English Unit 3 and 4

Prerequisites

A study of a unit from the VCE English Group at Unit 1 or 2.

Course Description

VCE English and English as an Additional Language (EAL) focusses on how English language is used to create meaning in print and digital texts of varying complexity.

Texts selected for study are drawn from the past and present, from Australia and from other cultures, and comprise many text types, including media texts, for analysis of argument.

The study is intended to meet the needs of students with a wide range of expectations and aspirations, including those for whom English is an additional language.

Areas of Study

Unit 3

Reading and responding to texts

In this area of study, students apply reading and viewing strategies to critically engage with a text, considering its dynamics and complexities and reflecting on the motivations of its characters. They analyse the ways authors construct meaning through vocabulary, text structures, language features and conventions, and the presentation of ideas. They are provided with opportunities to understand and explore the historical context, and the social and cultural values of a text, and recognise how these elements influence the way a text is read or viewed, is understood by different audiences, and positions its readers in different ways.

On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse ideas, concerns and values presented in a text, informed by the vocabulary, text structures and language features and how they make meaning.

Creating texts

In this area of study, students build on the knowledge and skills developed through Unit 1. They read and engage imaginatively and critically with mentor texts, and effective and cohesive writing within identified contexts. Through close reading, students expand their understanding of the diverse ways that vocabulary, text structures, language features, conventions and ideas can interweave to create compelling texts. They further consider mentor texts through their understanding of the ways that purpose, context (including mode), and specific and situated audiences influence and shape writing.

On completion of this unit the student should be able to demonstrate effective writing skills by producing their own texts, designed to respond to a specific context and audience to achieve a stated purpose; and to explain their decisions made through writing processes.

Unit 4

Reading and responding to texts

In this area of study, students further sharpen their skills of reading and viewing texts, developed in the corresponding area of study in Unit 3. Students consolidate their capacity to critically analyse texts and deepen their understanding of the ideas and values a text can convey.

On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse explicit and implicit ideas, concerns and values presented in a text, informed by vocabulary, text structures and language features and how they make meaning.

Analysing argument

In this area of study, students analyse the use of argument and language, and visuals in texts that debate a contemporary and significant national or international issue. The texts must have appeared in the media since 1 September of the previous year and teachers are advised to work with their students to select an issue of relevance to the cohort. Students read, view and/or listen to a variety of texts from the media, including print and digital, and audio and audio visual, and develop their understanding of the ways in which arguments and language complement one another to position an intended audience in relation to a selected issue.

On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse the use of argument and language in persuasive texts, including one written text (print or digital) and one text in another mode (audio and/or audio visual); and develop and present a point of view text.

Note: Satisfactory completion of all Areas of Study is required.

Assessment

Unit 3 Outcomes	Assessment Tasks	Marks Allocated
Unit 3 Outcomes	(school-assessed coursework)	Marks Allocated
Analyse ideas, concerns and values presented in a text, informed by the vocabulary, text structures and language features and how they make meaning.	An analytical response to text in written form.	40
Demonstrate effective writing skills by producing their own texts, designed to respond to a specific context and audience to achieve a stated purpose; and Explain their decisions made through writing processes.	A written text constructed in consideration of audience, purpose and context. A written text constructed in consideration of audience, purpose and context. A commentary reflecting on writing processes.	20 20 20
Total Marks		100

Unit 4 Outcomes	Assessment Tasks	Marks Allocated
Unit 4 Outcomes	(school-assessed coursework)	Marks Allocated
Analyse explicit and implicit ideas, concerns and values presented in a text, informed by vocabulary, text structures and language features and how they make meaning.	An analytical response to text in written form.	40
Analyse the use of argument and language in persuasive texts, including one written text (print or digital) and one text in another mode (audio and/or audio visual); and Develop and present a point of view text. *Students must analyse one written text (print or digital) and one other form of text (audio or audio visual) that have appeared in the media since 1 September of the previous year.	An analytical response to argument in written form. A point of view oral presentation.	40 20
Total Marks		100

Note: In addition to school assessed coursework (graded tasks), English coursework must be completed to satisfactorily achieve the outcomes in each unit. This coursework includes reading and annotating set texts, writing reflections, and completing practice writing tasks.

Overall Final Assessment

Graded Assessment	Title	Assessment	Exam Duration	Contribution to Study Score (%)
1	Unit 3 Coursework	School-assessed		25
2	Unit 4 Coursework	School-assessed		25
3	Written Examination	October or November	3 hours	50