IDENTITY
STATEMENT OF INQUIRY:
How are individuals affected and shaped by the people and environments around them?
Personal identity is the concept you develop about yourself that evolves over the course of your life. This may include aspects of your life that you have no control over, such as where you grew up or the color of your skin, as well as choices you make in life, such as how you spend your time and what you believe. You demonstrate portions of your personal identity outwardly through what you wear and how you interact with other people. You may also keep some elements of your personal identity to yourself, even when these parts of yourself are very important.
Have you ever struggled with the question, 'Who am I?' or thought about who you might become in the future? These questions have been thought about and discussed throughout history, in particular by philosophers who have immersed themselves in the search for knowledge about the nature of being human. Such questions as, 'What does it mean to be a person?' and 'Do I matter?' have engaged key thinkers and created conversations that we still grapple with in our society.
Our environment and it’s surrounding factors play an important role in shaping us individuals - agree or disagree?
WHAT THIS UNIT IS ALL ABOUT
First and foremost... this unit is about you. Over the next ten weeks you will be exploring the question...
"How are individuals affected and shaped by the people and environments around them?"
Your goal at the end of the unit is to present a personal narrative. This can take any form that you are interested in... blog post, podcast, short film, graphic novel, song, spoken word, poetry... the list is endless. How you approach this unit is very much up to you... this is your story to tell.
Some weeks there will be activities presented to cover content that Emily and I feel might be helpful in scaffolding your work (this will be in seminar class).
The basic structure of the classes are as follows:
Monday - reading in the library
Tuesday - seminar class
Thursday - working/developing own project
First and foremost... this unit is about you. Over the next ten weeks you will be exploring the question...
"How are individuals affected and shaped by the people and environments around them?"
Your goal at the end of the unit is to present a personal narrative. This can take any form that you are interested in... blog post, podcast, short film, graphic novel, song, spoken word, poetry... the list is endless. How you approach this unit is very much up to you... this is your story to tell.
Some weeks there will be activities presented to cover content that Emily and I feel might be helpful in scaffolding your work (this will be in seminar class).
The basic structure of the classes are as follows:
Monday - reading in the library
Tuesday - seminar class
Thursday - working/developing own project
This term, Emily and Jen will be focusing on two areas to give you feedback:
Organisation and Using Language
Criterion B: Organising
In this area we will give you feedback on your skill & ability to organise and plan your ideas, stick with your plan for the term, and use referencing & formatting tools to create your work (we will help make sure you are on track with this)
Criterion D: Using Language
In this area we will give you feedback on how you use language... have you used correct grammar, spelt things correctly, use non-verbal techniques, tried to use new vocabulary and improve your sentence structure.
WEEK by WEEK - BREAKDOWN
Week 2 - Topic "Elements of a Personal Narrative"
Themes covered
WHAT: In the seminar class this week you will be introduced to "Elements of a Personal Narrative".
WHY: We are looking at this because it really is the basics of all stories/narratives. Essentially there are five main "ingredients" that are used - Character, Setting, Conflict, Plot, Theme.
WHO: During Thursday's class we will be watching the personal narrative of Hannah Gadsby
WHAT: In the seminar class this week you will be introduced to "Elements of a Personal Narrative".
WHY: We are looking at this because it really is the basics of all stories/narratives. Essentially there are five main "ingredients" that are used - Character, Setting, Conflict, Plot, Theme.
WHO: During Thursday's class we will be watching the personal narrative of Hannah Gadsby
Task 1 - to write a 'micro narrative' that explore the theme of a personal narrative - add this to your Google Doc and share with Emily/Jen
Week 3 - Topic "Developing my ideas"
Themes covered
WHAT: In the seminar class this week (Tuesday) you have the chance to share you love of music and explore examples of possible #inspiration.
WHY: By exploring personal narratives in songs, it is hoped that this might fuel some more ideas for your own work... and presenting in your personal views in front of your peers is the stepping stones to going on a conquering the world with your thoughts and opinions ;-)
WHO: Tuesday's class will be time to find your song choice and explore it using the following points as your guide:
1) Briefly describe the narrate being explored in the song.
2) Why did you pick this song, why do you feel connected to it?
3) What lines or lyrics do you find most powerful?
4) Search for the song on YouTube and find a lyrical passage to share with your classmates.
5) Explain the reason you chose this particular passage to the class.
** Thursday morning you'll have opportunity to share your song choice with the class before beginning work on your own personal narrative.
WHAT: In the seminar class this week (Tuesday) you have the chance to share you love of music and explore examples of possible #inspiration.
WHY: By exploring personal narratives in songs, it is hoped that this might fuel some more ideas for your own work... and presenting in your personal views in front of your peers is the stepping stones to going on a conquering the world with your thoughts and opinions ;-)
WHO: Tuesday's class will be time to find your song choice and explore it using the following points as your guide:
1) Briefly describe the narrate being explored in the song.
2) Why did you pick this song, why do you feel connected to it?
3) What lines or lyrics do you find most powerful?
4) Search for the song on YouTube and find a lyrical passage to share with your classmates.
5) Explain the reason you chose this particular passage to the class.
** Thursday morning you'll have opportunity to share your song choice with the class before beginning work on your own personal narrative.
Task 2 - Explore the lyrics of a song of your choice and use the points above to explain it - add this to your Google Doc and share with Emily/Jen
Week 4 - Topic "Vulnerability"
Themes covered
WHAT: In the seminar class this week you will watching Brene Brown "The Power of Vulnerability". The transcript of this talk is available here.
WHY: As we investigate further the theme of personal narratives we begin to explore our human connection. In this talk Brene Brown looks at our ability to empathise, belong, and love. This talk is one that stems from her research and one that sent her on a personal quest to understand more about humanity.
WHO: During Thursday's class we will be need to start the actual writing of your narrative. Here are two resources to help with your planning.
Final thoughts... Personal narratives are a form of writing in which the writer relates one event, incident, or experience from their life. Personal narratives allow you, the writer, to share your life with others, vicariously experiencing the things you describe. Your job as a writer is to put the readers in the midst of the action, letting them live through an event, incident, or experience. Personal narratives also incorporate vivid descriptive details, as well as the thoughts, feelings, and reactions of the writer.
A good personal narrative, like a good story, creates a dramatic effect, makes us laugh, gives us pleasurable fright, and/or gets us on the edge of our seats. Although personal narratives capture true events, sometimes writers embellish or use hyperbole to illustrate a point or for dramatic effect. A personal narrative has done its job effectively if the readers can say, “Yes, that captures what living with my mother feels like,” or “Yes, that’s what it felt like to lose the championship game.”
WHAT: In the seminar class this week you will watching Brene Brown "The Power of Vulnerability". The transcript of this talk is available here.
WHY: As we investigate further the theme of personal narratives we begin to explore our human connection. In this talk Brene Brown looks at our ability to empathise, belong, and love. This talk is one that stems from her research and one that sent her on a personal quest to understand more about humanity.
WHO: During Thursday's class we will be need to start the actual writing of your narrative. Here are two resources to help with your planning.
Final thoughts... Personal narratives are a form of writing in which the writer relates one event, incident, or experience from their life. Personal narratives allow you, the writer, to share your life with others, vicariously experiencing the things you describe. Your job as a writer is to put the readers in the midst of the action, letting them live through an event, incident, or experience. Personal narratives also incorporate vivid descriptive details, as well as the thoughts, feelings, and reactions of the writer.
A good personal narrative, like a good story, creates a dramatic effect, makes us laugh, gives us pleasurable fright, and/or gets us on the edge of our seats. Although personal narratives capture true events, sometimes writers embellish or use hyperbole to illustrate a point or for dramatic effect. A personal narrative has done its job effectively if the readers can say, “Yes, that captures what living with my mother feels like,” or “Yes, that’s what it felt like to lose the championship game.”
Task 3 - to begin the writing of your narrative using one of the resource provided or a resource you have found yourself - add this to your Google Doc and share with Emily/Jen
Week 5 - Topic "Reflexive & Intensive Pronouns"
- Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and object are the same.
- I burnt myself on the stove this morning – correct
I burnt me on the stove this morning – incorrect - You can help yourselves to drinks – correct
You can help you to drinks – incorrect - He blames himself for the accident – correct
He blames him for the accident – incorrect
- I burnt myself on the stove this morning – correct
- Intensive pronouns are used to emphasize the subject, meaning that person or thing and nobody/nothing else.
- Did someone paint your house?” “No, I painted it myself.”
- He was planning to ask his assistant to go, but in the end he went himself.
Task 4 - Add to your Google Doc links to work(s) that you have researched that you find inspiring
Week 6 - What makes a really good story?
Although this infographic has been created to enhance marketing, we can adopt the same concepts when we create a story. Take a look at the elements that make a really good story and ensure that you have included them in your personal narrative. Have a look at some more inforgraphics here (keep in mind they are aimed at informing advertisers - if only they used their powers for good instead of selling us pointless products!)
What makes a really good story
http://www.abccopywriting.com/2013/12/10/what-really-makes-a-good-story
http://www.abccopywriting.com/2013/12/10/what-really-makes-a-good-story
Task 5 - refine your personal narrative. What elements from the above infographic can you include to enhance your story?