Voices of Chasing Asylum - Expository/Media Voices

Australian curriculum content descriptions:

Year 11 English:

Investigate the representation of ideas, attitudes and voices in texts including:

• analysing the ways language features, text structures and stylistic choices shape points of view and influence audiences (ACEEN024)
• evaluating the effects of rhetorical devices, for example, emphasis, emotive language and imagery in the construction of argument (ACEEN025)

Analyse and evaluate how and why responses to texts vary through:

• the ways ideas, attitudes and voices are represented, for example, how events are reported differently in the media (ACEEN029)

Reflect on their own and others’ texts by:

• evaluating the effectiveness of texts in representing ideas, attitudes and voices (ACEEN039)
• explaining how and why texts position readers and viewers (ACEEN040)

General capabilities: Literacy, Personal and Social Capability, Ethical Understanding, Intercultural Understanding.

Cross-curriculum priority:

• Asia and Australia’s Engagement with Asia OI.8
• Sustainability OI.5

Unit of work: Voices of Chasing Asylum – access the unit overview here.

Time required: 120 mins.

Level of teacher scaffolding: High – facilitate class discussion and assess student work.

• Student Worksheet – one copy per student OR computers/tablets to access the online worksheet
• Device capable of presenting a website to the class

This lesson is designed to build students’ competencies in the following skills:

• Communication
• Critical thinking
• Digital literacy
• Ethical behaviour
• Global citizenship

Chasing Asylum exposes the real impact of Australia’s offshore detention policies through the personal accounts of people seeking asylum and whistleblowers who tried to work within the system. To watch the documentary, stream it on Kanopy and Clickview or purchase the DVD at the ATOM Education Shop.