Preparation for Composing Task.

The questions in this task will relate to our topic of Representing Australia- the
different representations of Australian people, the Australian landscape and
Australian values/society.
They could link to anything we have done this Semester- so, you might have to
do a bit of a revision of the texts that we have done over the Semester.

E.g. One of the questions in this task might look like this:

Why on earth do we want closer connection with England? We have little in

common with English people except our language. We are fast becoming an
entirely different people. Henry Lawson.
Use this quote as the stimulus for a text in the form of your choice that focuses
on our unique Australian identity.

You might write a feature article, opinion piece or speech exploring what makes
Australian identity unique- what makes the Australian people, landscape or
values different to other countries?

You would have to make sure that whatever form you choose to write in that
you follow the conventions of that form. E.g. A speech- persuasive
techniques/clear argument etc. Revise this.

Australian People:

Think about the various texts that we have studied and how Australian people
are represented. For example, in The Drovers Wife we looked at this idea of the
bush woman and how she is constructed as resilient, determined, stoic,
independent. We can possibly see these qualities reflected in characters within
other texts we have read or viewed too.
Or, that Australian people can be constructed as larrikins, like in The Castle. Or,
the Aussie Battler/the underdog- Australian audiences tend to love this
representation.
Australians give people a fair go. But, this is challenged in a text like The Tall
Man.
But, remember, these constructions are representations- a version of reality, not
reality itself.
Australian Landscape:

Consider texts produced in Australia and how they depict our Australian
landscape and the people living on that landscape.
The bush is commonly constructed as harsh and unforgiving, however, it
tends to produce characters that are tough and stoic. Well, thats how we
often see it constructed; its not necessarily reality.
Consider some of those songs that we viewed in class at the beginning of
Term One and how they presented different views of the land. Remember
that quality song, This Land is Mine. The difference between colonial
views of the land This Land is Mine and the Indigenous perspective
This Land is Me.
How is Landscape constructed in The Tall Man? You could think about the
setting of Palm Island or interpret landscape as not just a physical
construct, but as being a certain feeling (maybe attitudes) of a particular
time period.
Think about this construction and then the construction of an Urban
landscape in texts like The Castle. How do they differ?

Australian Society and Values:

Australian society is multicultural and egalitarian- we give people a fair

go. Yes, perhaps this is true, but we have also looked at some texts that
challenge this perception.
As a society we seem to value mateship, courage, family, justice, a
classless society etc. Think of texts you have read or viewed where these
things are privileged. Or, think of texts where these things are challenged.

The key thing to remember about all these things is that you need to revise
how different authors write about these ideas. Because that is what you will
have to do in this task.

Compose a piece of writing that explores an aspect of Australian society.

I have put together some example questions on the next page that are more
linked to what we have been studying this Semester than the ones you have
found on the SCSA website. Hopefully this will provide you with more
direction.
Practice Questions.

1. Why on earth do we want closer connection with England? We have little in

common with English people except our language. We are fast becoming an
entirely different people. Henry Lawson.
Use this quote as the stimulus for a text in the form of your choice that focuses
on our unique Australian identity.

2. Giving people a fair go is an Australian myth. Argue for or against this

statement in a form of persuasive writing.

3. Construct a narrative text that features a representation of the Australian

landscape.

4. Construct a text to explore this notion that our identity is shaped by the world
around us.

5. For success, even if it is only the success of knowing that one has tried to the
utmost and never surrendered, is the target of every Aussie battler.
Respond to this quotation in a form of your choice.

6. Use the image below as the stimulus for a narrative text.

TEXT TYPE CONVENTIONS/TECHNIQUES AND WRITING TIPS

In every story, we expect to find:

SHORT STORY Character
Setting
OR NARRATIVE
Conflict
TEXT Point of view
Themes/Ideas

A writer builds these conventions in a narrative by using:

Language to create imagery- simile, metaphor, personification
Language to create sound & rhythm- onomatopoeia, assonance &
alliteration
Emotive Language- language that evokes powerful
thoughts/feelings
Descriptive Language- use of adjectives/adverbs to provide energy
and aesthetic appeal
Mood and atmosphere- created through use of language
Syntax sentence structure
Diction- choice of words

When writing a short story consider:

A short story works with a compressed plot a limited time span,
limited setting, limited characters. Unlike a novel, you dont have
time to develop intricate plot lines or fully developed characters.

Look at example of short stories that we have read in class look at your
True Blue book. What do you notice about how they develop character,
setting, and point of view?

Feature Feature Articles & Expository:

Articles & Contain depth of character and /or issues offering background information
Expository about the subject.
Texts Provide more detail often including extensive research.
(Non-fiction) Provide the reader with an understanding of the writer's attitude toward
his / her subject matter with the careful use of tone.
OTHER: Provide a forum for ideas, attitudes, reasons, feelings and background.
Opinion pieces, Persuasive, informative or entertaining
letters to the They have often have:
editor, speeches, Headline/Byline
essays, Layout
autobiographies, Image
biographies
Caption
Thesis lead paragraph/contention
Argument Structure- paragraphing, evidence & transitions. Selection &
omission of detail
Look at examples that we have reviewed in class- look at ABC
website The Drum for examples of opinion writing/feature
articles.