English

Question 1

Outline the key points of your presentation to the literacy committee in the form of a persuasive text.

Congratulations, you’ve been appointed in a full-time role in a sought-after primary school. You notice that teachers are mostly using grammar worksheets with inauthentic text, underlining grammatical features etc. You ask your supervisor about it. She tells you that if it’s a particular concern and interest of yours, you can deliver a presentation to the literacy committee on how the school can improve its pedagogy. She tells you to make sure you include research that supports what you’re saying and practical strategies to support teachers who may not have confidence or much of an understanding about the function of language for making meaning.

Question 2: Spelling in the curriculum – approaches & strategies

Explain the shortcomings of the Whole Language/ Phonetic approach to spelling exemplified by strategies such as LSCWC, and the affordances offered by a Linguisticrelational approach exemplified by strategies such as LFSWC.

Question 3: Read the text Harry Potter – Jenny’s Blog (Appendix 1 at the end of this paper). Then, answer the following questions about Jenny’s use of appraisal grammar: vocabulary expressing attitude.

1. What is the language genre and social purpose of the text?
2. In which curriculum areas do you typically find this type of text?
3. How would you describe the tenor relationship between the writer and audience – include an example from the text to support your answer.
4. Give examples of wording which expresses Jenny’s attitude, i.e. her feelings, judgements and opinions. Provide six examples, showing a mix of positive and negative attitudes.
5. Give two examples of wordings that express feelings and opinions of people other than Jenny (e.g. friends, other bloggers, etc.)

Question 3
Well, I finally saw the last Harry Potter movie. It made me really sad to feel that it is over now. My whole childhood has been spent with Harry and the gang. Does that mean I have to grow up? Jamie and Adam were disappointed with the movie but I loved it. Sure there’s a lot of violence. The action sequences are really gruesome with all the fighting and lots of blood and gore. And of course it was tragic when X died (I won’t spoil it!!), even though it happened off camera – I cried and cried. But even though it was a bit on the intense side, the movie still showed the characters developing – You get to see them growing up. Ron finally learns to trust that Hermione could actually love such a ‘nobody’ and Neville becomes a real hero. I hear some academic say that the characters are one-dimensional but looking back over the whole series, I actually think they aren’t black and white. JK always managed to keep me guessing about them. I thought the way Snape’s true character was revealed was brilliant. I know some people on this forum have said that Harry Potter is too simplistic, but I for one don’t agree. There are quite complex and relevant themes like how ordinary people become powerful through love and friendship and facing fear together. Maybe some of the books needed a bit of an edit but on the whole I think JK is a great writer and describes the characters and places really vividly. I’ll miss looking forwards to having a new HP book and then a new movie to look forward to. Wouldn’t it be amazing to have a new series built around their kids? That last scene on Platform 9 ¾ made me want to start again. They may not be everyone’s cup of tea but I’m sure I’ll enjoy rereading the books and re-watching the movies even when I’m an old lady! Source: Humphrey, Droga & Feez (2012