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VCE Argument Analysis Essay Examples - Page 5

VCE argument analysis examines how a writer or speaker builds a case and uses language and visuals to position an audience. These examples focus on the relationship between argument, choice and intended effect.

A useful response follows the material's movement rather than marching through a memorised list of techniques. Notice how writers group evidence around shifts in tone, purpose and argument.

Published essay examples

VCE · Language Analysis

Language Analysis: BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The…

VCE Language Analysis essay scoring 65%: The Victorian government’s decision to allow recreational duck shooting, while other states have banned it, has…

The Victorian government’s decision to allow recreational duck shooting, while other states have banned it, has re-ignited tensions among advocates and those who condemn it. Writing in The Guardian (23/9/20), Peter Witt’s opinion piece appeals to his left-leaning readership by accusing the government of ignoring the wishes of voters, experts and even its own union representatives. Kerrie Allen, representing Regional Victorians Opposed to Duck Shooting, presents a rational argument citing the economic and social impacts of duck shooting as she attempts to persuade Warrnambool Standard readers the Premier has a moral obligation to urgently review its duck shooting policy. Witt begins by contextualising the importance of the previous weekend, a time when some of the COVID-19 restrictions were lifted. He provides a number of examples of activities that Victorians had been “hanging out to do”. He then lists activities people weren’t allowed to do – attend the gym, see a film, breakfast in a café, dinner at the pub – all activities Guardian readers would have been yearning to do. He then contrasts these disallowed activities with: “you could blast harmless ducks out of the sky with your mates.” Through this juxtaposition of banned activities that cause no harm, boost the economy and bring joy to many, Witt positions readers to see how absurd and inconsistent the government restrictions were. Given many readers would have felt the effects of these lockdown measures, they would be perhaps more angry that duck hunting was allowed. Witt then seeks to portray the government as a body that has ignored expert advice on the issue. He does this by providing anecdotal evidence of a poor turn-out on the opening weekend of the season: “the only thing more scarce than the shooters were the ducks”. While readers may not be alarmed by poor shooter turn-out, Guardian readers, with their strong interest in environmental issues, would be concerned about shooting being allowed with a low duck population. This anger would be compounded when Witt details expert advice from “one of the world’s leading experts on birdlife” who warned the government of “decimated numbers after the fire season” “was ignored”. Finally, and perhaps most disturbing of all, the government instead “took the word” of Game Management Authority (GMA). To explain how horrendous a mistake this was, and to give uninformed readers insight into GMA’s credentials, Witt analogises: “listening to advice… from GMA… is akin to advice on the impact of smoking from Phillip Morris.” In doing so, Witt portrays the government as failing the people it is meant to represent by ignoring highly-credentialed experts and instead appeasing a group that has a vested interest in the issue. Witt spends the next two paragraphs outlining the damage done due to duck shooting, to help push his argument that it is surprising the government would support such destruction. He cites “piles of rubbish, including plenty of grog bottles”. His commonsense statement, “I would have assumed that alcohol and firearms were not a good mix” – something all readers would agree with – is used as a precursor to the inflammatory: “but in Victoria, the Government seems to think they

VCE · Language Analysis

Language Analysis: Argument Analysis

VCE Language Analysis essay scoring 77.5%: Of course. Here is the final version of the essay, focusing solely on the arguments and strategies that are…

Of course. Here is the final version of the essay, focusing solely on the arguments and strategies that are clearly present in the text. --- The repurposing of a beloved local building forces a community to define its priorities. In an open letter to the Bankswood Council and its residents, the local university's Art and Media Club argues passionately against converting the old library into administrative offices and instead proposes a vibrant arts centre. Their case is carefully crafted to speak to two distinct audiences, using nostalgia and shared memory to connect with locals while challenging the Council with a more visionary and community-focused alternative. The authors begin by establishing a warm and inclusive tone to build a shared sense of investment in the library's legacy. They open by describing a scene from the new library, a "cosy corner" where they observe "older people taking a computer class" and kids learning to "build robots." This imagery shows local residents a model of a thriving, intergenerational community space. They then pivot to reminiscing about visiting the old library "with our parents or grandparents," a strategic appeal to the sentimental attachment of long-term residents. This fosters a sense of collective ownership, framing their proposal not as a rejection of the past but as a respectful and exciting new chapter for a place already steeped in community history.

VCE · Language Analysis

Language Analysis: WRite ana analysis of the ways which…

VCE Language Analysis essay scoring 80%: A collective of musicians published an open letter towards the Narrow Valley region, proposing an additional…

A collective of musicians published an open letter towards the Narrow Valley region, proposing an additional music festival alongside their iconic garden festival to expand their performing opportunities. Aware that the community is reluctant to embrace change despite a steep decline in tourism, they write in a passionate and hopeful tone, framing the proposal as a community-wide initiative. Through repeated appeals to inclusivity, they not only build rapport with locals but also frame the music festival as a chance to revitalise the local economy. By addressing older generations, workers and other young musicians, they prompt them to perceive the creation of the music festival as mutually beneficial and economically necessary. The accompanying image reinforces the team’s vision by casting the music festival as a communal event that encourages diversity and renews the region. The team opens their letter by revealing their passion in reshaping the community, characterising themselves as “inclusive, youth-driven and energetic”, hoping to “seize opportunities” and “changing the region (and the future)” already framing themselves as future leaders to the locals. Similarly, they confidently assert that the proposed festival “celebrates diversity” and “provides a space for budding musicians”, aiming to stimulate the music festival as a supportive and growing environment that rejuvenates the community. Despite acknowledging the potential disagreement with the proposal, the authors display the naysayers’ argument “What? We hear you say…” as a series of trivial, almost flippant comments to make it seem invalid, prompting the locals to support the addition of the festival. Furthermore, the use of uncited statistics — that “visitors have dropped 50% percent over the past 5 years…” creates a credible impression to the uninformed while urging Narrow Valley locals to recognise that the festival is no longer sustainable, thus legitimising the need for change. Additionally, while claiming the need for a “change in tempo and style”, the team of musicians deliberately place a photograph of a set of hands with varying skin colours holding instruments, CDs and even spoons. Not only does this prompt readers to see the music festival as a break from the outdated garden festival but also primes them to visualise the

VCE · Language Analysis

Language Analysis: analyse key ideas from yoko ogawas the…

VCE Language Analysis essay scoring 80%: Essay – The Memory Police Introduction Set on an unnamed island where everyday objects and the memories tied to…

Essay – The Memory Police Introduction Set on an unnamed island where everyday objects and the memories tied to them slowly disappear, Yōko Ogawa’s dystopian novel The Memory Police (1994) explores how fragile memory is and how it shapes who we are. Written in Japan after the country’s experience of wartime censorship and postwar trauma, the novel reflects fears about the loss of identity and truth under authoritarian power. Through her simple yet symbolic style and allegorical storytelling, Ogawa shows that when memory is taken away, individuality and humanity collapse. At the same time, she shows that language, relationships, and storytelling are fragile but powerful forms of resistance. By letting readers experience the narrator’s gradual loss of memory and hope, Ogawa reveals that to remember is to stay human. Body Paragraph 1 – Memory and Identity The text highlights that memory defines identity, and its loss leaves people empty and disconnected. Ogawa positions the audience inside the narrator’s mind, allowing us to feel the slow acceptance of forgetting. The narrator’s memory of her mother’s secret cabinet of forbidden objects — “Ribbon, bell, emerald, stamp. The words that came from my mother’s mouth thrilled me … like new species of plants” — shows how alive memories can be, even when the objects are gone. Yet as disappearances increase, she begins to adapt “without much fuss,” showing how easily people get used to control. This mirrors Japan’s wartime censorship, where the loss of language and art led to silence and obedience. When the narrator says her books are now “just lumps of paper,” Ogawa symbolises how power removes meaning from culture and identity. Even though the narrator eventually disappears, she finishes her manuscript first, proving that storytelling is one of the last ways to fight back. This links to Japan’s postwar writers, who used literature to recover suppressed voices and rebuild identity after years of propaganda. Through this, Ogawa shows that art and memory can keep humanity alive, even when everything else fades.

VCE · Language Analysis

Language Analysis: Background information The website…

VCE Language Analysis essay scoring 77.5%: Section C: Introduction: The recent implementation of a new sign stating to “Not feed the birds” has sparked…

Section C: Introduction: The recent implementation of a new sign stating to “Not feed the birds” has sparked debates within the Stapleton community about whether feeding birds at the local lake area is appropriate for the residents to do. On the 2nd of October 2022 community member Daphne Lover created a social media post regarding this issue which was published on the “Stapleton Community Voice”, a website exclusive for residents of Stapleton to view opinions on issues from other members. Adopting an informative yet calm tone, Lover contends that the act of feeding birds within Stapleton shouldn’t stop altogether, but the community does need to however revaluate how it goes about feeding the wildlife to help prevent further damage to the environment and safety of the birds. Appealing to residents within the Stapleton Community, but in particular those who regularly part take in feeding the birds. Lover ultimately seeks to educate and raise awareness about how Stapleton can effectively continue to feed the birds without endangering their lives. Body Paragraph 1: From the outset, Lover frames her argument largely as a justification, with a clear stance on feeding birds responsibly, aiming to evoke feelings of awareness and concern from the residents of Stapleton towards the impact of improper bird feeding. She initially employs at the start of her social media post an image of the new sign which states “Do not feed the birds”, suggesting what the current issue is that is about to be discussed within the piece. Via the lens of this image, Lover highlights that if the Stapleton community were to remain a close-knit environment, less significant issues like whether feeding the birds should be allowed need to be discussed together. By making this criticism on the integrity of the Stapleton Community, Lover positions residents, in particular those who regularly feed the birds, to potentially listen to her further explanation on why this issue is worth discussing as a community as they unlikely want to undermine Stapleton. Shifting to a more reflective tone, Lover attempts to build her credibility as a member of the Stapleton community by building rapport with her fellow resident’s by sharing a personal anecdote with them. Through her emotional anecdote stating that she “often fed the birds” when growing up and that “every morning she would sprinkle seeds inside her bird feeder”, Lover attempts to further build an emotional connection with the residents of Stapleton beyond just being another member of the community. In doing so, Lover encourages residents of Stapleton to potentially become more receptive to her argument that improper bird feeding is a real issue that needs to be discussed within community circles, thereby increasing the likelihood of residents adopting Lover’s viewpoint. This sense of community Lover portrays is further built through her use of inclusive language as she aims to convey to residents that the issue regarding feeding the birds is not just her problem, but Stapletons as well. Lover’s statement that “We get enjoyment from feeding birds” and that “Its easy to see why we do it” aims to underscore the necessity that feeding birds is a Stapleton wide dilemma that everyone within the community has a surface level interest in. Through this, Lover encourages Stapleton residents to see their interests in the bird feeding issue as aligned with hers, potentially making them view her argument as the more compelling one and become more receptive to it. Ultimately, Lovers layered use of shaping her argument as a justification allows her to reason with the residents of Stapleton as to why the issue regarding whether Bird feeding needs to be debated and discussed by the community. Body Paragraph 2: Shifting from her predominant justification style, Lover shifts her focus to the impacts of improper bird feeding to clearly evoke concern among residents of Stapleton, specifically those who regularly feed the birds as they are unlikely aware of the issues they are

VCE · Language Analysis

Language Analysis: 2021 VCCA NHT

VCE Language Analysis essay scoring 82.5%: 2021 nht In response to the culture of work in our society, Arlo Manne a lifestyle coach and university…

2021 nht In response to the culture of work in our society, Arlo Manne a lifestyle coach and university lecturer in human resources management wrote an article published in the Business for the future Magazine titled "where is the balance" with the purpose of educating working individuals and business owners about the benifits of having a work life balance. Manne contends that if individuals and businesses can find a healthy work life balance, society will reward greatly. To commence his article Manne establishes the issue of overworking in the workforce. The title, in capital letters "where is the balance?" immediately questions the reader and urges them to think about their lifestyle. Manne opens by establishing his credentials as a "lifestyle coach" that has "many years of experience". In doing so the author intends to depict himself as trustworthy and experienced due to his prior experiences, thus aiming for the reader to view his argument favorably as a whole. Using his personal experiences he explains how often the people he coaches "feel trapped" due to "increasing workload, long hours and unrealistic expectations." Here, Manne intends for working individuals to relate to the feelings he has suggested and understand the issue of the workforce themselves, in hope they view his following arguments favorable. Building from this, the first image accompanied by Manne's article depicts in the foreground a balancing scale representing the conflict with "work" on one side and "life" on the other. In the background, is a blured body with a finger actively pushing down on the life side of the balancing scale. Through this, Manne intends for the working individuals and business owners to immediately realise the necessity for an active push to have more time for life in the work-life balance, thus suggesting that achieving balance requires intentional effort.

VCE · Language Analysis

Language Analysis: The world created by jackson is one of…

VCE Language Analysis essay scoring 72.5%: Born a Crime Text response essay Cruelty is often subjectified through individuals and their perspective on a…

Born a Crime Text response essay Cruelty is often subjectified through individuals and their perspective on a particular manner. In her neo-gothic fantasy novel, 'We have always lived in a Castle', author Shirley Jackson imposes readers with an undeniable world of unrelenting cruelty. Published between the 1950s and 60s, there is often strong emphasis on the chauvinistic mindset many male figures possess. Furthermore a symbol of jealousy and greed invites subjective pain and suffering often companied by clear lack of health and outright delusion. Author Shirley Jackson conveys a clearcut message to readers regarding her novel specifically the unmatched harshness and cruelty it possesses, and the affects this can have on various individuals. The time period of the novels publishing strongly influenced Jacksons addition of a cruel patriarchal society, symbolized by various figures in the novel. Cousin Charles and his assumed leadership of the Blackwood household upon his entrance is a key symbol of this, as he was forseen to, "Come take everything, and leave [Merricat and Constance] with nothing." Jackson portrays this entry to readers conveying an idea that a masculine ideology entices fear and worry, often exhausting Merricat in a new harsh cruel reality. Enforcing this conception further, Merricats various methods of combatence further entice readers with the cruel, undesirable world in which Merricat and Constance reside. The "magic"being broken accompanied by Merricats attempt to reseal the "protection around Constance [From Charles]" suggests the author has not only built a cruel world based on fear but a further message that it is necessary to fight back in such a harsh situation, emphasising the uncomfortablary and aggression required, all features of a painful existence. In essence, author Shirley Jackson presents a a world out of fear and provoked aggression all in an attempt to outline a world of cruelty.

VCE · Language Analysis

Language Analysis: Housing crisis

VCE Language Analysis essay scoring 80%: Australia’s recent housing crisis has sparked the concern of citizens. In her podcast ‘Unconventional Ursula’,…

Australia’s recent housing crisis has sparked the concern of citizens. In her podcast ‘Unconventional Ursula’, Ursula Browning contends to her adult listeners that the housing crisis is becoming a severe issue, proposing solutions to reallocate used land for housing instead. Supplementing her arguments, Browning inserts a sketch depicting blueprints for a space-efficient structure in hopes to address the housing crisis. Browning begins her argument by characterising the housing crisis as severe, supporting her need for an urgent solution. Browning’s title, “How can we fix the housing crisis?” utilises inclusive pronoun “we”, suggesting that the housing crisis is a collective issue. By positioning the audience to be responsible of the collective issue, Brown primes them to accept her subsequent solutions. Brown's questioning of a “fix” directly asks listeners to personally reflect on a solution as they are confronted by the issue. By assuming listeners have already “seen the news [about] the housing shortage”, Browning emphasises the vastness of the issue. Her use of anaphora repetition “what if there was a solution” and “what if the very idea of a housing crisis would be a thing of the past” elicits hope from the audience and sets up Browning to explain her solutions. Reinforcing the vastness of the issue, Browning employs statistics of Australia’s growing population “predicted to grow to nine million in 2041” from today’s “seven million.” Additionally she highlights that rent costs have “increased by more than 14.6%” within a year. The utilisation of confronting statistics legitimises the housing crisis with concrete evidence and confronts listeners about the reality of the issue. Her use of categorical statements conveys certainty with definitive assertions of “a solution is required, and fast”. This shakes readers complacency as she highlights the urgency to resolve the housing crisis.

VCE · Language Analysis

Language Analysis: Housing Crisis

VCE Language Analysis essay scoring 60%: Australia’s recent housing crisis has sparked the concern of citizens. In her podcast ‘Unconventional Ursula’,…

Australia’s recent housing crisis has sparked the concern of citizens. In her podcast ‘Unconventional Ursula’, Ursula Browning contends to her adult listeners about the housing crisis and proposes solutions of reallocating used land for housing. Supplementing her arguments, Browning inserts a sketch depicting blueprints for a space-efficient structure in hopes to address the housing crisis. Browning begins her argument by characterising the housing crisis as severe, supporting her need for an urgent solution. Browning’s title, “How can we fix the housing crisis?” utilises inclusive pronoun “we”, which suggests the housing crisis is a collective issue. The questioning of a “fix” invites listeners to personally reflect on the issue. By assuming listeners have already “seen the news [about] the housing shortage”, Browning emphasises the vastness of the issue. Her use of anaphora repetition “what if there was a solution” and “what if the very idea of a housing crisis would be a thing of the past” elicits hope from the audience and sets up Browning to explain her solutions. Reinforcing the vastness of the issue, Browning employs statistics of Australia’s growing population “predicted to grow to nine million in 2041” from today’s “seven million.” Additionally she highlights that rent costs have “increased by more than 14.6%” within a year. The utilisation of confronting statistics legitimises the housing crisis with concrete evidence and confronts listeners about the reality of the issue. Her use of categorical statements conveys certainty with definitive assertions of “a solution is required, and fast”. This shakes readers complacency as she highlights the urgency to resolve the housing crisis.

VCE · Language Analysis

Language Analysis: We, the Art and Media Club members…

VCE Language Analysis essay scoring 77.5%: Recently, the relocation of the Bankswood local library to a new building has left the old building empty and…

Recently, the relocation of the Bankswood local library to a new building has left the old building empty and in need of repurposing. In an open letter written to the Bankswood council by Arts and Media club members from the local university, the students enthusiastically express their desires for the old building to be turned into an arts centre instead of offices. Accompanying the letter are 2 images, one of students smiling in a library, and another comparing the proposed offices and art centre potential designs. Initially, the students gratefully endorse the new library building that has been built for them. The students claim that they are “comfortably resting on a [library couch] revealing how they have already used the new library multiple times, and express gratitude to the council for building this new building. This encourages the council to view the students as humble individuals who value what the council is doing to benefit the Bankswood community, and urges them to be more open to the students upcoming proposal. The image accompanying this shows the students smiling in the new library, revealing how they are using and are enjoying the new library's facilities. This implies that the council's decision to relocate the library was a good one, flattering council members and positioning them to view the students as grateful individuals. The students then juxtapose the old library with the new one, labelling the old library as “dark and gloomy” in stark contrast to the “state of the art” nature of the new library, implying that the transition to the new library was a necessary change, which empowers local council members and urges them to feel as though their decisions are making a positive impact on the lives of the local community members, evoking a feeling of satisfaction from council members.

VCE · Language Analysis

Language Analysis: “Creon is not your downfall, no, you…

VCE Language Analysis essay scoring 87.5%: Initially, Sophocles presents mortals as victims of fate’s merciless will. At the mercy of omnipotent,…

Initially, Sophocles presents mortals as victims of fate’s merciless will. At the mercy of omnipotent, supreme Gods, the destiny of the titular character was preordained and therefore mostly out of his hands. From the outset of the prologue, Sophocles postulates the unavoidable nature of fate. Stage directions describe Oedipus’ entry onto the stage “majestic but for a tell-tale limp”, reminding the audience of Laius and Jocasta’s attempt to kill their young boy who was “fated to couple with your mother…kill your father”, seeking to avoid the inevitable. Through this dramatic irony, Sophocles establishes the eponymous name of Oedipus which literally means “swollen feet”. The titular protagonist’s physical impairment from his wound emblemise how his personal decisions are confined within the unchanging boundaries of fate. Thus, the tragedian foreshadows the futility of his succeeding attempts to outrun prophecy, confined by the unchanging boundaries of fate. Hence, it is exemplified from the start of the tragedy that Oedipus is a helpless puppet whose trajectory is determined by divine will. Further reinforcing this sentiment through the priests’ worship of Oedipus, Sophocles simultaneously exposes the moral corruption that festers within Thebes. Stage directions encapsulate priests “[carrying] branches wound in wool”, raising their petitions to Oedipus whom they praise as “first of men” and their “saviour” to save them from the plague, the gods’

VCE · Language Analysis

Language Analysis: At what cost?

VCE Language Analysis essay scoring 90%: TITLE: AT WHAT COST? Ayubowan, Vannakum, Assalamu Alaikum. Today we stand not just in front of the Presidential…

TITLE: AT WHAT COST? Ayubowan, Vannakum, Assalamu Alaikum. Today we stand not just in front of the Presidential House, but at the heart of our nation’s democracy, gathered in this Aragalaya protest to continue the struggle that Sri Lankans have fought over generations. We are protesting government corruption, economic mismanagement, and policies that have pushed us into poverty. Because, if the decisions of the Rajapaksa government continue to harm every home, village, and community, at what cost are we willing to remain silent? My brothers and sisters, my name is Ranil, and I am seventeen. I am not a politician, a propagandist or a puppet. I am the son of hardworking middle-class parents, preparing for my final year twelve exams. Yet how can I focus on my studies while my mother cries quietly, terrified of hunger, and my exhausted father stands for hours queuing for fuel? How can I concentrate when blackouts sweep our home into darkness robbing it of warmth and safety? I cannot. And nor should you. A couple of months ago, the government banned chemical fertilisers overnight. While they feasted, entire villages could not grow crops, leaving many of our already impoverished brothers and sisters without fresh food. But hunger is not our only worry. Hospitals across Sri Lanka have run out of essential medicines, antibiotics, insulin, even painkillers. Doctors are forced to reuse equipment or turn away patients they can no longer help. Children with fevers die because pharmacies have empty shelves. The suffering is ours; the deaths are ours. Yet the power to solve these problems is not. This pain stretches far beyond our villages, reaching every corner of our nation. This year, Sri Lanka’s debt has swollen to eighty-six billion dollars, more than the value of everything our nation produces in a year. Decades of corruption and reckless borrowing have left our economy in ruins. We have seen the rupee’s depreciation, soaring prices, and leaders feasting while hospitals, schools, and households starve. Every corrupt decision shatters our trust, breaks our faith and silences another voice. Such struggles are not new to Sri Lanka. In 1953, the labouring class rose in the Hartal to protest rice subsidy cuts. Their success lay not in confrontation alone, but in strategic unity and the moral clarity of their

VCE · Language Analysis

Language Analysis: At what cost?

VCE Language Analysis essay scoring 87.5%: TITLE: AT WHAT COST? Ayubowan, Vannakum, Assalamu Alaikum. Today we stand not just in front of the…

TITLE: AT WHAT COST? Ayubowan, Vannakum, Assalamu Alaikum. Today we stand not just in front of the Presidential House, but at the heart of our nation’s democracy, gathered in this Aragalaya protest to continue the struggle that Sri Lankans have fought over generations. We are protesting government corruption, economic mismanagement, and policies that have pushed us into poverty. Because, if the decisions of the Rajapaksa government continue to harm every home, village, and community, at what cost are we willing to remain silent? My brothers and sisters, my name is Ranil, and I am seventeen. I am not a politician, a propagandist or a puppet. I am the son of hardworking middle-class parents, preparing for my final year twelve exams. Yet how can I focus on my studies while my mother cries quietly, terrified of hunger, and my exhausted father stands for hours queuing for fuel? How can I concentrate when blackouts sweep our home into darkness robbing it of warmth and safety? I cannot. And nor should you. A couple of months ago, the government banned chemical fertilisers overnight. While they feasted, entire villages could not grow crops, leaving many of our already impoverished brothers and sisters without fresh food. But hunger is not our only worry. Hospitals across Sri Lanka have run out of essential medicines, antibiotics, insulin, even painkillers. Doctors are forced to reuse equipment or turn away patients they can no longer help. Children with fevers die because pharmacies have empty shelves. The suffering is ours; the deaths are ours. Yet the power to solve these problems is not. This pain stretches far beyond our villages, reaching every corner of our nation. This year, Sri Lanka’s debt has swollen to eighty-six billion dollars, more than the value of everything our nation produces in a year. Decades of corruption and reckless borrowing have left our economy in ruins. We have seen the rupee’s depreciation, soaring prices, and leaders feasting while hospitals, schools, and households starve. Every corrupt decision our government acts upon breaks our trust, our faith and convinces more people that their voices no longer matter. Such

VCE · Language Analysis

Language Analysis: At what cost?

VCE Language Analysis essay scoring 90%: TITLE: AT WHAT COST? Ayubowan, Vannakum, Assalamu Alaikum. Today we stand not just in front of the Presidential…

TITLE: AT WHAT COST? Ayubowan, Vannakum, Assalamu Alaikum. Today we stand not just in front of the Presidential House, but at the heart of our nation’s democracy, gathered in this Aragalaya protest to continue the struggle that Sri Lankans have fought over generations. We are protesting government corruption, economic mismanagement, and policies that have pushed us into poverty. Because, if the decisions of the Rajapaksa government continue to harm every home, village, and community, at what cost are we willing to remain silent? My brothers and sisters, my name is Ranil, and I am seventeen. I am not a politician, a propagandist or a puppet. I am the son of hardworking middle-class parents, preparing for my final year twelve exams. Yet how can I focus on my studies while my mother cries quietly, terrified of hunger, and my exhausted father stands for hours queuing for fuel? How can I concentrate when blackouts sweep our home into darkness robbing it of warmth and safety? I cannot. And nor should you. A couple of months ago, the government banned chemical fertilisers overnight. While they feasted, entire villages could not grow crops, leaving many of our already impoverished brothers and sisters without fresh food. But hunger is not our only worry. Hospitals across Sri Lanka have run out of essential medicines, antibiotics, insulin, even painkillers. Doctors are forced to reuse equipment or turn away patients they can no longer help. Children with fevers die because pharmacies have empty shelves. The suffering is ours; the deaths are ours. Yet the power to solve these problems is not. This pain stretches far beyond our villages, reaching every corner of our nation. This year, Sri Lanka’s debt has swollen to eighty-six billion dollars, more than the value of everything our nation produces in a year. Decades of corruption and reckless borrowing have left our economy in ruins. We have seen the depreciation of the rupee, soaring prices and leaders, who feast while hospitals, schools, and households are left to starve. And it’s ordinary citizens like us who are forced to bear the cost. Every corrupt decision our government makes breaks our trust, our faith and convinces

VCE · Language Analysis

Language Analysis: ‘Sunset Boulevard shows that the…

VCE Language Analysis essay scoring 67.5%: Released towards the end of 1950, Sunset Boulevard, Billy Wilder’s incisive expose of the Hollywood industry…

Released towards the end of 1950, Sunset Boulevard, Billy Wilder’s incisive expose of the Hollywood industry and American society more broadly was met with scathing reviews by critics who felt Wilder had maligned the all-American pursuit of fame. Indeed, Wilder criticises in his film how the pursuit of fame often creates vulnerability to the exploitation of powerful figures, and more concerningly, the loss of oneself to discontent and even madness. Despite this, Wilder endorses those in the industry who pursue meaning over fame, and illustrates how such a path can allow one to avoid the perils of the industry. Ultimately, Wilder suggests that while Hollywood is a dangerous place, it can be navigated by those who seek to produce good work. (121 words) In the movie, the pursuit of fame leaves characters open to exploitation and even endangers their lives. Wilder reminds his audience that predatory characters wait around every corner to profit off the naivety of ‘the talent’. Joe’s callous agent tells him he should be grateful to be short on money, since “the greatest things were written on an empty stomach.” Despite professing to be Joe’s “friend”, Morino represents the most exploitative and profit-driven parts of deep Hollywood, always lurking in wait for the next “10 percent” cut. Wilder symbolically illustrates the dirtiness of the industry right from the opening of the film, when he depicts the titular street name ‘Sunset Boulevard’ written not atop a street sign, but instead in the gutter. This placement represents the lowlife aspects of Hollywood, with the fallen leaves in particular subtly hinting at the industry’s fallen and dead stars, while the high camera angle looking down on it tellingly indicates Wilder’s disgust towards the industry. The potentially fatal outcomes of chasing fame are reiterated in the next scene when the audience is presented with Joe’s dead body floating face down in a pool, while photographers crowd trying to get a good picture. Speaking from beyond the grave, Joe muses with dry empathy that “the poor dope…always wanted a pool.” As the cameras flash, he adds that he “got himself a pool – only the price turned out to be a little high.” This quote epitomises from the outset the ultimate peril of seeking acclaim: death. Indeed, it was only through his murder that Joe achieved not only the “pool”, but also the success and fame this represents in Hollywood. Joe’s haunting narration keeps the thread of death running through every scene, reminding the audience that a reckless pursuit of fame can have potentially fatal consequences. (300 words)

VCE · Language Analysis

Language Analysis: This is the article (was unable to…

VCE Language Analysis essay scoring 77.5%: Due to a large comments on both social media and their website, host of the Apples and Oranges podcast - JAC…

Due to a large comments on both social media and their website, host of the Apples and Oranges podcast - JAC LIV - decided to incorporate the topic of nappies within an episode of the podcast. Targeted towards an audience of new parents, Liv utilizes a casual and buoyant tone in order to present his discussion. He contends that disposable nappies are troublesome but acknowledges the drawback of reusable ones, thus providing a pragmatic solution that will benefit both the children and the environment. Subsequent to the podcast introduction, Liv opens the discussion of nappies by declaring "[His] biases upfront", stating that he believes that disposable nappies are "evil". This overt transparency with his audience establishes a sense of comfortability, positioning the readership to trust him by immediately informing them of his stance. Despite this, Liv continues to say that he put his "theories and prejudices to the test". By suggesting that he has the ability to contest his own notions, Liv creates a sense of his own objectivity, regardless of personal ideologies. This therefore targets the audience by framing himself as an individual who is willing to set aside his beliefs in order to uncover the truth. Liv thus, builds credibility with his readership through a combination of transparency and objectivity. Liv amplifies this notion through the utilisation of the first visual which depicts a woman balancing on a seesaw, apple in one hand, orange in the other. This image represents the podcast's overall goal of comparing and contrasting various issues in order to assist the audience. Furthermore, the presentation of the seesaw being balanced, rather than flipped to one side, encapsulates the podcasts - and therefore Liv's - commitment to fairly analysing the qualities of two opposing ideas, corroborating a sense of genuine openness with the readership. Subsequent to this establishment of trust, Liv discusses his personal experience with nappies when himself and his partner had twins. The anecdotes resonates with the parental audience and creates relatability between them and the speaker (Liv). Liv utilizes this connection to present his overarching argument, that disposable nappies are highly impactful to the environment. He states that both him and his partner wished for their parenting to have a "low impact on the world" and conversely for the "world to have a low impact" on their children. The utilisation of dichotomy to create correlation between environmental effects and child wellbeing appeals to the parental instincts to protect therefore bolstering Liv's argument .Liv further states that in tandem with the wellbeing of their "bub", he and his partner also wanted "to do the right thing". Liv utilises this statement as a by-line to shift the argument into one of morality, utilising subliminal messaging and consequential reasoning to suggest that the use of disposable nappies is immoral. This further appeals to his audience's desire to act in accordance with moral righteousness. Liv takes advantage of the relationship he has fostered with long time listeners of the podcast (who view him with respect) to position them in a place in which they do not wish to be perceived negatively by him by acting against what he considers to be "right".

VCE · Language Analysis

Language Analysis: Our local gym analysis

VCE Language Analysis essay scoring 82.5%: As a result of a recent council decision, the fitness centre “Our Local Gym” will be decommissioned, with…

As a result of a recent council decision, the fitness centre “Our Local Gym” will be decommissioned, with funding being withdrawn and reallocated to other council projects, which sparked outrage and resistance within the centre’s membership base. Addressing a room of emotionally invested gym members, chairperson Sandy Gestalt presents an argumentative speech, proposing the idea of a joint facility with “Long Live Lollies”, which would take advantage of a neglected shopfront on the south side of the building, replacing the funding lost due to the withdrawn council grant. Gestalt employs a conciliatory, pragmatic tone, providing genuine solutions that would mitigate opposition to the gym’s closure by offering a viable alternative. In doing so, Gestalt aims to convince her gym community to support her proposal to rally behind her proposal for “Our Local Gym’s” ongoing and future development. To tie her argument together, the speech is accompanied by two images promoting “Long Live Lollies”.

VCE · Language Analysis

Language Analysis: VCAA 2022 section c article

VCE Language Analysis essay scoring 72.5%: Nature + Adventure group have recently proposed a development plan for the Hapsey Wetlands that will comprise…

Nature + Adventure group have recently proposed a development plan for the Hapsey Wetlands that will comprise the native vegetation and animals of the area and could potentially lead to further development in the area. Consequentially, resident of Hapsey and podcast host, Janelle Tanley created a podcast episode directed towards the community of Hapsey to discuss the proposal in which she contends that approval could be detrimental to the wetlands. She shares her podcast with the intention of garnering support to revoke the proposal.

VCE · Language Analysis

Language Analysis: Background information Brittany Gains…

VCE Language Analysis essay scoring 62.5%: After the life of Brittany Gains was taken by two teenagers blinded by social media, a grass-roots movement…

After the life of Brittany Gains was taken by two teenagers blinded by social media, a grass-roots movement demands stronger laws to protect young people online and forms a protest outside of social media companies in Sydney. Eleanor Gains, the mother of the teenage girl, delivers a speech to concerned parents that encapsulates the message that social media is a violation of our community standards and ‘poisons the world’ they live in. She argues how reluctant and futile social media companies are to change their policies and their allowance of such crude and toxic behaviours which expose youth to danger. Gains’ approach to deliver her message involves emotional appeal and her use of personal anecdotes, and follows a rancorous tone to a determined tone at the end. Gains’ opens her speech with a rancorous tone, emphasising how she ‘shouldn’t be standing here today’, showing how the indolence of social media and their lack of effort moves the problem onto others. Her anecdote of her daughter's lost life and how she was ‘murdered by two kids her own age’ takes advantage of an emotional appeal, aiming to connect with other parents. This invites them to feel a sense of grief and empathy, but also wanting to seek action to prevent a similar fate for their own children. To further emphasise her point, she acknowledges how ‘social media didn’t put the knife in their hands’, but pushed them to the point where it ‘poisoned the world they were living in’. Gains uses this blameshift to emphasise the impact of how social media negatively impacts the users of their platform, slowly corrupting their minds until they act recklessly. In a blunt and unwavering tone, she delivers ‘the truth that none of us can ignore’, that the social media platforms that were built for entertainment were inevitably ‘toxic’. With the use of the word ‘truth’, Gains is able to reinforce her point on how social media is toxic, and discourage parents from seeing the bright side of it. Her use of terms such as ‘eating disorders’, ‘self-harm’, ‘cruelty’ and ‘violence’, fosters a feeling of discomfort and uneasiness, positioning social media as a disgusting and unacceptable platform to use. She addresses how that content ‘is what our kids are exposed to everyday’, further emphasising the impression that social media can leave on children and the harm it does. This positions these worried and concerned parents of how vulnerable their children are, and the danger that they may be facing.

VCE · Language Analysis

Language Analysis: The age opinion

VCE Language Analysis essay scoring 90%: The recent Medical Misogyny series published by The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald has sparked debate about…

The recent Medical Misogyny series published by The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald has sparked debate about systemic gender bias in healthcare. This issue has raised public concern over the delayed diagnoses, poor treatment, and higher mortality rates women face. In his opinion piece “Doctors Don’t Hate Women, But We Can Be Idiots When It Comes to Their Health”, oncologist Nicholas Wilcken, writing for The Age’s socially conscious, educated Australian readership concerned with public health and gender equity, concedes that gender disparity exists but argues that it stems from ignorance rather than misogyny. Across the piece, Wilcken blends professional authority, vivid anecdotes, historical reasoning, and linguistic reframing to persuade readers to replace the term medical misogyny with gynagnosia. His tone shifts from collegial agreement to defensive humour, concluding with optimism and humility to promote reform. Wilcken strategically begins with the statement that “medical culture has … ignored the health plight of women” — a deliberate move to establish common ground with readers likely sympathetic to gender equality. This early agreement not only aligns with their values but also frames him as a self-aware insider prepared to admit fault. By embodying technical explanation of heart attack physiology with informal phrasing, describing the aorta carrying “all that lovely red, newly oxygenated blood”, Wilcken blends professional authority with conversational warmth. His repeated use of inclusive language “we doctors” signals collective responsibility, preventing the impression of defensive individualism. This combination of authority and accessibility reassures readers that his later rejection of the term medical misogyny comes from credibility, not denial. The professional tone positions educated Australians to see him as part of the solution, making them more open to his reframing of the debate.

VCE · Language Analysis

Language Analysis: "Flat Whites, Long Blacks and…

VCE Language Analysis essay scoring 72.5%: Following the backlash from local residents, journalist Annete Williams' opinion article (published in…

Following the backlash from local residents, journalist Annete Williams' opinion article (published in 'Weekend Happenings') explores the plea from local residents to ban dogs from cafe's. In a neutral and conservative tone, the author contends to Melbourne cafe' enthusiasts and 'Weekend Happenings' readers the necessity to "exercise... common sense" in response to the "increasingly prevalent" "canine companions". 'Flat Whites, Long Blacks and... Puppacinos?' reflects on the beneficial aspects of cafe's to all, and formulates a solution to the pleas of local letters. Williams opens her article to the newspaper readers by reflecting on the importance and prevalence of cafe's. Williams opens her article in a passive and calm tone through the generalisation of "every Melbournian understanding the scenes of cafe's on "a Sunday morning". Through this, Williams places an exceeded weight on the "scenes" and prevalence of "local café[s]". Moreover, Williams furthers this relationship with the readers through the subtle marriage of rule of three and visual imagery, exploring the vast calibre of consumers. Referencing the "pelotons of cyclists", "gentle chit-chat", and "old friends [laughing]" sustains her establishment of the vibrant and inclusive environments cafe's uphold, and appeals to the reader's to reflect on their past encounters and fond memories of Melbourne cafe's. Williams cements her establishment of the morning restaurants through the hyperbolic statement of their being "few rituals... as soothing and inclusive". Here, Williams emphasises to the readers of the 'Weekend Happenings' the necessity of cafe's within Melbourne, highly exaggerating their effects on locals to boost her claims.

VCE · Language Analysis

Language Analysis: Analyse the use of language in the…

VCE Language Analysis essay scoring 70%: 2025 trial exam section C In response to being awarded the 2024 #GoldenSlice title by @VanillaVibes, resulting…

2025 trial exam section C In response to being awarded the 2024 #GoldenSlice title by @VanillaVibes, resulting in anti social behaviour from customers, Carter Chan, owner of River Bakery, took to the bakeries social media page to offer his gratitude to @Vanillavibes for the award, but also to share his disappointment in the “apalling behaviour” displayed by the customers over the weekend. Addressing the regular customers of the bakery, specifically those responsible for showing “hositlity” to the baker’s staff, Chan seeks to emphasise that the rude behaviour exhibited will not be tolerated by the bakery, encouraging all customers to “embrace kindness” and also to support the new surveillance measures being implemented in the bakery, to ensure the safety of all individuals. Chan Commences by “expressing his gratitude” to the “River Bakery family” for the “overwhelming support” in his bakery becoming a “beloved part of the community”.His use of the word “family” aims to create a sense of belonging among his customers, allowing regulars of the bakery to feel connected and included in the bakery’s decisions and events, which further increases their likelihood of supporting Chan’s upcoming opinions and viewpoints on a need for change in the bakery’s environment.Furthermore, Chan continues to thank @VanillaVibes for showing their “appreciation” for (the bakery’s) “baked goods” and awarding the bakery the “truly humbling” 2024 #GoldenSlice title. By personally thanking @VanillaVibes, Chan seeks to emphasise to the page and its followers that his post is not out of ungratefulness, and he has not taken the awrad for granted. His use of the adjectives “truly humbling” further intends to gain the bakery’s customers, and @VanillaVibes follower’s respect, and assure them to believe that his intentions are for the best interests of all individuals parties involved,which further increases the likelhiood of his aim to gather support for surveillance to be supported. Having established his initial appreciation of being acknowledged by @VanillaVibes, Chan then takes responsibility for the bakery’s “failings last weekend”, due to the “unprecedented demand”. His description of the increased “lengthy cues” being “unprecedented”,hopes to potentially remove some of the blame that may be placed upon the bakery for the “difficult situation”, by highlighting that it was completely out of the bakeries control. Hoping to direct some of the blame off the bakery, Chan hopes to evoke feelings of understanding from his customers for the “limited stock availability”, to ensure he does not lose any potential customers due to the frustrating events. Chan then progresses his argument by “wholeheartedly (apologising) to his customers, especially for those “who travelled lengthy distances to experience the delicious River Bakery offerings”, in order to express to his customers that may be “frustrated and disappointed” that the bakery is truly empathetic and understanding of their feelings. By describing the bakery’s apology as “wholeheartedly”, Chan reiterates to his customers that he takes some of the blame for the events of last weekend, removing any idea of customers feeling solely targeted and blamed for the circumstances. This also aims to highlight the bakery’s genuninity and dedication to providing the best service and protecting both its staff and customers, which would further gain the support from residents of Lamsville, specifically those that are regular customers of the ‘River Bakery’.

VCE · Language Analysis

Language Analysis: Article exploring the welcome to…

VCE Language Analysis essay scoring 80%: The debate over the appropriateness of Welcome to Country ceremonies has recently gained media attention…

The debate over the appropriateness of Welcome to Country ceremonies has recently gained media attention following a group of Neo-Nazis booing this ceremony during an ANZAC Day dawn service. This urged former West Australian treasurer and director of Rio Tinto and Woodside, Ben Wyatt, to publish a response in The Australian newspaper. Through his opinion piece titled "Welcome to Country attacks point to a deeper discomfort" (April 29, 2025), Wyatt argues to a generally educated, conservative audience that these debates reveal Australian's lack of a sense of place as a nation. He contends that First Nations history is significant in the culture and development of Australia and Welcome to Country ceremonies do not diminish Australia's progression. Wyatt opens his piece by pointing out that Australians are uncomfortable with their history of incarceration against First Nations peoples, though this underlies Australia's broader national identity. In a forthright tone, Wyatt states that the final election debate "certainly provided" an example of "how awkwardly" Indigenous heritage exists within Australia's identity. The definitive nature of this statement and certainty from Wyatt acts to emphasize how clear this discomfort has become, likely evoking reflection of the election period and the existence of this issue from the perspective of his conservative audience. Wyatt recounts how headlines did not focus on closing the "disparity" between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, nor the resolution of Australia's 'shameful' incarceration of First Nations people. These descriptions are heavily weighted with negative connotations, establishing to the reader the horrors of Indigenous history which continue to exist in the present day. Wyatt recognises how this history is of 'conquest and stolen lands' which can challenge Australia's 'extraordinary success'. This contrasts emotive language, evoking a sense of shock and guilt before describing the nation in an overwhelmingly optimistic manner, and this disconnect aims to reflect discomfort onto the reader, strengthening Wyatt's argument that Australia's history sits awkwardly in its national identity as it evokes this unease from the audience.

VCE · Language Analysis

Language Analysis: Task Write an analysis of the ways in…

VCE Language Analysis essay scoring 80%: Following the 2024 #GoldenSlice award presented to River Bakery, owner Carter Chan delivers a carefully crafted…

Following the 2024 #GoldenSlice award presented to River Bakery, owner Carter Chan delivers a carefully crafted open letter addressing the bakery’s customers and the broader public. The letter primarily seeks to explain the implementation of increased surveillance measures, following a surge in customer numbers and a rise in aggressive behaviour. Throughout the letter, Chan presents himself as a calm, responsible, and ethical business owner, blending appeals to logic, emotion, and authority. By openly acknowledging recent service issues and the mistreatment of staff, Chan creates a sense of urgency and moral necessity for change. His approach is aimed at justifying new surveillance policies while also reinforcing community values and protecting his staff.

What is VCE argument analysis assessing?

The task assesses your ability to identify the contention and sequence of arguments, then explain how verbal and visual choices support that persuasive work. Audience effect must be plausible and connected to context.

Strong analysis recognises combinations: a statistic may establish authority while inclusive language turns that authority into shared responsibility.

How should you study an argument analysis example?

Map the source article beside the response and check whether the paragraph order reflects meaningful argumentative stages. Highlight where the analysis explains why a choice appears at that moment.

Practise replacing vague effect language such as 'makes the reader agree' with a specific attitude, emotion or action relevant to the target audience.

What weakens language analysis?

Technique spotting without argument is the main weakness. Naming rhetorical questions, statistics or imagery does not explain how the author advances a case.

Invented audience reactions are another risk. Ground effects in the publication context, audience values and the language actually used.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to analyse every persuasive technique?

No. Select the choices that most clearly advance the argument and explain how they work together.

How should I discuss an image?

Analyse its composition, subject and relationship to the written argument. Avoid treating the visual as a disconnected final paragraph.

Should argument analysis follow the article chronologically?

Often the argument's stages provide a useful order, but group material by persuasive purpose rather than mechanically following every sentence.