Voices of Chasing Asylum - Rhetorical Voices

Australian Curriculum content descriptions:

Year 11 English:

Compare texts in a variety of contexts, mediums and modes by:

• explaining the relationship between purpose and context (ACEEN021)

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

• evaluating the effects of rhetorical devices, for example, emphasis, emotive language and imagery in the construction of argument (ACEEN025)

Reflect on their own and others’ texts by:

• analysing the values and attitudes expressed in texts (ACEEN038)
• 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
• Rhetoric Factsheet; Stop the bastardry of Australia’s offshore detention centres; Australia can’t go soft on offshore processing of asylum-seekers (print one of each per student or access digitally via Student Worksheet)
• Highlighters (3 colours) for annotation activity (optional)

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

• Critical thinking
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Creativity
• Ethical understanding
• Social skills

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.