Section outline

  • FOCUS / ARONGA

    FOCUS / ARONGA learning intentions:

    • We are FOCUSING...on developing our understanding of how to use EXAMPLES in a critical essay
    • We are FOCUSING...discussing how examples link to the essay question and to the 'big picture' (analysis)


    Close viewing activities focused on using EXAMPLES to support our ideas in a critical essay (film response):

    Step 1: View the scene 

    Group 1: identify visual film techniques that link to the question topic

    Group 2: identify verbal film techniques that link to the question topic (diegetic and/or non-diegetic sound)

    Group 3: identify any aspect of character that links to the question topic (expression, gesture, costume)

    Step 2: collaborate - bring it all together!

    Step 3: making connections - how do these examples link to the question and the 'big picture'?


    Holistic Reporting link: 

     Wānanga / Life long Learner: GREAT Ako  I can identify when aspects of GREAT Ako have been used to support my learning

    We are focusing on how to use examples in an essay to discuss how our ideas link to the question and to the 'big picture' (analysis)



    Note on Common Assessment Task in English

    As you are aware, the term 4 CAT for English is a response to film essay. All film revision and learning resources from your film study are in your books or on google classroom (search by topic:  English CAT: visual text "Hidden Figures")

    You will be assessed on your discussion of ideas within and beyond the texts, as well as your technical writing skills. 

    If you wish to, you can practise your essay writing, using any of the following practice questions. I am happy to give feedback :)

    1. Write an essay exploring how today’s audience can learn from the experiences of one or more characters who take risks in order to make change.
    2. Identify a conflict in a text you have studied. Write an essay exploring how this conflict shows an important idea or ideas in the text. 
    3. Select an idea in the text you have studied. Write an essay exploring how this idea is important in the text as a whole.
    4. Using an important setting in a text you have studied, explore how the setting was important to an idea OR character in the text.
    5. Mauria te pono (Believe in yourself) Write an essay exploring a moment where a character shows a strong sense of self belief and discuss how and why this belief impacts on the development of the character.