Purpose

Post-Module Learnings

Content

Introduction Overview

Core Introduction Components

1. Background/Context Sentence

• Template: "Following [specific event/decision/revelation], [stakeholder group] has been forced to reconsider [established practice/belief], particularly given [compelling factor]."

• Example: "Following the Victorian government's announcement of a four-day school week trial, working parents have been forced to reconsider childcare arrangements, particularly given the already strained after-school care sector."

• Template: "The traditional assumption that [old belief] has been challenged by [new development], forcing [affected group] to navigate [specific dilemma]."

• Example: "The traditional assumption that university degrees guarantee career success has been challenged by the tech industry's skills-based hiring, forcing students to navigate between formal education and self-directed learning."

• Template: "At the intersection of [issue A] and [issue B], [stakeholder] faces the complex task of [specific challenge], especially considering [complicating factor]."

• Example: "At the intersection of housing affordability and climate resilience, Melbourne councils face the complex task of approving sustainable developments, especially considering the competing demands of density and green space."

• Template: "What originated as [initial concern] among [specific group] has morphed into [broader issue], particularly after [turning point], revealing [deeper complexity]."

• Example: "What originated as parental concern over TikTok usage among teenagers has morphed into a broader reckoning with algorithmic influence, particularly after whistleblower testimonies revealed engagement-maximising design features."

• Template: "Despite [positive development/intention], [unexpected consequence] has emerged, leaving [affected party] grappling with [specific dilemma]."

• Example: "Despite renewable energy becoming cheaper than fossil fuels, regional communities dependent on coal mining have emerged as unexpected opponents, leaving policymakers grappling with just transition strategies."

• Specific dates, events, or decisions (not just "recently")

• Named stakeholders (not just "people" or "society")

• Precise consequences or implications

• Recognition of complexity or competing interests

• Acknowledgment of evolution or change over time

• ❌ "Recent debate has arisen..." (overused, vague)

• ❌ "Discussion has been sparked..." (passive, clichéd)

• ❌ "In today's society..." (meaningless filler)

• ❌ "For many years..." (too broad, lacks precision)

• ❌ "Controversy surrounds..." (tells us nothing specific)

2. Article Details Sentence

• No author name → "the writer" or reference publication ("The Age's editorial team")

• No role → focus on publication credibility

• No date → use "recently published" if contextually appropriate

3. Tone + Contention Integration (The Analytical Heart)

• Definition: The author's central argument, thesis, or position on the issue

• This is their OPINION or STANCE - what they think is true or right

• Answers: "What does the author believe about this issue?"

• Language clues: "argues that," "believes," "maintains," "asserts"

• ✅ "Social media is fundamentally damaging teenage mental health"

• ✅ "Current climate policies are insufficient to prevent catastrophe"

• ✅ "Working from home increases productivity and work-life balance"

• ✅ "Australia's immigration system unfairly disadvantages skilled workers"

• ❌ "We should ban social media for under-16s" (this is an action)

• ❌ "The government must implement carbon taxes" (this is what they want done)

• ❌ "Companies need to embrace flexible work" (this is a desired action)

• Definition: The desired action, response, or change the author seeks from readers

• This is their GOAL or PURPOSE - what they want to happen

• Answers: "What does the author want readers/society to do?"

• Language clues: "urges," "calls for," "demands," "encourages"

• ✅ "Vote for parties supporting climate action"

• ✅ "Boycott companies using child labour"

• ✅ "Write to your MP about housing reform"

• ✅ "Support local businesses over multinationals"

• Contention = "The author thinks..." (belief/opinion)

• Intention = "The author wants us to..." (action/behaviour)

1. Sometimes the contention and intention are closely related:
• Contention: "The voting age should be lowered to 16" (belief)
• Intention: "Support the campaign to lower the voting age" (action)

2. Look for the deeper belief behind surface arguments:
• Surface: "We need more bike lanes"
• Deeper contention: "Car-dependent cities are unsustainable and unhealthy"
• Intention: "Advocate for active transport infrastructure"

• Start measured to establish credibility

• Build intensity as they develop their argument

• May soften to seem reasonable

• Often end with urgency or hope

• "In it, Morrison cautiously yet increasingly urgently contends that Australia's aged care system has become 'a national disgrace' requiring immediate reform."

• "In it, Dr. Chen optimistically but realistically contends that renewable energy can provide 'baseload power cheaper than coal' within five years."

• "In it, Thompson sardonically and at times scathingly contends that influencer culture has created 'a generation of narcissistic performers' unable to form genuine connections."

• "While initially measured, Patel becomes increasingly incensed in her contention that the gig economy 'systematically exploits vulnerable workers', particularly when addressing Uber's profit margins."

• "While initially sympathetic, the author becomes increasingly critical in their contention that helicopter parenting 'cripples children's resilience', particularly when addressing university-age dependence."

• "Through their analytical yet passionate opinion piece, Dr. Williams (The Monthly) asserts that Australia's mental health system fails young men, urging readers to recognise that 'silence literally kills'."

• "Through their measured yet urgent analysis, economist Ross Garnaut (The Guardian) asserts that carbon pricing remains our best climate tool, urging readers to recognise that 'delay costs lives and livelihoods'."

• "Adopting a conversational stance that shifts to moral urgency, Sister Brigid Arthur maintains that offshore detention violates human rights, emphasising how 'cruelty has become policy' reflects Australia's ethical decline."

• "Adopting an academic stance that shifts to personal passion, Professor Gillian Triggs maintains that press freedom faces unprecedented threats, emphasising how 'democracy dies in darkness' reflects global authoritarianism."

• Choose 3-8 words that capture the author's core belief

• Look for memorable phrases, metaphors, or strong claims

• Avoid purely factual statements - need opinion/argument

• The quote should be able to stand alone as representing their view

• ✅ "a moral imperative"

• ✅ "economic suicide"

• ✅ "this generation's moon landing"

• ✅ "systematic betrayal"

• ❌ "in 2023" (just a fact)

• ❌ "many people think" (too vague)

• ❌ "it is important" (too generic)

• ❌ "studies show" (factual, not opinion)

4. Target Audience + Intention Sentence

• Age + Life Stage: "new parents" > "young people"

• Occupation + Values: "sustainability-conscious professionals" > "workers"

• Location + Lifestyle: "inner-city apartment dwellers" > "city residents"

• Education + Interests: "STEM-educated progressives" > "educated readers"

5. Visual Analysis Integration (When Required)

Comprehensive Tone Word Framework

Understanding Tonal Complexity

POSITIVE TONE SPECTRUM

🟢 Mild Positive (Gentle Persuasion)

• Encouraging: Offering support and confidence
• Example: "The author encouragingly presents statistics about renewable energy job growth"

• Optimistic: Hopeful but realistic
• Example: "She optimistically discusses potential solutions to housing affordability"

• Constructive: Building towards solutions
• Example: "The piece constructively examines policy alternatives"

• Reassuring: Calming concerns
• Example: "The doctor reassuringly addresses vaccine hesitancy"

🟡 Moderate Positive (Active Engagement)

• Enthusiastic: Showing keen interest and energy
• Example: "The author enthusiastically champions the four-day work week"

• Passionate: Deeply committed and emotional
• Example: "She passionately advocates for Indigenous land rights"

• Empowering: Giving strength to readers
• Example: "The article empoweringly positions young voters as changemakers"

• Inspiring: Motivating action or hope
• Example: "The piece inspiringly profiles community leaders"

🔴 Intense Positive (Strong Advocacy)

• Zealous: Fervently enthusiastic
• Example: "The author zealously promotes complete digital transformation"

• Exuberant: Overflowing with enthusiasm
• Example: "The columnist exuberantly celebrates the policy victory"

• Triumphant: Celebrating victory
• Example: "The editorial triumphantly declares the end of the recession"

• Euphoric: Intensely joyful
• Example: "The writer euphorically describes the medical breakthrough"

NEGATIVE TONE SPECTRUM

🔵 Mild Negative (Gentle Criticism)

• Concerned: Worried but measured
• Example: "The author expresses concern about rising costs"

• Cautious: Warning of potential issues
• Example: "The expert cautiously examines the policy's limitations"

• Skeptical: Questioning but not dismissive
• Example: "The journalist skeptically reviews the government's promises"

• Disappointed: Let down but not angry
• Example: "The writer seems disappointed by the lack of progress"

🟠 Moderate Negative (Active Criticism)

• Critical: Analytically negative
• Example: "The author critically dissects the budget proposal"

• Frustrated: Showing clear annoyance
• Example: "The parent frustratedly describes school funding cuts"

• Indignant: Righteously angry
• Example: "The columnist indignantly responds to the scandal"

• Condemning: Strongly disapproving
• Example: "The editorial condemningly addresses corporate tax avoidance"

⚫ Intense Negative (Strong Opposition)

• Outraged: Extremely angry
• Example: "The author is outraged by the environmental destruction"

• Scathing: Severely critical
• Example: "The review scathingly attacks the policy failure"

• Vitriolic: Bitter and caustic
• Example: "The opinion piece vitriolically denounces the decision"

• Incensed: Extremely angry and shocked
• Example: "The writer is incensed by the breach of trust"

COMPLEX TONES (Nuanced Emotions)

🔄 Shifting/Mixed Tones

• Ambivalent: Torn between positions
• Example: "The author ambivalently weighs economic growth against environmental protection"

• Measured: Balanced and careful
• Example: "The analysis takes a measured approach to both sides"

• Contemplative: Thoughtfully considering
• Example: "The piece contemplatively explores ethical dilemmas"

• Pragmatic: Practical over emotional
• Example: "The author pragmatically accepts compromise solutions"

🎭 Strategic Tones

• Sardonic: Mockingly cynical
• Example: "The columnist sardonically notes the irony of the situation"

• Provocative: Deliberately challenging
• Example: "The author provocatively questions sacred cows"

• Earnest: Sincere and serious
• Example: "The plea is earnestly directed at policymakers"

• Urgent: Pressing for immediate action
• Example: "The scientist urgently warns of tipping points"

Tone Pairing Strategies

1. Progression Pairs: Shows emotional journey
• "Initially cautious yet ultimately emphatic"
• "Measured but increasingly urgent"

2. Contrast Pairs: Shows complexity
• "Compassionate yet pragmatic"
• "Optimistic though cautious"

3. Reinforcement Pairs: Shows consistency with variation
• "Critical and at times scathing"
• "Encouraging and occasionally inspiring"

• Same intensity level (e.g., "outraged and incensed")

• Contradictory without transition (e.g., "euphoric yet depressed")

• Style words mixed with tone (e.g., "formal and passionate")

Quick Selection Guide

1. What emotion does the author feel? (This identifies positive/negative)

2. How strongly do they feel it? (This identifies intensity level)

3. Does this emotion change? (This identifies your second tone)

4. What triggers the change? (This helps with your analysis)