English Standard Module A  

-​ ​The representation of a hybrid experience through differences

-​ ​Language enabling a shedding of identity and enabling a mask or new sense of self

The two poems I will be selecting is ​Mother​ – Vuong Pham and ​New Accents​ – Ouyang Yu.

​Mother – Vuong Pham (Trials + HSC)

-​ ​Written in free verse the poem moves with natural fluidity and cadence of voice
-​ ​Poem starts declarative to represent new cathartic experiences. Repetition of “I know now” cements
relationship between questioning and knowing between present and past.
-​ ​Significance of memory is captured through sensory imagery. The idyllic recreation of mother’s past.

“the soothing…of rickshaws” contrasts image of her fleeing Saigon. “Among the refugee…”
-​ ​Loss of home for mother that cannot be reclaimed but only recreated in the “mind’s eye”. Poet’s

present is only made possible by mother’s past.

-​ ​The litany of labour is expressed with a tone of admiration. “she stitched floral… an hour”

-​ ​Symbolism of time passing depicted through hair motif. “more grey hairs fall” but memory remains

eternal
-​ ​Garden/Floral Imagery employed to characterise her mother but is now weary with age and

burdened. The imagery of growth further developed in the last line.

-​ ​Poem can obviously be seen as an ode in dedication to his mother

-​ ​“Memory can mediate between what is outside and what is within”

Definition Terms
Cathartic – Psychological Relief

Cadence – a modulation of the voice

Idyllic – extremely happy, peaceful

New Accents – Ouyang Yu (Trials + HSC)

Shows the power of language to alienate. The ideas of linguistic displacement of immigrant.

-​ ​ Traditional style of eight stanzas. Showcasing. The linguistic alienation.

-​ ​Stigmas and prejudices experienced by migrants to Australia are represented as a product of their

“new” language. Symbolic pun of “speak anguish” to capture feelings of distress and suffering
-​ ​The use of phonetic spelling. Referring to mimic the vocal sounds to parallel the emotional

experience of anguish.
-​ ​Use of personal and public voices to speak for himself and behalf of other migrants and minimal

punctuation to blend voices/ dialogue. “C from Canton” – A hybridized diasporic subjectivity

-​ ​Distinct separation between himself and English speakers. The use of I, they, their and my. This

juxtaposes pronouns and separating from society

-​ ​Obvious humour demonstrated through phonetic spelling and a sad undercurrent of loss in last

declaration
Poem Link Techniques Quotes Purpose

This is where In the poem, Epigraph “Grandfather This poem was

it begins – there are Imagery teasing me with composed for an
Melinda various Focalisation* that lady in the acceptance
Bobis references to Repetition hills walking into speech.
recollections Personification his dream, each
by the time a different The Key ideas of
grandfather colour of dress, the poem is:
and a different -​ ​ the act and.
grandmother attitude under cultural
of their my skin.” significance of
personal storytelling
experiences “Grandmother is -​ ​the role of
which is storytelling memory and its
passed on about the effect on
through family crab-stealer identity
therefore hiding under the -​ ​the effect and
encouraging bed. Each importance of
this idea of story-word words and
hybrid crackles under language for
experiences. the ghost’s individuals
Through the teeth, infernal living in a
experience of under my skin. I community.
one family shiver.”
member
comes many “Digde ini
more nagpoon.”
experiences (Philippines)
from other
members. The
difference is
only the
perception in
which readers
interpret it.
The use of a
different
language in
the first 2
stanzas, show
the identity
within the
language and
the culture in
which it is
attached too.
Home – The poem Personification “It will be in my The intention of
Miriam Wei showcases 2 Repetition mouth – a thin Home was to fuse
Wei Lo very different Irony wafer of honey, images and
living Symbolism the bitter salt emotion. It was for
situations that Similes taste of my anyone who
contrast the Imagery husband’s experienced
way of living Allusion sweat.” dislocation or
drastically. uncertainty about
Her father “Perhaps the identity.
living in code for entry
poverty will be in The moral of this
referring to braille.” poem is that
one “home” can be an
experience “Someone is at other-worldly-place
whilst the work in me, and it doesn’t have
main poet translating this to be confined to a
finding home corrupt certain place.
over a triptych language of. my
designed body, the dark, The composer’s
poem whilst bitter words of Christian beliefs
having access my heart” (Allusion)
to regular demonstrates this
materials for a idea of an afterlife
comfortable where homes
life. On the experienced in a
poet’s journey life time is
to finding a shadows or
home, the use imperfect copies of
of language a perfect ideal
symbolises home that is both
the adventure place and person.
that is taken
to eventually
find a place to
call home.
The poet also
comes to
realise that
she finds her
true identity
within
New Accents The use of First Person “When I first
– Ouyang Yu public voices Ironic tone arrived in Follows the
that are Oxymorons Australia They Kingslory tale of a
immigrants Humour tried to fool me foreigner called “O”
moving to Shift in tone from around because who encounters
Australia who Optimist to Pessimist I couldn’t speak people and
are being Lack of punctuation “Anguish ``'' experiences that
assimilated of Malapropism make him more
their identity “C from Canton aware of himself as
showcases talked about a migrant in
this hybrid criminal cases Australia.
experience As if they were
between crime-mi-nal” China’s pursuit of
different “westerness” being
people “Lost my M.A. made fun of his
described in candidacy in accent because it
the poem. Canton was deemed
This Because I somewhat
assimilation created abnormal.
also makes “ee-Sense” in
the people in “essence And Key ideas include:
this novel they, the
conform professors, -​ ​Transnational

against their rightly, lost a identity

will to make genius in me -​ ​Absurdity of
their With their translation
“language” English And my -​ ​Malamorphism

(accents) Anguish”
inexistent and
therefore
mask their
true identities.
Mother – Through Personification “I know now as I
Vuong Pham language Authoritative Voice did in my Key ideas include:
used in Symbolism childhood
Mother, the Imagery wonder that my -​ ​Narration of
narration of Motif mother memory and
memory and Metaphor dreamed of a experiences
experiences Dialogue paradise one -​ ​Sacrifices of

represents the Descriptive unbound by war first generation

shedding of Language and exodus” for the next,
identity migrant life in
through “And as I do Australia for
language. The jigsaw- puzzle non-english
poem also pieces of speaking
demonstrates memory lock countries.
the sacrifices together”
that parents Memories of
make for the “The freedom of childhood are
well-being of her hair, a represented in
their children glimmering stanza 3. Youth in
and how this smile; spiriting stanza 5 adulthood
correlates with past street in stanza 6 and
the idea of markets, the journey from
hybrid soothing Saigon in stanzas
experiences aromas of Phó 6 and 7.
through and lychee tea”
differences.
The mother “there among
had to carry the refugee
her child to boat’s thrum,
migrate to the faces of
Australia after Saigon
the intense watching … in
imagery the missile
describes the storm”
home in which
can no longer
be described
as home.
Circular Circular Rhetorical Questions “There’s a man The purpose of this
Breathing - breathing Juxtaposition with dreadlocks poem was to
JAYA represents Auditory Imagery playing the illustrate that you
SAVIGE hybrid Imagery didgeridoo” can establish a
experiences connection with
through “Faces glazed more than one
differences by with wonder; culture and this
challenging from where doesn’t necessarily
cultural could this relate to a physical
assumptions strange music place, culture or
playing the have come?” community. It also
didgeridoo in demonstrates how
the Piazza di “He doesn’t do self identity can be
Santa Maria in the kangaroo, found through
Rome and the mosquito or being “different”
finding his self the speeding and not being
identity Holden.” referred to as a
through the bad thing.
love of music “My stomach
and the fills with fire. Far Compare to New
people above cold stars Accents while
listening and wheel around relate to
being the spire of Translucent Jade &
intrigued by Rome’s oldest Home
the difference Christian
of sounds church.”
never to be
heard outside
the walls of
Australia.
 Translucent Translucent Flashbacks “My grandfather The purpose of
Jade - Jade focuses Imagery made​ me a gift Translucent Jade
Maureen Tën on the idea of First Person when I was is to find self
shedding Repetition born. I used it identity through
identity and Rhetorical Questions for a while until creating a new
creating a another gift, my sense of self. As a
new sense of mother’s younger generation
self / identity flashed in view” may not have the
from when the desired
poet flashback “Today i appreciation for
to their retrieved his gift tangible and
younger years from its silence” intangible
where they significance, the
received a gift “Sometimes I generations that
made from felt an imposter, passes through
their Sometimes I time, begins to
grandfather thought it understand the
and the poet reflected hidden significance and
didn’t aspects I could find their self
understand own.” identity from within.
the true
significance of “What vibrations
the gift until are these? …
she had do I to it
grown up and belong?”
created a new
sense of self
with
identifying
more with the
gift and
recognising its
true
significance
towards their
identity.

Synthesis / Similarities & Differences between poems

All poems have the considerations of hybridity of experiences through the generations that live to tell the
stories and pass them down to the younger generation. Only very specific poems showcase the use of
language as shedding identity.

This is where it begins --> Home:​ Both poems are filled with paradoxes, sensory imagery, similar tone
to relate to similar experiences.
This is where it begins – Melinda Bobis (Trials + HSC)

Celebrates the power of storytelling and the ability of language to connect individuals to their cultural
heritage despite distance of time.

Sensory imagery including “shiver” and “crackle”

Addresses the paradoxical power. And limit of memory in low modality.

Visceral – relating to deep. Inward feelings rather than direct

The grandparent’s recollection remains ambiguous for her and shows inability to distinguish
metaphorical or literal elements of the tale

Focalisation – The perspective through which the narrative is presented

Multiple languages serve tribute to multiple influences

Repetition of ironically declarative. “this is where it begins”

Description. Of “under. My skin” To represent persuasive nature of the stories and cultural significance.

Ode theme which refers to a poem written in admiration or dedication and therefore word like “conjure”
creates a dream like quality.

Home - Miriam Wei Wei Lo (Trials + HSC)

A triptych style poem that. Reveals complexities of hybrid culture and identity whilst revealing
transcendental power of language.

Full of paradox. That represents how poetry provides her with a medium to reconcile irreconcilable
differences or divides. Poetry bridges two cultures and unifies the various time periods

Triptych design – three discreet sections can be read and appreciated, separated together.

Personal voice is used to reveal her private musings as she considers the hardships of her ancestors.

Religious imagery and allusion “two stone tablets” refer to 10 commandments. Power of words to
transcend time and through crucifixion imagery

Shifting use of tone when projecting into future. Employs tone of desperation and determination

Stanza two is marked by a distinct tone of awe and introspection “an image… eyes shut tight”

The poem ends with a tone of reverence and appreciation. “And this… or medieval king”

Self-representation through floral imagery in the final stanza symbolically depicting her own
grounded-self growing more entrenched each year in the place.
 ​Translucent Jade – Maureen Ten (HSC)

A seemingly simple poem depicting the poet’s complex relationship with her past and own shifting
identity

-​ ​Recognition or appreciation of culture is not intrinsic but rather “a little strange”

-​ ​Sense of dislocation and disconnection from culture in her honest tone when wearing the gift

-​ ​The poet’s recollections of childhood memories move between a time of childhood and her adult

present. The poem represents an eventual reconciliation. Of the two seemingly incongruent selves.
Liminality captured in the centre stanza.
-​ ​Liminality - transitory state

-​ ​Juxtaposing two gifts reveals the shifting significance of her culture and use of adjectives to describe

the gifts. Use of symbolism and transparency.

-​ ​Rhetorical self-interrogatory – “does this belong to me” Reverse syntax showing the reciprocal

relationship and raised the philosophical question of ownership and belonging.

-​ ​“What vibrations are these” – resonates with her culture I.e. energy and liveliness in the gift showing

the eternal presence of her culture.

Circular Breathing – Jaya Savige (HSC)

Monologue style poem, narrating the poet’s experience of cultural questioning when travelling in Italy.
Digeridoo acts as catalyst for self-questioning.

-​ ​Poem begins as an observational frame and moves to introspective to reveal his conflicted or
perhaps hybrid sense of identity
-​ ​Moments of social critique as he depicts the decay. Of commercialisation of culture. The tone of

sadness represents his contempt for the disingenuous nature of modern culture.
-​ ​Juxtaposing of authentic and inauthentic culture. The power of the digeridoo contrasts the fraudulent

representations of culture such as “Armani … into equivalence”

-​ ​Culture and history if a place, comparing Roman history with the indigenous digeridoo sound. The

tourists wonder. Called hypophora which relates to where the answer is given right after a rhetorical
question.
-​ ​Savige’s observation. And admiration turns to the digeridoo player. The adjective choice of

“unhurried” is in clear contrast to the bustling scene in stanza one.

-​ ​Sound is described using synthesis as “one dark… circular breathing”. The setting of the illicit market

and the musician is praised for playing as a hybrid. Culture. Through the Hindu.
-​ ​Last stanza represents moment of personal awakening reflected to changing verb choice. From bolt

to walk to lurch. He questions the affinity with the sound as somewhat disingenuous since he does
not slow.

Definitions

Affinity – A spontaneous or natural liking for something

Disingenuous – not sincere, typically by pretending that one knows less about something than one really
does
How do the poems affirm, ignore, reveal, challenge or disrupt prevailing assumptions
and beliefs about themselves, individuals and cultural groups.

Poem Affirm Ignore Reveal Challenge

This is where it This is where it It ignores the It reveals a It challenges the

begins - Melinda begins, affirms assumptions that different ideas conveyed
Bobis the idea of the experiences perspective to in new accents
language and migrants go people, as a way because new
storytelling to through are of seeing a accents focuses
connect mostly negative connection to on discrimination
individuals to and reinforces a culture rather of “accents” and
their culture. It positive attitude than thinking how that causes
also affirms the to what they do about negative a disconnection
idea of passing have. connotations to culture within
down stories that may be communities..
from older associated with
generations to the idea of
the new and how storytelling and
that can help especially
find your identity migrants.

Home - Miriam This poem It ignores the The poem It challenges the
Wei Wei Lo affirms that idea that not reveals the idea of home
regardless if you having a different stages having to be a
have a physical physical home to identifying physical place
home or not, a doesn’t allow for with cultures, that it is
home exists for certain individuals and commonly
everyone memories to be connecting with referred to as. It
whether it would shown within the these to form a also challenges
be within a walls of a house place to call how one
certain culture, and that the home. It also identifies with a
country or with physical and reveals that certain place,
certain people. mental home can be whether it would
consequences of created through be from
not having a many different memories,
home can result elements and friends or certain
in reduced doesn’t have to features of the
health conditions relate to a house. In
and so forth. physical place. retrospect,
Home
Ignoring physical challenges
attributes to stereotypes
home associated with
“home”

New Accents - This poem It ignores the It reveals that New Accents
Ouyang Yu affirms the idea idea of other people think in a challenges their
that people who people’s certain way and audience to think
migrated are perceptions that base their differently about
being haven’t migrated theories on migrants and
discriminated and the poet stereotypes. take into account
against because specifically These include if the migrants
of such minor ignores any the person has perspective and
language people who migrated to how they are
barriers and that discriminate another country, being treated
 there are people against people they immediately compared to the
all around the who speak don’t and can’t rest of society.
globe who are “Anguish” belong to a new
shadowing their community. Or
identity to try migrants are
and blend in to different and
the culture but unpredictable in
do not feel like their actions. It
they belong to also reveals that
the place and/ or there are many
culture. At the voices that fall
same time, the under this
poet of this piece category of
is ignorant to the speaking
behaviour of the “Anguish”
“English”
speaking and is
proud to
represent the
“Anguish”
community.

Mother - Vuong This poem The poem This poem The poem
Pham affirms the ignores the reveals the challenges the
theme of giving hardships to a hardships that stereotype of
credit to parents certain extent so comes along children never
for sacrificing as to remember with making your really asking
their prized the good son/daughter what their
possessions to experiences have the best parents did
make sure their expressed and brightest before raising
son’s/daughters through imagery, future they can them and it
lives are filled personification have. It reveals challenges the
with joy. Another and motif, whilst how a person assumptions of
is to reflect on all only relating to can identify with the experiences
the good the hardships to their culture and that parents go
memories that showcase the language based through
are created over timeline of on their identity compared to
the course of experiences that formed through what children go
your life and to had occurred past through
connect to the within the generations, especially
language and mother’s life. memories and through
culture of the their blood advancements in
identity in the relatives. technology and
immigrants new significant life
homeland. changes over
time

Circular Circular It ignores the It reveals that it It challenges the

Breathing - Jaya Breathing affirms idea of having to is viable to idea of not being
Savige the idea of no connect to one connect with able to belong to
one place to call identity and the various cultures various cultures
home similarly to stereotypes to find self or groups and
“Home” however associated with identity and stereotypes
through the use certain acts, community about what type
of auditory being performed identity. It also of people should
imagery, it in certain reveals that no confide in or
 expresses the countries only. It matter the what places you
idea of being ignores any location, time or should do to
different and other sounds people being conform to
intriguing to find happening in the somewhat societal
their personal background different to expectations. It
identity. It affirms intentionally to expected, you also challenges
the idea that demonstrate his are able to form the idea of not
expectations love for a sense of being different.
does not always performing identity with Being different is
have to be met regardless of people or places what allows
and the where and when who are different people to
shedding of and for whom. in the same way distinguish
originality of that you are or between you
identity is not represent and someone
necessarily a features of your else, For
negative personality. example, seeing
connotation. migrants as
people who
speak “Anguish”
and the rest as
people who
speak “English”

Translucent Translucent This poem The poem This poem

Jade - Maureen Jade affirms the ignores the idea reveals how challenges
Ten idea of that significance lessons and gifts cultural
recognising the can be that are assumptions
significance of reciprocated presented to the because
gifts that can without the use newer typically toys
represent self of tangible generations as that are played
identity and objects including they grow older once with
connection to gifts. Affection have an children are
families / groups. presented increasing never to be
It affirms the throughout the amount of looked at again,
idea of not truly childhood of the significance and however the
understanding newer represents the truth is that
the significance generations can older through time, the
at a younger hold great generations children that
date until significance as feelings towards become adults
realising its true the passing of one another. It learn to realise
significance as time occurs. The reveals how its true
the new idea that stereotypes significance and
generations get intangible referring to kids use that gift as
older. aspects also playing with toys inspiration for
hold great once and never their actions and
resemblance for playing with personality or as
finding them again can well as the
self-identity. reflect guilt upon continuation of
the newer the next
generation once generations.
grown up and
the older
generation
having passed
away.
DEFINING CULTURAL ASSUMPTIONS:

Beliefs or attitudes about such things as gender, religion, youth, age, disability, sexuality, social
class and work that are taken for granted as being part of the fabric of the social practices.

Each poet follows cultural assumptions one way or another but not necessarily intentionally.
Cultural assumptions are originated from someone within a culture usually and can be factual. It
is a personal interpretation to believe or follow these assumptions and thus all the poets have
their personal interpretation of the cultural assumptions in which they follow.

Cultural Assumptions portrayed in the poems include the notion that because they migrated
from a different country, they are different and thus needed to be treated differently. Other
cultural assumptions that are challenged is the connection to their identity and culture via a
physical location. Certain areas and/or countries are deemed to have an “Asian area” in which
they feel they belong. This however is not true for all people of asain descent. A lot of people
feel they have a connection to their culture through memories, photographs or other attributes
that may not be attached to a physical location.

What they all have in common:

All poems must be known.

Use key ideas from all poems and then individually relate to all using quotes. Or use rubric statements in
different forms.

I.e.
-​ ​ Hybrid allows a new connection
-​ ​A sense of worldliness
-​ ​Attempts to yoke …

Example Questions:

-​ ​Analyse how language is used in your prescribed text to express cultural identity.
-​ ​Language has the power to both challenge and affirm cultural assumptions. How is this true of the

text/s that you have studied?

Things to remember:

1.​ E
​ stablish links between poems

2.​ E
​ mbed quotes lots of quotes

3.​ A
​ lways inside sentences

4.​ I​ nclude language techniques and structure

5.​ B
​ e brave to prove a point

6.​ R
​ ehearse written responses to prepare.

7.​ ​Always link back to questions

Rubric Statements – Common Module & Modules A, B, C
 HSC Outcomes – Standard English

Quotes – Module A
 Texts & Human Experiences – Common Module 

Module Statement: Main Ideas

- Individual and collective experience

- Emotions and qualities
- Motivations
- Behaviour - inconsistent, paradoxical and anomalies
- Power of storytelling - Why do we tell stories?
- Representation as a way of giving shape and meaning to a particular experience: helping the
composer AND the audience to structure a position on an experience

Types of Experiences

- Shaping of identity - Expansion of knowledge

- Parenting / Mentoring
- Pursuit of existence and purpose

Billy Elliot Summary

In 1984, the miner’s strike is raging. Billy Elliot Is a young boy living in a small country Durham town,
who discovers he has a talent for ballet, much to the charging of his widowed father Jackie, leaving him
torn between his dreams and the only life he’s ever known.

Billy Elliot in relation to human experiences

A memory that affects the mood of the character - Billy goes against his family causing a disconnection
in relationships.

Billy becomes known as a traitor or not part of the family. It can cause day to day interactions to be much
harder. Abandoning defines a sad time in Billy & family’s life.

Billy could maybe feel like he made a mistake based on human experiences. Common family traditions
broken by Billy include mining (by work) and boxing.

Billy Elliot and the use of anomalies, paradoxes and inconsistencies is evident in the movie.

Anomalies – Billy pursues a career in ballet going against his family and their traditions

Paradoxes – Billy pursuing that career may have seemed rational at first but may have been a wise
decision considering he had the chance and a passion.

Inconsistencies – The family is going through a hard time for 3 reasons:

-​ ​Grandmother with early stages of Alzheimer’s

-​ ​Labour disputes at coal mines

-​ ​Billy’s choice to not follow family procedures.

Refer to techniques that include visual techniques, camera shots, music and mood.
Context of Billy Elliot

Set in the 80s, Northern England

-​ ​Duringminer’s strike
-​ ​Familygrieving of mother and grandmother losing grip on reality
-​ ​Margaret Thatcher (Prime minister at time of strike) who wanted to get rid of over 20,000 jobs for

machines in the mining industry also for socioeconomic reasons.

Britain was experiencing a dramatic shift in political, social and economic policy towards the ‘neoliberal’
framework engineered by Margaret Thatcher and her US contemporary, Ronald Regan.

Crises such as the Falklands war – a brief but intense conflict between Britain and Argentina over British
islands – allowed the British government to use a ‘crisis mandate’ to. Impose strict and fundamental
changes to the economic fabric of society. Corporations and private interests were given greater
freedoms, often at the expense of middle-class workers.

The result of these reforms seen by the political elites as “necessary” for growth but seen by the working
classes as a cruel deprivation of social safety nets – causing divisions between classes.

Members of the NUM – the National Union of Miners – conducted massive and widespread strikes, often
resulting in violent clashes with police. These clashes symbolise a broader conflict between democratic
or populist wills and technocratic or authoritative forces.

Other forms of authority were being challenged at the time as well, including the authority of social
norms and roles. Feminist movements were focusing on the role that gender plays in society, and how
certain gendered norms – such as common stereotypes of men and women’s idiosyncrasies.

LGBTIQ communities – through heavily discriminated against at the time, gaining more. Visibility and
forming organised resistance. The resistance to traditional notions of gender or sexuality is not just
seen in Billy but also through his best friend, Michael.

Common Themes of Billy Elliot

1.​ ​Struggle with Adversity

2.​ ​The Pursuit of Dreams
3.​ ​The search for identity / rebellion

Billy: Conflict within self

Competing desires - Wanting to pursue his dream but understands the hardships of the miner’s strike and the
effect it has on his family

Grief - Needs to find an outlet for coping

Doubt - Not believing in himself or his ability

Ms Wilkinson: Conflict within self

- Dissatisfied and unfulfilled with marriage

- Billy accuses Ms Wilkinson of vicariously living through him
- Intertextuality of Swan Lake
Billy’s secrecy is dictated by his desire to pursue his passion for dance and his creative capacity leaves him feeling
a sense of liberation and satisfaction. He can express himself in a world of limitations and rigid expectations.

Billy VS Mrs. Wilkinson

- She challenges him to transcend the values that are expected of him - masculinity, mining pathway
- At one point he believes he is acting herself

Focus Scenes for Common Module – Billy Elliot

SCENE 1 – ​WHEN DAD WALKS IN ON BILLY DOING BALLET IN SECRET AND THEIR REACTION

SCENE 2 – ​CHRISTMAS AND MICHAEL AND BILLY ARE DOING BALLET AND JACKIE WALKS IN - REALISES HIS DONE
SOMETHING WRONG

SCENE 3 – ​JACKIE RUNNING UP THE HILL AFTER BILLY GOT INTO THE ACADEMY

Anomalies, Inconsistencies and Paradoxes

Billy’s house and family

-​ Father is out on strike from the mines

​

-​ ​Tony has suspended Jacky in terms of power in the household

-​ ​Billy’s mother is a ghost, her nurturing is fading with the grandmother’s memory

-​ ​Roles shifting in their family

Mrs Wilkinson’s house and family

-​ ​Father/ husband has been made redundant from the mines

-​ ​Debbie sees her father as a source of pity
-​ ​Mrs Wilkinson barely addresses him
He has lost his power as the “breadwinner”

Both families are both strained and outwardly appear inconsistent, more than outward experiences
would have the audience believe.

Scenes include Billy dancing with Michael, returning to coal mines, Jacky breaking the picket line and
Tony helping in the kitchen.

Always link back to human experiences and this can include change or consistency (positive or
negative), the impact of experiences. Be aware the idea of sexuality.

Sample Essay Questions

1.​ ​How does the role of storytelling allow responders to challenge assumptions about personal and
collective human experiences?

2.​ “​ Inconsistencies are necessary in the creation of individual and collective human experiences.”
 Discuss this statement with reference to your prescribed text in detail.

3. Through the telling and receiving of stories we become more aware of ourselves and our shared
human experiences.

Explore this statement with close reference to your prescribed text.

Common Module (BILLY ELLIOT) : Quotes

Billy: Tony do you ever think about death?

Tony: Fuck off

This quote showcases the relationship between Billy and his brother and how the family was already
stressed because of the strike and how the brother desperately wanted to escape from this situation.

Main Points: ​Rising above societal expectations, finding identity, changing behaviour through
anomalies, paradoxes and inconsistencies.

Billy: I think I’m scared Dad.

Jackie: That’s okay, son. We’re all scared.

Billy: Well if I don’t like it … can I still come back

Jackie: Are you kidding? We’ve let out your room.

This dialogue / quotes showcases how Jackie has begun to provide more compassion for Billy but
worries that it was too late and therefore Billy going to the ballet academy would be the best place for
him where he can pursue his dream and not suffer in the current conditions of the strike. This also
contrasts from Jackie’s previous behaviour towards Billy earlier in the movie where the pressures of the
miners’ strike had caused Jackie’s behaviour to be inappropriate not to mention Billy’s dream to pursue
ballet that goes against expected stereotypes for certain genders participating in certain sports /
activities.

Michael:

So you're going to ballet every week?

Billy:

Aye, but don't say owt.

 Michael:

Do you get to wear a tutu?

Billy:

F*** off, they're only for lasses. I wear me shorts.

Michael:

You ought to ask for a tutu?

Billy:

I'd look a right dickhead.

Michael:

I think you'd look wicked.

This dialogue / quote showcases the differentiation of personalities between Michael and Billy.
At this point in the film, Michael is embarrassed of choosing to pursue a career in dancing because of
the societal expectations, pressure from family and the predictive thinking of how people would
perceive him (assuming the worst result). Michael on the other hand is more confident in Billy and
strives to boost his confidence to rise above expectations.

“What’s wrong with dancing” , “he fucking did it” , “Forget about fucking ballet”

Dad:

I'm bustin' my ass for those 50 pences and you're - look, from now on, you stay here and look out
for your Nana. Got that? Good.

Grandma:

They used to say I could have been a professional dancer if I'd had the trainin'!

Dad:

WILL YOU SHUT UP?

Billy:

I hate you! You're a bastard!

Scene Analysis:
Scene
WHEN DAD WALKS IN ON BILLY
DOING BALLET IN SECRET AND
THEIR REACTION
CHRISTMAS AND MICHAEL AND
BILLY ARE DOING BALLET AND
JACKIE WALKS IN - REALISES HIS
DONE SOMETHING WRONG
JACKIE RUNNING UP THE HILL
AFTER BILLY GOT INTO THE
ACADEMY
Technique
Close up shots​ (Dad and barrier)
Blur of other ballet dancers
Zoom in​ to close up to show
increased tension also ​close up
show with grandma and dad​ to
show the comparison of views
The use of ​close up shots​ that
transition to​ medium shots
indicate the experience of
expanding their knowledge in
ballet over a long period of
time. The ​exclamation of music
showcases Billy’s passion for
ballet. The ​long shot​ towards
the end of the scene shows the
progress made by Jackie to
realise he had made a terrible
mistake.
The use of the ​low angle shot
that is facing up refers to how
the journey of practising ballet
and how it finally paid off. This
is accompanied by ​loud music
to convey this idea.
Analysis
The use of the close up shots
between the dad and the
barrier is an indication to signal
his shock about Billy doing
ballet and to increase the
tension of the film. This
technique is continued on
throughout the scene as the
different interpretations of this
experience is shown through
the faces of grandma, Billy and
Dad, each person having
conflicting views about the one
experience.
The use of all these techniques
showcases various things. These
include:
- Billy’s passion for ballet
through the loud music
and wide shots
- Dad’s realisation of
making a terrible
mistake through the use
of long shots.
It is through these techniques
displayed that Jackie was so
proud of his son and had
blocked out the reality of the
miner’s strike whilst
simultaneously showcasing his
love for his son and his
passions.
 Module B – The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night time by Mark Haddon 

Setting

-​ Physical location of Swindon, London

​

-​ ​Swindon is on the railway line between Bristol and the chaotic city of London in 1998.

-​ ​Based on Sherlock Holmes – “The Boscombe Valley Mystery”

-​ ​Psychological landscape of Christopher’s mind (ASD)

Ideas

-​ Little differences from people we avoid in various situations

​

-​ ​It refers to accepting that every life is narrow and that our only escape is not to run away but instead

to conquer it.
-​ ​The truth is often quite uncomfortable

Secondary Character – Ed Boone + Christopher Boone

-​ Christopher values honest relationships

​

-​ ​The difficulties of raising a child with disabilities and therefore creating sympathy for the dad.

-​ ​Internal & External Influences – Thoughts / Emotions withheld in Christopher’s head.

Characterisation

-​ Actions, attitudes and values – What does Christopher value? Compared to society.
​

-​ ​Textual Features

-​ ​Audience’s Personal Responses I.e. Christopher’s coping mechanisms for certain situations.

​Distinctive features of the novel:

-​ Hybridity of novel styles

​

-​ ​Bildungsroman

-​ ​Changing genres – non-linear and subject to change

-​ ​Echoes and reinforces difference and complexity

-​ ​Challenges reader out of their comfort zone

Christopher Boone
-​ ​Unreliable Narrator – Subjective referring to discussing topics that only serve as an interest to him
and is often irrelevant to the story.
-​ ​Favours Isolation & Loves avoiding uncomfortable situations where possible
-​ ​Uncommon circumstances
-​ ​Mother is on antidepressants due to Christopher’s ASD behaviour
Note that the text remains unsolved which intrigues the audience and evokes audience’s opinion
Judy Boone (Mother)

-​ Hot tempered, unable to cope with Christopher and didn’t understand. This includes sympathy for
​

the mother.
-​ ​Still feels guilty about leaving Christopher forever, despite the fact that his behaviour was intolerable

for her.
-​ ​Existence was unknown until later being revealed. Seeing the world in Christopher’s point of view all

throughout the story.

Digressions

-​ Simple plot but Christopher’s digressions add interest

​

-​ ​An explanation for his actions and decisions

-​ ​P78 Example – Monty hall problem

-​ ​How the plot is secondary in interest of internal world of Christopher

Key Incidents

-​ How incident conveys personality?

​

-​ ​How it adds to plot/ mystery?

-​ ​Personal Response to incidents

-​ ​How the incidents are conveyed? I.e. through the use of language techniques

Examples of Key incidents:

-​ Christopher arriving at London

​

-​ ​Disabilities influencing his behaviour and therefore actions

-​ ​The train incident – questioning his future.

Audience VS Responder:

Audience – ​The group of people the text was composed for I.e. the target market

Responder – ​Anyone who looks at the book but does not analyse it and understand the meaning.

Key Ideas, Concepts and Thematic Concerns

-​ Truth Vs Lies – The power of the written word

​

-​ ​Being different and disability – The challenges of raising a child with disabilities

-​ ​Relationships / Family relationships – Complex vs simple or if they break down

-​ ​Individual vs social conformity

-​ ​Bildungsroman (A coming of age story) – Searching for a path in life.

Language & Visual Techniques

Conversations – ​e.g. p41 (police with father)

Structure – ​Circular and short simplistic sentences

Emotions – ​Happiness & Sadness VS Complex Emotions

Visual Techniques – ​p192, p156-157, p126, p96, Ch 193, Ch 211, Ch 233

Emoticons – ​p2 & 3 (Interpreting emoticons)

Jokes – ​Inability to communicate

First Person Narration – ​Understanding of mental disorder & thinking patterns

Point of View – ​Different Perspectives

Note: ​Visual techniques include not only diagrams but also things like math equations, footnotes, prime
numbers (p16, p22, p34, p81, p86)

Sample Essay Questions:

1.​ ​Discuss how Haddon’s perspective on overcoming obstacles is conveyed in the curious incident of
the dog in the night time. In your response, make detailed reference to the text

2.​ ​A great author effectively represents characters and techniques to bring about a response in the
audience.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? In your response, make detailed
reference to the text.

3.​ ​How does Haddon’s portrayal of the relationship between Christopher and his world move us to a
deeper understanding of acceptance? Refer to details in text.

4.​ T​ he Curious Incident of the dog in the night time is shaped by the decisions of significant characters.

Select one significant character in the novel and explore the impact of their choices and actions.
Module B - Tips:

10 tips for revising novel.

1.​ ​Get into the world of the text

2.​ ​Re-read in PDF or audio form
3.​ ​Personal connection with Christopher and his parents
4.​ ​Create a mind map including purpose, features and ideas
5.​ ​Know your text in total in depth
6.​ ​Read and unpack multiple HSC style questions
7.​ ​Write Introductions
8.​ ​Write full responses in 40 minutes
9.​ ​Enrich your understanding through reading exemplars and articles
10.​ ​What does the novel say to you?

Navigate the exam paper

One question worth 20 marks

Will require a sustained response

May include a stimulus I.e. image, quote, extract

Section II of Paper 2

Either specific or general. 40 minutes

5-minute planning

Highlight key words

Use synonyms of key words to interpret question

Decide the best evidence to answer this question

Write the introduction in direct response to the question. Reference title and author.

Make a judgement and use topic sentence.

Aim for 3 pieces of textual evidence per paragraph.

Aim for 4 pages with strong conclusion.

Structuring your response:

-​ Commence each paragraph with topic sentence and include direct quotation to illustrate the point
​

you made
-​ ​Discuss the effect of each technique to demonstrate an understanding.

-​ ​Convince the reader you have been engaged by the ideas of Haddon’s novel.

Markers will look at the ability to identify, explain and analyse the distinctive features

How you organise ideas, develop a thesis, your ability to write.

Need detailed references to the text, personal interpretation. Distinctive features used by the
composer and the impact on us.

Types of questions

Questions are often highly specific and need a personal response with the text.

i.e.
-​ ​Discuss themes
-​ ​Opening or conclusion of a text
-​ ​Distinctive features
-​ ​Specific Characters

Effective fiction uses the narrative voice to engage the reader’s emotions and intellect. To what extent
is this true of your prescribed text?

Narrative voice

How Christopher tells the story – distinctive features

How to engage emotions and is it effective.

Ask yourself further questions to answer the question

How effectively do you think Christopher’s story is told in the novel?

How important is narrative voice for keeping readers engaged?

The complexity of human relationships is central to the Curious incident of the dog in the night time. To
what extent do you agree with this?
 Module C – The Craft of Writing 

TRIALS: The Pedestrian by Ray Bradbury

HSC: The Pedestrian by Ray Bradbury + Benefits of Failure by J.K Rowling

The Craft of Writing refers to styling

The Pedestrian by Ray Bradbury

Context Info

The Pedestrian was written at a time of limited technology that had therefore led to people excessively
watching TV, a loss of creativity occurred, the American dream, Post World War II, Cold War, USSR/USA,
McCarthyism, “Big Brother”, Conformity and no individuality that ultimately dehumanizes people.

Bradbury explores his contextual concerns with “The Pedestrian” through the use of imagery and mood,
comparing people living in this futuristic world to “The tombs…” obsessing over television and making
other activities such as walking that previously are deemed normal as not.

The Purpose

The purpose of “The Pedestrian” was to raise awareness about the possible complications of future
technology that make people dumbfounded and sit “like the dead”.

Within the Pedestrian, he comments that the society created in the text is like “walking through a
graveyard” and the future technology is making people dumb to a point where the normalities such as
walking are no longer deemed as normal.

Distinctive Features

-​ Short and futuristic (SciFi)

​

-​ ​Initial benign mood (no threat)

-​ ​Dialogue propels the story

 Quote Location in text Technique Meaning

“peer down long Paragraph 1, Imagery Bradbury would just

moonlit avenues of Lines 7-8 breathe some fresh
sidewalk” air and analyse the
environment around
him, not being
succumbed to the
technology around
him

“he was alone in this Paragraph 1, Characterisation With the society

world of A.D. 2053, Lines 10 - 11 Third Person around him being
or as good as alone” brainwashed in the
new advancements in
technology, he begins
to lose hope of people
coming out of the
comfort of their own
home and
disconnecting from
technology.

“it was not unequal Paragraph 2, Analogy The city seemed

to walking through a Lines 4-5 Imagery inexistent of life as no
graveyard” one had walked the
streets outside in
Bradbury’s eyes.

“If he closed his eyes Paragraph 5, Analogy Once again

and stood, very still, Lines 8-10 Imagery demonstrating the
frozen, he could Anomaly isolation of the
imagine himself streets and the
upon the centre of a complete, total
plain, wintry, silence that makes
windless Arizona Bradbury worry of the
desert” future.

“What is it now?” Paragraph 5, Rhetorical Bradbury’s use of

Line 13 Personification? humour and irony to
Humour find out what show is
on at the certain hour
when he really had no
interest and was
suffering personally
from isolation.
The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination by JK Rowling 
 
The main ideas conveyed in the speech are:

- The Fringe benefits of failure -> Why is failure important and necessary?
- Importance of Imagination -> Why is it important to imagine and create new ideas?

Techniques:

- Humour
- Allusion (to harry potter)
- Irony
- Rhetorical Questions
- Personification
- Adjectives
- Analogies
- Repetition
- Flashback?
- Anaphora - Failure gave me/Failure taught me
- Metaphor - Friends whose value was above the price of rubies
- Imagery - Use of listing, subverted imagery, auditory imagery, images of control
- Hyperbole - “failed on an epic scale”
- First person & second person

Definitions

Inadvertently -​ Without intention; accidentally

Extol​ - Praise enthusiastically
Quixotic​ - Extremely idealistic; unrealistic and impractical
Paradoxical​ - Seemingly absurd
Impoverished​ - Made poor (Person or area)
Ennobling​ - Giving (someone) a noble rank or title
Vicissitudes​ - A change of circumstances or fortune, typically unpleasant
Totalitarian​ - Relating to a system of government centralized that requires unquestioned obedience
Amnesty​ - An official pardon for people who have been convicted of political offences.
Agoraphobia​ - Extreme or irrational fear of entering open or crowded places, of leaving one’s own
home, or of being in places from which escape is difficult
 Quote
“All I have to do is take deep
breaths, squint at the red
banners and convince myself
that i am at the world’s largest
gryffindor reunion”
“Actually, I have wracked my
mind and heart for what I ought
to say to you today.”
“Climbing out of poverty by your Personification
own efforts, that is indeed
something on which to pride
yourself, but poverty itself is
romanticised only by fools.”
“I was set free, because my
greatest fear had been realised,
and I was still alive, and I still
had a daughter whom I adored,
and I had an old typewriter and
a big idea. And so rock bottom
became the solid foundation on
which I rebuilt my life.”
“As is a tale, so is life: not how
long it is, but how good it is, is
what matters.”
Technique Meaning
Humour Rowling expresses her
Allusion nervousness of performing in
front of a large crowd thus
using these techniques to
provide comfort to herself as
she presents the speech.
Personification The use of these techniques,
First Person Narration showcase the idea that through
Rowling’s personal experiences,
she has identified what
messages were the most
important to her and to share
her knowledge and experiences
with the audience.
Rowling in this quote provides
an excellent moral about the
struggles of poverty and how
the interpretations of seeing
poverty vs experiencing it as she
did, is a challenging experience
that is filled with difficulties and
holds a reward of pride to
persist.
Personification The emphasis of “and I” in this
First Person Narration quote showcases the
Repetition determination that Rowling had
to pursue her passion of writing
and showed her audience her
personal perspective of how
little is more, to strive for your
dreams and always keep going.
Anaphora Rowling reflects on her personal
experiences and which
memories and advice had
resonated with her the most.
She then shares this experience
with her audience to influence
the lives of others and connect
with the audience the moral
message of life in general.
Module C Tips:

Discursive – Register (Semi-formal) Can use colloq expressions not. Including swearing.

Language, style and tone

Subjective views that can result in a tone shift

First person pronouns are fine.

Visual Techniques

Refer to personal experiences in your life.

Does not have to refer to a particular structure and can vary in length.

Introduction and then explore what you understand about the certain topic. The conclude with a
suggestion for the future or a personal perspective.

The times and the guardian to find discursive pieces that you can relate to personally.

“The relationship between reader and writer is reciprocal in a way. We co-create each other. We are
constantly emerging out of the relationships we have with others.”

The Craft of Writing

-​ Explicit process of using guided texts to model the structure of writing

​

-​ ​Expansion of writing from the analytical and imaginative, persuasive, informative and discursive.

Use appropriate language and craft language to address messages

Justify stylistic choices and be inspired

40mins writing time.

May be one part or two parts. Be prepared for any type of purposes.

Assessed on:

-​ Craft language appropriately according to the form of writing

​

The exam may include a text for analysis.

Be flexible, adapt and build confidence.

Students will often write a hybrid of types of texts.

READ THE QUESTIONS PROPERLY (Unseen)

Module C Practice

The Pedestrian - Rewrite one scene - conflict / complication from Leonard’s 1st person perspective or
car’s perspective

Write a reflection about the stylistic choices including the certain choices you made, difficulties and the
reason for it. How do you maintain ideas without losing the tension of the text ​*TIMED CONDITIONS*

What stylistic devices were maintained and for what reason. Familiarise yourself with the type of
writing demonstrated in The Pedestrian

2. Write your own dystopian/ sci-fi moment of conflict in the style of bradbury. Also Rewrite an opening
from different perspectives in modules A,B,C

Imaginative can be in any form- typically narrative. The purpose is to entertain, enlighten and stimulate.
Audience shapes language choices, tone, register, topic, character.

Use of figurative and symbolic language, voice: innovative, unexpected, use of conventions.

https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/stylistic-devices-used-pedestrian-by-ray-brabury-214867

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Types of questions to appear in modules, ideas to present, techniques & more.

Module Type Type of Ideas to be Rubric Language Other

Question conveyed statement Techniques (Techniques,
correlation Features, etc)

Common Reflection How the use of Individual and Unknown Unknown

Module - S/A Techniques techniques collective (According to
Expressing convey human unseen texts
Unseen Texts ideas meaning experiences, provided)
all based on including ideas anomalies,
human If more than 1 portrayed paradoxes and
experiences text then within the text inconsistencies
synthesise and
compare Stylistic,
similarities and purpose,
differences structure
(showcased features, that
through shape meaning
techniques
and ideas)

Common Individual & How ind & Individual and Mis en scene Unknown
Module - Collective HE collective exp collective Camera Shots
Extended Technique is represented human Music (High
Response based in movie and experiences, and low)
with ref. to anomalies, Motif
thesis and paradoxes and Juxtaposition
Billy Elliot question. If inconsistencies
technique
based then Stylistic,
identify use of purpose,
technique structure
throughout features, that
scenes and shape meaning
how this
conveys ideas
related to
rubric.

Module A Language How cultural Language OVERALL: Unknown

Cultural perspectives is culture, Imagery
Contemporary Perspectives shown through structure and Personificatio
Asian Individual and language, i.e. features to n
Australians community the use of communicate Humour
Poets identity techniques, info, ideas and Repetition
different attitudes Symbolism
This is where it languages which Metaphors
begins influence & more.
New Accents Contrast and personal
Mother synthesize perceptions
Circular ideas between and various
Breathing poems that others cultural
are similar via perceptions
Translucent techniques,
Jade ideas and
Home personal
identity. Then
relate back to
question and
thesis.

Module B - Reader’s How CIDNT - Reader’s Visual Unknown

intellect or allows intellect or techniques
Curious emotions responders to emotions that include
Incident of the - Distinctive engage - Distinctive diagrams,
dog in the qualities personal and qualities prime
night time - Technique intellectual - Technique numbers,
- Complex connections. - Complex math
ideas What ideas equations.
- Personal and distinctive - Personal and
intellectual qualities are in intellectual Language
connections the novel and connections techniques is
what emotions shift in
does the novel informal and
provoke the formal tone,
responder to allusion
have. Include (Sherlock and
various Star trek),
perspectives. imagery,
Christopher structure, first
and Judy for person
example. narration,
symbolism.

Module C Discursive Regardless of language Determined Unknown

Imaginative the type, it is features such by own
Unknown Creative essential​ that as imagery, written piece
Other you include rhetoric, voice, OR by
language characterisatio question
features such n, point of given. OR by
as imagery, view, tone and scenario given
rhetoric, voice, dialogue.
characterisatio Spelling,
n, point of punctuation,
view, tone and grammar
dialogue. including
reflecting on
the writing
process.