Introduction to Area of Study 2 Creating & Presenting

1. Introduction to Area of Study 2Creating & Presenting

2. What is Area of Study Two? • This part of the course is essentially focussed on writing. • Thinking, discussing and writing about a particular context . • Exploring ideas and arguments which relate to our context. • Reading and viewing a range of texts which relate to our context. • Focussing on one specific text and how it relates to the context. • Examining a range of different text types to understand why and how they were created for a particular audience and purpose. • Examining the ways in which writers are able to explore ideas and arguments in their writing. • Developing an understanding of the writing process. • Creating your own texts which explore ideas and arguments relating to the context.

3. What is a context?A context is another word for a theme or complex set of related ideas and arguments.Writers and filmmakers usually explore one or more themes in texts they create.In Area of Study Two, we use the word context and will focus on one particular context.

4. What will we be doing?This year in English we will be studying the context:‘Whose Reality?’

5. What is the outcome and how is it assessed?We’ll be focussing on 4 ‘Big Ideas’.You’ll write a 500 wordpiece for each big ideaand then redraft your best 3 for the final assessment task.

6. How is Creating & Presenting different from Area of Study One In Area of Study One (Reading & Responding) the focus is on texts created by others. You must have a detailed knowledge and understanding of all aspects of the text including plot, setting, character, structure, symbolism, and themes etc.In Area of Study Two however, the focus is on quality ideas and quality writing. We will read, view and study a range of different texts focussing on three main things. 1. what does the text show or say about the context?2. How does the creator of the text communicate these ideas and/or arguments to the audience?3. What are the structure and language features of different text types and forms of writing.

7. Unpacking the context:What does it mean?What could it mean?You will need to develop your own interpretation or understanding of ‘Whose Reality?’ Idea bank: Brainstorm, Google it, concept map it, collect ideas & quotes. Vocab bank: lists of interesting words, phrases, synonyms. Writing tasks: experiment with language & different styles & forms of writing. Reflection activities: write reflections about the things you read, watch, see & listen to which relate to ‘Whose Reality?’

8. PromptsPrompts are similar to topics for pieces of writing. They may be questions or statements which relate to ‘Whose Reality?’You should think of the prompt as inspiration for a writing piece. It’s not as strict as an essay topic. It simply gives you some direction. You have to think like a writer & make the decisions about the piece you’re going to write.

9. Styles of writingThe three main styles of writing you need to know about are:Persuasive writingExpository writingImaginative writingA combination of styles is also possible and known as a hybrid style.

10. Forms of writingYou need to know about the language and structure features of a range of forms of writing or different text types such as:letters, journals, speeches, editorials, feature articles, short stories, memoirs, interviews, reviews, blogs etc.

11. Written Explanation and the writing processTo help you learn to think and write like a ‘real’ writer, it’s important that you understand the writing process and use this to help you in your own writing.As part of the planning processyou will learn how to construct and use a Written Explanation about whatyou wanted to achieve and howyou tried to do this.

12. Texts which relate to the contextIn Unit One,the main text we will focuson is a film text, Gattaca.You will also be asked to reflect on a range of other texts and text types.