Text versions and descriptions of the student work sample are provided below.
Note: student responses have not been corrected for grammar or spelling. Despite some words being misspelt, the meaning and student's understanding is clear.
Text version
4a. Why do you think the writers believe ‘the two girls in particular seem inevitably marked out for incredibly cruel misunderstanding and mistreatment’?
This book was written in the 1930s when it was acceptable to direct insults at girls that were rude and cruel. These insults were not directed at boys. Also in the 1930s it was not acceptable for girls to be rough and rude and there were many social restrictions for girls compared to boys
4b. ‘The two girls in particular seem inevitably marked out for incredibly cruel misunderstanding and mistreatment.’ This was written in America in the 1930s. Do you think the statement is still true? Explain your answer.
This statement is still true in parts today. In the past thirty years, women have gained much equality, but expectations about how girls and young women should behave still exist. Society continues to make assumptions about how women should act, particularly women labelled as ‘down and out’.
5. Complete the table below to indicate the differences between the original text and the government report.
The first one has been done for you.
|
Original text |
Government Report |
approach to subject |
Explains the Ricketts' behaviour |
Records the Ricketts' behaviour |
attitude towards subject |
Sympathetic, understanding |
Non-caring and written like it is talking about something non-living |
type of language used |
Things are explained using descriptive language |
Writing to bare minimums, military style |
purpose of text |
To explain why the Ricketts are like that |
To record what is happening for future reference |