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VICEnglishQuick questions
Unit 4: Reading and Responding to Texts and Analysing Argument
Quick questions on Identifying contention and supporting arguments: VCE English Unit 4 Area of Study 2
11short 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 the specific position the writer takes on the issue, not the issue itself.
What are identifying the supporting arguments?Show answer
The supporting arguments are the sub-claims the writer uses to build the case for the contention. A typical Section C text has two to four.
What are common identification mistakes?Show answer
Topic mistaken for contention. "The writer talks about climate change" is the topic, not the contention.
What is topic mistaken for contention?Show answer
"The writer talks about climate change" is the topic, not the contention.
What is headline mistaken for contention?Show answer
The headline often signals the contention but does not always state it. Confirm against the body of the text.
What is argument mistaken for evidence?Show answer
A statistic is evidence; the claim the statistic supports is the argument.
What is linear summary mistaken for structural analysis?Show answer
Saying "first the writer says X, then Y, then Z" describes order but does not analyse function. Each section has a job in the building of the case.
What is tone mistaken for contention?Show answer
A writer can be indignant without being persuaded the audience must do anything specific. Tone supports contention; it does not replace it.
What is q1?Show answer
For an unseen persuasive text, state the contention in one sentence and list its supporting arguments. [4 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Map the structural function of the opening, middle and closing of a persuasive text. [Short response]
What is q3?Show answer
Explain why an indignant tone is not the same as a contention. [Short response]