st Sentence:  Restate the authors contention

2^nd sentence: outline how the author leaves the reader feeling