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VICEnglishQuick questions
Unit 2: Reading and exploring texts and Exploring argument
Quick questions on Identifying contention and supporting arguments: VCE English Unit 2 Year 11
9short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is identifying the contention?Show answer
The contention is a specific position, not a topic.
What are identifying supporting arguments?Show answer
Supporting arguments are the sub-claims that build the case for the contention. A typical persuasive text has two to four.
What is topic mistaken for contention?Show answer
"The writer discusses housing" is topic; "the writer contends that the government must intervene" is contention.
What is headline mistaken for contention?Show answer
The headline signals but may not state the contention. Confirm against the body.
What is argument mistaken for evidence?Show answer
A statistic is evidence; the claim it supports is the argument.
What is no structural awareness?Show answer
Reading the text linearly without noting structural function misses analytical opportunities.
What is q1?Show answer
For an unseen opinion piece, write the contention in one sentence and list its three supporting arguments. [4 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Annotate the structure of a persuasive text by labelling the function of its opening, middle and closing. [Short response]
What is q3?Show answer
Explain how identifying the contention before analysing helps you avoid a linear "the writer says, then says" response. [Short response]