Preparatory English

Subject Overview

Preparatory English is designed to build upon and further refine the skills you have developed in Entry and Essential English.

Content and ideas:

Across the year you will learn how to appreciate and analyse visual texts (including films and graphic novels), as well as developing the skills to undertake a close reading and analysis of a collection of short stories.  You will study a novel of your own choice with a group of peers as part of Literature Circles, participate in group debates on issues prominent in society and examine media texts (newspaper texts, articles and television current affairs).

Typical class activities:

• Class discussions and debates

• Reading and closely analysing passages from set texts

• Responding to big questions, provocations, and prompts through writing

Skills focus:

• Speaking and listening - through class discussion and a formal debate

• Textual analysis, including close analysis of evidence

• Understanding the structure of arguments and point of view

• Understanding and applying the metalanguage of film

Assessment Tasks:

You will complete a range of assessment tasks, including:

• Writing text response essays by analysing the ideas, issues and themes in texts

• Completing close analysis of media – both written and visual – with a focus on persuasive language

• Planning, writing, rehearsing and presenting an oral presentation

• Completing a mock trial of fictional characters

• Writing and editing a short story

Do this subject if:

• You want to consolidate or extend your English skills after completing Essential English

• You wish to develop your analytical skills in understanding films, novels, plays and short stories

• You think you would like to go on and study one of the VCE English subjects

Content Warning: This subject contains in-depth study of films with a PG and/or M rating. It is recommended that students are aged fifteen or over when undertaking this subject.