Week 3 "Something of Value" by Eric Bogle

Read the poem "Something of Value" by Eric Bogle. You will find it on Blackboard in the folder of Australian poems. Bogle’s poem explores a different view of Australia to that of Advance Australia Fair. Use the following questions to determine the representation in the poem.

1. What criticism does Bogle make of white Australia in the first 5 lines?

2. In what manner was Australia ‘taken’ according to the poet?

3. How did the British justify their taking of Australia?

4. Why should those who came and took Australia have known better?

5. What words were used by the white invaders to describe the aboriginal inhabitants?

6. According to Bogle, what opportunities did the whites have?

7. What is implied by the poet in the rhetorical question at the end of the second verse?

8. In the last verse what does the poet urge Australians to do now and in the future?

9. How is Australia represented in this text?

Post your answers on your blog by 4pm on Monday, February 14.

Week 2 Homework

In class, we have been exploring the way texts present a representation of Australia. For homework this week, you are going to listen to an iconic Australian bush ballad "The Man from Snowy River" and watch the accompanying vision. You will find this on Blackboard in the Year 11 English folder for Term 1, National Identity is Represented in texts. How do the poem and this section of the film represent Australia?

You should write three paragraphs. In the first paragraph, explain in detail the representation of Australia and Australian men. In paragraphs two and three give evidence for your judgement from both the words of the poem and from the movie footage.

You should post your paragraphs to your English blog by 4pm on Friday, February 4th.

Homework January 27

Write a paragraph explaining the representation of Australia in the proposal your group has put together for the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Student Olympics. In your topic sentence you should clearly outline the representation and then give evidence of how your proposal will construct this representation.

Practice test

On Monday and Tuesday in class, you will be writing a practice test on the following question:

"The central lesson of "Othello" is that perception is more important than reality." Discuss

Before Monday, you need to consider the question carefully, identify your thesis statement and main points and find some quotations to support these. You may bring as many notes as you want into class for the test.

You do not need to post this work on your blog.

Homework: Weeks 4/5

Read your introductory paragraph and body paragraph in response to the statement, "Emelia is the true hero of Othello".

Read my comment.

Now write the second body paragraph based on the second point in your introduction, and a concluding paragraph.

If you feel that you need to re-work your first two paragraphs, then please do so. Leave a comment on this post to let me know that I need to re-read your first two paragraphs.

If you have any difficulties with the task, remember that you can read other people's blogs and my comments to help you refine your skills in constructing an argument.

Homework: Weeks 3/4

Respond to the following statement:

"Emelia is the real hero of Othello".

Write an introductory paragraph which presents your thesis and at least two main points in support of this, as well as one of the body paragraphs. This is to be posted on your blog by 4pm Tuesday, October 26th.

Week 2/3 Homework

Reputation in Othello

Based on what we have read so far, discuss the importance/significance of reputation in relation to the following characters:

Desdemona
Cassio
Iago

Aim for the development of solid, analytical paragraphs. Ensure that your main points are substantiated by relevant, pertinent evidence and that you take the time to synthesise the evidence.

Also ensure that you take the time to proof-read and edit your work.
Please post your responses on your blog by Tuesday, 19/10/10 - 4pm.