The power of perspective.

I am noticing a common trend in my senior student's writing. There is a lack of analysis, critical thinking and perspective. Perspective is an important part in writing especially for NCEA Level 2 and Level 3 English. The marking criteria requires that the writing must 'respond critically and perceptively' whether it is a response to a written text or in the close viewing of a visual text. 

I have started to add different 'writing tip' resources on my Google sites, that are easily available and accessible for the students. When marking my senior student's writing, I am finding that my feedback is centered around the same theme - lack of perspective and critical thinking. In response to this I always write a series of guiding questions in the hope that this will draw the student to use and believe in their own perspective and critical thinking. The guiding questions were used in my feedback for the student's close viewing assessment (Level 2 - 91107) and (Level 3 - 91480)

• How does this technique influence the way you see the character?
• How does this technique support the director's purpose?
• Why is this language technique effective in the way it describes the character/s emotional state?
• How does the director convince us of the realism of this character?
• How has this influenced your perception of the text/character?
• What is point of view with the decisions that this character has made? Why?
• What is your point of view of the values represented in the text? How did you come to this conclusion?

The current climate with my student's lack of perception - is that the 'lack of' is a result of them not only understanding that they have an opinion but that they trust in their opinion. They often second guess their own interpretation and perspective. So in response to this, I am going to spend some time with both my Level 2 and Level 3 students going through a perspective activity that I designed. It is nothing new or innovative but it is my direct response to the feedback (repetitive feedback!) that I have given the students. 

The purpose of this document is that I want them to understand that they have a voice, point of view and perspective that is valid. (from Level 3 English with Stevenson)

I created an activity that has excerpts of different perspectives from Oprah Winfrey, Winston Churchill to some of the texts studied in class. The students read through each excerpt and then answer the guiding questions (the questions mirror the questions I have used in my feedback). The purpose of this activity is to show students that often our perspective is shaped and influenced by what we read, watch - what we are exposed too. So this activity, hopefully will draw on this and help the students to understand and respect the point of view of others. In the hope that it will empower their own voice, idea and perspective. (from Level 3 English with Stevenson)