Stage 2 – first year English units

These sample units are designed for early concept development of Stage 2 outcomes, regardless of students’ year level. NSW students in Years 3 and 4 may work towards Stage 2 outcomes from the English K–10 (Years 3–6) Syllabus.

These units are cumulative and are designed to be taught in numerical order.

A suggested term-by-term approach, aligned with the department’s scope and sequence is outlined below, including the mentor textual concept(s) and unit description.

Syllabus

Syllabus outcomes and content descriptors from English K–10 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2023.

Unit 1 – Narrative

Students will:

  • explore how narratives set up expectations for the reader using predictable structure and familiar characters and situations
  • analyse excerpts of the mentor text and use as the basis for their own innovation
  • plan, draft and revise a narrative sequel using an orientation, complication, resolution structure.

Stage 2 – Unit 1 – Narrative (DOCX 2.9 MB)

Unit 2 – Genre

Students will:

  • gain a deeper understanding of the textual concepts of genre, and perspective and context
  • apply their understanding of genre to group texts according to their purpose, subject matter, form, structure and language choices
  • experiment with genre to create a variety of texts using their understanding of structure and language choices to suit a text's purpose.

Stage 2 – Unit 2 – Genre (DOCX 6 MB)

Unit 3 – Argument and authority

In this 5-week unit of learning, students will:

  • gain a deeper understanding of the textual concepts of ‘argument and authority’ and ‘genre’
  • explore how an argument may be a single perspective that is presented or defended
  • explore the difference between authorship and authority and how they can enhance an argument presented
  • develop texts using language choices for persuasive effect
  • plan and deliver a spoken presentation.

Stage 2 First year – Unit 3 Argument and authority (DOCX 5.90 MB)

Unit 4 – Imagery, symbol and connotation

Students will:

  • gain a deeper understanding of the textual concepts of 'imagery, symbol and connotation' and 'characterisation'
  • develop their understanding of imagery, symbol and connotation and how author’s use imagery and symbols in literature
  • identify how figurative language can influence meaning
  • experiment using salience and figurative language to create a multimodal text
  • make connections to characters in a text by composing a journal entry.

Stage 2 First Year – Unit 4 Imagery, symbol and connotation (DOCX 17.5 MB)

Unit 5 – Characterisation

Students will:

  • gain a deeper understanding of the textual concepts of ‘characterisation’ and ‘narrative’
  • explore how authors use dialogue to convey what characters say and think
  • analyse excerpts of the mentor text and use these as the basis for their own innovation
  • use their understanding of characterisation to compose a narrative.

Stage 2 First year – Unit 5 Characterisation (DOCX 8.4 MB)

Unit 6 – Perspective and context

Students will:

  • gain a deeper understanding of the textual concepts of ‘perspective and context’ and ‘theme’
  • identify ways in which perspective is represented in texts and how it informs the setting
  • use their understanding of ‘perspective and context’ to create a factual and historical account
  • describe the difference between themes and topics, and use symbols to represent themes in texts.

Stage 2 First year – Unit 6 Perspective and context (DOCX 4.1 MB)

Sample units will be released periodically throughout 2024.

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