National Geographic - Salem Witch Trials Imaginative Recount

So, what would it be like to walk in the shoes of John Proctor? Would you confess to something you knew wasn't true to save your own life? What type of conviction and strength does it take to stay true to one's beliefs at threat of death?

There are many instances throughout history where people have stood defiant in the face of death and imprisonment to stand up against injustice, persecution and inequality. What stories can you uncover of people in such situations? Often, many questions accompany the actions of groups in such situations. Lines can become blurred as to who is innocent and who is the victim, who is right and who is wrong. All of this lends itself to discussion of ideas and arguments that could inform a piece of writing you create for the Creating and Presenting AOS. Witch or saint, freedom fighter or terrorist?

3. 12 Eng - The Crucible - You'Re on Trial!

How to join our Blogger blogs

Very soon I will be sending out invites to this and our other blog spaces. You will receive them by e-mail and need to undertake some simple steps to accept them and join the blog. Here is a Jing screenshot to help it make sense if you are having difficulties.

If you wish to view this screencast as a bigger image click on this link: accept_blog_invite.

Encountering Conflict in 2012

THE CRUCIBLE AND THE RUGMAKER OF MAZAR-E-SHARIF

 

Reading and knowing your set texts well is vitally important to doing the best you can in SACs and the exam.

Begin your studies by commenting on this post about the themes and ideas the images above reveal the texts will deal with.

THE SECRET RIVER SAC FEEDBACK

• Include features of your chosen form of writing in your piece
• Use words from the prompt, and synonyms of those words in your piece
• Ensure links/connections to the set text are obvious, a reader looking for them should be able to notice them easily
• Show depth of knowledge in your writing/discussion, be detailed and use quotes in essays
• For this AOS make sure you do not write a text response or retell the story
• Make sure you develop whole, complete pieces of writing. You must have a beginning, middle and end or introduction, body and conclusion
• Use paragraphs, they are an important structural element of writing. Do not leave line gaps within paragraphs - they are a block of writing.
• Structure dialogue in a story carefully. look at examples and use them as a model.

'The Secret River' - Structure and Language Use

Use this website to access information about literary devices that you can use: http://www.skwirk.com.au/p-t_s-54_u-245_t-639/required-skills-and-knowledge-language-features-and-techniques/nsw/english-skills/skills-by-mode-reading-and-writing

Use literary devices to make a connection to the the set text.

Your S/N Task - Exploring the Context - some further points

Aim to create four posts for The Secret River . You need to complete a post for the Picture Panic, Text Tremors, Film Flogging and Music Matters areas of the blog.


The posts will discuss articles of your choice. Your discussion should consider the article in relation to the context of Encountering Conflict and highlight any connections between The Secret River and the article. Include an idea for a piece of writing you think the material would inspire, try to note the form and audience for the piece.

So, have a go. Don't panic about doing it right or wrong, in this case it's about the discussion we can generate and the ideas that will put us in a strong position from which to tackle the SACs and exam.

If you see something put up by someone else that gets you thinking leave them a comment. If you come across something that inspires you in regards to The Rugmaker put a post up about that too. Good Luck.

THE RABBITS by John Marsden and Shaun Tan

Marsden and Tan put forward that Australia has been invaded. This comes through in the ise of the rabbit as a metaphor for European colonisers. Just as rabbits, an introduced species to Australia, are a pest and cause destruction of the environment, so too have the European colonisers. They caused destructive change by taking control, and dominating.

Connections with The Secret River:

Both show the European take over of Australia
They both outline changes to country and Aboriginal people - chopping down of trees, destruction of natural food sources, introduction of alcohol and disease.
Have a similar message - to put forward that invasion occured.
Grenville presents a sympathetic viewpoint that Marsden doesn't towards the Europeans who came, she considers the vicitm impact on those who were convicts or forced to escape persecution and poverty in Europe.

If Marsden and Tan had created The Rabbits for a SAC or Exam response addressing the promp that, 'Conflict creates a legacy of tragedy', it would work in all the ways required. It would have been an imaginative short story that considers themes present in The Secret River and aims to deliver a message to the reader about colonisation that is suportive of Grenville's perspective. At times in her text Grenville uses metaphor and so does Marsden. Also the naming of the characters is done for a purpose just like Grenvilee does. It would meet all the three requirements:

1. Consider the Context
2. Address the Prompt
3. Connect obviously with the set text