Workshops > Overview
Essay writing
Many of you are familiar with Brad’s instructional video on ‘The
PIE Essay’, which is one component of several in this hands-on workshop.
Students learn to write concisely, coherently and even collaboratively. This
workshop helps students prepare for the Paper 1 and Paper 2 exam.
Speech and debate
This workshop focuses on rhetoric and debate skills. It is
intended for students who are preparing further oral activities, writing speeches
or participating in debate competitions. Students learn to analyze and use
persuasive language effectively.
Disney and stereotypes
For Parts 1 and 2 of the IB Language and Literature
syllabus, students are asked to explore the effects of language in certain contexts.
By studying the use of Black English in Disney films, students meet many of
the learning outcomes of this course. Students watch these children’s classics
through a critical lens, and listen to their use of language with critical ears. The
foundation for a further oral activity is established in this workshop.
Media literacy
The nature of communication has changed rapidly over the
past decades due to a revolution in information technology. In this workshop,
students become more aware of the ways in which the Internet is changing our
cultural landscape. With a focus on several primary and secondary sources,
students come away with the building blocks to write a written task.
Advertising
Analyzing ads can offer excellent insight into cultural norms and
values. Besides learning about various advertising techniques, such as the use
of celebrities and the bandwagon effect, students learn to ask big questions of
seemingly simple texts in this workshop. What’s more, they come away with a
proposal for writing a written task.
Journalism
This workshop focuses on sensationalism, bias and newsworthiness: three important concepts in becoming more media literate. Students look critically at the headlines, images and language of news articles. They are shown ways to demonstrate their understanding of this knowledge in the form of a written task.