UNIT : Representations in the Media

Year 12 Communication English

UNIT : Representations in the Media

Assessment : Letter to the Editor Exam

Unit Focus: Students will analyse and evaluate how the media represents adolescents, with focus placed on the irresponsible behaviour of teenagers during the Schoolies week festivities. The students will be required to form opinions and logical arguments based on the evidence they see in class from editorials and news items relating to the issues. Students will learn to utilise persuasive techniques such as rhetorical questions and forming personal point of view.

LEARNING GOALS / SUCCESS CRITERIA / RESOURCES
LG: Identify teenage issues continually repeated in the media and how teenagers are represented. / Students complete a retrieval chart highlighting the main issues and how accurate the media is representing the issue. / Read newspaper articles addressing teenage issues such as binge drinking and irresponsible behaviour during Schoolies week.
LG: Define key terms and synonyms for the unit. Students identify spelling and meaning of key words. / Students complete a glossary by matching the definitions and adding synonyms. Students complete cloze activity with key words. / Glossary and Cloze activity.
LG: Identify and Analyse how the content of a selection of news reports stereotype teenage behaviour. / List the behaviours displayed by teenagers and identify the patterns in the news reports. Students write a paragraph PEEL paragraph outlining the stereotypes displayed. / You Tube clips of news items from Schoolies week
LG: Summarise key information from documentary on irresponsible behaviour. / Complete summary / Insight program – Punch Drunk.
LG: Compare the sensational news items with the forum information about teenage behaviour relating to alcohol abuse. / Complete Venn Diagram use this information to write a PEEL paragraph which compares the sensational stereotyping to the more realistic representation. / As above.
Venn Diagram Template.
LG: Interpret a variety of Newspaper items and feature articles addressing the issues of binge drinking and irresponsible behaviour during Schoolies Week. / Complete the Retrieval Chart highlighting how the representation of teenagers in the Media is achieved. / Retrieval Chart
LG: Identify the generic structure and persuasive language in a Letter to the Editor. / Highlight and label key features on the exemplar and persuasive language used. / Letter to the Editor exemplar.
LG: Investigate differing points of view on the topic. / Complete the T Bar noting point of view and justification used. / A variety of Letters to the Editor on the topic of Binge drinking and Irresponsible behaviour during Schoolies week.
LG: Create a Letter to Editor expressing your point of view about a controversial topic. / Complete the scaffolding sheet (pairs or individual) and then compose the Letter to the Editor. / Scaffolding sheet and list of topics for the Letter to the Editor.
LG: Evaluate student Letters to the Editor. / Complete the Peer Conferencing Sheet and revise the Letter to the Editor. / Peer Conferencing Sheet
LG: Identify pertinent evidence from sources for a Letter to the Editor on Binge Drinking and Irresponsible Behaviour during Schoolies Week. / Highlight key information on the Stimulus Sheet. / Stimulus sheet