Hello everyone,
Thank you to everyone who posted extended responses to the focus question. I’ve been reading them all week and I’d just like to say how impressed I am by the quality of the responses. I think it’s also been of great value for everyone to see what other people have been composing – as well as reassuring to realise you are on track!
I think what was so pleasing about the responses was seeing everyone interpreting the requirements of the course. I feel that the ESL course in particular is quite challenging, mainly in the demands it makes in the high level of critical analysis of the text that is required.
I think the best responses are the ones that are able to identify information as well as make links connecting this information to perspective and technique. For example, in identifying and making connections between:
• What perspective is shown
• Whose perspective is being referred to
• What has influenced the perspective
• How is the perspective presented through language technique and structure
I thought another encouraging aspect of this exercise was identifying the kind of sophisticated language that is being used:
For example, perspective:
- ‘is influenced by’
- ‘is communicated through’
- ‘explores’
- ‘highlights’
- ‘emphasises’
The composer:
- ‘expresses’
- ‘reveals’
- ‘communicates’
- ‘conveys’
- ‘explores’
The immigrants are:
- ‘anonymous’
- ‘transient’
- ‘alienated’
- ‘insecure’
- ‘detached’
- ‘desolate’
- ‘dispossessed’
- ‘disappointed’
I’ll pick on my own class for an example of where I would like to see improvements made (sorry girls!). In their response they make the casual comment that “as an immigrant, (Skrzynecki’s) life experience and the society influenced his perspective”.
I would like to see this idea developed and expanded, with a little more specific information relating to Skrzynecki’s life experience and perspective of society. I feel most students have this specific knowledge – so why not show that you know it? Also it makes your response more detailed and credible.
I think everyone would be very interested to hear your ideas on the extended responses if you have anything you would like to add. This is extended to both students and teachers, so please feel free to post a response to the compositions.
Thank you also to those students and teachers who have posted an evaluation. Your comments have been insightful and hopefully some of the areas for improvement that have been identified will be used for future book raps.
Thanks again,
Maya Puiu
Rap coordinator
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