Persuasive Writing: Research Activity

 Persuasive Writing: Research Activity

During class we've been recently learning how to evaluate text by looking at currency, usefulness, credibility. This particular research activity was that we had to conduct a research on our 3 chosen topics. 

Text title, author & link	Text summary In your own words, write what the text was about	Usefulness Was this text useful to you? Why or why not?	Credibility Was this text credible? Why or why not?	Currency Did this text have currency? Why or why not?
1. Pros and cons of the death penalty  Author:Joe Messerli/ Balanced politics	This website contains relevant information about the death penalty and why it should be legal a cross the world. It offers a point on why it should and shouldn't be legal.	Although this text is American based, it offers some information that relates to NZ. It was useful in a way that it offered me several points from both sides. This helped because it helped me figure out what side i'm on	I personally think that this specific website used is indeed credible. It shows who wrote it as well as an area for readers to write in if any material used is inaccurate. As written in the box before it shows both sides.	There is an area which would have showed the last updated time but nothing is written there, therefore it is not currency
2. Gay marriage pros and cons Author: Unknown/ ProCon.org	This website contains a substantial amount of information relating to the topic (Gay Marriage). This text have two sides of the topic: the pros and cons	This website is also American based but it does provide content that relates to issues in NZ. Because this text has information of two sides it helps me understand why an individual support or not support gay marriage.	This website is somewhat credible because it does not show the exact person who wrote the text but it does provide an area for readers to comment their personal opinion whether they support or not. I do not recognise this website at all.	Because it shows when the text was last updated, it shows currency.  Updated at 07/10/19 or 10/07/19
3. Should teachers be allied to carry guns at school Author: Lauren Farrar.	This website contains a substantial amount of information relating to the topic (Armed Teachers). This text have two sides of the topic: the pros and cons. It shows the main arguments on both sides and additionally an introduction as well as sources used	Another American based website that relates to NZ domestic policy issues. Because this text has some information about two sides.	This text is credible because it shows the author of the text but it is a little clear that the author does not support armed teachers as there is more information whereas the cons information is lacking a bit. I do not recognise this website or author.	This text somewhat has currency as it shows when it was written but it does not show when it was last updated. Written: Nov 7 2019

Should woman be allowed to wear a Niqāb or a face veil, to civic ceremonies.

 WTE SENTENCES -- L.O We are learning to express our views on a topical issue.

#5 The Adverb Start -         Unexpectedly, 29% out of 54,679 voters votes no to women wearing a Niqāb                                                 or a  face veil while 71% votes yes. 

#11 The W-Start Sentence - While 29% disagree, I personally believe that woman should be allowed to                                                      wear Niqāb or a face veil to civic ceremonies because they should be able to                                                    be proud of their culture or religion.

#1 The Simple Sentence -    By voting no is basically discrimination against other cultures or religions. 

Main characters task 2 - Hunger games

Learning outcome: Understand how characters are developed in a film.

Success Criteria: Explain how a character/s is portrayed using specific examples from the text.

 Task 2: Identify 2-3 of these characters strengths in Katniss, Peeta and one other character of your choice. 

Katniss - Katniss Everdeen portrays many strengths throughout the dystopian film 'Hunger games' but the two strengths that I have chosen to identify are love and creativity. Love is no doubt shown in  his film. We see this when she volunteers as tribute to save her little sister Prim or when she mourned for her friend Rue. I also chose creativity because she somehow thought of a great idea to blow up her rivals supply such as food,weapons and traps. Because of this, Katniss is able to make original ideas that make it her own.  Although Katniss has many strengths is still human meaning she has some weaknesses as well. One of the weaknesses happens to be social intelligence. Katniss is more of an independent woman shes not very social at all. She pushes away people several times and yet expects the other to just act like nothing happened making her social intelligence weak. 

Peeta - In the dystopian film 'Hunger games' Peeta Mallark shows strengths that helps us understand Peeta on a deeper note. Creativity being one of them and Social intelligence as the other. Peeta shows creativity by camouflaging himself onto some rocks by using paint that was provided for him. He did this because he was hurt and couldn't carry on anymore. Another strength is social intelligence. Peeta shows this strength by pretending to be in a group of other tributes later splitting up. This is a great example because he was able to stay alive for the next 2 days. He also pretends to love Katniss so that she and him could get sponsors by adding drama into it. Like all, Peata has a weakness. His weakness is love. How? its because he loved Katniss so much that he couldn't bear to see her get hurt yet if she does he will feel as if he would want to give up. 

Rue - For her young age, Rue shows an insane amount of strengths along the way. She shows bravery as well as teamwork. An example of Rue showing bravery is the scene where one of the tributes bet up another because it seemed as if he stole the other guys knife. But he didn't, instead rue stole it and if the owner of the knife found out Rue could've been snapped like a twig. 

Main characters Task 1 - Hunger games

Learning outcome: Understand how characters are developed in a film.

Success Criteria: Explain how a character/s is portrayed using specific examples from the text.

Task 1: Create a resume for the four main characters. 

What am I learning? To understand how the characters are developed in this film.

How does this show my working? I explained how the characters are portrayed using examples 

What am I wondering? Nothing 

Settings timeline - Hunger games

 

Workshop working - Hunger games (weekly edited)

 Workshop 1: Unpacking themes and ideas

Definition + terminology - Money, Lifestyle, Food, Privilege, Technology, Assumptions, Life-                                                          style
Rich 
- The capitol (Accents, posh, fancy and big words)
- Clothing (Neon, bright, exotic, cleaner, )
- Architectures (Concrete, glass, steel, metal, modern)
- Advanced Technology (very futurist, medicine)
- Food (Varieties, high quality)
- Setting

Poor
 - District 12 (Coal mining, dirty, trading, un-safe)
- Illegally hunting (Hardly any food)
- Clothes (Raggedy, Dirty, worn out , trousers, wrong fitting)
- Setting (Nature)
- Entertainment (Mud, pools of water)

Sexxxy paragraph
In the dystopian movie 'Hunger games' directed by Gary Ross, costumes are used effectively to show the theme of rich v poor. Rich vs poor is not just about money but it is also about power, Privilege, Lifestyle and more. For example the capitol is filled with people (and animals) wearing bright, exotic colours. The costumes were made of very futurist fabric. This makes the audience understand that the Capitol is much more advanced in terms of lifestyle when compared to district 12 - in-equality is an issue here. The directors intent was to create a contrast between the costumes. The costumes in district 12 is ragged and worn out. It is traditional and natural. This difference shows that there are privileges to living in the capitol.

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What makes a successful paragraph?
I think that a successful paragraph needs to have evidence, an explanation as well as a link.

Workshop 2: Linking themes to the impacts of Angles, Movement and Shots

Terms
- When Katniss volunteered a dutch tilt was shown to show unease + long shot
- High angle on Effie displays power over the crowd 
- Through out the reaping scene the camera was shaky for uncertainty +mid long 
- Effie's costume had a close up shot displayed 
- Katniss and Gale had a close up shot to show the audience that they have a tight relationship.
- Flashback before Peeta and Katniss shakes hands - pre existing connection 
- Low angle - flag of Panem

How do we see themes? 

Rich vs Poor:
- Effie's clothes - close up to really pick up on the details 
- District 12 costumes - wide shot to show us that everyone inhabiting district 12 has dull clothes 
- Compare and contrast between the people of district 12 and the Capitol 
Struggle for power:
- Point of view shot

Sexxy Paragraph 
During the reaping scene the theme of Rich vs Poor is explained through the use of camera movements - specifically wide shots and close ups. The comparison between the wealth of the Capitol represented by Effie and the poorness of the whole District 12 is seen in the wide shot of the people gathered at the reaping. The close up shot of Effie reveals the quality of her makeup, costume and hair while the wide shot shows the lack of colour of district 12. Using a close up shot shows a sense of atmosphere while wide shot shows nothing and makes it seem as if the people of District 12 is forced to be there - struggle for power.

Workshop 3: How are costumes used to enhance the story? 

Where are these shots from? + what is happening? 

- Katniss

- Effie

- District 12 citizens (Primrose, Peeta, Gale)

- Peace keepers

- Beginning

Costumes in D12:

- dull

- worn

- boring

- simple

- costumes reflect the people on a personal level

- limited materials

- best clothes for the reaping scene

What theme are we exploring?

RICH VS POOR

- Capitol = rich

- D12 = poor

- Effie (bright, colourful, fashionable, drastic makeup, jewellery)

Sexxy Paragraph  

During the reaping scene the theme Rich vs Poor is represented by costumes.

We see this when the citizens of D12 are waiting for someone to be chosen as tribute. The lifestyle of D12 is reflected in the clothes that they wear. The materials of the clothes are very much limited therefore making the clothes look dull, simple. 

This makes the audience understand that the costumes represent the theme rich vs poor, rich being the capitol and poor being District 12. There is a clear difference between the opportunity, power and privilege between the capitol and D12. The directors intent was to help the audience understand that the capitol holds opportunity, power and privilege over the D12. The costumes can symbolise the in-equality between the capitol and D12. The symbolism combined with the wide shot of the crowd of D12 and over the shoulder shot of Effie shows that Effie (because shes from the capitol) shows us that she has power over them. 

Workshop 4: How does 'Lighting & Colour' enhance the story ? 

Link to workshop 4 slide

Define:

- Atmosphere > The mood/feeling of a place 

- Mood > Feeling

- Location > a place where something set 

- Warm light > Orange, yellow, red light, cosy, warm, welcome

- Cold light > Blue, green, white light, makes it feel sterile/clean, modern

- Bright light > obvious, reflect energy, happy 

- Dull light > faded, opposite of bright light, sad, boring, lonely, tiresome

- Natural light > sun, moon, reflections, star, lightning, fire - occur from nature

- Artificial light > light bulbs, screens, LED, specifically man made sources from light/ tend to be electronic

- Colour pallet > Scene of the colours used in the shot e.g D12 = Natural pallet - green, brown, black, grey

SCENE: DISTRICT 12

- Katniss is running to illegally hunt in the woods

- Cold light - lots of greenery, dull light, natural light - sunlight/clouds. 

- Makes the audience feel cold, not where you want to be, back in time/old fashioned, Poverty place - outdated materials (e.g wood) 

- Directors purpose - rich vs poor - who has more power, opportunity, privilege. They dont have a privilege of technology/ no artifical sources of light 

- Other techniques - costumes -grey/ blacks - coal miners, black shoes - less dirt 

SCENE: Train station at the Capitol 

- Tributes (Katniss and peeta) arriving 

- Cold, bright, artificial light, colour pallete - vibrant, colourful coloured costumes, bright white and grey walls

- Makes the audience feel modern, excited for the tributes to arrive

- Directors intent - rich vs poor - power, privilege, opportunity, access to tech, better sewing tech because the materials of costumes are better, No poverty - the dont work, access to do whatever they want whenever they want. 

Sexxy Paragraph  

In the scene at the train station lighting and colour are used substantially to show the theme of rich vs poor. In this case, rich represented by the privilege of the capitol. This is demonstrated through the use of bright, cold and artificial lighting that occurs from electricity. This scene contains a modern colour pallet - uses whites and grey for the background while the costumes contains a lot of bright, vibrant and colourful materials. This makes the audience feel like the location is modern and excited for the tributes to arrive at the capitol. The purpose of this was to show that the capitol has privilege to technology specifically trains, electricity, better clothing, dated materials. This works well with the use of costume. The costumes are unique and exotic which shows that they have more variety of clothing and sewing technology than those people in the district. This can be juxtapose to the conditions in District 12 where there is no electricity and the colours are more natural. 

Workshop 5: How does music enhance the story ? 

Link to workshop 5 slide

Song 1 - Happy, warm, energetic.

Song 2 - Mysterious, adventurous, sad, sombre  

Major - Upbeat, louder, full strings, contains 1st 3rd 5th.

Minor - Low beat, quieter, suspenseful.

Tempo - Speed of the beat.

Dynamic - Variation between notes, volume.

Diegetic = Amplified natural music

Non-diegetic= Sound track + special effects.

Minor. Tempo = slow.  Dynamics  - building towards the end

Paragraph  

In the dystopian film hunger games, music is used substantially to support the theme of hope and rebellion. This is shown during the scene of Rues death through the minor chords which makes the audience feel sombre. the tempo of the soundtrack during this scene is slow revealing the emotions of grief in which Katniss is feeling. The dynamic of the music in this scene starts of quiet and builds louder as the scene goes on. Th purpose of this was so the the viewer can feel a connection tot themselves to the characters int he scene. This worked well with the next scene where a riot starts in honour of Rue. 

Freytags pyramid - Hunger games

LEARNING OUTCOME: Analyse the plot of the film

SUCCESS CRITERIA: Explain how the films plot is constructed to engage a viewer

What am I learning? To analyse the plot of hunger games 
How does this show my learning? My pyramid explains the important plots in the film that is made to engage the audience
What am I wondering? Nothing

Linking scenes to camera shots + Sexxy Paragraph - Hunger games

Learning outcome: Describe an important idea and explain why it was worth learning about, supporting your points with visual and / or oral language features.

Success Criteria: Explain how camera shots, and sound and visual techniques are used to help tell the story using examples from the text.

Directed by Gary Ross, the dystopian film 'Hunger games' used multiple camera shots and angles. A close up was used effectively by Gary Ross when Primrose was about to say her last goodbye before Katniss left for the annual hunger games. This makes the audience feel more connected to the scene, specifically Primrose. We feel her sadness as she says her goodbyes. The intention of this was so that the audience feels more engaged to the character in a direct and personal matter. Even though the audience starts to lose the characters surroundings, the actions o f the character is more intimate and impacts us on the way we view the film. Close up shot combined with the silence and over,-powering lighting increases the suspense giving more of a depth to the scene while drawing the viewers in.

Another camera shot that was used effectivly in this film is medium close-up. We see this during Katniss performance when she shot the apple from the pigs mouth as the committee is about to eat. The medium close-up helped me understand that she is not afraid of showing off to the committee. The director did this to make the audience feel engaged and connect to the scene as if we are part of it. Medium close-up combined with the bare lighting increases the suspense and and draws the attention of the audience. Because the angle is pointing down towards Katniss, it reveals that there is an imbalance of power between her and the committee. 

 

The camera shot used in this particular scene is an extreme close up. The is used when Katniss is about to shoot the apple down onto the minefield to blow up the food supply. This helps to amplify emotional intensity when the camera is focused right onto her mouth. The way she exhales makes a huge differnce as it raises the suspense. The director did this to raise the intensity of the issue. An extreme close up combined with the blur of the background help to focus her mouth. 

The last of many camera shots I will be showing you is a medium shot. This is demonstrated after Katniss found Peeta stuck in cement very much injured. This camera shot is where we start to feel engaged to the characters on a personal level. The director did this to help the audience connect with the film a little more as it is approximately of how close another would be when having a causal conversation with them. A medium shot with the background noise of the waterfall makes us feel a little more calm during this intense scene. 

Theme guide booklet - Hunger games

Learning Outcome: Analyse the themes and ideas of a film

Success Criteria: Discuss the way a theme or idea is portrayed in the text.

What am I learning? To analyse the themes and ideas of the film.

How does this work show my learning? I made a poster that shows the themes of the movie.

What am I wondering? Nothing. 

Unpacking ideas and themes - Hunger Games

What is District 12 like?
District 12 has a sinister and dirty look. It is a district that is fulled with poor people that dresses raggedy as well as bland compared to the Capitol. There was poverty and famine going on there. Editors added an eerie background sound to make the viewer feel uncomfortable

What is the Capitol like?
The capitol is sleek and modern with new technology. The people who inhabit that district dresses exotic with many colours because many of them are part of the rich society . The editors added a soft and urban background sound.

How did District 12 get extra food?
Most would usually shoot to kill and sell it or eat it, while the others would put themselves in the draw to the hunger games.

Why did Katniss used the bow? 
She used the bow because she is most familiar with it.

What does tribute mean? 
An act to show gratitude.

Reaping soon?
Before the chosen was selected, Effie Trinket (the woman from the capitol) said a few words "may the odds be ever in your favour"meaning she hopes the best for whoever gets chosen. As a Primrose was about to get selected to fight in the annual hunger games, many camera shots were shown. From close-ups to establishment shot. As primrose walked towards the stage, many eyes were focused on her in shock.

Visual Dictionary - Film Study

Learning outcome: Define the language of film using camera techniques
Success Critera: Identify types of sound and visual techniques 



Following questions:
1) What am I learning? To identify types of sound and visual techniques.
2) How does this work show my learning? I defines the camera techniques in my own words to                                                                                  understand them better
3) What am I wondering as a result of this learning? How did they come up with the names for                                                                                                 these techniques

Language of film dictionary - Film study

Learning outcome: Define the Language of Film using Visual & Sound Techniques.

Success criteria: Identify types of sound and visual techniques.

Body Language - A way of showing somebody's emotion through body language.
Costumes - Clothing specifically made for the roles the actors are playing as.
Hairstyles - A creative looking hair the symbolises the actors role.
Make-up - Cosmetics used to enhance the actors natural beauty or used to change the way the actor looks.

Lighting - To match the setting to its scene using brightness.
Props - Items specifically made for the role
Settings - Where / when a part takes place
Dialogue - A script that fits the topic/title of the film.

Sound effects - Sounds that are put into a film to make it more interesting.

Music - Can help to show emotions to sound and/or to make the film interesting
Silence - Used to elevate the suspense
Symbols - When you imbue a meaning in to a object
Special FX - An illusion to furthermore make a film interesting

Following Questions
 1) What am i learning?  To define the language of Film using Visual & Sound Techniques
 2) How does this show my learning? By adding the meaning in my own words and understanding them.
 3) What am I wondering as a result as of this learning? Nothing. 

Unwind #12 Character profile - Roland

Unwind #10 - Character profile - Risa

Unwind #9 Character profile - Connor

Unwind #8 Part 7

How is it that Connor was not unwound? p318 He stole the identity of someone named Robert who was a 19 yr old security guard.

Whose arm does he now have? P319 Roland’s arm.

On p321 Risa tells Connor how she won't be unwound. Do you think her decision to not accept the spine of an Unwind was purely ethical, or was she also playing the system in order to stay alive? I'd say both because Risa is a very genuine person and sticks to her beliefs that unwinding is bad and she was also playing the system to stay alive because by law it is illegal to unwind a disabled person.

Since the explosions at Happy Jack, what have people been doing? What has Cy-Fi's role been in this? P325  Made a stand against unwinding 

Lev's parents disown him. Who is trying to become his guardian? P328. Marcus, his brother. 

Why has Pastor Dan resigned? P329 He still believes in god just no the whole tithing god type of stuff.

P331-332 explain what has happened to Harlan Dunfee. What do you think about the Admiral and his wife's plan? Was it what you expected?  As mentioned in the previous chapters Dunfee used to be an unwind in fact he has been unwound he's bits and pieces has been put into other kids. The admiral and his wife would have put him back together as he would've turned 26 - not surgically but instead bringing those who have Dunfee in them. I expected it because the admiral and the wife are against unwinding. 

Who takes over the graveyard? P331 Connor, he took over it after the admiral left.

PREDICTION: there are three more books after this. What do you think might happen to Risa, Connor and Lev? Any other characters you would like make a prediction for? They go on an adventure helping those who are about to be unwind.

Unwind #7 part 6

Connor and Risa are sent to Happy Jack Harvest Camp. Describe what it is like, and explain why it is like this. P265-266 Most things in the camp are painted pastel colour as it is calming they try not to use too much red as it usually means: blood, anger, frustration etc. 

What is the exact percentage of the Unwind that you have to keep alive? Why is it not 100%, as Risa believes? P269 %99.46

What do the unwinds call the place where unwinding occurs? P271 Chop shop

Lev too, is at Happy Jack, but as a tithe. Why is this? Tithes are a different caste and have a higher calling. 

On p278 Connor and Roland finally have the fight that's been brewing between them. What does each character realise during this? Roland was accused by Connor of being behind the goldens death. Out of anger, Roland was going to kill connor but because he just couldn't - it proves that he wasn't behind the goldens death

P284 - What group has Lev joined, who recruited him, and when will they follow out their plan?  Cleaver recruited them to join the clappers group 

Roland is called for unwinding on p286. Why is this? He was a troubled guy and he is a distraction to the other unwinds.

Chapter 61 is arguably the most confronting chapter in the book. Here we have Roland's first person narrative of being unwound. Do you think this chapter is necessary? Why do you think Shusterman chose to have Roland's experience detailed? Do his memories alter how you view him?  It adds emotion  from the reader's point of view 

Why does Lev decide not to clap? P310 As much as he wanted to he just couldn't bring himself up to do so

Unwind #6 part 5

Which job in the graveyard does Risa get assigned to? How does this come about? P201 

She was assigned to work at the medical bay but before because she helped a guy who had a bloody
nose but before that she was originally assigned to dishwasher duty.

Why doesn't Connor volunteer for "work"? P205 He believes that the admiral is using him for slavery.

How does Roland unsettle Connor? P206-207 He also believes about the conspiracy of the admiral
using them for slavery but he also thinks that the admiral send them to the harvest camp.

P208-209 details Lev's arrival, and Connor's reaction. Make sure you fill in your character profiles
for both characters. Lev seems to be a little bit different than the last time Conner and risa saw him; he
wore ripped jeans and a nasty red shirt with messy hair. Connor isn't too excited to see Lev considering
that he snitched on both Connor and Risa but although he snitched but at the same time he cant face the
fact that Lev could get unwind. 

P214-215 Connor learns the truth about the Admiral here. How does the Admiral gain Connor's
trust? Over time connor started to trust the admiral by telling him about his dentures as he thought it was
from an unwounds teeth.

What, according to the Admiral, is it that Connor is becoming famous for in the Graveyard?p212
Connor got into a lot of fights and weather or not he loses, the problem is always resolved

What happens to the Goldens?p217 Found dead in the crates caused by suffocation

How does Roland begin to assert his power in the Graveyard? (you'll need to look throughout
the section) He thinks he has power because he makes people believe that he is good by poisoning
foods to make people think the admiral did it. 

P222-226 give us an insight into how the Unwinding Bill was passed into law. Summarise what
happened, then explain whether or not you think it is plausible. There was a war with three sides
called the Life army, the choice brigade and American military. An argument happened between the Life
army and the brigade and the American military was interfering to stop them from killing each other.
One side was killing abortion doctors and the other were people getting pregants just to sell their fetal
tissue. They came up with an idea that all started unwinding which was a joke but was intended to be
serious. A scientist who perfected neurografting which is a technique that allowed every part of a donor
to be used in transplant. They proposed the idea of unwinding and both sides agreed to terminate
unwanted without actually killing them. They signed the bill of life and the war was over but the winding
went into effect.

The Admiral was there when the Bill of Life was signed - do you think this detracts from the
believability of the commonplace nature of Unwinding? In your opinion, do you think the book
should have a few more generations between those who signed the Bill, and the present state in
the novel? I personally think that there should be a couple more generations to show what unwinding had
been to and what it is becoming.

What job does Lev volunteer to do? P236 He volunteered to work on an oil pipeline.

Which part of Harlan Dunfree does Emby have? P240 Lungs

Chapter 39 is from Roland's point of view. Why do you think Shusterman changes the narrative
here? What do we learn in this short chapter? Shusterman did it so that the readers would be able to
see rolands point of view because he would risk anything to not get unwound. He is resilient. 

By the end of this section, things at the Graveyard have deteriorated, with the unwinds turning
on the Admiral, and tearing the place apart. Which character is beaten to death on p250? The
person who was beaten to death was Cleaver.

What does the Admiral refuse on p255? What is the doctor's reaction to this? The doctors were all
shocked and said that it’s against the religion but they agreed and did it even though the chance of
surviving is low.

Why does Roland have the Juvey-Cops called? P259 Why doesn't his plan happen? P260-1 His plans didn't work because the juvey cops already knew about the unwounds and the graveyard and that the admiral was in charge but was okay because none of them got in the way of things until the admiral had to go to the hospital.