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NOW THAT YOU’VE STARTED TO READ THE NOVEL…Over the next few weeks we will be examining the

novel to discover: the issues Jaiden and his friends have experienced

and the ways in which they have dealt with them. the messages the author is presenting to us about

these issues – both positive and negative. the techniques and devices the author uses to

position the reader – identifying the language features that are used in the text and how effective they are.

This is so that you will be able to successfully complete your assessment task!

SO WHAT IS THE ASSESSMENT TASK?

This unit is designed to analyse the way teen issues are represented in literature.

Your task is to: Analyse how a teen issue is represented in Stefan Petrucha’s novel, ‘Teen Inc.’.

Each of the lessons in this unit will guide you through activities in the lead up to working on the task.

There will also be lessons where you will be guided through the steps you need to take to be able to write the introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion that are part of an analytical essay.

PROCESS

Read the novel ‘Teen Inc.’ by Stefan Petrucha and complete the following

• Choose a teen issue featured in the novel.

• Analyse and discuss how the author uses text structures and language features to communicate a viewpoint about a teen issue.

• Draft your response.

YOUR ANALYSIS SHOULD: Provide an introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion. Use evidence from the novel as well as logical argument to prove

your thesis. Use concise, objective language in your arguments. Identify and discuss how Stefan Petrucha uses text structures and

language features to encourage readers to view teen issues in particular ways.

SO WHAT IS ‘ANALYSIS’?

According to the Macquarie dictionary it is the

“separation of something into basic parts…”

The word has Greek origins coming from analyein which means “to break up”.

When we are analysing, we are looking closely at the individual parts of something.

Consider the following things, how could you break the whole into smaller, individual parts that you could examine?

NOVEL ANALYSIS – THE PARTS

Text structures Plot Chapters Paragraphs

Language features Figurative language Noun groups Dialogue Verb groups

ANALYTICAL ESSAY STRUCTURE

Text structure:

Heading

Introduction and thesis statement (opinion supported by reasoned argument)

Body paragraphs

Conclusion and restate thesis (opinion)

ANALYSE THE WAY THAT STEFAN PETRUCHA EXPLORES A TEEN ISSUE IN THE NOVEL

CONDITIONSYou will:

be given your task sheet.

be able to use your class notes and the novel.

have the opportunity to get peer feedback and

teacher conferencing.

have time for editing.

have time in class to work on your essay.

You will need to submit your essay on the DUE DATE

with the task sheet attached.

The word limit for the analytical essay is 200 - 300

words.

WHAT AN ‘A’ LOOKS LIKE …You task sheet will have a criteria sheet that is used to make judgements about the standard of your work.

There are three criteria: KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING – Understands and identifies text

structure and language features of the novel.

A = Identifies and evaluates language devices that create layers of meaning and influence readers.

INTERPRETING AND APPRECIATING TEXTS – Interprets and analyses how text structures and language features are used to represent a teen issue.

A = Discerning interpretation and analysis of the author’s treatment of the teen issue.

CONSTRUCTING TEXTS – Uses vocabulary, text structure and language features to construct a coherent response which positions the reader.

A = Sustains analysis using a range of supporting evidence in a logical and cohesive structure. Uses discerning vocabulary that contributes to the objective, analytical tone of the response.

FROM HERE …

As was said at the beginning, from here we’ll:

take the next few weeks to examine the novel in detail to discover:

the issues Jaiden and his friends have experienced and the ways in which they have dealt with them.

the issues and messages the author is presenting to us about these issues – both positive and negative.

the techniques and devices the author uses to position the reader – identifying the language features that are used in the text and how effective they are.