English / Year 8 / Literacy / Creating texts

• TLF-IDM017477

Formal writing is an important skill, not just for your time at school but also for when you enter the workforce. There are many ways you can improve the formality of your writing. Explore some of these strategies in the following clip.

• TLF-IDM020131

Watch this clip to learn where Sally Rippin finds inspiration for her writing. What does she say about where story ideas come from? Sally talks about noting down ideas in a notebook and remembering how particular experiences made her feel. What does she say about turning ideas into stories? Why not try keeping a notebook ...

• TLF-IDM021336

This resource for students discusses the conventions of action and adventure stories, suggests some possible scenarios, how to plot the story and examples of descriptive writing techniques, as well as suggestions for proofreading and revising.

• TLF-IDM021382

A short video for secondary students which explains what modifiers are, and how it's important to clearly link them to the words they're actually referring to, in order to avoid unintentional ambiguity.

• TLF-IDM021442

Before you start writing any article, one of the first things you need to ask yourself is "Who's my audience?" Answering this question will help you decide if you should use a formal or an informal writing style. This resource explores this and other questions to be answered before writing, such as 'What's the best way ...

• TLF-IDM018018

Poetry, plays, novels � and comic books? In the past, writers and illustrators of graphic novels have struggled to have their work taken seriously. More recently, the tides might just have turned. Judge for yourself whether this form of text deserves a little more respect than it's been getting. This clip is one in a series ...

• TLF-IDM017812

Marriage equality is a controversial issue in Australia, one that has provoked media sensationalism, political rhetoric and heated arguments. Sometimes, however, quieter voices make their point amid all the furore. Explore the voice of Lochsley Wilson in his Heywire audio story.<br /><br />To talk with someone about anxiety ...

• TLF-IDM017782

Feel the effect of David Martyr's skilful use of tone in this Heywire audio story of life in a mining camp. How does he create it, and what is its effect on how we respond to his subject matter? Could you write or record a similar story about yourself and/or your community? The ABC's Heywire competition calls for stories ...

• TLF-IDM019272

Let's get inside the devious mind of Lady Macbeth! Bell Shakespeare's Kate Mulvany and John Bell explore the methods Lady Macbeth uses to manipulate her husband. This delightfully despicable character knows just which buttons to press! Listen in on the conversation with James Evans and see for yourself.

• TLF-IDM017705

Let Emma Visser tell you how she went from being a city girl in Year 9 to getting her dream job - being the operations manager of a dairy farm. While you're watching, examine the cohesive devices Emma uses to structure her Heywire story effectively. Could you write or record a similar story about yourself and/or your community? ...