Comparing 4 interpretations

Reading & Creating Texts – Unit 1

EVALUATING PERSONAL INTERPRETATIONS A final point of comparison is your own viewpoint on each text. As you read, you will develop your own opinions regarding the author's intent, the power of the writing and the overarching meaning of each work. In comparing the texts, you are also able to compare your personal interpretations of the texts, and you can make an evaluation of the texts in relation to one another. While you will need to have good knowledge of each text to justify your perspective, this kind of evaluation is a chance to express a personal opinion, so there's no need to worry about whether you are right or wrong.

It's only natural to choose a preferred text from the set pair. In developing a comparative personal interpretation, picking a favourite of the two works is a good starting point. Instead of stopping once you've asserted your preference, you should start thinking critically about the opinion that you hold and use this opinion to better develop your understanding of the texts you are exploring.

Answer the following questions based on your set texts.

1. Of the two texts you are studying, which do you prefer? Why? ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. How do the plot, characters, setting and underlying concepts contribute to you making this choice? ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________

VCE ENGLISH UNIT 1&2

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Reading & Creating Texts – Unit 1

3. Which of the two texts conveys the most powerful message? ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. What aspect of the text lends the author's work this power? ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Is your preferred text the same text you believe conveys the most powerful message? If so, is the strength of the overall message a major factor in you preferring this work? If not, why is the strength of the message less important for you than other factors in selecting your favourite text? ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________

VCE ENGLISH UNIT 1&2

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Reading & Creating Texts – Unit 1

COMPELLING STATEMENTS A comparative interpretation can be expressed as a single sentence that sums up your view of both works in contrast with one another. These sentences can be referred to as compelling statements, as they assert a strong opinion and evoke interest from others.

This is a good example of a compelling statement: 'W hile Stasiland and Nineteen Eighty-Four are both terrifying, Stasiland is more alarming because it is real'. This statement expresses a viewpoint regarding the subject matter of both texts, but it also contends that Stasiland is superior to Nineteen Eighty-Four because it is a work of non-fiction.

Statements like this automatically invite debate and discussion, and exploring a range of such views can assist you in developing your own overall interpretation.

1. Write a compelling statement that sums up your view of your set pair of texts. ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Trade your statement with a partner. Spend a few minutes answering each of the following questions in relation to your partner's statement. a)

Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?

________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________

VCE ENGLISH UNIT 1&2

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Reading & Creating Texts – Unit 1

b) What evidence from the texts could be used to uphold the statement? ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________

c) What evidence is there that refutes the statement? ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Once you've recorded your answers, discuss them with your partner. How are your views of the texts similar?

How are they different? ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________

VCE ENGLISH UNIT 1&2

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