WitnessSection B: Writing in ContextIdentity and Belonging

Exam RequirementsRead and digest the prompt VERY carefully

Answer this section last

Definitely NOT under 2 pages, aim for 3-4.

How to score a 9 or 10Demonstrates an insightful grasp of the

implications of the prompt, and perceptively explores its conceptual complexity using an appropriate strategy for dealing with it.

Achieves an assured, cohesively structured piece of writing in an appropriate form, successfully integrating, in a sophisticated way, ideas suggested by the selected text/s.

Makes fluent and effective use of language appropriate to the purpose and audience specified in the task.

The Prompt Is the overall message of your piece, what the

piece is REALLY about.

Is worth approx 1/3 of your mark

Should determine what happens in your piece – should control the action, dialogue, discussion topic, investigation, etc.

Should be examined closely for opportunities – cannot all be pre-planned content

What can I pre-plan?You might have a pre-considered tone, voice,

character or setting

Your form and expression is worth approx 1/3 of your mark

Develop a sophisticated vocabulary list that compliments any of the above that you have pre-planned

Practise your chosen form – pay close attention to specific conventions

What do I need to know?Conventions of your chosen form

How to pull apart a prompt and address it in full

The IDEAS regarding Identity and Belonging that are evident in ‘Witness’

FormBe as clear as possible. Make it as easy for the

assessor to see your form as possible. Eg. essay of any description – give it a title and tell us where it’s published

Use language appropriate to your form. Always show don’t tell. Make it clear you know how to write in your chosen form

ComplexityYour piece needs to show complex ideas. Try to

reduce your connection to I & B to one or 2 sentences. Are you saying something interesting? Can I take your message home and think about it/apply it to my life?

It can be helpful to think about your piece in terms of change. If imaginative: where do your characters start? What journey do they go on? What do they explore? If essay – what point are you making at the beginning? How is it explored/changed from the start to the end of your essay

The Film: How identity is shapedPeople are products of the worlds in which they

exist

Individualistic modern western society vs. staunchly community minded, traditional society

Children are inducted through rituals from early age

We learn from others, which helps form our identity (Book & Schaeffer, Eli & Samuel)

The Film: How group identity is representedWe are identified by the way we look

We are identified by the way we act

Changing our look or actions may result in exclusion from a group

The Film: Identifying the self as an individual and as a member of a groupConflict can occur between the identity of the

group and that of the individual

We can oscillate between the two identities

Our oscillation can manifest both verbally and non-verbally

The Film: Identity and genderRespectable women are expected to put their

children above romantic relationships

Real men are expected to have their own family

There is often conflict between how people are expected to behave according to their gender, and how they actually behave

The Film: How and why identity changes Experience with a different community can

change our identity

We can recognise elements of our own beliefs/values within those who are different to us

New groups can fill missing parts of our lives

Putting it all togetherPlanning should take 5 minutes and involve:

FORM – what it looks like

PROMPT – what will happen/ the message

IDEAS – about Identity and Belonging that are evident in the text

Practice PromptsCRISIS – A single event can change who a

person is

PLACE – Everyone is a product of their environment

RELATIONSHIPS – The people around you define who you are

BELIEFS – We are categorised by our actions rather than our words

BibliographyVCE OXFORD ENGLISH 3 & 4