Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
Toward the end of Term 1 (around Week 7) you will be expected to submit a part of your Area of Study
Assessment Task that requires analysing of at least two related texts of your own choosing, of a variety of
forms. To help you with examining the ways in which your texts of own choosing represent the concept of
Discovery, a number of analysis templates have been included for a range of textual forms (apart from that
of a film). The best way to determine whether your texts of own choosing are appropriate and worthwhile
is by completing the related texts deconstruction grids. If you find that your responses are limited or that
your answers to each question in each cell of the grid are more or less the same, then this is a clear
indication that you should discard this text. Remember that discovery is a concept and not a topic or
theme. It is not a study for science and history. It is an English Study. Dont look for or rely on texts that
have the word discovery in them. More often than not, such texts are simplistic and do not require a level
of abstract thinking.
What is a Concept?
The Oxford Dictionary defines concept as an abstract idea. In a philosophical context, a concept is an idea
or mental image which corresponds to some distinct entity or class of entities, or to its essential features,
or determines the application of a termand thus plays a part in the use of reason or language.
One way for you to understand concept in relation to the Area of Study is to use the iceberg analogy.
TOPIC: a subject
Think of a text as an iceberg floating in a seething sea of ideas. Of course there are many icebergs in this
sea, just as texts abound in our world. The tip of this textual iceberg is the topic that is, what the text is
obviously about. Most people would know that there is more of the iceberg beneath the surface than
above typically only about one ninth of the total volume is underwater. There is a lot more going on than
what is immediately apparent. When we dig deep into texts, exploring beyond the topic, we invariably find
one or more themes lurking about.
So how does the concept fit into this picture? Clearly the concept is bigger than the topic or theme. We
might think of the concept as the waters of the sea sweeping around the textual iceberg. The abstract
nature of the concept means that it is difficult to pin down or define. The concept is dynamic how it is
perceived varies considerably according to personal, social, cultural and historical contexts and values.
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Even though we focus on one concept in the Area of Study we should be aware that, like the different
currents in the sea, other concepts will be encountered along the way.
Thus, the concept in the Area of Study is complex, abstract and dynamic. It works differently in different
texts. It can be regarded in different, even contradictory, ways.
You have to focus on:
o how a text represents the concept of discovery
o the beliefs that circulate in society about discovery
o the human values implied in the concept of discovery
Kinds of Discovery
Emotional
Sudden
Creative
Unexpected
Intellectual
Deliberate
Physical
Carefully planned
Spiritual
The arts
Discovering the past,
Ideas and innovation
People and society
Rediscovery
Scientific discovery
Self-discovery
Curiosity.
Necessity.
voyages of discovery
Wonder.
Discovery is about questions and answers, but also about what we value.
the accident of finding something good, valuable or useful while not looking for it, a
pleasant surprise or happy accident of discovery
Zemblanity
Bahramdipity
Ideally, when relating texts to their core text, you will locate aspects of discovery in terms of the literal
sense of discovering new spaces, as well as suggesting what discoveries these new spaces can present in
terms of understanding self or the world that becomes apparent through experience.
Road and travel texts, especially those with fictional and figurative aspects are effective. Films of road
movies abound, these are appropriate texts as long as you have strengths in deconstructing film. Poetry,
short stories and prose fiction relating to locating/discovering ones self through personal experience are
favoured if selected well, do not contain clichs and in particular, resonate well with the concerns of the
prescribed text. Artworks, specifically those that relate to exploration and discovery, may prove useful in
terms of the cultural and political implications they resonate. For example, early Australian art, along with
the contextual meaning drawn from artistic intention can certainly depict a recording of discovery that is
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open to interpretation and revision of that interpretation. Imagery surrounding the pioneering discovery of
the United States contains religious, cultural, political and exploratory propaganda and values. Chinese
propaganda texts (visual) resonate with the scientific and political discoveries of a generation. The
challenge is to engage with texts that demonstrate the impact of discovery in terms of changing and
broadening the individuals understanding of self and others through discussions of tolerance, respect and
compassion that shift earlier views and understandings. Students who select these text types and others,
websites, games or narrative memoirs need to become quite confident in the language techniques
associated with their chosen text type.
grammatical,
figurative devices as well as
structural - are used to explore
or highlight the concept?
Discuss at least six.
What values are explored in the
text and how do these values
correlate with the notion of
Discovery?
What themes and issues does
the text engage with that
explore or provide insight into
the concerns and ideas relating
to Discovery?
Provide explicit detail.
What implicit and explicit links
in terms of ideas and structure
does the poem make to your
prescribed text?
How does the poem challenge
or reinforce notions of Discovery
that are evident in your core
text?
experience of and
attitude towards the
discovery influenced
by context? Provide
a brief explanation of
each that is relevant
(at least three from
social, cultural
political, historical,
religious, gender or
intellectual)
What specific visual
techniques:
perspective, angle,
centrality, focus, multilayering,
foreground,
background, use or
absence of colour etc.,
are used to explore or
highlight the concept
of Discovery?
What themes, issues
or ideas does the
image engage with
that explores or
provides insight into
Discovery? Provide
every detail that you
can; include any
techniques that are
used to convey the
ideas.
What implicit and
explicit links in terms
of ideas, content and
layout does the image
make to your
prescribed text?
How does the
artist/photographer
challenge notions of
Discovery evident in
your prescribed text?
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Inferential
Metaphysical
Pertaining to the study of texts that are highly intellectual and philosophical, usually
reflect the spiritual aspects of an individuals experience, can use wit and conceit as a
means of expressing thought, opinion and ideas
Studying a text for its metaphysical qualities provides opportunities to see beyond the
literal and metaphorical meaning to develop an understanding of the possible spiritual depth
behind texts. Composers often write quite serious texts as a criticism of society or to inform
and educate us about aspects of a society. The use of puns, euphemisms, parody and
specific choice of descriptors often provides clues as to the metaphysical nature of the text.
Reflective voice and moments of spiritual enlightenment clearly create opportunities to
explore more about ourselves and the world we exist in.
What techniques have been used?
Do events in the text suggest the composer is challenging a society, culture, laws,
processes or individuals to shift and change?
What deeply held concerns are related in text challenging new audiences to engage with
individuals and the world with a greater sense of humanity, respect, tolerance and
compassion?
How does the text engage with the concept of spiritual renewal and personal growth?
Philosophical
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VALUES
Values are those beliefs we adhere to, that we know and understand to be real and true for ourselves. For
example, we know it is wrong to lie, steal, deceive, cheat, abuse, discriminate or have prejudice against
others - this is not a new discovery but what is the innate sense of being that tells us these things are
wrong. What we do not always understand, however, is that these things happen every day, by individuals,
groups and governments. When we discover how this occurs in our own lives or more globally, to others,
we begin to realise how values are an important part of establishing our personal ethical position.
A key aspect of Discovery is responsibility. Whether the discovery is literal scientific or medical or a
personal discovery about an individuals response to the world around them there is an inherent need for
responsibility.
Values engage with might include truth and integrity. These values provoke us to examine our own sense
of integrity and the truths we tell ourselves and others in the process of constructing a personal sense of
identity. Accountability, community, charitable works and sacrifice are all significant aspects of the set
texts. The significance of these values lies in the awareness and personal growth that accompanies
embracing the better part of human experience. By studying then testing the values that become evident
through the world of text, you as a student become more aware and self-discover the impact you yourself
can have on society.
The following table holds a checklist of values you can apply as they read. The worksheets allow for a more
detailed paragraph analysis of values in the text.
Acceptance
Adaptability
Ambition
Anticipation
Appreciation
Assertiveness
Availability
Awareness
Belonging
Benevolence
Capability
Clear-mindedness
Commitment
Community
Compassion
Conformity
Consistency
Contribution
Conviction
Cooperation
Courage
Courtesy
Credibility
Curiosity
Decisiveness
Dependability
Determination
Dignity
Diligence
Discipline
Decisiveness
Dependability
Determination
Dignity
Diligence
Discipline
Discovery
Discretion
Diversity
Duty
Efficiency
Empathy
Encourage
Endurance
Ethics
Excellence
Fairness
Faith
Fidelity
Flexibility
Freedom
Frugality
Generosity
Gentility
Happiness
Honesty
Ingenuity
Honour
Independence
Individuality
Happiness
Honesty
Honour
Independence
Individuality
Ingenuity
Insightfulness
Inspiration
Integrity
Introspection
Intuition
Judiciousness
Justice
Knowledge
Leadership
Learning
Liberty
Love
Loyalty
Mindfulness
Modesty
Motivation
Open-mindedness
Openness
Optimism
Persistence
Originality
Patience
Passion
Persuasion
Pragmatism
Precision
Preparedness
Pride
Punctuality
Rationality
Reason
Recognition
Reflection
Reliability
Resilience
Respect
Responsibility
Restraint
Sacredness
Sacrifice
Security
Self-control
Self-reliance
Self-respect
Simplicity
Sincerity
Spirituality
Sympathy
Trust
Truth
Understanding