Unfortunately I will no longer be teaching the 3rd years at the IRA - so in an attempt to continue your introduction to "decent" music you'll find a playlist of good songs that I've quickly put together using the excellent (and legal) playlist website.
For shame! The playlist website no longer operates in our lonely little isles - only our u dropping friends in the good old US of A can benefit from my musical cornucopia.
Alas alack etc.
Showing posts with label S3. Show all posts
Showing posts with label S3. Show all posts
Thursday, 18 June 2009
Monday, 18 May 2009
Speechwriting
Today you finished off the MLK question-sheet that I handed out to you. The most important point that has been raised during our time looking at the speech is that speeches are designed to PERSUADE and ARGUE a point to the intended audience.
Next lesson we'll get stuck into looking at some techniques used in speechwriting.
Remember there are previous posts on the blog that are linked to speechwriting. Rather than reposting the same material again and again I will just label each post as "speechwriting" after the relevant lesson. To view these posts click on the "speechwriting" label on the right-hand side of this page.
P.S: You were also told about the speeches that you will have to prepare. If there's any particular topic to do with prejudice in Scotland that you'd like me to have a look at then please feel free to leave a comment on this post with suggestions.
Next lesson we'll get stuck into looking at some techniques used in speechwriting.
Remember there are previous posts on the blog that are linked to speechwriting. Rather than reposting the same material again and again I will just label each post as "speechwriting" after the relevant lesson. To view these posts click on the "speechwriting" label on the right-hand side of this page.
P.S: You were also told about the speeches that you will have to prepare. If there's any particular topic to do with prejudice in Scotland that you'd like me to have a look at then please feel free to leave a comment on this post with suggestions.
Friday, 27 March 2009
Dystopian Matrix Quotes
In preparation for writing your essays I handed out a sheet containing quotes from "The Matrix" that display certain dystopian characteristics.
When writing your essays you should try and use these quotes as direct evidence from the film to back-up the point that you are trying to make in each analysis paragraph.
Try and write 3 or 4 analysis paragraphs that make use of these quotes - then write 2 or 3 more analysis paragraphs describing some of the specific cinematic techniques used by the Wachowski brothers within the film and how they help portray The Matrix as a dystopian society (camera angles/lenses/movement/lighting/mise-en-scene)
Once you have written your anaylsis paragraphs, then you can write your conclusion summing up your points - remember to answer the question as well!
Click below for a link to the quotes:
http://www.box.net/shared/qx98hjpnn7
For a list of the cinematic techniques in the film that we touched upon click on the link below:
http://www.box.net/shared/bmi67nvvfq
All of the dystopian characteristics are on the handout I gave you at the start of the unit - if you've lost it then you can download a copy from here:
http://www.box.net/shared/clyu3xzrgo
When writing your essays you should try and use these quotes as direct evidence from the film to back-up the point that you are trying to make in each analysis paragraph.
Try and write 3 or 4 analysis paragraphs that make use of these quotes - then write 2 or 3 more analysis paragraphs describing some of the specific cinematic techniques used by the Wachowski brothers within the film and how they help portray The Matrix as a dystopian society (camera angles/lenses/movement/lighting/mise-en-scene)
Once you have written your anaylsis paragraphs, then you can write your conclusion summing up your points - remember to answer the question as well!
Click below for a link to the quotes:
http://www.box.net/shared/qx98hjpnn7
For a list of the cinematic techniques in the film that we touched upon click on the link below:
http://www.box.net/shared/bmi67nvvfq
All of the dystopian characteristics are on the handout I gave you at the start of the unit - if you've lost it then you can download a copy from here:
http://www.box.net/shared/clyu3xzrgo
Thursday, 12 March 2009
Analysing dystopian film - intro.
This lesson we began to analyse a dystopian film clip - the clip being the famous 1984 Apple Macintosh advert.
First we discussed "1984". I told you a bit of background information about the famous novel "1984" written in 1949 by George Orwell (Eric Blair).
The novel is set in the eponymous year and focuses on a repressive regime. The story follows the life of a civil servant called Winston Smith who grows disillusioned with his meagre existence and begins a rebellion against the system that leads to his arrest and torture.
"1984" is one of the most famous novels of the 20th century and you can see it's influence throughout British society:
Big Brother: The (in)famous reality TV show "Big Brother" is based on the concept of the all-seeing dictator know as Big Brother within the novel. Big Brother keeps an eye on the citizens of Oceania through large screens which display his image and which also act as video cameras. These screens are situated throughout Oceania and the citizens are reminded of the constant surveillance through the slogan: "Big Brother is watching you".
Room 101: The late-night talk show hosted by Paul Merton on the BBC in which celebrities try and have the objects that they hate the most confined to room 101 is similarly based on a concept contained within "1984". Room 101 in "1984" is a torture chamber situated in the Ministry of Love in which prisoners are subjected to their worst nightmares - nightmares that the Party knows about by means of their constant surveillance and the thought police.
Thought Police: A saying that has come into popular use within the UK post-9/11. The Thought Police are the secret police of Oceania in "1984". It is the job of the Thought Police to uncover and punish thoughtcrime and thought-criminals, using psychology and omnipresent surveillance from telescreens to find and eliminate members of society who are capable of the mere thought of challenging ruling authority.
Then we began to look in detail at the Apple advert. Each of you were given an information sheet on the advert, including a scene-by-scene analysis and a set of questions. You viewed the advert and then began to answer the questions.
Apple "1984" Advert
First we discussed "1984". I told you a bit of background information about the famous novel "1984" written in 1949 by George Orwell (Eric Blair).
The novel is set in the eponymous year and focuses on a repressive regime. The story follows the life of a civil servant called Winston Smith who grows disillusioned with his meagre existence and begins a rebellion against the system that leads to his arrest and torture.
"1984" is one of the most famous novels of the 20th century and you can see it's influence throughout British society:
Big Brother: The (in)famous reality TV show "Big Brother" is based on the concept of the all-seeing dictator know as Big Brother within the novel. Big Brother keeps an eye on the citizens of Oceania through large screens which display his image and which also act as video cameras. These screens are situated throughout Oceania and the citizens are reminded of the constant surveillance through the slogan: "Big Brother is watching you".
Room 101: The late-night talk show hosted by Paul Merton on the BBC in which celebrities try and have the objects that they hate the most confined to room 101 is similarly based on a concept contained within "1984". Room 101 in "1984" is a torture chamber situated in the Ministry of Love in which prisoners are subjected to their worst nightmares - nightmares that the Party knows about by means of their constant surveillance and the thought police.
Thought Police: A saying that has come into popular use within the UK post-9/11. The Thought Police are the secret police of Oceania in "1984". It is the job of the Thought Police to uncover and punish thoughtcrime and thought-criminals, using psychology and omnipresent surveillance from telescreens to find and eliminate members of society who are capable of the mere thought of challenging ruling authority.
Then we began to look in detail at the Apple advert. Each of you were given an information sheet on the advert, including a scene-by-scene analysis and a set of questions. You viewed the advert and then began to answer the questions.
Apple "1984" Advert
Saturday, 7 March 2009
"In the year 2525"
So...you've listened to "Imagine" and created a list of characteristics for your own perfect world. This lesson you leaned about the historical roots of the term "Utopia" - the fact that it first came into usage after Sir Thomas More published his famous fictional account of a journey to the perfect society of the island nation of "Utopia" in the 1500s.
You looked at some quotes from "Utopia" and (as a class)we discussed these quotes and what they meant. The major point that arose from our discussion was the idea of the individual.
You then listened to the lyrics of the (*ahem*) uber-cool "In the year 2525"...
We then discussed these lyrics with regards to "Utopian" society and decided that it was describing the opposite of a utopian society - what is referred to as a dystopian society.
We discussed the lyrics of the song and what we thought they meant. Again the idea of the individual was very important and how the dystopian society referred to in the song seemed to suggest that individuality was absent in a dystopian society.
You looked at some quotes from "Utopia" and (as a class)we discussed these quotes and what they meant. The major point that arose from our discussion was the idea of the individual.
You then listened to the lyrics of the (*ahem*) uber-cool "In the year 2525"...
We then discussed these lyrics with regards to "Utopian" society and decided that it was describing the opposite of a utopian society - what is referred to as a dystopian society.
We discussed the lyrics of the song and what we thought they meant. Again the idea of the individual was very important and how the dystopian society referred to in the song seemed to suggest that individuality was absent in a dystopian society.
Thursday, 5 March 2009
Dystopian society on film
This lesson you were introduced to the concept of a utopian society.
We listened to the lyrics of the John Lennon song "Imagine" in which he describes his vision of a perfect world and you were asked whether or not you agree with this vision.
Next you thought about what your perfect world would be like. You noted down some characteristics of your world and then (on a poster) decided if these characteristics were an example of: laws, conditions, customs, politics or something else.
We listened to the lyrics of the John Lennon song "Imagine" in which he describes his vision of a perfect world and you were asked whether or not you agree with this vision.
Next you thought about what your perfect world would be like. You noted down some characteristics of your world and then (on a poster) decided if these characteristics were an example of: laws, conditions, customs, politics or something else.
Tuesday, 3 February 2009
Referencing
Once you've written your essay it is very important that you provide a list of the sources that you looked at to get your facts. Below you will find links to files to help you reference your essay:
http://www.box.net/shared/acvn8e7zok this is a list of the websites you looked at with each site (source) numbered.
http://www.box.net/shared/jopc0p91xr this is the list of for & against facts that you were given for the poster exercise, at the bottom you will find a key telling you which facts came from which source.
Once you have worked out which sources you have used, make a list of these sources and attach it to the end of your essay with the title "sources" OR "bibliography".
It will also help your essay appear more academic/professional if, in the body of the essay, you state where you obtained the fact from, e.g.:
"88% of all criminal damage in the UK is caused by alcohol (source 4)."
You can either give the exact webaddress of the fact or simply state which source it refers to in your source list - if you take the numbered approach then remember to number your sources on your source list.
Mr Watt
http://www.box.net/shared/acvn8e7zok this is a list of the websites you looked at with each site (source) numbered.
http://www.box.net/shared/jopc0p91xr this is the list of for & against facts that you were given for the poster exercise, at the bottom you will find a key telling you which facts came from which source.
Once you have worked out which sources you have used, make a list of these sources and attach it to the end of your essay with the title "sources" OR "bibliography".
It will also help your essay appear more academic/professional if, in the body of the essay, you state where you obtained the fact from, e.g.:
"88% of all criminal damage in the UK is caused by alcohol (source 4)."
You can either give the exact webaddress of the fact or simply state which source it refers to in your source list - if you take the numbered approach then remember to number your sources on your source list.
Mr Watt
Essay Writing...
So here we are - you're all experts on persuasive writing.
You've tackled: propaganda, advertising and speech analysis. Now is the time to sway the world's opinion with your magnificent attempts at persuasive writing!
Follow the link below for a guide to help you during your essay writing:
http://www.box.net/shared/hzlra9iy1v
Good luck!
Mr Watt
You've tackled: propaganda, advertising and speech analysis. Now is the time to sway the world's opinion with your magnificent attempts at persuasive writing!
Follow the link below for a guide to help you during your essay writing:
http://www.box.net/shared/hzlra9iy1v
Good luck!
Mr Watt
Reliability & Impartiality
Hello once again,
This lesson I taught you all about the importance of using reliable material when writing a persuasive essay, and also the importance of being seen to be impartial.
We discovered that impartiality meant:
•Freedom from bias.
•Weighing both views/opinions equally before coming to your informed decision.
•That you have been fair and open in reaching your conclusion.
In order for you to be truly persuasive in your writing it is important for the reader to believe that you have looked at the argument from both points of view before reaching your decision.
Reliability
We discussed the dangers of relying solely on Wikipedia for information and were given the following three guidelines for finding reliable information:
Ø Reliable sources (government websites, charities, well known organisations etc.)
Ø Accurate information (does the information seem accurate?)
Ø Up to date information (be wary if it's more than a few years old!)
The information that you use to write your essay must be reliable, or else your essay will be inherently flawed. You wouldn't go for a space walk in an unreliable spacesuit would you?
This lesson I taught you all about the importance of using reliable material when writing a persuasive essay, and also the importance of being seen to be impartial.
We discovered that impartiality meant:
•Freedom from bias.
•Weighing both views/opinions equally before coming to your informed decision.
•That you have been fair and open in reaching your conclusion.
In order for you to be truly persuasive in your writing it is important for the reader to believe that you have looked at the argument from both points of view before reaching your decision.
Reliability
We discussed the dangers of relying solely on Wikipedia for information and were given the following three guidelines for finding reliable information:
Ø Reliable sources (government websites, charities, well known organisations etc.)
Ø Accurate information (does the information seem accurate?)
Ø Up to date information (be wary if it's more than a few years old!)
The information that you use to write your essay must be reliable, or else your essay will be inherently flawed. You wouldn't go for a space walk in an unreliable spacesuit would you?
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