Critical Text Exploration

Overview

This 120-minute accelerated advanced English session is designed for Year 11 students during school holidays, following the NSW Curriculum for Advanced English. It focuses on enhancing critical reading, analytical writing, and creative multimodal skills through close study of literary texts and advanced language techniques.

Learning Objectives

Aligned to NSW Syllabus for the Australian Curriculum — English Stage 6 (Advanced):

• Analyse and evaluate how language features, text structures, and stylistic choices shape meaning and affect the reader (EN11-1).
• Create imaginative, interpretive, and persuasive texts that reflect sophisticated use of language (EN11-6).
• Use accurate metalanguage to discuss texts critically and appreciate intertextual connections (EN11-3).
• Develop independent critical responses supported by evidence from texts (EN11-4).
• Select and apply appropriate text and language features for specific purposes and audiences, including multimodal elements (EN11-7).

Session Breakdown

Time	Activity	Description and Resources	Outcome
0–10	Welcome and Context Setting	Outline session goals; discuss the benefits of accelerated study and advanced texts.	Set motivation and expectations.
10–30	Text Deconstruction: Complex Literary Excerpt	Close reading of a challenging literary excerpt from a prescribed Advanced text or a contemporary complex text (e.g., a passage from Hamlet or contemporary Australian poetry). Focus on language features (imagery, symbolism, rhetoric), tone, and structure.	Identification of literary devices and narrative impact.
30–50	Discussion: Authorial Intent and Reader Response	Collaborative discussion: How do author choices influence interpretation? Explore multiple perspectives, including cultural and contextual influences.	Develop critical thinking and acknowledgement of multiple readings.
50–70	Analytical Writing Scaffold	Guided writing activity: Construct a thesis and topic sentences analyzing the excerpt's language and structure. Use metalanguage and textual evidence. Teacher models paragraph development.	Ability to construct an analytical argument supported by evidence.
70–85	Pair Activity: Creative Multimodal Response	Students create a short multimodal text (e.g., digital collage, video, or audio interpretation) responding to the literary excerpt’s themes or characters. Use technology tools (e.g., Canva, iMovie).	Demonstrate contemporary textual engagement and creative skills.
85–100	Presentation and Peer Feedback	Students present their multimodal responses and receive constructive critique, focusing on coherence, use of language, and impact.	Develop oral communication and critical feedback skills.
100–115	Extension Task: Intertextual Connections	Introduce a second text (poem or short story) that shares thematic or stylistic links. Students draft a short comparative response outlining the connection using metalanguage.	Foster intertextual analysis abilities, crucial for Advanced English.
115–120	Reflection and Goal Setting	Students reflect on their learning and set goals for continued independent study over the holiday period, including suggested reading and writing challenges.	Encourage metacognitive skills and ongoing learning.

Assessment and Feedback

• Formative assessment through written analytical paragraphs and multimodal creative tasks.
• Peer feedback focusing on clarity, depth of analysis, and creativity.
• Teacher feedback to guide improvement in text analysis and communication.
• Self-assessment via reflection prompts to monitor learning progress and set goals.

Resources

• Excerpts from prescribed or advanced literary texts (teacher selected).
• Technology access for multimodal creation (laptops/tablets).
• Worksheets for writing scaffold and reflection.
• Metalanguage lists and exemplar paragraphs.

Differentiation & Support Strategies

• Provide glossary of advanced literary terms.
• Offer sentence starters and paragraph frames.
• Allow flexible multimodal formats to cater to diverse learning styles.
• Provide one-on-one support during writing tasks if needed.

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This detailed, engaging, and evidence-based plan prioritises critical thinking and creativity, meeting the rigorous demands of the NSW Advanced English syllabus, while maximising the intensive holiday learning opportunity for Year 11 students.