ako kiriata
“The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter their life by altering their attitudes.”
— William James
te ao Māori principles
There are key principals that we, as an English Department, consider important as part of a holistic study at school.
- Mana – The prestige and authority of the writer. Writers can build mana through impactful stories that uplift readers.
- Whanaungatanga – The connections and relationships between characters, writers, and readers. Literature brings people together.
- Kaitiakitanga – Guardianship and protection of stories, language, and knowledge. Writers have a duty to share stories responsibly.
- Wairuatanga – The spirituality and deeper meanings conveyed through literature. Stories can be profound and moving.
- Mauri – The essential life force or vitality of the writer coming through in their work. Writing with purpose and energy.
- Aroha – The empathy, compassion, and love writers show through their words. Literature builds understanding between people.
- Tikanga – The customs, protocols and values upheld through storytelling. Writers adhere to cultural principles.
Key Terms
| Narrative | a spoken or written account of connected events; a story. |
| Structure | the arrangement of and relations between the parts or elements of something complex. |
| Organisation | the way in which the elements of a whole are arranged. |
| Production | a film, record, play, etc., viewed in terms of its making or staging. |
| Design | the art or action of conceiving of and producing a plan or drawing of something before it is made. |
| Props | formally known as (theatrical) property, is an object actors use on stage or screen during a performance or screen production. |
| Foreground | the part of a view that is nearest to the observer, especially in a picture or photograph. |
| Background | the part of a picture, scene, or design that forms a setting for the main figures or objects, or appears furthest from the viewer. |
| Editing | prepare (written material) for publication by correcting, condensing, or otherwise modifying it. |
| Composition | the nature of something’s ingredients or constituents; the way in which a whole or mixture is made up. |
| Framing | make or construct (something) by fitting parts together or in accordance with a plan. |
| Mise-en-scene | the arrangement of the scenery, props, etc. on the stage of a theatrical production or on the set of a film. |
| Acting | the art or occupation of performing fictional roles in plays, films, or television. |
| Make Up | cosmetics such as lipstick or powder applied to the face, used to enhance or alter the appearance. |
| Costuming | dress (someone) in a particular set of clothes. |
| Dialogue | a conversation between two or more people as a feature of a book, play, or film. |
| Jump Cut | (in film or television) an abrupt transition from one scene to another. |
| Continuity Editing | the process of ensuring that within a sequence of cuts, each shot shows the same information. |
| Motif | a dominant or recurring idea in an artistic work. |
Learning Objectives
- To recognise plot points that create the overall narrative for the film.
- To construct understanding of the characters, settings, and developed ideas.
- To recognise the use of conflict to drive the narrative.
Exercises
Spelling
| receive | ceiling | perceive | deceive | conceive |
| believe | niece | thief | shield | sieve |
| fiend | mischief | piece | liege | reimburse |
| surfeit | forfeit | seize | leisure | receive |
Summary Builder
Below is a piece of writing that you should attempt to summarise into around 100 words.
The Power of Youth Activism
Throughout history, youth activism movements have catalysed monumental societal shifts. What drives teens and young adults to be at the forefront of progressive social change?
Their stage of cognitive development enables unique insight into complex issues. Adolescents begin formulating abstract ideals of justice while critically analysing systemic inequality. This energises youth protests.
Young people also have less career and family constraints, allowing freedom to participate in civil disobedience and direct action. With tech-savvy skills, they organise movements online and on-the-ground.
Peer socialization strengthens youth activism. Young people urging each other towards a common cause creates solidarity and momentum. This amplifies demonstration impact.
From the US civil rights marches of the 1960s to the March for Our Lives rallies against gun violence, youth have spoken truth to power. Climate strikes led by Greta Thunberg pressured governments worldwide to address global warming.
Young people should leverage their vision and energy to drive progress. They can join school groups, volunteer, register others to vote, contact politicians, educate peers, or organise protests.
Youthrecognise injustice and demand better. History shows that determined young voices can stir the conscience of nations and achieve transformative change.
Film Study
ako kiriata
Ko te reo te tuakiri | Language is my identity.
Ko te reo tōku ahurei | Language is my uniqueness.
Ko te reo te ora. | Language is life.