Author’s Intention

Year Level: Year 10 (Australian Curriculum, Languages - Analysis and Interpretation)

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Lesson Objectives

• Goal: To analyse the author’s intention in the text and practise writing the Explanation section in a TEEL paragraph.
• Outcomes:
  • Understand the concept of the author's intention.
  • Analyse author’s choice of words and techniques.
  • Practise writing a structured analysis paragraph focusing on the author’s intention.

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Materials

• Whiteboard and markers
• Excerpts (Author's Intention).docx (prepared and printed beforehand)
• TEEL Paragraph Structure Handout
• A3 Paper and markers (for group activity)

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Lesson Breakdown (73 Minutes)

1. Introduction and Access (10 minutes)

• 5 mins - Class Discussion:

  • Pose the question: “Why do you think it is important to understand the purpose behind an author’s work or choice of words?”
  • Encourage students to think critically and share their thoughts.
  • Note key points on the whiteboard.

• 5 mins - Recap TEEL paragraph structure:

  • Briefly revise the components of a TEEL (Topic sentence, Explanation, Evidence, Link) paragraph.
  • Emphasise the Explanation component as today’s focal point.

2. New Information (13 minutes)

• 8 mins - Explain Author’s Intention:

  • Teacher explains the concept of the author’s intention: "Author’s intention refers to the author’s purpose or intent behind their writing. It involves analysing the author’s choice of words and techniques to deliver a message or idea."
  • Discuss why understanding the author’s intention is crucial in literary analysis and essay writing.

• 5 mins - Importance of analysing author's intention in essays:

  • Explain how identifying the author's intention enriches students' essays by adding depth to their analysis.
  • Highlight how it relates to appreciating literature's richness and diversity, as outlined in the Australian Curriculum: English.

3. Apply 1: Group Activity (20 minutes)

• 15 mins - Pair Work:

  • Hand out “Excerpts (Author's Intention).docx.”
  • Divide students into pairs or small groups.
  • Each pair analyses at least two excerpts to understand the author's intention. Focus on themes, characters, symbols, and word choice.
  • Use A3 paper to note down main points and present visually.

• 5 mins - Class Feedback:

  • Each group presents their analysis.
  • Facilitate a brief discussion valuing peer feedback.

4. Apply 2: Individual Writing Task (20 minutes)

• 15 mins - Individual Task:

  • Choose one excerpt from the list provided.
  • Write an analysis paragraph focusing on the associated themes, characters, symbols, and author’s intention.
  • Encourage using the TEEL structure, particularly elaborating on the Explanation section.

• 5 mins - Peer Review:

  • Swap paragraphs with a partner.
  • Provide constructive feedback focusing on clarity, coherence, and depth of analysis.

5. Goal Review and Conclusion (10 minutes)

• 5 mins - Reflective Discussion:

  • Discuss as a class: “What are some key messages that the author has tried to convey through the text?”
  • Encourage students to share insights from their paragraphs.

• 5 mins - Summary:

  • Recap the importance of analysing the author's intention.
  • Briefly discuss how this skill can be applied in other areas of their studies and future essays.

Extension Activity

• Provide students with an optional task to apply the same principles to a different text or a piece of media, such as a film or a speech, for further practice.

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Assessment

• Collect the analysis paragraphs to assess students’ understanding of the author’s intention.
• Provide feedback on their use of the TEEL structure, particularly focusing on how well they explain and analyse the author’s intent.

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Australian Curriculum Links

• Literacy:
  • Understand how Standard Australian English works in its spoken and written forms and in combination with non-linguistic forms of communication to create meaning.
• General Capabilities:
  • Develop critical and creative thinking by analysing and creating texts.
• Cross-Curriculum Priorities:
  • Engage with diverse literary works, including texts relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures, Asia and Australia’s Engagement with Asia, and Sustainability.

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This lesson plan is designed to challenge Year 10 students and deepen their literary analysis skills, specifically focusing on understanding and articulating an author's intention. This detailed approach will help educators achieve a high standard of teaching and learning, aligned with the Australian Curriculum.