The Oasis - Comparing Representation in the Media

Australian curriculum content descriptions:

Year 9 English:

• Understand that authors innovate with text structures and language for specific purposes and effects (ACELA1553)
• Identify how vocabulary choices contribute to specificity, abstraction and stylistic effectiveness (ACELA1561)
• Use comprehension strategies to interpret and analyse texts, comparing and evaluating representations of an event, issue, situation or character in different texts (ACELY1744)

Year 10 English:

• Evaluate the impact on audiences of different choices in the representation of still and moving images (ACELA1572)
• Compare and evaluate how ‘voice’ as a literary device can be used in a range of different types of texts such as poetry to evoke particular emotional responses (ACELT1643)
• Use comprehension strategies to compare and contrast information within and between texts, identifying and analysing embedded perspectives, and evaluating supporting evidence (ACELY1754)

Year 11 English:

Unit 1 

• explaining the ways text structures, language features and stylistic choices are used in different types of texts (ACEEN005)
• analysing how vocabulary, idiom and rhetoric are used for different purposes and contexts (ACEEN006)
• drawing on a range of technologies in, for example, research, communication and representation of ideas (ACEEN012)
• using evidence-based argument (ACEEN014)

Unit 2

• analysing the ways language features, text structures and stylistic choices shape points of view and influence audiences (ACEEN024)
• the impact of language and structural choices on shaping own and others’ perspectives (ACEEN028)
• selecting and applying appropriate textual evidence to support arguments (ACEEN035)
• using accurate spelling, punctuation, syntax and metalanguage (ACEEN037)

Year 12 English:

Unit 3

• making innovative and imaginative use of language features (ACEEN051)
• using and experimenting with text structures and language features related to specific genres for particular effects (ACEEN052)
• sustaining analysis and argument (ACEEN053)
• explaining how meaning changes when texts are transformed into a different genre or medium(ACEEN058)

Unit 4

• analysing content, purpose and choice of language (ACEEN063)
• analysing the use of voice and point of view such as in feature articles, reporting of current events or narration (ACEEN064)
• exploring other interpretations and aspects of context to develop a considered response.(ACEEN065)
• using appropriate language and stylistic features to sustain a personal voice and point of view (ACEEN069)

Syllabus Outcomes: EN5-1A, EN5-2A.

General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical Understanding, Literacy.

Unit of work: THE OASIS – English

Time required: 120 min (or 2 x 60 mins).

Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – facilitate discussion.

• Student Worksheet – one copy per student OR computers/tablets to access the online worksheet
• Device capable of presenting a website to the class
• Pieces of paper and a hat/container
• Voice recorder (smartphone, tablet or computer software)
• Access to THE OASIS documentary on Vimeo. SMH Opinion Piece, ABC Online News Article

This resource has been adapted from ‘Teaching Social Issues Through English’ developed with the English Teachers Association NSW and the ‘Youth Homelessness Matters Resource’ developed by Janice Atkin. You can find these resources here.