This task is normally your first taste of senior English writing. It's important you plan, write and edit to the best of your ability to start off your English mark with a banger! You are provided ample time to refine your assignment and prepare the best possible response. Below are some tips and tricks to help you ace your first senior English task.
What is the QCAA English Media Text task?
During the term, you would be given opportunities to engage in at least one literary text (a play, a film, poetry, etc) and different media texts (news, blogs, speeches, journals, feature articles, etc). This assessment focuses on analysis, interpretation and examination of concepts in texts. It will be open-ended, and you will be required to respond to two texts connected by representations of a key concept for a public audience.
The specifics of the task will differ depending on the task sheet provided. However, everyone will be writing a media text (article, essay, blog or column) for an online publication, offering a perspective on certain representations.
You are provided with 5 weeks of preparation time, and your online article must be 1000 to 1500 words. Visuals that complement the features for the type of media text you are writing are highly recommended.
Planning
It is vital that you plan your response in detail before you begin writing it. I recommend planning for the first 1-2 weeks after receiving the task. Below, I have detailed a two-phase planning technique for this assignment.
Part A: Conceptual Thinking
In this section, itâs important to ask yourself different questions so you understand more about the texts youâre analysing and the task itself. Below are 4 key questions that will help you greatly with your assignment. Work on answering each question in detail.
- How might you focus your analysis of the representation of [insert representation from task sheet]? Select from the list your school provided and/or consult your teacher on your own.
- Using this perspective, draft a statement that might serve as a potential thesis or contention. Be specific and concise. Consider how the representation adds to the ongoing public âconversationâ.
- What are some of the critical and/or emotional reactions that your texts prompt (answer in dot points)?
- What do you want your readers to think about or question as they read your article?
Part B: Specific Planning
TITLE
- Consider a strong title and subtitle.
INTRO
- Reveal text/s and focus.
- State your thesis or contention.
- Hook your readerâs interest.
CONTEXT
- Mention relevant background information about the text/s and creators.
- Mention relevant connections between the text/s and our world.
NB. Both texts must be treated equally. For example, for The Martian (book) and 1917 (movie)
The Martian by Andy WeirâŠMark Watney journeyâŠpublished in 2011.
Relates the UnrelatableâŠ.
Somehow familiar, we somehow understand what he feels even though we never been in his shoes. We feel how hard it is to find hope, and be hopeful.
1917 War/Drama countless awards, Director Sam Mendes,
Brings the Past to the Present
DEVELOPMENT
- Develop your analysis over a series of paragraphs.
- Organise and sequence your subject matter coherently and cohesively.
- Select specific and significant evidence and examples to support your analysis.
[OTHER CONSIDERATIONS]
- Intertextual connections or allusions to other texts.
- The effect of film techniques.
- Purposeful grammatical structures
- Appropriate complementary features
CLOSING
- Synthesise your analysis.
- Link to thesis.
- Link to âconversationâ about concepts in texts.
- Leave a lasting impression.
This section is about being specific with what youâre going to mention/do in your article, from examples, Titles, specifics of each text and more. This is not intended to be your structure; rather, a collection of relevant ideas. Iâve created a table below for you to utilise.
Each of the sections in the table prompts you to think deeply about the two texts and hit the top dot points in the ISMG. It is very easy to fall into the trap of using rigid structures, but important that you write in a looser method.
Media articles can be described as for the âcommonâ person. They should be able to relate, understand and enjoy your article, instead of being bored or bogged down by uninteresting facts/notations.
Manoj Arachige
Final Tips and Tricks
Writing Style
Remember that this is a media text, so throw away your formal essay writing knowledge. Write as if you were to describe the events, utilise conversational English conventions. This shows the marker of your ability to understand your audience and connect with them (we, you, us language). However, itâs still important to use a range of words and sophisticated language when needed. For example, when moving between texts or explaining events in each of the texts, ensure it's easy to follow and remember that we are assuming they have some sort of understanding of the texts.
Moving between texts
In your article, itâs important you equally prioritise both texts and can cohesively synthesise information. Make sure to introduce both texts, the important individuals and key events. Then make sure it's clear which text you are referring to when writing about specific events/characters and the behaviours. However, avoid the stock standard phrases such as âfurthermoreâ and âmoreoverâ but be creative. Utilise unique elements to seamlessly move between texts if its using comparisons or similarities or even just the director/authorâs name.
Analysing the texts
Donât be afraid to pick out specific quotes from characters to uphold your âargumentsâ but use them sparingly. Ensure that after youâve described an event in the text provide clear steps to how and why it connects to your overall point in the article (e.g hope, human survival, love, etc).
Visuals
Make it look like an article ready to print. Utilise images from the movie, big fancy quotes from the book and have a cool opening picture just below your titles. Further incorporations include a date in the top left corner, socials, word count, and time it takes to read. I encourage you to look at different media articles online on similar topics that you are discussing and see how they are visually presented.
FAQs
How much is the IA1 worth towards my English grade?
It accounts for 25% of your overall English mark.
Where can I find an example of an IA1 English written response?
Thereâs an annotated IA1 example on the QCAA website. This helps to understand the ISMG and what your marker is looking for. However, itâs important that your response is your response. I also recommend talking to your marker (teacher) and seeing what kind of language and devices they may be looking for. Also, with this task there are many real-life examples all over the internet. Feel free to tap into the market and gain ideas that you can utilise for your own media text.
How do I structure my IA1 English Media article?
Thereâs no one right way to do this task; thatâs the beauty of it. A full-mark media article can come in many different shapes and sizes. But there are some basics everyone must adhere to, which are covered in this blog post above. Itâs important that you write this task âyour wayâ as then it ensures that you receive the best mark possible, especially since the writing style of this task is the most flexible out of all your English assessments. So, be brave and do what you think makes sense and adhere to the ISMG for any exact help on what you should be looking for in the texts.
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