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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
10short 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 is 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 identifying the structural shape?Show answer
The order of arguments is strategic. Common shapes:
What is annotation routine?Show answer
1. Read once for contention. Underline if stated; infer if not. 2. Read again, marking each argument. Bracket sections; note the claim of each.
What is form, audience, context?Show answer
A Year 11 student should identify:
What is common errors?Show answer
Topic mistaken for contention. "The writer discusses housing" is topic; "the writer contends that the government must intervene" is contention.
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.