English T & Literature T
Students must complete a course (minor, major or more) from the English course area to be eligible for the ACT Senior Secondary Certificate.
T courses integrating Australian Curriculum are: English T & Literature T
Each senior secondary English subject draws upon, develops and emphasises different knowledge, understandings, skills and processes related to the strands of Language, Literature and Literacy used in the Foundation to Year 10 curriculum. The emphasis differs according to the nature of each subject.
While each senior secondary English subject places a different emphasis on the three strands, each subject is expected to advance skills in each of the strands. For example, English retains a balance of each strand whereas Literature has its primary focus on engagement with and analysis of literary texts. The university of Canberra provides a literary text each year for use in classes.
Course Patterns
It is recommended that units are studied sequentially.
Minor: 2 units
Major: 3.5 or 4 units
Major/Minor: 5.5 to 6.5 units
Must include Unit 4 from either English or Literature
Double Major: 7 units or more (Must include Unit 4 from either English or Literature)
Prerequisites
Students studying Units 3 and 4 must have studied Unit 2 from either Literature T or English T .
English T
Unit 1: Communication of Meaning
Students explore how meaning is communicated through the relationships between language, text, purpose, context and audience. This includes how language and texts are shaped by their purpose, the audiences for whom they are intended and the contexts in which they are created and received. Through responding
to and creating texts, students consider how language, structure and conventions operate in a variety of imaginative, interpretive and persuasive texts.
Study in this unit focuses on the similarities and differences between texts and how visual elements combine with spoken and written elements to create meaning. Students develop an understanding of stylistic features and apply skills of analysis and creativity. They are able to respond to texts in a variety of ways, creating their own texts and reflecting on their own learning.
Unit 2: Representations Through Texts
Students analyse the representation of ideas, attitudes and voices in texts to consider how texts represent the world and human experience. Analysis of how language and structural choices shape perspectives in and for a range of contexts is central to this unit. By responding to and creating texts in different modes and mediums, students consider the interplay of imaginative, interpretive and persuasive elements in a range of texts and present their own analyses.
Students examine the effect of stylistic choices and the ways in which these choices position audiences for particular purposes, revealing attitudes, values and perspectives. Through the creation of their own texts, students are encouraged to reflect on their language choices and consider why they have represented ideas in particular ways.
Unit 3: Comparative Texts
Students explore representations of themes, ideas and concepts through a comparison of texts. They analyse and compare the relationships between language, genre and context, comparing texts within and/or across different genres and modes. Students recognise and analyse the conventions of genre in literary and non-literary texts and consider how those conventions may assist interpretation and how they may be challenged.
Students compare and evaluate the effect of different mediums on the structure of texts and how audiences respond to them. Understanding of these concepts is demonstrated through the creation of imaginative, interpretive and analytical responses.
Unit 4: Perspectives
Students examine different interpretations and perspectives to develop further their knowledge and analysis of purpose and style. They challenge perspectives, values and attitudes in literary and non-literary texts, developing and testing their own interpretations though debate and argument.
Through close study of individual texts, students explore relationships between content and structure, voice and perspective and the text and its context.
This provides the opportunity for students to extend their experience of language and of texts and explore their ideas through their own reading and viewing. Students demonstrate understanding of the texts studied through creation of imaginative, interpretive and analytical responses.
Literature T
Literature has as its primary focus, engagement with and analysis of literary texts.
Unit 1: Ways of Reading and Creating
Students develop knowledge and understanding of different ways of reading and creating literary texts drawn from a widening range of historical, social, cultural and personal contexts. Students analyse the relationships between language, text, contexts, individual points of view and response. This unit develops knowledge and understanding of different literary conventions and storytelling traditions and their relationships with audiences.
A range of literary forms is considered in ficon and non-fiction texts; for example, oral, written, multimodal, verse, prose and film. The significance of ideas and the distinctive qualities of texts are analysed through detailed textual study. Through the creation of analytical responses, students frame consistent arguments that are substantiated by relevant evidence. In the creation of imaginative texts, students explore and experiment with aspects of style and form.
Unit 2: Intertextuality
Students develop knowledge and understanding of the ways literary texts connect with each other. Drawing on a range of language and literary experiences, students consider the relationships between texts, genres, authors, audiences and contexts. Ideas, language and structure of different texts are compared and contrasted. Connections between texts are established by analysing their similarities and differences, for example, through intertextuality and other patterns and allusions evident in ideas, language used and forms of texts.
Students create analytical responses that are evidence-based and convincing. By experimenting with text structures and language features, students understand how imaginative texts are informed by analytical responses.
Unit 3: Power of Literature
Students develop knowledge and understanding of the relationship between language, culture and identity in literary texts. Students inquire into the power of language to represent ideas, events and people, comparing these across a range of texts, contexts, modes and forms. Through critical analysis and evaluation, the values and attitudes represented in and through texts and their impact on the reader are examined. Throughout the unit, students create analytical responses that are characterised by personal voice and informed observation. In creating imaginative texts, students experiment with language, adapt forms, and challenge conventions and ideas.
Unit 4: Literary Interpretations
Students develop appreciation of the significance of literary study through close critical analysis of literary texts drawn from a range of forms, genres and styles. Students reflect upon the creative use of language, and the structural and stylistic features that shape meaning and influence response. The unit focuses on the dynamic nature of literary interpretation and considers the insights texts offer, their literary conventions and aesthetic appeal. Analytical responses demonstrate increasing independence in interpreting texts and synthesising a range of perspectives into critical and imaginative responses. In creating imaginative texts, students experiment with literary conventions and reflect on how the created text takes into account the expectations of audiences.