Amanda Lohrey’s captivating novella has been listed as a Prescribed Text for the NSW English HSC by the Board of Studies. Students could explore the images created by Lohrey through her use of language if they study Standard Module A: Experience through Language – Elective 2 Distinctively Visual.
In preparation for my presentation on Vertigo as part of the Exploring Module A day for the English Teachers Association, I came across two interviews with Lohrey where she discusses her writing and aspects of inspiration. Students need to understand that background information on a particular author does not replace their own critique of a text, nor will it help answer a particular HSC question. Reading and listening to Lohrey should, however, provide students with an appreciation of the world inhabited by the author.
Following the presentation, a request from the small yet appreciative audience was for certain slides to be made available. The full presentation will soon be published in mETAphor, but here is a sneak preview:
On the day, each participant was offered a hard copy of mETAphor Issue 3, 2012 as they registered. Browsing through this issue, I noticed Christine Gietz’ article titled ‘Reading the visual: using Kress and Van Leeuwen for a framework’ which contains several tables, strategies and suggestions for revising key concepts with students. Here’s the link if you are interested in looking at this issue:
Download Teaching Resources from Black Inc. Books.